racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

Here’s an article I wrote for the UP Law-ISP’s iBlog special publication this year. It is largely based on other Social Media-related web content and blog posts I have written through the years.

iBlog 3, the 3rd Philippine Blogging Summit, will be held on the 13th and 14th of April at the UP School of Economics, in Diliman. I will be speaking in the Blogging and Journalism panel.

Social Media: Changing the Way We Publish, Consume and Share Information

Social Media is one of the most profound products of the 21st century. It has changed the face of publishing, marketing, public relations, and yes, even media itself. Social Media is about the empowerment of you, the user. It is a paradigm shift in how the World Wide Web is structured, and how we publish, consume and share information today and in the years to come.

Blogs are but a part of the big picture. Social Media, after all, encompasses a variety of mediums, which includes just about anything that concerns being social and being able to communicate. You also have podcasts, wikis, social bookmarkers, social networks, social news sites, and even online games.

However wide the coverage of social media, it boils down to five basic concepts: participation, openness, conversation, community and connectedness.

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Published Works

Publisher
* The J Spot – Online commentaries on information technology, business, economics, politics and government and public relations. This site serves as J. Angelo Racoma’s personal blog.

Editor / Contributor (present)

* The Blog Herald – The premier source for news and commentary about blogging and new media.
* Froodee – Community blog on lifestyle, business, family matters, and travel.
* Gadzooki – Community blog on software, gadgets and cars.
* Blog Tutorials – Community blog on blog design, reviews, monetization and optimization.
* Travelogger – Community blog on family travel.
* Pinoy.Tech.Blog – The Philippines’ premier technology weblog. The team comprises professionals, practitioners and entrepreneurs in the various fields of the Philippine ICT realm. Author archive here.
* Pinoy Urban Living Blog – The definitive guide to Philippine urban living, being authored by individuals from various metropolitan/urban areas in the country.
* The Man Blog – the real man’s best friend on the web.

Editor / Contributor (past)

* Forever Geek – See Bloggy Network under Professional Experience.
* Apple Gazette – See Bloggy Network under Professional Experience.
* Sun.Star Blog Chronicles – The Philippines’ largest network of local newspapers, with publications spanning the major cities. The Blog Chronicles section of the Sun.Star online edition is intended to be a guide to blogging by bloggers.

Co-author
* The opportunity to invest : the effect of the real rate of interest on fixed capital formation / J.A.B. Racoma, Renato W. Lee, III. — 2001 – Undergraduate thesis (B.S. Econ), University of the Philippines, Diliman; An empirical study on the actual correlation between the real interest rate and investment in the Philippine setting, pre-1997 financial crisis.

Projects

Investment Coordination Committee Electronic Library
National Economic and Development Authority
October 2005 to January 2006

* The ICC Electronic Library project is for the design and implementation of a Web-based Library System for effective document archiving and retreival of official ICC documents, and its attendand technical, user, and system documentation.

Pinoy Teachers Network

* Development and design of the Pinoy Teachers Network official website.

Professional Experience

Splashpress Media

* July 2007 to present: Editor in Chief, Splashpress Media

As editor in chief of Splashpress Media, manages the creative, administrative, marketing and human resource aspects of the media group. Spearheaded the development of new media services, portals and applications and ensured smooth operation of existing ones. Also contributes to Splashpress Media’s various publications in various capacities.

* April 2007 to present: Editor in Chief, Splashpress Community Blogs

Was responsible for the launch/relaunch of froodee.com, blog-tutorials.com, gadzooki.com and travelogger.net as community blogs under Splashpress Media. Recruited contributors, assigned topics, and formulated the compensation scheme. Has technical, administrative, and creative oversight over these sites, with plans to expand to a bigger network.

* December 2006 to July 2007: Network Manager and Content Developer

As network manager, takes care of the technical aspects of the websites, including the databases, content management systems and design. Overhauled the design of Splashpress blogs to use the “Eratizine” theme.

As content developer, wrote for several Splashpress Media publications, including the Blog Herald (see above item on the Blog Herald), Jack of All Blogs, Blog Network Watch and Gadzooki (earlier owned by BlogMedia, and acquired by Splashpress).

The Blog Herald

The Blog Herald is the premier source for news and commentary on blogs, blogging and new media, owned by Splashpress Media.

* March 2007 to present: Assistant Editor

As assistant editor, responsibilities include editorial, technical, and administrative oversight of the site and its contributors. Was also partly responsible for ensuring a smooth software upgrade and design transition during the May 14, 2007 relaunch of the Blog Herald.

* December 2006 to February 2007: Marketing manager and contributor

As marketing manager, responsibilities include enhancing mindshare of the blog and enhancing the brand through contextual advertising programs, regular ad space, word-of-mouth and other new media.

As contributor, regularly wrote about relevant updates and news items, and occasionally wrote opinion/commentary pieces. See author archive here.

Other responsibilities include some back-end/technical management, including maintenance of the content management system.

Bloggy Network

* March to December 2006: Editor, content producer/developer

Wrote regular content for the the network’s technology-oriented weblogs. Also facilitated relevant discussions within the network and across the related media community.

Blogs authored:

* Apple Gazette
* Forever Geek
* Blogging Pro
* bMonitors
* bTelevisions
* bLaptops
* bCellphones
* bPlayStation3
* bDigitalCameras

Enthropia, Inc. (Philippines)

* March to December 2006: Media consultant

Managed and coordinated content, blog and Web-related projects for Enthropia, part owner of Bloggy Network. This includes the “Use .COM.PH” campaign, gaming blogs, and domain content creation.

BlogMedia, Inc.

* January to March 2006: Content producer/developer

Produced regular content for the following technology-oriented weblogs:

* MobileHerald
* Gadzooki (formerly tech.erati.com)

Freelance blogger/writer

* January to March 2006: Content producer/developer

Managed, conducted research, and produced daily content for client blogs:

* WiFi Wireless – news and views on WiFi (802.11) and related wireless technologies
* Voice-over-Internet Protocol – discussion on VoIP and communications
* UK Company Blog – blog on company formation, business practices/solutions, and productivity
* Online Dating Weblog – blog on relationships (on- and off-line)
* New Software Titles – software and information technology in general
* Visit a Lawyer – legal matters
* Google Tutor – Google news, tips and hacks

dotPH Domains, Inc.

* February to November 2005: Internal Auditor and Executive Assistant to the CEO

dotPH is the official registry of the Philippine (.PH) Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD). Being an internet-enabling organization with a worldwide client-base, the firm has been and continues to be active in introducing innovations both in the Philippine and worldwide ICT industry, such as the use of a Shared Registry System (SRS), adoption of the Internet Corporation on Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Universal Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), and the introduction of i.PH, the world’s first anonymous domain and the Philippines’ first locally-developed blogging service.

Part of his responsibilities as Executive Assistant to the CEO, Angelo managed the award-winning (8th Philippine Web Awards) i.PH brand and is part of the Calliope Enterprise Solution development team. He was mainly responsible for coordinating the efforts of the technical, marketing and support groups in ensuring service is at par with client requirements. He continues to maintain an online presence through his i.PH blog, both in a personal and professional capacity, hence serving as one of the human faces of the company in the online world. He maintains his advocacy in raising the awareness of blogging as an interactive communications and networking tool.

* As Internal Auditor, directed budget and cost controls, analyzed and interpreted financial data and recommended changes to improve systems and financial performance to ensure that the organization achieves financial targets. Conducted regular audits to verify accuracy of records, compliance with standards, policies, and procedures and regularly provides reports on findings to the hief Executive Officer.

* As Executive Assistant to the CEO, managed special projects for the CEO. Provided assistance and represented the CEO as appropriate in communicating with internal and external constituents. Independently researched, prioritized, and followed up on multiple incoming issues and concerns addressed to the CEO, including those of a sensitive and/or confidential nature; determined appropriate course of action, referral, and/or response.

* As Brand Manager, liaised among the technical, marketing and support groups to ensure a well-coordinated effort in the technical, customer relations, and business development areas of the company’s various offerings, such as the i.PH web logging service, the Calliope Blogs enterprise solution, .PH Domains and Webhosting. Regularly conducted user-experience engineering, which includes evaluating the service features and user interface, and liaising with clients, to ensure that the quality of service is at par with client expectations. Coordinated with content providers such as artists and writers who provide premium pay-for-access content thru the i.PH service.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

* November 2004 to February 2005: Senior Economic Development Specialist (EDS), Investment Programming Division (IPD) / Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Core Secretariat
* May 2003 to November 2004: EDS II, IPD / ICC-Core Secretariat
* March 2002 to May 2003: EDS I, ICC-Core Secretariat

NEDA is the premier socioeconomic development planning and policy coordinating body of the Philippine Government. Part of the NEDA’s National Development Office, the main functions of the Public Investment Staff (PIS) include coordination and review of the flow of Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds to the country, processing of major capital projects (MCPs) funded through Private Sector partnerships, and preparation of a rolling medium-term public investment program, where sources and uses of funds for priority programs are indicated.

* As part of the technical team directly responsible for the facilitation of information and processing for implementation of various major capital projects of the Philippine Government, contributed greatly to business process efficiency by introducing and improving the widespread use of technology in keeping track of project processing and information. His background in economics afforded him a good overview of the requirements and nuances of designing knowledge systems effective for use in such a setting.

* As Senior Economic Development Specialist under the Investment Programming Division (IPD) and as member of the Core and Technical Secretariat of the inter-agency Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), duties involved coordination with various agencies of the Philippine Government in facilitating the evaluation and approval of national-government implemented programs and projects, both ODA funded or private sector financed (via Build-Operate-Transfer or BOT Schemes), through the ICC / NEDA Board process. Duties likewise included drafting policy papers/matrices involving the ICC processes.

* As PIS Information Technology (IT) Coordinator, represented the Staff in various institution-wide activities involving IT. Also led in coordinating the Staff’s Knowledge-Management initiatives and recommending IT-related decisions to the management. As Database Administrator, maintained the Staff’s databases, including the ODA Database and the ICC Project Appraisal Monitor. Also headed the Staff in its initiatives to implement the Project Proposal Monitoring System, an internet-accessible database integrating the ODA, BOT, ICC, and Project Monitoring databases. Also designed and created the database for the 2005-2010 Medium-Term Public Investment Program (MTPIP).

* As PIS Sector Officer for the Industry and Services Sector and Division Focal for the Infrastructure Sector, facilitated the processing of proposals, communication, and other matters pertaining to the sector. Also attended relevant meetings within and outside of NEDA, as well as coordinated with financing desk officers and other sector officers, as necessary. Provided technical inputs and Staff representation in various technical working group discussions, stakeholder consultations, and cabinet cluster meetings in the formulation of the 2005-2010 Medium Term Philippine Development Program (MTPDP), the country’s economic blueprint in the medium term, and its attendant MTPIP, the pipeline of priority projects, programs and activities the government shall undertake in meetings its MTPDP goals.

* As member of the PIS ad hoc committee on the Medium-Term Mindanao Investment Program, maintained the documentary submissions of Regional Development Councils (RDCs) and national line agencies with regard to requirements and agency commitments for the Mindanao region, respectively. Coordinated with agencies, Staffs, and personnel concerned with Mindanao Investment Programming (such as the Mindanao Economic Development Council or MEDCo, and NEDA Regional Offices), and provided Staff representation to the Mindanao Working Group, a stakeholder discussion forum on the Mindanao Investment Program.

Professional Accreditation

* Philippine Civil Service Professional Level Eligible since 28 February 2002, with Career Service Professional Examination rating of 91.89%.

Educational Background

• Postgraduate: Diploma, leading to Master, in Development Economics, University of the Philippines – Diliman, ongoing
• Tertiary: Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of the Philippines – Diliman, November 2001 (Dean’s Medal Awardee)
• Secondary: Ateneo de Manila University, March 1998 (Honorable Mention)
• Elementary: Claret School of Quezon City, March 1994 (Honorable Mention)

Events, Trainings, Seminars, Workshops Organized or Attended

• iBlog 3, UP Diliman, April 2007 (Panelist/speaker, blogging and media panel)
• NETGENS: Learning Preferences of the New Generation, Techfactors, July 2006 (Resource person and speaker)
• Blogging and Podcasting Workshop, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, April & July 2006 (Resource person, podcasting panel)
• iBlog 2, UP Diliman, April 2006 (Panelist/speaker, professional blogging panel)
• iBlog Mini Summit: Blogging and the Gloriagate Scandal, UP Diliman, 4 August 2005
• First Philippine iBlog Summit, UP Diliman, 7 May 2005 (Participant and i.PH presenter)
• First Diliman Governance Forum: “Reinventing/Reengineering & Reorganizing the Bureaucracy in the Philippines: Why We Should be More Hopeful”, UP Diliman, 15 September 2004
• Fifth Program in Development Economics Lecture Series: “Philippine Economic Development: Learning from the Past and Looking into the Future”, UP Diliman, 20 February 2004 (Organizer)
• Workshop on the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines for Project Development, Implementation, and Monitoring and Evaluation, Asian Development Bank, 19 February 2004
• Philippines-Japan Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Policy Dialogue, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, 17 February 2004
• 2002 InMagic Training Seminar / Workshop, Centro Escolar University Library, 14 October 2002
• Introduction to Extensible Markup Language (XML), Informatics Computer School, Mandaluyong, 10 July 2002
• Seminar / Workshop on Effective Writing, NEDA Communications Advocacy Program / LEAD, 11 to 13 December 2002
• Second Mindanao Budget Summit, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, 22 June 2002

Organizational Affiliations

• Digital Filipino Club, Member since 2006
• Asian Development Bank Camera Club, Member, 2000-2001
• COPA-NET (Email group of the Council on Philippine Affairs), Member since December 2002
• Pinoy Teachers Network, Technology Liaison and Core Group member since July 2005
• Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) / National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Volunteer Poll Watcher, May 2001 Elections
• SEO Philippines, Member since 2005
• University of the Philippines Alumni Association, Member since November 2001
• UPROTC Noncommissioned Officers Alumni Organization, External Affairs Committee Head, SY 2000-2001; Founding Member
• UPROTC Service Support Battalion, Battalion Executive Officer, SY 1999-2000
• Philippine (web) Usability Group, Member since 2005

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Christmas is just a few days away. I can imagine people in a shopping frenzy, rushing to get presents for their loved ones. First, I would like to *ask all of you what you want for Christmas*. My mom’s doing a Christmas Wishlist and one of the things she’s planning to do is ask all our blogosphrends (okay, bad mashup of “blogosphere” and “friends”) what the want for Christmas. So I’d appreciate it if you can send your Christmas wishlists my way, either through the comment form below or via email (jangelo at racoma dot net).

*Updated: edited some text on the “new place to live” paragraph. Apparently, textile converted some extra hyphens into stricken-out text and made some lines disappear.*

Oh, do check out what my wish this Christmas is. And I believe I have an excellent photograph posted there.

What has 2006 given you?

Now for the more important part. I’d like to also ask you guys *what you are thankful for this 2006*. This year has been a very rewarding year to me and my family. It’s the year we had sort of a reversal of fortunes (2005, in contrast, was very challenging!). There are the material things, and there are those that cannot be seen by the eyes, but felt. Here’s what 2006 has given me so far.

*Better financial standing*. Back in 2005 I was still working my day job. While the pay wasn’t really high, it was a bit better compared to usual wages here in Manila. However, due to some circumstances, I wasn’t always able to complete my 40 hours in a workweek (non flexitime, no overtime pay, long commute, etc.), and earnings fell because of that. I was trying hard to look for ways to monetize my writing talent and netrepreneurship skills, though, so this day job was a stepping stone towards that goal.

I had to resign by December–I originally planned to stick with the “notice” period of 30 days, so I can finish up with my tasks while moving on to start a short-term project I was contracted for. But the company thought it best for the resignation to be effective immediately that time. So that meant I had to do a complete turnover before any of my last salaries, back-pay and 13th month pays were released (which came a couple of months after). The family spent the holiday season last year without much money. I was able to depend on proceeds from my project, but that wasn’t much. Then my then-landlord decided it was time for me to settle some arrears. That made me worry.

Then I started writing freelance early January. Since that time I’d been working from home. That opened up many possibilities, particularly with my getting better-known to the online community as a problogger and freelance writer. I got a problogging gig with the Bloggy Network, and we were in better financial standing since that time.

*New place to live (and work) in*. Since I was already working from home, I considered the environment we had back at our old place a bit cramped. We were a family of four, plus we had househelp back then. So you can imagine the stress living in a one-bedroom, one-floor apartment. I had to visit my parents’ place (the adjoining apartment) each midnight just so I can get some work done through the night.

Come September, I was quite envious that my fellow problogger (and longtime collaborator, and also colleague at the Blog Herald) Abe Olandres had been sent on an assignment in Taiwan for a blogging and podcasting workshop. We usually hold the workshops together, under the sponsorship of the FNF. I only realized I was fortunate I didn’t come on this assignment since this was the week I was able to chance upon a recently-vacated and renovated apartment just three houses away from our previous place. We moved in mid September.

We’re used to living in this area (UP Village), since it’s convenient and accessible. It’s not so much upscale like other private subdivisions, but it’s a comfortable place to be in. And being a few houses away from our old place does have its advantages. Still, the important thing is now we have better living and working space.

*New toys*. This year, I was able to acquire: a Compaq Presario V2000, an old PowerBook Pismo, a new refrigerator, a car, a new (cheap) mobile phone, an iPod Video, new Canon digital camera (to replace the Nikon that broke this January), and numerous other stuff. While these are all material, these are tools that make life easier. What I think matters is the added productivity and happiness that these bring about. With the computers, I can work (and play) better. With the car, the family can travel in comfort.

(That folks, is what economic benefits are all about–not money, but _happiness_.)

*The opportunity to share and help out*. This year I also had the opportunity of sharing the blessings and helping out people. For one, I was able to hire a handful of people for the company I worked with. The arrangements were also the same–work from home. What’s great is that some of these guys are fresh out of school. And the work that they do is great. This just proves that the Internet is the great equalizer–You don’t have to have ten years of experience to earn good money if you know where to look for opportunities. I’m sure they’re pretty happy with how things turned out for them.

I was also able to be part of several blogging conferences, like iBlog2, and the Go-Ogle! team which I’m part of won fifth place in the recently-concluded Isulong SEOPH contest (we’re on page 1 of the continuation, Ituloy Angsulong).

*New opportunities*. 2006 is also the year I got another great assignment–as assistant editor (if that’s an appropriate title) and marketing manager of the Blog Herald. With this, I had to give up writing for my great blogs at the Bloggy Network, though, since I had an exclusivity agreement with them. Still, I think this means I’m off to bigger things (and one of those is a plan to start a content network of my own–but that’s for 2007!).

What about you?

In all, 2006 was a good year for me. There were ups and there were downs, too. But overall, I’m thankful to be here (alive and kicking) and thankful for my family, loved ones and friends.

What about you? We’ll be publishing your Christmas wishlists and 2006 “thankful for” lists by this weekend. Keep the comments and emails flowing!

I have been receiving a number of inquiries on how to earn from blogging. I’ve referred most of my correspondents to my contacts who are in the content and/or blogging business, but I may have missed some. Hence, I’m posting this short guide on one’s options in pro-blogging, which is more or less my standard response.

The third of the three-part special of the Liberal Times Manila Podcast has just been published. And guess who’s on it!

In this episode (which I helped script, produce and cut, with the great people from FNF), I get to share some experiences in becoming (and being) a pro-blogger.

The final part in the three part series of special episodes focuses on professional blogging. The Liberal Times Manila podcast discusses how blogs have changed the media landscape. It features interviews with Mike Abundo on the social aspects of Philippine blogging and how to blog for the world community, and Abe Olandres on how to earn from your blog. It also includes a personal account from Angelo Racoma on how he moved from full-time employee to full-time blogger.

Parts 1 and 2 were released over the course of the past couple of weeks (PTB feature here)–these focused on blogs and the media and the politics of blogging, and podcasting, respectively.

Do check it out. Streaming versions are available, but you can also subscribe using iTunes or any other Podcast client via the RSS feed.