Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009

Just another day, I posted an entry about my blog being nominated for 'TOP 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2009' which happens to be a project of an influential blogger herself, Janette Toral with the help of Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events@Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobil, and Blog4Reviews.com. This has started three (3) years ago which obviously means that right now, this writing project is on its 3rd year of identifying new and emerging blogs that created an impact to their wide group of readers. And for this year, the table is open for nominating those blogs that started anytime from May 1, 2008 to the present...

(Thanks to Markku Seguerra for the photo)

The image above are those bloggers who emerged victorious last year. They are the 'TOP 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2008' and now they're about to pass their title to the next bloggers who will be chosen by majority to be called the 'TOP 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009'.

And now, it is my take or rather my turn, to pick those 10 bloggers which for me are the ones that have greatly influenced and affected not just my blogging passion, but other bloggers' too. To tell you the truth, it is really not that easy... I mean, I really had had a hard time choosing the ones who I should include in my list since there are actually 13 bloggers who deserve to be part of it. Somehow, I feel guilty that I won't be able to include them all here... but I really have to do this... I must pick not 13 but just 10!

Ladies and gentlemen, my beloved readers, viewers, bloggers and online buddies, and Ms. Janette Toral, allow me to introduce to you "atenean101's TOP 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009", they are the following... in random order...

He's MJ Ces and he has been working as a writer for almost a decade of his life. Actually, two of his blogs are supposed to be on my list, this one and A Simple Married Life, but I opted to just choose one to give chance for other bloggers to be part of my list... He's considered a PRO when it comes to Web Writing, SEO Writing, and Copy Writing, and for sure this blog will be a proof.

Pinoy Copywriter

This is a site where the author expresses his own opinion about Philippine politics, regional economic policies and other trivial things that help mold the pinoys into a unique species.

PolitEkon

With the desire of organizing and unifying Cebu-based bloggers, the Cebu Bloggers Society, better known as CBS, was created. Accordingly, its main objective is to create an atmosphere of camaraderie with bloggers based in Cebu who blogs about technology, politics, hobbies, food, travel and almost everything under the sun. BLOGGER KO BAI!

Cebu Bloggers Society

Batang Yagit, better known as Batang Lakwatsero with his travel blog, has been known in the pinoy blogosphere not just because of his unique and very 'catchy' name, but also because of his creative works and better blogging knowledge... he has helped several bloggers already especially those who are new to the blogging world, and eventually became influential to most of them, including me!

Batang Lakwatsero

This site is aimed at expressing ate Mariz' positive take on life. She's one of the only few bloggers I have met online who is very optimistic. According to her, she created her blog to share her own personal views and experiences, posting stories that inspire, insights to reflect upon, information that are useful, tips that are helpful, and anything that can bring cheer to everyday living. Through her site, she hopes to meet people and make new friends, as she believes that blogging is not just about expressing, but more importantly, it's about connecting.

Reflections by Mariz

DOROTHY’S VINEYARD. This is the name of the school Mommy Dharlz dream to put up in the future, that is... This blog will talk about anything and everything about life. From the mundane to the very core of life’s meaning.. On the lighter side, this blog will also be a vehicle for this mommy blogger to bring food to the table..

Dorothy's Vineyard

He's a fellow CBS (Cebu Bloggers Society) blogger. This blog accounts his magnificent interest with photography. As quoted, "Through the Focal Glass... A picture speaks a thousand words, but a thousand words is not enough."

Through the Focal Glass...

Another fellow CBS blogger who impressed me because of his extraordinary talent when it comes to blogging. But mind you, he is no longer a kiddo... but yes, he is extraordinary!

The Extraordinary Kiddo

Again, another fellow CBS blogger that I admire. He's a young technology enthusiast, photographer, a current event geek, a sporty individual and an adventurous one! He is the former founder of XPSource, a site providing daily news regarding Microsoft technologies and Windows Vista and a former contributor to TechConnect Magazine, an online magazine.

MANGO CHICO

She's a programmer by heart and she's now revealing her unrevealed thoughts, this is simply because she just loves writing...

My Unrevealed Thoughts

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••• atenean101 @ Blogspot is Nominated for "TOP 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2009"

••• atenean101 @ Blogspot or this blog, was created last September 1, 2009, just few days after I celebrated my very day. And from that day onwards until today, it has been noticed and continues to be recognized and appreciated by several bloggers (may it be online or offline) in different areas of the world. But hey, I am not bragging here, okay? All I wanted here is to let you know that your recognition and appreciation is always noted and highly appreciated... It is indeed an honor and an opportunity at the same time for me as a blogger that my work somehow touches one's life.

Now to all my dear readers, viewers, visitors, or whatever you may call yourselves, I would just like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you guys for the support, and for continuously visiting this blog and believing in me. I know for sure that without you, this blog would have not reached this far and this long. Your comments, reviews and messages keep me from doing this and inspire me to do better. Again, I am really thankful!

And just like what I have written on one of my notes before, when I was just starting here, it is very true indeed that freedom of expression is really one of the few values we all have and yet only few of us hold it dear... Expressing yourself is like making your own particular mark in this world: a mark that is like no other. And with this world where appearance is everything, going against the flow and pushing yourself against the boundaries of your limit and creating a look that is unique to you - is truly a brave and a powerful thing. It's not really about a new blog in the blogosphere or about a new handsome or sexy blogger... instead, it is all about who the real blogger is and the true purpose of his blog.

In my life, I always chose to focus on things that are simple yet adaptable. The same principle applies to this blog. One may even call this blog as "Basic". But honestly speaking, in my eyes and in my own opinion, that's what BEAUTY and being TRUE is all about. I always wanted to show myself to everybody in a way that they would be able to remember me anywhere, anytime...

The different posts I have created and posted here may inspire you. Or they may not. But whatever it is, at the end of the day, whatever you like and whatever you don't like here are the things that makes this blog more interesting... Thing is, I can only show you what I really am. It may not be conventional, but at least I'm striving to better myself and to entertain people even just through this "basic" blog.

... Just this early June, I have learned that there were some bloggers who have nominated or included ••• atenean101 @ Blogspot on their list of "TOP 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2009". And I am really glad. At least, there are still people who appreciates this blog, though it's a fact that I have been quite inactive for how many months after an unwanted incident happened that until now, I am still keeping... Thank you so much, I hope I would be able to reach your expectation with this blog.

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Reflection: The Story of Kevin Carter & the Sudanese Child

Just yesterday, I read a newly blog post from one of my favorite bloggers and online buddy at the same time - anne a.k.a anniniput - that really caught my attention... and eventually moved me. Immediately, I've realized that despite of all the negative things that I am currently into, still I am lucky... and because of this fact, I am thankful...

Kevin Carter's Pulitzer Prize winning photo in 1994 during the Sudan Famine. The picture depicts a famine stricken child being stalked by a vulture. The child is crawling towards a United Nations food camp, located a kilometer away.

The picture that you see above is taken by the late Kevin Carter which won him the "Pulitzer Prize" in 1994 as Feature Photography. The photo you see depicts the Sudan famine during that time... where the vulture is staring at the helpless and starving Sudanese child who is heading towards the United Nations food camp which is just about a kilometer away.

... and three (3) months later after Kevin took the picture, he committed suicide. And it is said to be due to depression.

Take a look at the photo again... and perhaps try to reflect...

The Sudanese child and Kevin's tale happened more than a decade ago, yet although it's been 15 years already, still our situation today is just the same as before, or even worst!

... Landing near the village of Ayod, Carter and Silva began work at an overwhelmed feeding centre. Carter found the scene distressing and took a stroll in the bush to calm his nerves. A soft whimpering sound caught his attention. It was a pitiful, animal-like sound. He moved towards it until he found the source. A young African girl was crawling weakly towards the centre of a clearing. She didn't have the energy to stand and, emaciated, stood little chance of survival. If the plight of this little girl couldn't stir the world into action nothing would, as Carter knew instinctively and immediately. He crouched with his camera, ready to frame an eye-level shot. As he did so, a vulture landed behind her, obviously awaiting the moment of death. He carefully framed the photograph, being careful not to disturb the bird, and clicked. He waited about 20 minutes, waiting for the bird to fly off, and when it didn't, he chased it away.

Carter sat under a tree, watched her struggle for a while, smoked a cigarette and 'talked to God'. He did not help the girl. Utterly depressed, he went back to Silva and explained what had happened, wiping his eyes and saying 'I see all this, and all I can think of is Megan. I can't wait to hug her when I get home.

- BBC - h2g2

With the above photo, Kevin tried to show us and the whole world, the plight of the Sudanese people of that time... Yet because of the photo itself, he was instead criticize and questioned in different way. Had he done the right thing? Had he done enough by bringing the plight of the children of the Sudan to the world's breakfast tables? Still, at this stage, I am doubtful of a positive answer to the question.

Accordingly, Kevin had told his friends and those other people close to him, that if only he had the opportunity again, he would have helped and rescued the helpless little girl instead... But then, it was really too late for such realization... never could someone bring back the hands of time or what had happened already, but surely one could learn from it.

As sad as the story is, it makes us grateful and appreciative of the way we live and of the things that we have. It only proves that no matter how bad things seem to be, there is always someone suffering more than we would ever know. If we could only be more sensitive and appreciative towards the world around us and not be blinded by our own selfish nature and interests, then perhaps we could avoid ourselves from miseries and any form of sufferings.

It is really so disturbing and alarming at the same time that until now there are still those people who lived life as they please, and just taking things for granted without even thinking or considering the fact that on the other side of this world there are those who are battling for their own survival. Worst thing is, it even includes helpless children who don't have the choice but to struggle and fight in order for them to live. And there are these issues which you normally call nonsense issues.

This is when social responsibility comes into place. Just like you, I also have my own problems that somehow stops me from doing things that I really wanted to do... and it is very true indeed at this stage of my life wherein I am currently facing problems that I have never been into before, but I am still trying to live life normally because I know that it is the only option I have that would help me ease all the pains I have. We know that we all have our own problems and taking a little time for ourselves won't surely hurt. However, we do not have to feel so desperate about the current situation and commit unnecessary things that would rather complicate our current situation or worsen any problem that we are currently into.

I hope this picture will always serve as a reminder or a "wake-up call" to all of us. May this tale teach us how to be grateful for what we have, to consider how fortunate we are and that we must never ever take things for granted. The drama of this what we call life continues to happen... and for as long as we keep on closing our eyes and pretending to be blinded by the truth, this world will forever be just a story of the Sudanese child and Kevin.

PBA099s00ooo

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