Lose the Battle, Win the War: It’s What Quarantine Blogging is For
There’s just something invigorating about October. It’s scary, at the same time, to think we’re now in the last quarter of this challenging year and not much has changed with how our country is battling this invisible war. Focusing on the positive side here, there’s comfort in knowing that the excitement over the holidays can be enough to neutralize the quarantine blues. And if there’s anything the past seven months have taught us, it’s that inspiring articles have various ways of helping us make it through.
Blogging Amidst The Pandemic
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. No exceptions. With all the struggles everyone is facing, I’ve realized that this global health crisis, like any contingency, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make significant, lasting changes. We’ve seen a shift in business strategies and personal direction in navigating life in the new normal. Pivoting, in whatever form, is key.
As for a travel blogger like me who cannot even go out of the house during the lockdown, I’ve learned to play the cards I’ve been dealt with. Blogging amidst the pandemic has made the topics of my articles to expand from travel content to include, but not limited to, the following: relevant Covid-19 news, mental health, climate change, contactless revolution, digitalization, cybersecurity and promotion of local businesses. All published with one thing in common ~ photo. Through my curated pictures and snapshots, I get to demonstrate visualization and storytelling of my personal experiences in the hopes of inspiring someone to bounce back from adversity and move forward with positivity.
It’s the first week of October when I got the news about being one of the finalists in the Best Cebu Blogs Awards (BCBA). I’m not surprised. Not anymore. It’s been four years since my debut in the Best Cebu Blogs Awards and I thought this year is no different ~ I’m nominated once again under the Photo Blog category. I’m not surprised, really. I’m astonished! For four consecutive nominations, I’m just overwhelmed. This surreal feeling, it’s beyond words. So, for the first time ever, I am writing an article without a single photo. I just want my readers to look into what matters ~ my sincerest appreciation.
Reminiscing about my BCBA journey, I can say I’m proud of my personal growth and the important lessons this annual blog contest has taught me. On my first nomination way back 2016 when I was still a greenhorn in the blogosphere, I was the only newbie vying for the top photoblogger crown. It paved the way to all the opportunities that came my way in the industry. On the second consecutive year as a finalist, I lost in the main category but I went home with the award “Founder’s Choice” by Oppo Philippines. On my third year as nominee under the same category, I joined the ranks of top bloggers in the Queen City of the South and bagged the “Bai’s Best Blogger” award despite losing in the nominated niche.
Then the realization hits me hard: Lose the battle, but win the war. It translates to achieving a minor defeat that ultimately results in a larger victory in life. The universe may not give what you’ve hoped for, but it will definitely redirect you to something greater. For 2020, quarantine blogging has taught me to see situations with a silver lining, to be grateful for what I’ve accomplished so far and to focus on the essential ~ on significant things that truly matter.
I’ve been saying this and I will state it again, “It isn’t about the title, rather it’s all about the meaningful impact I make in people’s lives“. Notwithstanding the result, I can claim that I’m already victorious for inspiring others to never lose hope during this pandemic. Through this platform, sharing relevant and impactful stories about life in the new normal could possibly lead to the realization of one of my blog’s taglines ~ Inspire.
BCBA 2020: Quarantine Version
To consistently be on top is already a huge milestone for my four-year old blog vivomigsgee.com. In this limitless blogosphere, I couldn’t ask for more. For all the opportunity, I couldn’t thank enough the people behind Best Cebu Blogs Awards.
With the goal to recognize the finest blogs by Cebu-based bloggers, Best Cebu Blogs Awards is the only and pioneering award giving body that acknowledges the existence and importance of Cebu bloggers and digital media movers in the Visayas and in the Philippines. It is usually highlighted by an Awards Night full of recognition and appreciation of the existence of blogs and bloggers and the value they contribute into various platforms of social media and the blogosphere in general.
This year, it’s kind of a different experience. It is all about online acknowledgment and credits, so there will be no physical gathering for all finalist in the 13th Best Cebu Blogs Awards Night due to restrictions set by the government during the pandemic. For the first time ever, online voting makes up 30% of the Overall Criteria of Judging. The announcement of winners will be done on December 5, 2020, at exactly 5 PM on the official website, www.bestcebublogsawards.com, and on official Facebook Page.
BCBA Sponsors
For this year’s Best Cebu Blogs Awards, the event wouldn’t be possible without the help of the following list of sponsors and partners:
- Gold Sponsors: PLDT Home, BPI, Cebu Pacific Air, PayMaya
- Bronze Sponsors: Starbucks Philippines
- Blogger Partners: CBS, CFB, C3, Memoriter Writing Services
- Official Photographer: Alvin Asayas Photography
- Partners: Cebu Fitness Blog, FaceCebu.net, Geemiz.com
Dedication to All Frontliners
Win or lose, I will continue to spread positivity and inspiring photo blog to my readers. For what it’s worth, I want to dedicate this pre-announcement article to all the frontliners out there, fighting for their lives to combat the intangible enemy. By rising to the occasion after experiencing some drawbacks, you still continue to give your best. You are all heroes!
With that, I’m ending this article with this note, “Don’t count the days we are in quarantine. Instead, be thankful of the days that God keeps us safe from Covid-19.” Let’s continue to pray and put Him in the center of everything we do for I believe we’ll rise as one from this crisis, and even without knowing it, better things are in the offing.
