It was the first time that l held 2 times this year and their recent Blogapalooza 2016: Horizons event at Novotel in Cubao, I hoped that those two things that were not visible in their part 1 event will be there - mobile data signal and space to mingle with other bloggers.
Last Saturday was the earliest that that I made it there at around 10:30am. I usually arrive at the past Bloga events after lunch to save a meal. It was a bit bad surprise for me at first because most of their exhibitors were outside of the 6th floor of the hotel's Versailles event place. Each brand has a tent but the scorching heat, you can't really stand out for at least 10 minutes plus I brought a bigger bag coz of my Windows 2-in-1 blogging machine and extra space in case for goodies. I just realized after the event that they did not give out either a name tag or sticker name tag in case you might see an interesting blogger to start a conversation or network (at least a hint or peek first on his/her site) before you approach.
The aircon tent (like a lil version of NBC Tent) was for the stage area, their co-presentor ATC with their main headline FatOut and a photo booth. The normal seats were there and the spaces were a-ok to do a liitte indian seat and I even did a blog post and a Facebook Live session there (even that the whole area has not that impressive Globe LTE signal btw. 1 to 4 mbps - blame it to the telco)
If there's one thing that I love was the place. In Cubao, I had a number of food places of coffee shops to choose from for my breaks and the people inside the hotel were accomodating and hospitable. Their own K9 Dog was always ready as bcoz I carry a big bag, frisking was not an option and the dog needed to sniff it for security reasons which he did 3 times for my 3 entry attempts.
I am happy that there were a bit more exhibitors this time compared to last Summer in terms of tech-related stuff which I will tell later.
The speakers that I saw and spent for a few minutes for each of them include Sky Gavin of When Of Manila for Blogging Tips, Ace Gapuz of Blogapalooza, Mafae Yunon-Belasco and Jojo The Love Survivor.
Like what you already know this blog, I skipped some of the brands which were not fit on my main genres so there are the brands that I visited:
MyOffice - First time in Bloga that they featured a virtual office/coworking space -based company with their 2 current locations near Makati Med and another one in BGC. 25D Office is their budget brand which they have office space solutions ranging from Php 899. For me and some freelancers, they also have for coworking spacers which they have Php 1,000 a month which includes 4 hours of WiFi access, space for you to work with and coffee. You can also add additional WiFi hours on the spot for Php 100 an hour. You can check more at myoffice.com.ph
Taisho Ramen - I remember them everytime I go to SM Light Mall in MRT Boni Station with their affordable Japanese treats. As a sampler, they have a Gyoza which is pretty good.
San Mig Food Ave.- Good thing that I encountered the San Miguel Group's answer to those competing convenience stores. They have a variety of San Mig related products incuding that Prima Toasted Bread with Star Margarine plus their pastries and their chocolate and coffee smoothies priced at Php 27 for 12 oz and Php 35 for 16 oz. which is pretty good.
GoMoto- I saw this emerging door-to-door based courier service when they brought my prepaid credit card. They are priced lower than my previous logisitcs partner of my past 3 giveaways (based for motorcycle based deliveries) like Php 65 for first 3 kms. and Php 12 for each kilometer. They also accept multiple delivery items up to 10 which can save you some money. Currently, they are servicing NCR but by special arrangement, they even accepted some deliveries to Cavite and Laguna areas. GoMoto app is free to download on Google Play and App Store.
Amada's Leche Flan & Desserts - Damn! One of the best leche flans that I tasted (aside from home) which are from their own family based recipe. They are currently selling online by looking at them thru their FB page but good thing, they have a space inside SM Southmall and they have the same prices. They have solo leche flan at Php 55 and the innovative Leche Flan in a Jar for Php 75. They also have the unique Dulce de Leche Pili Roll from Php 30 a slice and Php 155 for the half roll size.
Suncoast Vitamin Boost - they have the variety of vitamin based drinks including the Energy Booster with Guarana and Stress Buster which are both on my test.
Veer House - Bringing VR to a new level. If the other app, you can see your property in VR, this start-up company will allow you to be the interior designer of your future condo or space with VR. Thru their demo using the HTC Vive, I was amazed on you can really set-up your furniture in the exact way that you want it. In their beta, it was only based on a small land area but they can accomodate bigger spaces for clients. So far, they did not have a client yet but they are already if there's one.
MigMe - I discovered this particular chat app thru some of the local gamers and for the Bloga event, they looked up on online inlfluencers or bloggers with huge following for their upcoming campaigns
The reveal that was mentioned in the invites was letsbuzzin.com . Imagine, it was just like a typical Blogapalooza now on the web as Ms. Ace mentioned that Bloga is now an influential marketing company. That website will meet the businesses and brands to match with bloggers and online influencers that they need. I chose not to sign up for now mainly coz of one thing (as of this time), you cannot click the Terms of Use hyperlink unless you are about to register. When I asked them about them, they said that they will gonna fix that within the month.
It was also the first Bloga they they invited some blogger groups from different parts of the country like for North Luzon, Cebu. Davao and Cagayan. They had a pretty good discussion mainly on their status compared to Manila-based bloggers. That missing thing of name tag - it was the reason on not to meet that much new batch of bloggers. Fortunately, I saw the bloggers that usually see in the number of events in terms of tech and in between.
Overall, the 2nd Blogapalooza of 2016 was a bit better than the 1st installment.
