The Most Influential...

.:Bringing Back Memories...:.

About a little over a year ago, I was part of a station that called itself "The Most Influential", owing to the label given to it by a particular newspaper for having been responsible for the overnight success of certain artists such as Dice and K9, Paolo Santos, and Jimmy Bondoc.

While my relationship with WAVE 89.1 has been rocky and has had its share of ups and downs, I understood fully well what made them as "influential" as their press touted, and few stations were capable of challenging that label.

That being said, I'd like to think that my eye for determining what is "influential", given the standards set on radio, would likewise serve me well as I focus this time on the influx of new blogs this year that, without a doubt, have been likewise influential in one way or another.

It's funny because most of these blogs are blogs that I actually frequently read, but never even realized were eligible for nomination, which explains why I put off doing this for so long...

Here are my votes/nominations for Ma'am Janette's Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2008 Project, in no particular order...

Visit Sagada: Because You Really Should

Visit Sagada is one of those blogs that just makes you wonder what other gems the Philippines is hiding in the middle of all these crazy things we encounter in the metro. Looking at the people who put up pictures on the site, all looking like they genuinely enjoy themselves, makes you wish you were there as well.

If Sagada's tourism business picks up by the end of this year, you know how that happened.

Filipino Voices: Making Us Heard

Filipino Voices covers a lot of topics that concern us Filipinos, and anyone who misses out on it should give it a good look. There's little I can say to describe it other than that, truth be told, so just take the time out to see for yourself what I mean.

Manila Foodistas: Because Us Non-Food Blogger Gourmands Can Only Do This Vicariously

Manila Foodistas, with a roster including my good friend Tiff, shows gourmands like myself how good the food is all over the metro.

Instead of having to go through the trial and error of eating something new and regretting it later, this blog cuts through all that and shows you what's good and what's not.

I'm not a food blogger, but I love food. By extension, it's easy to see why I love Manila Foodistas.

Bariles Republic: Making General Santos The Place To Be

For a guy who's never been out of Luzon save for two trips to Hong Kong, you can tell why Bariles Republic would appeal to me. What with Nate Marx, a fellow mentalist, also residing there, I do hope to be in General Santos sometime this year.

Fritzified: From PAPArazzi To A-DIVA-Dacci

Fritzified is always a fun read, and is of course updated and maintained by the one and only Fritz Tentativa. If you haven't experienced his wit and photography skillz, then you're in for a treat.

Bloggers Kapihan: Let's Sit And Talk A While

Bloggers Kapihan takes the tough issues and turns it into a coffee table discussion. There's something to be said about being able to discuss the kind of things they do without the need of getting drunk, so I'm all for it. =)

Ready To Be Rich: Who Isn't?

Fitz Villafuerte shows you how easy it is to make money. All you have to do is pay attention.

The Not So Talented DJ Montano: Hell Hath No Fury!

Brian Gorell's Blog is a curious animal. It's the ultimate social experiment, and one that reflects both good and bad things about us.

It's good in that it shows that nobody is beyond criticism in the world of the internet.

It's bad in that we revel in the mudslinging we find in his posts.

Love him or hate him, Brian Gorell is definitely influential.

Bloggers Da Who: Are You There Yet?

With much joy, I can safely say I'm not in Bloggers Da Who. Yet.

It has a twofold effect on the blogosphere, so I noticed...

1: People can talk about these bits of gossip and have fun over it. For the most part, the fun can be quite harmless.

2: It keeps bloggers on their toes and is a nice deterrent against unwanted attention from being exposed for this or that thing.

Strange Fruit: Amoy Chico Na Ako

If I had to nominate just one blog, it would be this one.

Chico Garcia started blogging only last November, but thanks to his following in his daily morning radio show "The Morning Rush" with Delamar on RX 93.1, it was the easiest thing for him to acquire a rabid fanbase who await his every entry with eager anticipation.

As I myself am heavily involved in radio, I can personally attest to the sheer power Chico's blog has, and how many people just love hearing his thoughts about anything and everything. His very stream-of-consciousness writing style, and his friendly demeanor never fails to entertain the people who read his stuff, not to mention the fact that his recent foray into photography has made for more interesting content as well...

It also helps that he is one half of my favorite radio tandem of all time, and the one who personally trained me when I was still in Radio 1 way back in college. Chico's blog has influenced a lot of people, and I am one of those who are living testament to that.

And with that, I present to you my votes/nominations for this year. =)