Aja Lapus

Category: Experiences

  • WordCamp Philippines 2008

    This was the first ever WordCamp in the Philippines, thanks to the Mindanao Bloggers who organized it. I wasn’t able to resist going even when I have classes on a Saturday especially since Matt was coming.

    With the backdrop

    Midnight before the event, after I’ve finished making a presentation for an oral group report for school, I hurriedly composed a letter I wished Matt Mullenweg would sign. I slept through the night, but woke up a little later than I hoped for.

    I was actually thankful the event was held on a place easily accessible from Las Piñas. Arriving at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, I immediately saw Shari on her black WordCamp volunteer shirt. We entered the auditorium and looked for Lexie. With her red hair I haven’t seen before, we walked past her and Dre looking like idiots searching for someone in front of everybody. Heh.

    I brought Azusa with me, and blogged right after I’ve sat beside Lexie. She convinced me into signing up with Plurk. And so far, I’ve enjoyed Plurking that I wish you guys would join, too. 😀

    Lauriat

    After the introduction, breakaway sessions took place. I was with Lexie and Dre all those times, and we ate a bountiful lunch from Chowking together afterwards.

    That’s when we ambushed Matt for autographs. I remember he laughed when I told him, “I didn’t come to school today. Will you sign my excuse letter?” Haha! It was great! The geek in me became happy. 🙂

    Plenary sessions came, and Matt talked about the future of WordPress. That reminds me, I still haven’t upgraded my installation yet! Uh, anyway, I consider WordPress 2.7 be Matt’s birthday gift for me on November. 😆 Upgrades are promising as always, and I’m looking forward to the new version.

    Last photo

    The topic of Web standards was a part of the plenary sessions, all thanks to Shari and Sir Regnard. The geek in me was even happier. 😉

    After the event, I’ve met up with fellow standardistas Ia and Mae to talk with Shari and Lexie how we’d start the group Web Standards Philippines again. Let’s set the meetings already! 😀

    Some more picture-taking took place afterwards. I’ve posted them on my Flickr. 🙂

    It was fun. See everyone at the next WordCamp Philippines! 2009 maybe? 😛

  • Nearing the end of WordCamp

    Matt signs

    We ambushed Matt earlier to have him sign my excuse letter and take some photos. Lexie told me I looked like a child on Christmas morning while Matt is signing my letter. 😀

    With Sir Regnard

    I’m so happy that Web standards was included as a topic in one of the talks specifically by Regnard Raquedan. And I was actually surprised he mentioned me and my blog. Now, I somehow feel pressured to post something about Web standards again. 😛 We are planning to have a meeting later for the Web Standards Philippines group, and I really hope it would again get things going. Thanks Sir Regnard! 😀

  • WordCamp Breakaway Sessions

    Building a Blogging Community

    I’m still live blogging here in WordCamp Philippines 2008, and I’ve seen Matt already! I still haven’t had the chance to make him sign my excuse letter, though. 😀

    These are the breakaway sessions I’ve attended with Lexie and Dre.

    First Session: Creating WordPress Themes and CSS Power by Gail Villanueva

    Gail discussed the basics of creating WordPress themes especially The Loop, the separate theme files, and widgetizing themes. I was hoping for a more advanced discussion, though.

    Second Session: Building a Blogging Community by Blogie Robillo

    I actually liked having attended this session, it really gave me an idea how to start/continue forming the Web Standards Philippines group with Shari and Lexie.

    Blogging and Journalism

    Third Session: Blogging and Journalism by Danilo Arao

    I couldn’t actually explain much about this session, but I’ve learned a lot about opinion, position and views about blogging and journalism—the laws, government policies around the world, personal opinions, and much more.

    Photos with Matt on a later post. 😀

  • Here at CSB for WordCamp

    WordCamp Philippines 2008

    I’m live blogging here at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, and Matt Mullenweg is still missing.[1] It’s 9 in the morning and WordCamp Philippines 2008 still hasn’t started yet. I’ve already met Lexie, Dre, Shari and Ronnie, and the hall is still filling in with people.

    The event is about to start in minutes, so I’ll just post another update then.

    Footnote:

    1. ^ at least from my sight.

  • Matt is Coming to Town

    WordCamp Philippines

    WordCamp Philippines 2008 is coming! And I have classes that day! It was really a tough decision to make, since I could have quizzes on the 6th of September 2008, which is a Saturday. I really can’t blame the Mindanao Bloggers who organized the event for the schedule. Besides, I really wanted to thank them for having set the event up. But, since Lexie told me, the hell I care, Matt Mullenweg is coming!

    I first heard about this from Shari. She was also planning a meet-up for Web Standards Philippines (a group we set up that has been a little bit neglected for some time because of school), and to finally meet me and Lexie. I do hope WSPh members would participate in this event as well, so as to talk about things, like how we could finally start the group formally. And, most importantly, how we could impart Web standards ideology and advocacy among other bloggers.

    So, yeah. I’ve just registered and this would serve as my fee for the event. In line with this, I present to you the sponsors of the event:

    Matt, will you sign my excuse letter? 😀