BLOGAPALOOZA CONNECTED EVENT 2018

My IBS family with Ms. Ace Gapuz, CEO of Blogapalooza, Inc. 

I started attending Blogapalooza in 2016 and I am always grateful for the wonderful learning opportunity in digital marketing every time. This year’s Blogapalooza has the theme ConnecteD which gathered a huge number of bloggers, social media influencers and content creators from various places in the country. It also served as an avenue for brands to showcase their products and connect with the digital influencers.

  

Ms. Ace Gapuz, CEO of Blogapalooza, Inc. gladly welcomed everyone to the event. “We are on our 8th year and we are very lucky to have great brands as our event partners,” she said. “Blogapalooza provides a platform that connects brands and digital influencers in effectively communicating the products to potential and existing customers,” she added.

Of the various topics presented, I got hooked with Data Analytics and Influencer Marketing. Miko David, a digital marketing expert emphasized the importance of a data-driven marketing strategy. The advantages include defining clearly the target audience, their preferences and behavior. So, reaching them will be a lot easier. He also stressed out ways of analyzing the brand’s performance in social media in terms of reach, engagement and clicks. Doing this gives strategists helpful insights on what works best in a certain timeframe and group of audience.

I also got the chance to learn from a former news anchor Christine Bersola-Babao how she embraced digital technology to remain relevant to her target audience, especially these days when there is an increasing number of Filipinos going online for information and entertainment needs.

I also learned directly from successful youtubers the journey they have had when they started. Video blogging is one of the most effective tools to convey a message and promote brands. I hope to try it very soon. 

One thing I like the most during the event was the giving of a creative artwork to the speakers featuring the gist of their presentation. 

Thank you so much Blogapalooza Family for another fun-filled learning. Indeed, it was one for the books. More than the learning about the trends in digital marketing, we also got the chance to network with a wider blogosphere and I was able to reconnect with my Iligan Bloggers family :) 

Experiencing PAL: the “Heart of the Filipino”

Whenever I have a scheduled trip, I always consider booking a flight with Philippine Airlines because of their commendable customer service and management. Just last October 26, 2018, I got to experience once again the heart of the Filipino when we attended Blogapalooza ConnecteD in the City of Dreams Manila and these are the 3 things I like so much with PAL.

First off, I like how PAL manages entry of passengers for boarding. They make sure that together with business class customers, elders, parents/guardians with infants/kids and persons with disability are accommodated first before calling in the rest of the passengers. Doing this results to a systematic, organized and smooth flow of the passengers for boarding. 

Secondly, I really love receiving snacks while comfortably seated on the plane. I think, this is where PAL truly reinforces their tagline as the heart of the Filipino because one great way to touch a man’s heart is by filling his stomach with food. Yeah, and it really makes me smile to receive my share every time. The flight attendants are also kind enough to give passengers extra cup of coffee, tea or water as requested. 

Lastly, PAL manages very well requests for flight changes. Like during our flight back to CDO, the supervisor gladly granted our request for an earlier flight. One good thing is that there’s no fee for being accommodated for an earlier flight.  

This extra legroom while onboard PAL is just awesome :) Thanks to the kind crew who assigned me a seat near the exit row.

Thank you so much PAL for making letting me experience the heart of the Filipino. I dream to try your Business Class offer in my future flights. God willing.  

Exploring the City of Dreams Manila

With my IBS family taking a pose at the venue hall.

Joining the blogosphere in 2010 was one of the best decisions I made while I was in MSU-IIT taking up my masters degree. It has given me wonderful opportunities such as availing a sponsored travel, staying in a high-end accommodation and indulging with delectable dishes. This year's Blogapalooza gave me another moment to remember especially so, that their major partner is Nobu Hotel in the City of Dreams Manila I must admit that everytime I pass by City of Dreams, my mind wanders thinking what's inside the beautiful facade next to its brand name about "dreams." 

Photo Credit: City of Dreams Manila

The City of Dreams Manila houses three high-end hotels namely Hyatt, Nuwa and Nobu. It is is a 6.2 hectare entertainment complex located at Asean Avenue Corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, Parañaque. If you are travelling from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, it’s just a 10-20 minute drive to reach the City of Dreams. A couple of weeks ago, we attended Blogapalooza ConnectEd and we were accommodated at Nobu Hotel. Since we took the last flight from CDO via Philippine Airlines, we arrived past midnight at the hotel. This was our beautiful deluxe room with comfy bedding which gave us a good night rest. 

One of the things I love the most at Nobu Hotel is having a breakfast at their resto because of the wide array of dishes for a sumptuous and nutritious breakfast. I could stay there for more than an hour to savor the delectable dishes.

Enjoying breakfast with my fellow Iligan blogger Sir Mike

Then there’s a beautifully made pocket garden that refreshes one’s mind because it’s mesmerizing, picturesque and just awesome. 

And yes, Nobu Hotel has a spa with a refreshing ambiance :)

Thank you so much Nobu Hotel, City of Dreams Manila for such a wonderful experience. I dream to be back again with my family in the near future.