CokskiBlue is so hard to spell (and pronounce), right? That’s why I’m done with it. LOL.

Kidding aside, I have decided to let go of this blog monicker and stick with my oh-so-very-catchy name – Coy Caballes. Wapak.

CokskiBlue is not something that I made up. That’s what some of my relatives call me back in the early 90′s when I was too young and busy crapping my pants. It’s a name which I’ll never know the etymology but I will always treasure the meaning. It’s very much like this video blog – which started very randomly, with no apparent reason of being nor direction or script. Back in 2007, it was just a wild idea of an aspiring filmmaker-slash-entertainer who was looking for a channel to showcase his, ehem, talents.

This blog was a dream-enabler in so many ways. I wanted to do “films”. Check. I wanted to sing in front of a crowd. Check. I wanted to learn how to write. Erm. Check. I wanted to make use of my computer science background while still tapping into my creativity. Check.

Great, GREAT things that I could never have imagined happened because of this blog.

What I am now. The great team I work for today. The Coy you guys always knew. That jaw-pose you’ve been teasing me about – all came out in CokskiBlue.

After reading Kring’s post on dreams, I realized – dreams don’t have to be about exactly what you want; your blessings will take different forms which you won’t recognize on the first glance. You will question yourself – is this what I really want? Just wait. Only when you look back and see the bigger picture – you will realize that your dream DID COME TRUE.

Just to make things clear, i’m not letting go of blogging or even doing videos. Hell no. This is just an announcement of a transformation – from the young, aimless, and random CokskiBlue to an improved version of who I am. I’m moving to a new site: Vlogs and Jawshots so I can preserve everything Cokski and Blue in here. Crap, I just can’t revert to my old blog theme. Meh.

So here – the last video that I’ll be posting:

Hey guys, This is Coy. See you on Tumblr!

My grueling experience yesterday is incomparable with what’s happening with our fellow Filipinos still waiting to be rescued right now. And I’m praying for my friends and family who are still stuck in their homes and on their roofs.

I know most of us lived through our worries yesterday by texting and calling our loved ones. What I have here is a very small part of the millions of text messages sent on September 26, 2009 that clogged even the biggest communication networks in the country. These messages don’t account the whole riot I (and my office mates) experienced. It’s actually just the tip of the iceberg.

Though my phone got soaking wet, fortunately it did not die on me. Here are the messages in my Sent Items texted to different contacts:

1:07 PM Ma tapos na kmi [sa meeting in front of Harrison Plaza]. Pwd pasundo? Coy

1:54 PM Grbe bha.

2:37 PM Stranded kami omg. Taft at roxas hanggang bewang

2:54 PM Stranded kami. Walanp mpuntahan

3:06 PM Yup. Nagtricycle na kmi papntang edsa [galing Harrison Plaza].

3:17 PM This is the worst ive seen manila. Epic

3:27 PM Imposible dumaan sa edsa. Counterflow. Naglalakad kmi papnta macapagal

3:33 PM Sobrang basang basa na kami.

4:01 PM Dito ako mcdo bclaran.

4:04 PM Never kayo dumaan ng edsa.

4:13 PM Nakasakay na kmi ng jip sa bclaran.

4:16 PM Wla nang mblhan [ng extra shirt]. No choice na.

4:19 PM Counter flow. Both side sinakop na ng galing bclaran. Ung parang experience natin dati sa sm molino checkpoint.

4:26 PM Binalot ko sa plastic [ang laptop]. Stuck pa rin kmi bclaran. Pero pauwi na.

4:37 PM Txt me agad kung lapit na kayo.

4:38 PM Onga. Pero di gumagalaw ung jip. Andito parin kmi tapat ng mcdo bclaran. Di kmi mkalabas.

4:41 PM Sa pasay rotonda. Wlang dumadaan dhl baha rin. Parang sinara nga e.

4:44 PM Di kc gumagalaw edsa dito sa may heritage. Gumagalaw roxas papuntang cavite.

4:46 PM Ok na pauwi na kmi. Andar na.

4:59 PM Grbe pati dito sa may uniwide ang lalim ng baha! Mga bus nagbabalikan ndi makadaan.

5:03 PM Ok na. Coastal na kami.

5:14 PM Frozen ang coastal road. hay ang trapik.

5:27 PM Parang walang pagasa dito. Ayaw nyo magcheck in na lang?

5:38 PM Yez. Anubang nasa news. Naglalakad na mga tao dito sa coastal road. F*%k.

5:40 PM Malapit sa baclaran. Mataas tubig sa cavite.

5:43 PM Lola magcheck in na tayo. Tigil lahat ng sasakyan sa coastal dahil sobrang lalim ng tubig sa zapote. Malayo pa ako sa toll gate. San tayo pwd kita.

5:49 PM Ok na. Umaandar na coastak.

5:51 PM Saan. Sa qc raw lampas kotse ang baha.

5:54 PM Grabe ang oa naman. Sbi ko sayo e. Worst in 10 years lol.

6:22 PM Stranded ako manila.

6:53 PM Omg. Still stuck.

7:19 PM Coastal rd. Naglalakad frm paranaque to cavite

7:21 PM Mga kadiwa, linalakad ko ngayun ang coastal road mula toll gate dahl sa trapik. Inapanalangin nyoko.

7:31 PM Pa, bka magcheck in na kmi sa sogo zapote

7:32 PM Lapit na aq talaba

8:29 PM Kaya b kmi sunduin?

8:32 PM Pasundo jolibi molino.

8:38 PM Ngayun na!

9:08 PM Kakarating ko lang. Grabe lampas bewang sa st. Dominic.

9:41 PM The worst day ive had ever. Hands down

Flippish Made Me Sing for the Philippine Blog Awards!

“Jingle” is a really fun song I wrote and composed in the wee nights of the morning. It basically symbolizes the diversity of the Philippine blogging community and the unity most of us are aiming for – hence this year’s PBA theme “One Blogging Nation”. The blogs or names in the song are there to generally represent their particular blogging niches – and they mesh well with the lines too.

Hope you guys enjoy this!

Guitar: Markku Seguerra
Direction: Kring Elenzano

The Philippine Blog Awards is back! And this year is looking extra special with more categories including Best Videocast. For two years, podcasts and video blogs are grouped into one batch. So it’s about time video bloggers get their very own niche on PBA.Nominate your blog or recommend your favorite videocasts: Recommend/Accomplish a Nomination form

Hi guys, Coy here. I know, I know! I’ve been gone quite a long time now. And this is the main reason why – I just had a new baby. Yes guys, it’s a bouncing baby blog!

I’ve been planning to do this since the new year started – a blog which is focused on the craft of Video Blogging. So after a few weeks (err months) of “preparations”, I finally launched IT – VideoChops.com!

So what is VideoChops? Here’s one quick CHOP about the blog:

CLIPS ARCHIVE – So this was my original vision – to have a place online where I can stock up my unused video clips and footages and make it downloadable to everyone FOR FREE! I know I know, some of the videos are still a bit “choppy” but for video blogs and some other amateur video productions – these chops really aren’t that bad. And my slow transition to HD could only get much, much better.

HAPPENINGS – The blogging community is all about the “events” now – what’s new, what’s hip, and what’s hot. This blog will be covering not all – but the most relevant happenings in the ’sphere – maybe feature a couple of vlog personalities a month and hopefully organize a few events for vloggers as well.

OPINIONS – Tips, articles, reviews, blogger contributions, etc. VideoChops.com wants to know what you guys think about the craft and the blog is open to new styles and techniques that is specific to our different ways of video blogging. Cameras, microphones, editing softwares – we’ll take a look what works best.

PINOY VIRALS – Lastly, the site we’ll be featuring the hottest Pinoy viral videos out there – either by commercial outfits or by indie video makers. And NO. YOU WON’T SEE SCANDALS HERE. Move along, now.

So there you go! I know we won’t accomplish ALL THAT in one snap. The blog is a work in progress so feel free to drop in some comments and suggestions. And if you like the site, feel free to SUBSCRIBE and blog about it on your blogs and we’ll be happy to link to you back.

So watch and learn. Take a Slice! VideoChops has just begun.

Photo by Markku

This writing project by Janette Toral got to be one of the best things that happened to me when I first started in 2007. I know how good it feels when your efforts are recognized. That’s why I’m a big supporter of this project.

One thing I would like to change about it though is for more entries to include video blogs in the list! Hehe. 2007 got CokskiBlue. 2008 got You Got Tech. Two video blogs in 2009 are not too much to ask, right? Now here are my bets (divided into 2 groups):

GROUP BLOGS

1. Video Chops – A blog especially made for Video Bloggers. I’ve been receiving lots of questions and e-mails on how to start your very own video blog. And recently, I just realized that Vlogging 101 is not exactly a one-post-a-year topic. There’s a wide range of things to talk about. And the field is definitely growing. That, among other things, is the reason why I started VideoChops.com. I honestly think video blogging hasn’t been fully embraced & explored by the community yet. I wish this new venue could help tap and release all those talents hiding in YouTube and other places in the cyberspace. It’s been long overdue, really.

2. Filipino Freethinkers – I’m amazed how a new group like Filipino Freethinkers could neatly organize a forum, event or meet-up that easy! The good thing about FF is that difference in philosophes doesn’t matter. The influence lies not on the ideas but on the way of thinking. Now that’s influential in a whole new level in my book.

2. Cebu Bloggers – I do believe Cebu bloggers are on the rise this year; just like how Davao bloggers impressed us last 2008. I think this group is one of the more relevant
bloggers nowadays judging from the events they start and promote. CBS made a great start indeed in pioneering a number of online advocacies.

3. Patay Gutom – After reading the Ten Reasons Why You Should Vote for Patay Gutom, I became a believer. And dead right hungry too. Their blog always influenced my mouth to water and my tummy to rumble. Now it’s making me take early (and very long) lunch breaks. Yum.

SOLO BLOGS

4. Good Times Manila – This blog is indeed my top choice. It’s got all the ingredients of a very, very influential blog. It’s got:

• juicy, original, you-won’t-see-anywhere-else content
• a MASSIVE, hundred-comments-a-post following
• actual relevance not only to bloggers but casual readers as well.

No ads. No gimmicks. Just pure, ROFL humor from its brilliant author, Deejay.

5. Doctor Dude – We have met lots of different kinds of bloggers. Some write about topics on health. A few resort into sarcasm and humor. And there are also individuals who prefer to ramble in front of the camera instead. Now here’s a blogger who’s rolled all these into one. Meet Raymond of DoctorDude – a funny doctor who video blogs about medicine and health in the Philippines.  I must admit it’s a great concept that’s why im rooting for this guy to vlog his way in to the big list.

6. Through the Focal Glass – Vanjhnn is one of those bloggers who decided to take it to the next level and get out of his photoblogging comfort zone. With last year’s winner, Kevin Ray, he is also one of Cebu’s more recognizable bloggers and he’s now exploring the awesome craft of video blogging! With just a few more baby steps, I think his blog has got what it takes to influence Cebuanos to give video blogging a good try.

7. Numbrd

8. RP2010 – The Election WatchBlog

9. Let’s Go Sago!

10. Batang Lakwatsero

This list may still change over the coming 2 weeks. Will finish writing about each blog once I finalize this. Cheers!

DON’T FORGET TO JOIN (and include any video blog) IN THE WRITING PROJECT TOO .

SPONSORS:

Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events at Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile, Budget hotel in Makati, Lucio C. Tan Group of Companies, and Blog4Reviews.com.

Last May 14, I got the honor of getting featured again on TV – this time, on one of my favorite shows – QTube! I would like to thank segment producers Japs and Lawrence for giving me this opportunity. I got quite more awesome feedback from visitors because of this feature (a lot better than what I got from “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho”) ; thanks to the more in-depth (lengthy 8-minute) interview and i-Share exclusive, show!

Also, special thanks to my awesome Chong Roy for giving me a Flip – the smallest (and coolest) HD video recorder in teh wurrrld (featured here on the show)!

Here are the 2 parts:

Blogger’s Digest

Videoblogging is the next stage in the evolution of blogging. And although it’s at its infancy in the Philippines, there is one man who is truly pioneering this innovative platform – Coy Coballes a.k.a. Cokskiblue in cyberspace!

i-Share Exclusive

If you can’t get enough of v-logger Coy Caballes and his popular v-logs on the web, here’s your chance to see his next v-log before it comes out on the web. Get an exclusive sneak peek at his next Coskiblue installment! (From Andi & Andy’s Blog)

P.S. Thanks Christine for the greeting!

Good thing I watched Primetime News on QTV Channel 11 last night or else I would’ve missed the pilot of my new favorite show – QTube! Not one. Not two. But three bloggers are featured – Peter Juan, Anton Diaz and Kring Elenzano! That’s no surprise since these guys are indeed making big waves on the internet. And I also found out that QTube’s spiels director is a blogger! Great job Glenn Ala! Cool show!

Wanna know more about QTube? Here’s what I got from their official website:

Watch TV, download music, post photos and videos, make new friends, and reconnect with old ones – there’s truly nothing you can’t do when you’re connected to the internet! Our whole lives are practically connected to – and through – the web. It’s no wonder we’re called the “Wired Generation.” And with the Philippines leading the way in Asia when it comes to photo uploading and social networking, it’s pretty safe to say that Filipinos are tech-savvy. Geek or no geek, if you can’t live without logging on to the web, then you’ll definitely love us. Q-Tube is the ultimate merging of the net and the box! With Qtube, the power of the net is now within your reach – for real, and alive, right on your TV screens!

Blogger’s Digest

It’s all about being heard loud and proud on the net. Blogger’s Digest features the hottest blogs and the personalities behind them – from celebrity bloggers, to obscure but controversial non-celebrity bloggers, and vloggers who are not afraid to speak their minds. Find them all here in Blogger’s Digest.

i-Share and i-Share Exclusive

Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next internet star? With i-Share, you get the chance to upload your viral videos for the whole world to see – on TV! And with i-Share Exclusive, you get exclusive sneak peeks at the next video uploads of your favorite internet sensations before they’re even uploaded!

i-Shop

i-Shop is all about the wonderful world of cyber-shopping. We zone in on the world of online trading and show you everything from the best buys online to the weirdest finds on the internet. We’ll let you in on some of the best kept secrets of online shoppers. We’ll even let our hosts check out these products in person! iShop is definitely your ultimate guide to internet shopping!

i-Love

i-Love features touching and inspiring love stories that happened via the internet. These are stories from you and by you – love stories so real they’ll make even the most skeptic cyber-surfer a true believer in l’amour.

i-Sore and i-Report

Thanks to the Internet, the world has become a smaller place. Breaking news spreads faster and no issue is left unturned. With iSore and iReport, we show you how the World Wide Web has shaped and continually shapes news, issues, and current events.

i-Travel

i-Travel is your on-air guide to online travel. Navigate your way through cyberspace to find the best destinations, the best rates, and the best travel packages. Get to see the world before you even leave your seats. With i-Travel, you get to stay updated with just one click and get in touch with Pinoys all over the world through your webcam.

Get 100% virus-free internet TV on Qtube every Thursday, 10:15 PM on Q Channel 11!

MENSA PHILIPPINES CELEBRATES MENSA DAY (MD2.22) ON FEB. 22 AT FULLY BOOKED BONIFACIO HIGH STREET

Mensa Philippines – the Philippine chapter of the international organization for people with high IQs – will be holding a whole day event filled with fun and learning activities for the public. With the theme “Celebrate Learning, Celebrate Life”, Mensa Day or “MD2.22” is a major undertaking of the organization featuring fora, seminars and games for kids and adults alike.

Mensa Day will be held at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street on February 22, 2009 (Sunday). Activities include: talks by the country’s top entrepreneurs from GoNegosyo on entrepreneurship 101, youth entrepreneurship, technopreneurship, and social entrepreneurship by Illac Diaz; how to manage your career in turbulent times by Viventis Search Asia’s Executive Director Yu Ming Chin; a learning camp for children 0 to 6 years old, hosted by Gymboree; professional blogging advice from the country’s top bloggers Winston Almendras (BatangYagit.com), Coy Caballes (ThisIsCoy.net), and Fritz Tentativa (fritzified.com); Bikram Yoga by Al Galang.

Prospective members may also take the Mensa IQ Challenge during Mensa Day. Scoring in the top two percentile is the only requirement for joining Mensa. Those interested in taking this test should prepare a testing fee of P500 (P300 for students with ID) and a valid photo ID. Seats are limited, so interested parties are advised to reserve a slot online at www.mensaphilippines.org.

Capping the Mensa Day event will be performances by independent band The Haneps and by songwriter and musician Kitchie Nadal towards the evening.
More details and updates about MD2.22, including the schedule of activities, are available at www.mensaphilippines.org. People who pre-register, high school students and children with valid ID and Mensa IQ Challenge takers get in free. Admission starts at PhP100.

Mensa has over 200 active members in the Philippines, and 100,000 members in over 80 countries worldwide. Actress/Olympian archer Geena Davis, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov are some of the more prominent Mensa members.

For reference:
Dimpy Jazmines
Director for Publicity, Mensa Philippines
Contact nos.: 0917-5268641 / 449-4612 / 497-1636
Email: cmjazmines@bayan.com.ph

You’ve seen Part 1 and Behind the Scenes of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s feature on Pinoy Video Blogging. Now here comes my part of the segment…

…after the Jump!