Rewind To BCBA 2018: A Heartfelt Note to My Younger Self

Hey, 

It’s me. 

Your older, grumpier, and (hopefully) wiser self. 

It’s 2024 now, and life’s been quite a wild ride.

Life has thrown us curveballs, but we’ve hit a few home runs too.

First off, I’m not writing to give you the winning numbers for the biggest lottery in the Philippines.

And I’m definitely not sharing secrets to make you a billionaire.

But trust me, the words I’m about to share are worth a fortune.

Listen…

I know you’re a little disappointed about not winning any major awards at the Best Cebu Blog Awards (BCBA) in 2018.

You’re not a sore loser (you never have been) and you’ve always taken defeat gracefully.

But deep down, you know you could have done better.

And let’s be honest. 

You wanted that win badly. 

Not for yourself, but for the people who have supported you. 

And you want it to honor the silent readers who root for you without ever saying a word.

That’s okay. 

Don’t feel bad.

You’ll get multiple opportunities in the near future.

And maybe, you’ll get a few trophies for your art and write-ups in the future.

Actually, let me share a little spoiler about 2024.

I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but you deserve to hear something that’ll lift your spirits.

On October 1, 2024, I received an email from the Best Cebu Blog Awards.

Guess what?

We’re one of the 3 finalists for the travel blog category.

I know. 

It’s not our first nomination, but it still feels amazing. 

After everything I (I mean “we”) have been through in recent years, this recognition hits differently. 

If only you could see where we are now, you’d understand why I’m ecstatic.

So, let’s talk about the Best Cebu Blog Awards in 2024.

The Best Cebu Blog Awards will be in its 17th year in 2024.

Throughout the years, it has given recognition to the top bloggers and influencers in Cebu.

It’s the exclusive award-giving organization for bloggers based in Cebu.

In 2024, this prestigious event will be held at Oakridge Horizons Cafe, the Venue Sponsor of BCBA.

In recent years, it has added other categories to give recognition to other types of influencers, including vloggers.

I’m sure you have a preview of the growth of vlogging in 2018, and it will keep on evolving as the years go by.

And as you might know, these events wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors, including: 

#BCBA2024 SPONSORS

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CO-PRESENTER

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GOLD SPONSORS

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DONOR SPONSORS

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OFFICIAL DESIGNER

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OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

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PARTNER BLOGGERS

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FaceCebu.Net
Cebu Fitness Blog
Geemiz

You see that list?

Quite an impressive line-up of sponsors and brands, right?

And speaking of brands and sponsors, let me give you some advice about the future.

Don’t work with just anybody.

Years from where you are now, the Philippines will be riddled by online gambling sites and apps.

And you know, based on your experience, that gambling leads to financial problems, strain on relationships, addiction and mental health issues.

The worst part is, the influencers are the catalysts of this social issue.

They are unintentionally contributing to the normalization of online gambling.

They partner with online gambling companies or promote betting apps in exchange for sponsorship deals and massive payouts.

And their large followings make gambling seem trendy or harmless.

They will use their platform to highlight “big wins”, creating the illusion that gambling is an easy way to make money.

Please, don’t be one of those influencers.

No matter how hard life is, don’t be the reason why someone is addicted to online gambling.

Don’t use your gift to lead people to an inescapable hole.

Always focus on partnerships that align with positive values, like the brands and sponsors mentioned above.

As for the gift I mentioned earlier…

Yes, you, like other bloggers, have a gift and the power to make an impact.

It may not be there yet in 2018, but you do have it.

You have the power to inspire, to uplift, and to guide people toward something meaningful. 

Your words and stories carry more weight than you might realize right now.

You won’t have millions of followers and you won’t be appearing in major media streams.

You’ll have many opportunities to be a well-known influencer, but you’ll turn them all down.

And there’s a reason for that.

That’s because you’ll realize something profound: authenticity matters more than fame and money.

And you’ll use that gift wisely.

You’ll write personal, heartfelt stories that encourage growth, joy, and hope.

You’ll choose integrity over popularity, substance over noise, and purpose over profits. 

You’ll turn down opportunities that don’t align with your values because you understand the responsibility that comes with influence and you value the power of words.

Don’t get me wrong. It won’t be easy. 

There will be moments when you’ll question your decisions, wondering if you made the right choice. 

But deep inside, you’ll know you did. 

You’ll stay true to yourself and to the people who trust you. 

And you’ll remain authentic and unfiltered to your silent followers who never comment but find solace in your words.

Your words will be food to their world that’s hungry for optimism and inspiration.

I remember how you stayed up late, perfecting every post, hoping it would make someone smile.

You’d hope that it would, in some little way, help people overcome depression, melancholy and anxiety. 

And that passion? 

One day, it will pay off when a stranger sends you a message thanking you for helping her overcome her depression.

You said changing one life is enough for you, but believe me, there’s going to be more than that.

I know it sounds a little weird because you’re not that kind of blogger in 2018.

You don’t have the personality of Mitch Albom, Paulo Coelho, or Matt Haig.

You haven’t found your voice yet, and you’re lightyears away from becoming me.

Of course, you’ll have struggles along the way.

You’ll face days when grief feels unbearable, when the loss of loved ones weighs heavy, and when your own mind feels like a storm you can’t escape. 

Some days, you’ll think of quitting.

And you’ll even stop writing and blogging a few times.

You won’t renew your Cebu Blogger Society membership because you’ll think your blogging days are over.

But eventually, you’ll find out that you’re meant to do one thing: to blog and inspire troubled souls.

You’ll endure, and with every storm, you’ll find your voice growing stronger.

You’ll often remind yourself, “it doesn’t rain forever,” and those words will guide you through life’s storms.

So, keep blogging, and don’t let this setback stop you.

Use it to fuel your passion, and see it as an opportunity to grow and learn.

Keep inspiring and keep working on improving your craft.

It’s going to be a hell of a journey.

One day, you’ll find your real voice, and one day, you’ll discover your purpose as a writer and blogger.

Sincerely, 

2024 Aldrich