Cureless

The last blogger event I attended was the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards in March 2007. And I really had an ample glimpse of how the characters in the Philippine Blogosphere look, move and talk. Let’s just say that my naturally curious self wanted to find out and know about the personalities behind these blogs. And so I found out that not everyone is as talkative as they seem. An opportunity came when the Taste Asia Blogger Food Fest was announced last July. I wasn’t there, unfortunately.

But last week, I read from my Google Reader feeds about a second blogger food fest. I shamelessly begged Aileen Apolo though a comment to include me and my guest’s name on the list. Of course, my plead wasn’t late at all! I even got two entries on the list. One was through the courtesy of Shari, I suppose, the one I requested through a tweet.

And so I dragged my guest, whom (I won’t call by that mushy name for the shame of being identified) I will name Kitzr from now. We were fumbling on our way to Taste Asia but SM Hypermarket was pretty visible from the entrance so we managed to get to the event on time, I guess.

It wasn’t like the blog awards. That time we weren’t supposed to just sit down and watch the stage unfold the winners. We were there to mingle and talk and meet the crowd. A piece of sheet with all the participant bloggers’ names and URLs were even provided as a way for us to approach other bloggers. Blame it on my larger than life lack of people skills and/or uber shy nature that I didn’t end up talking to people I knew through their blogs. I know it’s self-deprecating to say but truth be told, I didn’t have the guts because my blog isn’t as popular as the others and well, I don’t have too many blogger friends to chat with. I totally forgot about the fact that it was a party, not just some show or something to watch. Maybe next time I should follow Pinoyblogero’s mini-guide to attending offline blog events.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise when the sky let out a shower and we caught ourselves sharing a table with Sir Butch Dado. He generously offered to sign our blogger list and a short conversation about work and related stuff followed. Then his daugher, Lauren (Laurganism) came, said hi and also signed our list, so did Ms. Noemi Dado (Touched by an Angel). Then, we excused ourselves for a free Cliquebooth shot.

After the announcement of the SM Hypermarket Blogging Contest winners, came the part that we’ve been waiting for. What else but the FOOD. Unfortunately, that most awaited part of the event also signaled our last minutes at Taste Asia. I told Kitzr not to eat those tempura. He didn’t listen thus he began mutating a few minutes after eating shrimp. Oftentimes, people forget their lessons when tempted with free food.

I was really hoping for a moment to thank and say goodbye to Aileen Apolo, (who deserves all the link love for organizing the event) but she doesn’t seem to run out of anyone to talk. (I just hope that I’ll be able to reach her through the blog. :D)

I’m also thankful to Shari of Misteryosa, who came surprisingly late, that I got to meet in person, Benj of Atheista, who, thankyouverymuch wasn’t in a debate mood while raving over their past blogging event experience, Ederic, who seemed to remember our little exchange of words about Culture Crash and PSICOM, and of course, Dr. Tess Termulo of Prudence and Madness.

Definitely, it was a brand new experience for Kitzr and myself. Next time, when I feel like approaching Mae’s group, or saying hi to Sexy Mom, or telling Gail about how cute Sheero looks in person (err… in real animal shape) I hope I wouldn’t hesitate. I’d like to stop being just a passive observer.