I know this may already be a little late for a review of 2011 but I hope you’ll understand. I just got married so a little procrastination may be excused. There were a lot of goings-on in 2011 for Negros Occidental and for my personal life as well. It’s been an exciting year and here are some of the news makers in Negros Occidental and some highlights in my blogging and personal life.
Remembering 2011
- Ayala Land won the bidding for the development of the Capitol Property. Albeit in a very controversial bidding, a lot of people were happy to hear that it was finally awarded to Ayala Land. Even our readers preferred Ayala. Of the 34 readers who joined our online poll, only 3 voted for SM Prime Holdings and 31 voted for Ayala Land.
Ayapa Capitol Civic Center (image from behance.net) - The Azkals Vs Mongolia Football match for the pre-qualifying playoffs of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup was held in Bacolod City at the Panaad Stadium. It was a momentous event for football fans as the Azkals beat Mongolia and eventually qualified for the finals of the Group A AFC Challenge Cup 2012.
- The Bacolod Charter day was officially changed from October 19 to June 18 through Executive Order 15-A Series of 2011 signed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia last June 9, 2011. However, the celebration of the Masskara festival will still be held every October.
- A 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook Negros but there was no casualty reported. The earthquake originated in the Negros Trench and an Intensity 5 was felt in Kabankalan, Cauayan, Sipalay and Hinoba-an. Those living in the coastal areas evacuated to higher ground for feat of a Tsunami. Negros is still very lucky.
- I hopped on-board Team Tikim last year through an invitation by Betsy Gazo. It’s been an exciting experience, to say the least. Imagine the food we had to eat and all the calories we had to burn. It’s a tough job really but somebody has to do it. 😀
- I am continually improving my writing and luckily I was able to attend various workshops last year courtesy of the Negros Museum. I learned a lot on memoir writing through Virginia Cu’s Writing from Within workshop and on food writing through Amy Besa’s Food Writing and Food Research workshop.
- It was a star-studded year as well as the Negros Bloggers got invited to press-cons with different celebrities. We got to meet up close and personal with John Lloyd Cruz, Direk Brillante Mendoza and Kapuso Stars.
- The Negros Bloggers and Silay City Government got to co-organize the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards – Visayas wherein ExperienceNegros.com was also one of the finalists in the Best Travel Blog category. I didn’t bring home the award but just to be nominated as among Visaya’s best is already something I am truly proud of.
Negros Bloggers with Mayor Oti Montelibano of Silay City
- Of course, those of you who subscribed to this blog last year already knows the highlight my personal life last year was when I got married. I’m just lucky to have a husband who’s already used to my blogging so this change in my status will not have much impact in my blogging.
What to look forward to in 2012
I have big plans for ExperienceNegros.com which I hope to implement this 2012. I’ve set-up and maintained this blog mostly from my own pocket and although I would want that to change, I don’t see it coming this 2012 yet. But that will not stop me from doing some tweaking to improve and serve more Negrenses, tourists and investors.
- ExperienceNegros.com: Your ultimate online guide in traveling, investing & living in Negros Occidental.
This will be the tagline for this blog starting 2012. Tall order I know but that’s the direction I want for this blog and I will work hard in achieving it. I’ll be doing a lot of redesigning, a lot of tweaking, and a lot of research in 2012. Contributors are very much welcome. 😀
Goals for 2012
- At least 1,000 daily unique visitors by end 0f 2012. I really lost two-thirds of my organic traffic since my site was hacked in September last year and I wish to recover them and gain more. I have several strategies in mind and I hope I can implement them this year. I’m not planning on buying traffic since I want to have readers who enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them.
- At least 6,000 subscribers by end of 2012. I currently have 500+ subscribers and I wish to gain at least 500 subscribers monthly. This is where I will be needing your help. If you love reading my blog, please do encourage your family and friends to subscribe.
- At least 6,000 Facebook likes by end of 2012. I currently have 800+ Facebook likers and I want to have more people like our fanpage so that they will be updated on new posts through Facebook. Please also encourage your friends and family to like ExperienceNegros.com on Facebook.