Based on personal observations, here are my fearless forecasts for 2007 regarding the Philippine blogging scene.
1. More Filipino bloggers will go pro.

Last year, Filipino bloggers notably had their names on the radar of the blogging world. We have Abe, J. Angelo, Jayvee, Gloria, Kiven, Rico, Noel and a couple of other bloggers who are benefiting (getting paid to write about what they like) from the increase in interest on blogs worldwide. There are more out there unknown to us and are quietly sipping their champagne or coffee while their blogs do the work for them.1

We are a country blessed with creative and gifted writers who can weave words to soothe your soul, to make you feel their pain, to imagine how they think and laugh at their antics. I am even willing to bet that Sorsi will try her hand on this. I would like Nikki, Juned, Retz, Aldrin and maybe even Noemi to join a network or two (or maybe they have joined one already, who knows?).

2. Institutions accepting blogs as a new medium.

More companies will see the buzz that blogs create. The advertising and marketing industry would probably be the early adopters - so they can prove that blogs work.

3. Blogs as news.

It only takes a couple of scoops for people to treat blogging as the new media seriously. Going from personal journals and tech talks, we will see how bloggers will be great news sources. With each Filipino probably related to a celebrity, politician or businessman (or know somebody who is close to one), leaks and exclusives will no longer be just the turf of the tri-media (mainstream) reporter. Advocacies and those with time on their hands and passion in their hearts for their craft/interest will create a stir in the local media.

4. Schools to use blogs as communication and educational tools.

So far, I know many parents, school orgs and classes use email and text messaging extensively when communicating. I assume some teachers have used blogs (and the internet) as part of their lessons and students blog about school and their personal experiences but on a limited scale. This year, as blogs continue to proliferate, some creative and forward-looking schools. teachers and students will use blogging to enhance the educational experience. Collaboration among different schools might also be possible.

5. Blog Collaborations

Bloggers who write along similar themes will band together… With blog meets and talks (on blogging) becoming more prevalent, groups will begin to emerge.. loosely at first… and then becoming more formal and standardized. Themes that are generally youth-oriented, such as anime, sports, tech and music, will most likely become the triggers for such collaboration. This might be somthing like the webrings of old, only this time, each member can contribute to the common blogsite and still maintaining their own blogs.
6. Blog Awards.

For bloggers by bloggers – not commecialized. Okay, if nobody does this, I will do my own. My own rules. My own awards such as Most Head-splitting Post or Unlikeliest Topic or Best entry in under 30 words … heck, we can all create our own awards… That’s it! I’ll start them now: Of Blogs and Bloggers Awards

7. Other Bloggy Thoughts

• Lobbying through blogs. Shaping of popular opinion, influence and watching of government.
• More inspirational bloggers ala Bo Sanchez and MabutingBalita.net . (I hope you visit MabutingBalita.net – shameless plug)
• Politicians to use blogs as platforms. Some, like my high school classmate Alvin Fernandez and Peter Lavina have theirs. But in order for this to work, the people behind the blogs should listen and not antagonize. They may disagree with other people’s views and must be tolerant of spammers and those who are just out to get their goats. After all, the main purpose of their blog should be to continuous conversation.