The Summit theme is “Spotlight Mindanao: Blogging for Culture, Identity and Understanding.”
Oliver "Blogie" Robillo, MBS1 Organizing Team Leader, said they are “relying on the viral nature of blogs to get this message across: that Mindanao is much more than what the general public perceives it to be.”
“Through the various and numerous blogs of and from Mindanao, we hope to show the world the true and beautiful images of the Philippine South,” he said.
The organizing team is composed of Robillo, Andrew dela Serna, Maria Jose, Mhelford "Migs" Hipolito, Moslemen Macarambon Jr., Dominique Cimafranca, Marc Javellana, Kim Lorraine Castillo, and Councilor Peter Lavina.
Lavina, touted to be the first elected official in the Philippines to go blogging, will deliver the keynote speech after Robillo’s opening remarks at 9 a.m.
Lavina will talk on blogging and participatory governance.
Bob Martin, an American behind mindanao.com will talk about travel and technology while Fr. Albert Alejo, a social anthropologist, will discuss the “socio-cultural mindset of the Mindanawon.”
After lunch, Aileen Apolo will have a Google Presentation, Kim Castillo will discuss “transition from ‘emo’ to niche blogging,” Jayvee Fernandez will talk about “problogging & new media,” and Marc Macalua will explain “how to optimize your wordpress blog for top search rankings."
The presentation of summit resolutions on the role of bloggers in fostering understanding and peace in Mindanao will follow the discussions.
A session with A-list bloggers like Abe Olandres, Bob Martin, Andrew de la Serna and Jayvee Fernandez will follow. (MindaNews)