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.

Getting SMART with CokskiBlue!

Now this is a competition I’ll be watching out for. Not only am I a UP alumni but I’m also a loyal SMART user for the past 8 years (I should have a loyalty award IMO ). Now I would just have to activate my MMS settings and I’m good to go. With the help of photoblogging master, Juned Sonido and three of my coolest officemates – Al, Xands, and Pia, I made a video for the UP Centennial Smart MMS Photo Competition. Watch, comment, and join especially if you’re a Maroon.

Now for the contest mechanics:

This competition is open to all UP students, alumni, faculty and employees. If you’re a student, an alumni, a faculty member, or an employee of the University of the Philippines, simply share your own stories about your experiences in the university by capturing special moments with your camera phones and sending your pictures via the very easy and affordable SMART MMS Service.

What are the prizes?

The Top Ten outstanding photos win a SMART Bro Prepaid broadband kit bundled with an ultra-portable Asus eeePC laptop each! With SMART Bro’s nationwidest coverage, you’re sure to have affordable broadband internet access anytime and anywhere you need it.

How to join:

1. Register for free by texting UP REG to 5355. Example: UP REG AJ Matela/UP Mindanao/Alumni.
2. You will receive a message confirming your registration.
3. Start sending your MMS photo entries by simply creating an MMS message. Type UP
4. Each MMS photo entry costs only P1.00 so you can send in as many entries as you like!

Not from UP?

If you want to participate but are not from UP, you can still participate by joining the UPiktyuran Na! with SMART Polling Promo. Here’s how:

1. View the entries at www.smart.com.ph/UPiktyuran
2. Vote for your favorite by texting UPVOTE  and send to 5355. Example: UPVOTE 98. Each text vote will cost only P1.00.
3. The entry that garners the most number of votes until October 3, 2008 receives the UPiktyuran Na! Texters Choice Award as well as a special prize from SMART.

Join the UPiktyuran Na! with SMART, UP Centennial SMART MMS Photo Competition now. The competition runs from June 22 to September 29, 2008. Log on to www.smart.com.ph/UPiktyuran or see posters and flyers for more details.

ALSO FOR NON-MMS PHOTOS, YOU CAN JOIN THE UP@100 PHOTO/VIDEO PROJECT WHICH IS EXTENDED!

UP@100 Photo and Video Submissions Extended Until August 15!

Last month, a bunch of UP bloggers launched a project for UP’s centennial celebration here. And now, we’ll continue accepting more photos and videos for a bigger collection of more unforgettable UP moments. Here are the UP@100 organizers’ sample entries for you to see.

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN! SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES OR VIDEOS!

But wait. Spread the news and you’ll get the chance to WIN THESE UP CENTENNIAL ITEMS:

Just post this information on your blog (Blogger, WordPress, Multiply, etc.) and let us know by leaving a comment in this post the URL of your UP@100 campaign! That easy.

So SEND IN YOUR ENTRIES AND SPREAD THE NEWS! Happy UP Centennial, everyone!

Along with a group of UP bloggers, we have come up with a special project for the UP Centennial Month this coming June. It’s called “UP@100: Capturing 100 UP Moments“ – It is a Music Video Project which will compile 100 photos and videos from participants consisting UP alumni and students. It aims to capture 100 unique UP moments from 100 different points of view in the past 100 years of the University’s existence.

We are inviting YOU to join us in this endeavor.

Mechanics: Here’s how to submit an entry

I. Who can participate:

1. Any University of the Philippines Alumni.
2. Any University of the Philippines student.

II. How to submit your photo or video:

1. A participant can submit at most two pictures of himself/herself (alone or otherwise) taken in UP or during a UP event OR a 15-sec video of the participant taken in UP or during a UP event.
2. Each entry should have the the following information:
   • Name
   • Student Number
   • Degree and Course
   • Two to five words describing the event (include the year the photo/video was taken)
   • If it’s a group photo, please indicate your position in the picture.
3. Entries could be submitted by doing at least one of the following:
   • Sending them with file (photo/video) attachments to up100@googlegroups.com or coy.caballes@gmail.com.
   • Posting the photos on their blogs and leaving the URL as a comment on this official UP@100 post.
   • Uploading the video on a file sharing site and leaving the download link as a comment on this official UP@100 post.
4. Only ONE of the entries submitted per participant will be selected.
5. The deadline for submissions is on June 19, 2008. A day after the UP Centennial Anniversary (so that photos from the centennial celebration could be included).
6. The launch of the video will be on June 26, 2008 on all the organizers’ blogs.
7. A microsite will be created for the project where all (part of the 100 or not) the submitted photos & videos will be posted in sync with the video launch.

IMPORTANT: Remember that we are including 100 UNIQUE UP moments in the video. So rare finds will be the most likely to be chosen. (But I’m sure all our UP experiences are different so send lang ng send. Hehe.)

Here are more UP@100 coordinators: Juned, Benj, Fritz, Ederic, Poyt, Gino, Karla, Kevin and AJ.

We are very excited in this project and I hope many of you can join! Looking forward to your great UP moments!

DISCLAIMER: The UP@100 Project is in no way related or connected to the official Centennial Activities of the University of the Philippines.

Vlogging can be fun and expensive! Looking to buy some new games? If you’re considering enrolling in payday loans but need to learn about cash advances before diving in then you may want to go on the web and look for some more information. You could decide that a payday loan is your answer.