It seems just yesterday when I first heard of the word "weblog" from a friend and promptly tried my hand in it. Hard to believe but this was way back in 2004. Since I write for a living, it seemed the natural thing to do. Oh, I started out with mundane things really and my first attempt at blogging entitled Bloggie was about anything and everything that came to mind. I didn't even have the means to buy even a point and shoot camera then so there were just kilometric ramblings during those early days. I must have really enjoyed the practice that I kept at it to date.
Simple blogging joys. Back then, I just blogged for the sheer joy of it, for having a creative outlet outside a stressful job. Way back, the buzzwords SEO, blogstats, page ranks and Google searches were alien concepts. Call me old-fashioned but I always reminisce about those early days when blogs were about personal insights, not marketing hooks. It's really very interesting to read about what's happening to a friend I haven't seen in a long time or a stranger living so many miles away.
But it's not all bad as the Internet has created an avenue for people to share their lives with the rest of the world, be it an audience of one or one million. I'll be first to admit that this blog isn't that popular but it sure feels good to hear from readers who said I inspired them to blog. I feel fortunate to have been around for six years considering that thousands of blogs are born (and put to sleep) everyday.
Doubly blessed. I feel blessed to have met new friends through this blog. I am grateful to have been nominated twice in the Philippine Blog Awards but on the other hand, what's more important is to be able to make a difference, no matter how little, in promoting the Philippines, being a voice in the cyberworld, and being a positive influence to others. I hope I was able to make a difference in my own little way.
So, what's next for Lagalog? All I know is that nothing is for sure and no journey is ever finished so I hope and pray to be able to continue this chronicle. I have been and will always be striving to be a honest and responsible blogger, to be transparent, to adhere to the full disclosure policy. Maybe it's going against the norm but I figure it's the only way to go for me. I thank my family, friends, and of course, you, dear reader, for reading, supporting and following this blogspace. And I pray for more safe travels along this journey called life for you and me. God bless you all.
