Hola Zamboanga - online guide to Asia's Latin City took home the Uniquely Mindanao Blog trophy for the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards (Mindanao Special Awards) last October 24, 2009 in Pearlmont Inn, Cagayan de Oro City. The awarding ceremony was held after the 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit.

The award came as a surprise. Fortunately, I was able to attend the awarding. During the announcement, I was taking video clips. It took a while for me to go up to the stage and received the trophy. I had goose bumps when I was giving the acceptance speech.

The Uniquely Mindanao blog "is clearly identifiable as being from and about Mindanao. It evokes a feeling of belongingness among Mindanao readers, and an appreciation and understanding of what Mindanao truly is among non-Mindanaoan readers. The Uniquely Mindanao Blog champions the objectives of the Mindanao Bloggers Community, and contributes to the realization of these goals." (Philippine Blog Awards)

As the founder of these blog site, I would like to thank the following people who made this successful:

• Cedrick S. Zabala for designing the logo and badges in the site. Thank you also for the  patience and support.
• Flisha Fernandez for taking the interest to participate during the planning of this site
• Michelle Bugante for the contributing articles and editing some of my posts
• Seed Interactive boys (Janric, Jorts, Jan2x, Bryne, Angelo, Mak2x, Cedz, Tennyl) for tagging along with me to take and produce photos and videos.
• David Santos (TV Patrol Chavacano Reporter) for featuring the blog site days after its launch
• Aunti Lulu and Ma'am Kelly of ABS- CBN Zamboanga for the support and understanding
• Councilor Gerky Valesco the nice words and encouragements
• Blogie Robillo and Avel Manansala and blogger friends who keeps me inspired to blog
• The members of Hola Zamboanga Facebook Group for joining our the growing online community
• Maam Yolynne, Jerome, Grace, Patsy and other Zamboanga Bloggers all the readers of Hola Zamboanga
• My Parents and Sibling for the support and prayers

It it my desire to put Zamboanga City in the forefront of the blogosphere. I hope that the award will serve as an inspiration for more Zamboangueños to write more positive information about Zamboanga Hermosa. Next year's Mindanao Blogger's Summit and the Mindanao Edition of the Philippine Blog Awards will be conducted in Zamboanga City.

WINNERS OF THE 2009 PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS – Mindanao

I. MAIN AWARDS
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Mike Abonitalla

Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vain
Dr. Grace Pamparo Bandoy

II. SPECIAL AWARDS

Mindanao Bloggers’ Choice
DavaoBase

Mindanao Advocacy Blog
Peace Initiatives in SOCSARGEN

Mindanao Destination Blog -
GenSan News Online Mag

Uniquely Mindanao Blog –
Hola Zamboanga

III. SPONSOR AWARDS:

Globe Digital Tribe – Mindanao
angdabawenyo.com
mindanao.com
alleba.com/blog
riajose.com
migsmobile.net
gensantos.com
katherinevlara.com
lylesantos.com
ptlavina.wordpress.com
chiqmontes.com

Chikka Readers’ Choice

Gensan News Online Mag