Inspired By

I know this blog post's been long overdue already but here's what went down on last November 15th's I Know Write MNL: Inspired By event.

First of all, let me just start by saying that it still amazes me that I was given a chance to be part of a group dedicated to form a community of responsible bloggers aiming to spread positivity online. Definitely being part of I Know Write MNL's core members was one of the best things that happened to me last 2014!

To be honest with you, the process of creating an event such as Inspired By is not really that easy. We had to go through long nights of brainstorming done through instant messaging (rest of the core members are kids that can't just go out and instantly meet-up that's why we resort to do our meetings online), endless planning and countless discussion of who are the speakers that we should invite, where will our event venue be and even the event date itself was a long process of joined ideas before we came up with the final deets of this 3rd event from I Know Write MNL.

The I Know Write MNL Core Team: Jodie, Arielle, Nina and Yannie.

To cut the long story short, I Know Write MNL: Inspired By was definitely a huge success! We were able to gather around 40 teen bloggers around the metro to join us in an afternoon full of inspiration and fun with our guest speakers Renee de Guzman (a fashionable teen blogger whose style I totes dig!), my ever coochy and supportive big brother Paul Chuapoco (fashion blogger, PR, ambassador for numerous brands)and the one and only--Kim Jones (no intro needed. Admit it, you love her as much as we do!!!).

The core team behind I Know Write MNL with speakers Kim Jones, Renee de Guzman, Paul Chuapoco and special guest performer, Reese Lansangan.

Special guest performer that day was fellow SoFA girl and previous speaker for the 2nd I Know Write MNL event, Reese Lansangan. This time, she performed 3 original compositions that sent everyone to cotton candy heaven!

TeenWeekPH served as I Know Write MNL's official media partner with them live tweeting and Facebook posting the event. Thank you so much, TeenWeek!

Kuya Paul jumpstarted the event with a talk about how to still find inspiration in blogging despite the online trolls and bashers--a topic that I personally can relate to cause I've had my fair share of online bashers and haters even before I started blogging.

The answer? Simple! Just blog your heart out and never mind the haters! If you know you're doing the right stuff, then there's no reason for you to be bothered by anonymous hate comments or Facebook tirades of your frenemies. Also, he taught everyone about the importance of having a decent online profile/blog. Negative Facebook statuses or rant tweets  reflect who you are as a person. So might as well think twice before clicking and posting anything negative online cause it greatly reflects your own personality.

I don't know if it's just me but he gives me a Peeta Mellark feels in this photo. The jacket, maybe?

Can I just say how I love this guy so much? He's one of my life inspirations and he's been with me through my darkest times and until now, he never gets tired of all my kaartehans and stuff. Indeed I am lucky to have a guardian/big brother who never fails to support and root for me every step of the way! Hearing him tell the kids how proud he is of me just melts every piece of my heart. My big brother can also say good stuff about me aside from bullying me everytime pala? Kidding.

Next was fashionable teen blogger, Renee de Guzman. I sure fell in love with her the moment I saw her backstage. So stunning and she perfectly knows how to carry her outfit well! I already met her months prior to this event (during the VIP opening of H&M Megamall) but to be honest, I didn't get to speak with her then. Maybe I was just caught up on the excitement of shopping that time. Then I stalked her Instagram and saw how amazing her feed is!

She gave everyone tips on how to take rad pictures for your blog or how to get the perfect Instagram filter for you posts. Voila! Everything we needed to know as told by this sweetheart! Love how she blushed and gushed when someone asked her who is her inspiration in blogging--just the perfect timing when her boyfie emerged from the door like a scene from a rom-con movie! *yiiieee*

Renee is definitely someone to watch out for in the blogging industry. She is now added on my list of favorite teen blogger friends I've known through I Know Write alongside Nina Alvia, Gabe Santos, Nina Pineda, Kim Cruz, Bea Marin, Cielo Fernando, Kerry Torres, Vianne del Rosario, Zianne Agustin, Hershey Neri and Clara Magalona!

Before moving on with the next speaker, everyone was treated with yummy smoothies from Jamba Juice! Thank you once again to my SoFA classmate Paula and to Mr. Paolo of Jamba Juice Philippines for supporting our event!

The kids surely had a real fun time choosing which smoothie they'll have!

Good peeps over Krispy Kreme Philippines also sent out 5 dozen original-glazed donuts for everyone to munch on! Thank you, Krispy Kreme!

We also gave away goodies from our lovely sponsors Blo Bar Serendra, BandFeels MNL and Hodge Podge before Reese Lansangan performed and mesmerized everyone away with her sweet as cotton candy voice (match with her cute hair!).

The whole room was extremely quiet while Reese was performing. No one even dared to breathe. She's. That. Good. *cries*

Another SoFA classmate and a good friend of mine also supported the event we organized by giving out rad pieces from the clothing line she owns--TopManila! Raffle winners were delighted to receive fashionable pieces from Ms. Honey Cruz of TopManila!

Ms. Honey Cruz, owner of TopManila Clothing with one of the raffle winners.

Ofcourse everyone exactly knows what's going to happen next or who they will see in front but still, shrieks of joy were heard when finally, Ms. Kim Jones herself came out from the backstage!

She was stunning as a Barbie and I must admit, she's definitely one of the most beautiful persons I've ever met! I personally told Kim about I Know Write MNL and invited her during a shoot we did for Manila Bulletin's Style Weekend cover. I couldn't believe she instantly said YES without any hesitation the moment I asked her! That is how lovely and kind she is!


A ray of Sunshine, that's what she is! Isn't she the most beautiful aside from me? Hehehee.

She spoke about her humble beginnings and how life as a newbie model wasn't a walk in the park for her. She risked everything going out of her hometown to find new adventures in a country that is new to her. Crazy wild, yeah? But she is definitely a woman of faith and that's what helped her get through the struggle. Keeping in mind a verse she also shared to others: "Jeremiah 29:11" (also my all-time favorite verse!).

A verse she claims that helped her understand more about God's own plans for her. She also called in a special guest from the backstage that she referred to as her "assistant". And much to everyone's delight, it's her other half! Mr. Jericho Rosales himself!

Jericho was so game and cooperative as he handed out blank papers to everyone as to which Kim specifically asked everybody to write down something that inspires or motivates them to blog. She told everyone that in case of being demotivated, just look at the piece of paper to remind them of their purpose in blogging. Aww, Kim! You have no idea how big of an inspiration you are to me and to everybody in the room!!!

Lastly, she encouraged everyone to find their own identity and purpose in blogging. Being the role model that she is, how she juggles life as a host, model, blogger and celebrity is truly something amazing that we look up to. You know and you can feel how good her heart is that's why she is so blessed.

We had the chance to thank everybody who attended before the event wrapped up and when my turn came, I couldn't help but burst out in tears! Seeing everyone out there that afternoon was truly a dream come true for me!

I never thought it is possible to be an instrument to inspire people be it, kids and start out an advocacy of spreading responsible use of social media and spreading positivity online!

I thought my life was already over when I went through a difficult time during college that crashed my dreams and made me feel unwanted. But here it is, a chance to live life and chase new dreams again and I will forever be thankful to I Know Write MNL for letting me be part of your wonderful team!

Isn't it crazy ironic that someone who used to be hated by everyone is now doing something to inspire people? How often do we get that chance? It's not everyday. Jericho was there pala in the audience and he heard my story and went in front and gave me a hug and I never will forget that! Highlight of the day for me-I kid! A heart-felt prayer led by Jericho ended the event with a bang!

To everyone that's been instrumental in making I Know Write MNL's 3rd event, Inspired By a success, a big warm hug to each and everyone of you! To our speakers Renee, Kuya Paul, Kim and guest performer Reese up to our very special guests and sponsors and media partners--Jericho, Ms. Joreen of Brand Speak Asia, my model friend Mikko and his girlfriend, to Sir Paolo and Paula of Jamba Juice, Ms. Honey Cruz of TopManila, Meggy of BandFeels MNL, Ms. Kristine Juris of Blo Bar Serendra and to Hodge Podge.

My friend Mikko Marcelo and his girlfriend who went to support the event I organized together with the rest of the core team.

My good friend, Peewee Casanova with Kim and Jericho. Thanks, Peewee for supporting me always and for taking rad photos during the event!

Thank you also to Ms. Camille and the team of TeenWeek PH for being our official media partner. And to my good friend, Peewee for being our official event photographer!

I Know Write MNL: Inspired By


To my dearest Jodie and Nina of I Know Write, just know that working with you girls has been extremely fun and indeed the cherry on top of my 2014! Though I'm moving on in doing more mature stuff, just know that my love for you two and the rest of the friends I've made because of I Know Write MNL will never change! Nina, you're already making me proud with the recent achievements you're getting and I know that you'll make it BIG someday!

Truly, being part of I Know Write MNL has been such a life-changing opportunity for me. It made me realize my purpose and made me see that there is still beauty despite the bad and the ugly. 



And before I end this very long blog post, I would like to tell everyone that you can be whoever you want to be despite your ugly past or the person you used to be. What's important is you know how to forgive and move on. Your mistakes don't define who you are but your present actions will! Never miss a chance of inspiring people and doing something kind to someone everyday and you'll see, blessings will come knocking your door! It's never too late to chase for your dreams and work hard for it. Prove the doubters and non-believers that you can do it, but most importantly, do everything for our almighty God's glory! Once you surrender and dedicate everything you do for Him, there's no way on Earth you'll not make it!

Despite bad circumstances, lost opportunities, traitors, dream snatchers, unfortunate events, I want you all to "Believe there is good in the world".

Love lots,
Yannita*

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*huggs!*