Social Media Day was started by Mashable in 2010 its an annual global event that is celebrated every June 30. It recognises the digital revolution happening right before our eyes.
In Gensan, the Sox Bloggers and GBG Gensan celebrated it for the 3rd year already. They adapted #ChangePH as this year's theme along with the rest of the Philippines. For this year, they again partnered with SMART.
The fun filled event was packed with 75 social media advocates in Gensan - bloggers, online workers, NGOs, marketing officers of various companies, educators, among others. They all came to listen to speakers who are part of advocacies meant to improve the lives of the ordinary Pinoy, in this case, residents of Soccsksargen.
The night started with an overview of the event by Sox Blogger Co-Founder-Head and GBG Gensan Manager Avel Manansala who regaled the audience with the short history of his groups which has since grown in influence in the region and has amassed awards from Google and other online award-giving bodies. He was followed by Kevin Terrence Olmedo, a former Ateneo de Davao University teacher who has his own startup company who talked about the current State of Social Media.
Then Ariel Lalisan, lead of Google Educator Group - Sarangani and Assistant Principal of Alabel National Science HS who shared his insights on, Social Media: Venue for Shaping Public Opinion.
Dr. Roel Cagape, Doctor to the Boondocks then gave an emotional and heartwarming talk on his use of social media & digital communications, while tending to the sick hilltribes of Sarangani. A very effective speaker, he was able to get the commitment of everyone present to further help him with his causes.
Another medical practitioner, Dr. Remo Aguilar gave a rousing talk on: #HealthPh: Platform for Emerging Technology and Social Media and Healthcare plus Tips on How to be a Social Media Innovation Rock Star!
The next speakers, former student leader Ernest John Caliza talked about MSU's student-led Kabantugan Awards and its Search for Excellence while film maker Genory Vanz Alfazain dealt with his work on Developmental Communication.
Capping the night were SM City General Santos' dynamic Head of PR, Marilou Consad who gave an impressive overview of their CSR Programs in Soccsksargen, including health care, education, etc. She was followed by the hardworking SMART's Haydee Bernabe of Corporate Communications who revealed to the social media practitioners her company's exemplary advocacy work on improving education in the region in collab with DepEd.
The night was also full of surprises for everyone as McDonald's Gensan Highway (the event venue), raffled off exciting shwags, together with Smart, SM Cinema General Santos and San Miguel Beer.
In the end, everyone brought home a MINION toy with them aside from vowing to themselves that indeed, the only way to make a difference, either through social media or digital communications is to help #ChangePH.
Follow me on Twitter or Instagram, @kyriekoutre for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna Capital of the Philippines.
Social Media Day was started by Mashable in 2010 its an annual global event that is celebrated every June 30. It recognises the digita...
