The reason I got to be in Singapore in the first place was because of the first ever Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards. Nuffnang is an advertising platform for blogs and I've been a member of Nuffnang for less than a year but already I've enjoyed a lot of things from them: bags, trips, educational excursions and income, of course! If I weren't so busy, I'd be more involved in all their activities. Hmmm, perhaps I'll start doing just that...Anyway, back to the awards! I'll just be posting fashion shots here, okay? I think you'll enjoy those more! That's me and my fellow Summit Media friend, Franny Haw.
Nuffnang was founded by two really fun guys, Timothy Tiah Ewe Tiam and Cheo Ming Shen. Or Tim and Ming. Don't ask me to pronounce their full names! In just two years, their little online venture has become a lucrative advertising business straddling four countries, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia, and with almost 100,000 bloggers registered in the Nuffnang community.
I wore my yellow shantung sheath dress with black leggingsand black platform heels. Bag is a quilted Bally.
Mixed media necklace is by Claire Betita Samson.
Sorry I don't have a full photo!
Ming said, "Bloggers today are getting recognized for their work, invited to events and offered product or service trials--all in a bid by companies to woo the Internet generation." Ten thousand blogs were nominated and about 60 blogs made it to the finals. Nope, Topaz Horizon didn't make it; that wasn't why I was there--I came as a member of the media so thank goodness for my job!
The Gosiengfiao sisters Ashley and Alodiain Regine Tolentino dresses. Sexy! But I do think they need
to meet Kate Torralba. Kate will be a perfect match for these two!
Anyway, after meeting the finalists from the Philippines and reading the blogs from the other countries, I am really beginning to think of taking this blogging thing seriously! Some bloggers earn thousands of dollars. That's insane money for just typing away your thoughts. Journalists--usually following a strict code of journalistic ethics--don't even earn that much. I'm not complaining, being an earning blogger myself, but I do have reservations about financially rewarding bloggers who are not guided by journalistic principles. Just because your blog is popular (usually through controversy) does not mean it's the authority on certain issues.
Hannah Villasis looks very on trendwith a sequined nude mini dress.
Ming understands this and says, "Bloggers need to carry the responsibility that comes with the power they have over society's opinions and day-to-day decisions. We hope that through Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards, bloggers will realize the importance of quality content in blogs. Tonight's winners are great examples of blogs which attracted a huge following through uploading quality content."
This is Tim's super cute girlfriend. I adore her dress!Looks like the dresses of my bridal entourage.
So congratulations to the 12 winners:
Best Blog Shop: Bonito Chico
Best Food Blog: I Eat, I Shoot, I Post
Best Fashion Blog: Lady Melbourne
Best Parenting Blog: Childhood 101
Best Travel Blog: En Route
Best Celebrity Blog: A Jolly Affair
Best Entertainment Blog: Kenny Sia
Best Geek Blog: Mr. Gadget
Best Hidden Gem: The Doodle Blog
Best Original Blog Design: Xia Xue
Most Influential Blog: Xia Xue
Region’s Best Blog: Xia Xue
Two quirkily glamorous bloggers from AustraliaAnd did I mention the fabulous prizes? Anywhere from top-of-the-line Canon cameras to a whopping SGD 5,000 from Pringles! That's PHP 169,971.75 (USD 3,573.43), people!
I did enjoy the glamorous awards night and I laud the efforts of Nuffnang to honor quality content--I do hope that they will truly recognize quality content more than just popularity but I don't want to talk about that. As for my opinion on advertising on blogs, well, let me get through this entire series first before I talk about that! More tomorrow!
More awards night photos here. I would like to thank Nuffnang and the Singapore Tourism Board for this Uniquely Singapore Series.
You representing Philippines is fab as it is, congrats :)
ReplyDeleteOn the matter of the winners.. err, well, I haven't read most of them but there was one I read and let's just say I'm not a judge so I won't say anything.
The problem with digital media is that it could get out of hand sometimes, to which Nuffnang is doing a good job with, honoring blogs that are influential and hopefully using the influence in a good way. I know this blog of yours is.
More power :)
Hi Teeyah! Oh, I didn't represent the Philippines since my blog wasn't nominated. I just came as an observer, as the traditional kind of reporter, you may say.
ReplyDeleteThe choice of the winners is controversial enough actually. I had my own picks myself and was surprised at how everything turned out. Makes me wonder what the judges were looking for!
Hi Frances :) Great post thanks for sharing your thoughts on the night! While I agree that some other top blogs missed out on awards, I believe the process was fair. Sure it can be improved but it can only go up from here :)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work!
Arnold aka Mr.Gadget :)
what a great experience. everyone looked amazing. =) i love the Regine Toletino dresses. Looks awesome
ReplyDeleteMr. Gadget!!! Oh, I am thrilled to have you here =) Just so you know, I didn't mean you when I was wondering about the choices. I think I gave a hint in my post when I said "controversy" =D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ChinkyGirl, the dresses looked better in person! They moved nicely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun night, Frances. I can imagine the thrill to meet fellow bloggers =) I haven't read most of the winners, but will check them out. People were dressed nicely, and you look fab as well =)
ReplyDeleteSayang, I forgot to nominate your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteNeuroChiq, thanks!
ReplyDeleteAustenfan, next year!!! =)
I just read this entry now. Haha. Ashley and Alodia are Hamil's cousins! Er, half-cousins? Long story. Alodia was at our wedding.:)
ReplyDelete