When several issues about bloggers stormed Philippine blogosphere, even reaching the mainstream consciousness, I didn't give a damn and I didn't say a word. Not that anyone cares about what I have to say. I just thought silence was the best way to deal with issues which at that time were of great importance to others.

There's also the thought that Filipino bloggers needs one less blabbermouth who might have the balls for a TV appearance just so others would think they have a.) a sense of leadership, b.) a telegenic face, c.) a latent dirty political agenda and d.) All of the above.

A few weeks later I found myself in a situation where I couldn't answer the question "What are you?". Well I could have just kidded around and told the person "C'mon, I'm a human being just like you.". But that's not what the person meant and I knew I just can't kid around forever about what I really am in the context of what I do.

So, "What am I?". My mind answers "I am a blogger." But with issues going around involving bloggers, be it online, of national scope, within a certain blogging organization or within my circles, I can't proudly say I am one. Coulda, woulda, shoulda but I didn't. Then I told the person, "I work online.".

It sucks you know!? It sucks. Then I thought, wouldn't it be nice to wake up one day and tell people "I am a Blogger" as though it's a profession or at least something so cool and nice? A day when you know where to put yourself amidst controversies like 'Sotto's Plagiarism', 'Philippine Bloggers Association' and 'Ethical Issues concerning Bloggers'? A day where the "Big Bad Blogger" would become a tale as old as time and finally a day when you can tell people you just don't work online? And that you rock?

That day is far from becoming a reality as of now, especially with unresolved issues piled up like backlogs waiting to be published, read, shared, scrutinized and commented.

But last December, we had the chance to discuss all these with fellow bloggers each coming from Iloilo, Cebu, Manila and there's me from Davao. There were also some people from NGO's, Traditional Media and Public Relations present who shared their thoughts, views, opinions and helped us come up with a WORKING DRAFT of a Manifesto for PROFESSIONAL BLOGGERS in the Philippines.

Check it out and please share your thoughts! :-)

A Blogger Manifesto - Professional Bloggers Block 

Who knows, with this Manifesto, there will come a time where nothing can hold us back from saying " I am a Blogger.".