Bloggers from General Santos, Malabon and Cebu were awarded as the top storytellers of ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Project”.

The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project”, ComCo Southeast Asia’s latest initiative co-presented by Eastern Communications and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet, and Teleperformance, is a response to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way especially during this period of crisis. An initiative open to bloggers in the Philippines, it aimed to highlight the triumph of the human spirit to inspire the nation to move forward amidst the challenging times.

In the recently concluded Virtual Awarding Ceremony of “Write to Ignite”, attended by the initiative’s Top 40 finalists, board of judges, and partners, Kurt Comendador from General Santos emerged as the Grand Champion. His heartfelt entry from his blog Kuku Notebook entitled “A Breath of Fresh Air: Coo in the time of COVID” chronicles the tumultuous events that happened during the pandemic – finding a new job and the birth of his twin girls. His blog captures that mood of traversing untraveled territory and the discovery of new commitments, new responsibilities and new life as a father.

Carla Sangoyo of Blissful Guro from Malabon, and Cris Ruffolo of Lady With Backpack from Cebu were announced 1^st and 2^nd runner ups respectively. Sangoyo won for her entry “An Open Letter from a Mother to Her Firstborn” while Ruffolo won for her article “Diary of a Village Watcher: I became a volunteer tanod because of Covid-19.”

The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” Virtual Awarding Ceremony, attended by the Top 40 finalists, board of judges, and partners.[/caption]

Comendador won PHP 20,000 cash prize, while Sangoyo and Ruffolo won PHP 15,000 and PHP 10,000 cash prizes respectively. The three top storytellers also received Electrolux CompactGo Bagged Vacuum Cleaner from Electrolux and goodies from “Write to Ignite’s” partners.

Comendador, Sangoyo, and Ruffolo were also given an opportunity to donate to charitable institutions and non-government organizations (NGO) accredited by ComCo Southeast Asia such as Humanility, SOS Children’s Villages, and World Vision Philippines’ COVID-19 Emergency Response.

Here is the full list of winners.

“Thank you for this opportunity. I just want to say that being a winner for “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” is a huge help. I want to use my winnings for my daughters, to Ally, who was born with a cleft lip. I’m hoping that the money that I won will be used for her surgery soon. Thank you everyone, especially for the sponsors, for making this possible,” said Kurt Comendador of Kuku Notebook.

“There are things that matter more in life. I’ve been dealing with the challenges of being a mother for the very first time during this pandemic. And rather than entertain pessimistic thoughts during these trying times, it somehow makes me look forward to the coming days. ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” paved the way for sharing my story. And reading other bloggers’ experiences championing the human spirit made me feel that I am not alone in this journey. Thank you for the sponsors and the initiative for giving bloggers a way to express our feelings this pandemic,” said Carla Sangoyo of Blissful Guro.

“The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” gave me a heartwarming respite from the stressful news and disheartening realities. It was liberating to read about the stories and experiences of other warriors who are also doing their share in helping out frontliners. Writing my entry also made me realize about what I can do further to help my immediate community. Thank you ComCo Southeast Asia and our dear partners and sponsors for this initiative. You’ve provided a platform for us to unite and ignite each other’s passion for service,” said Ruffolo of Lady With Backpack.

“Write to Ignite Blogging Project” received an overwhelming response from the blogging communities all over the Philippines. More than 70 bloggers from Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Baguio, Ilocos Sur, Cebu, Davao, Albay, Dumaguete, Iligan, Iloilo, Quezon Province, and Bacolod participated in the project and shared their experiences and life lessons amidst the pandemic.

Here is the full list of the amazing 70 storytellers who joined the Write to Ignite Blogging Project.

Write to Ignite Blogging Project entries were screened and evaluated by a board of judges composed of distinguished professionals from the communications, marketing and advocacy fields. Chaired by ComCo Southeast Asia’s Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy, the board of judges include:

Ken Abadiano, Marketing Manager of Dragonpay
Ana Arcega, Lead Copy Writer of Jobstreet
Bea Castro, Brand Communications Specialist of Eastern Communications
Carl Cuevas, Marketing Communications Officer of UnionBank
Via Del Rosario, Marketing Communications Assistant Manager of Electrolux
Elaine Gallardo, Marketing Communications Manager of Sun Life Asia Service Centre
Joan Icotanim, Brand Communications and Administration Director of ComCo Southeast Asia
Tricia Cusi Jimenea, Business Development and Market Expansion Director of ComCo Southeast Asia
Genesis Lamigo, Communications Manager of World Vision
Nadine Leoncio, Brand Lead of AirAsia
Kai Pioquinto, Marketing Communications Manager – Asia Pacific of Emerson
Maia Melencio, Partnerships & Resource Innovations Manager of Unilab Foundation
Rachel Syfargo, Brand Communications and Operations Director of ComCo Southeast Asia
Kathreen Joy Velandres, Brand Manager of Primer Group
Lynn Ventenilla, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing of Telepeformance
Gregg Yan, Director and Founder of Best Alternatives

“What can we do? This is the question that gave birth to the Write to Ignite Blogging Project. We want to do something for the blogging community so they could share their stories and truly write again. We want their readers and the nation as a whole to be inspired about these stories and how can these ignite them to move forward. We thought of how our brand partners could extend the things they do during the quarantine economy and reach out to their publics. And we are overwhelmed with everyone’s response. I guess people are looking for something to connect to, to realize that their plights are not different from the rest, and to spark their souls. And I can see that by connecting to one another and working together, we will soon rise from this crisis,” said Mr. Ferdinand Bondoy, Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director of ComCo Southeast Asia.

“Write to Ignite Blogging Project” is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, with Eastern Communications as co-presenter, and with Electrolux, Jobstreet, and Teleperformance as major sponsors.

“Write to Ignite Blogging Project” will be back for an online get-together for all 70 storytellers who participated in the initiative, and soon, a bigger, more exciting Season 2.