HERDY La. Yumul, a CAS instructor and CMR print media chief, joins the ranks of stellar online writers in the country with his selection as finalist in the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards (PBA)—Commentary Category.

Out of a thousand bloggers nominated for the awards, 14 were chosen as national finalists in the said category. A panel of experts scrutinized the nominees’ works based on content, creativity, design, and functionality.

Nominated by his readers, Yumul says he was surprised with the recognition. He said he only learned about it when Dr. Edwin Antonio, a professional photographer and travel blogger, congratulated him when the latter attended the launch of the Center for Ilocano and Amianan Studies on Sept. 29.

\"I am glad that PBA recognized our efforts in promoting the blog as a potent channel of information,\" says Yumul, who considers blogging as \"an activity which is fun and rewarding, but time consuming and occasionally exhausting as well.\" He posits that while good writing skills is an important tool of a blogger, \"social responsibility and purity of purpose\" are more important considerations.

Sharing on the benefits of blogging, he says it provides an avenue for quick and interactive communication. What is good, he adds, is its environment-friendly nature, allowing organizations to save on paper and ink.

A native of Laoag City, Yumul began writing a column for the Ilocos Times August last year. He named it Riknakem, from the Ilocano \"rikna\" and \"nakem,\" which mean feelings and consciousness. Shortly after, he created his blog with the same name. His commentaries tackle sociopolitical, cultural, and even religious issues. He also initiated the MMSU news blog, the organizational blog of the Faculty Association, Inc., and Sabangan online, the wired version of the quarterly publication of the Social Sciences Department of CAS.

The awarding ceremonies were held Oct. 9 at the PETA Theatre in Quezon City, but Yumul failed to attend because of Typhoon Pepeng. A fulltime blogger from Manila bagged the top plum.

Filipinos have become more abreast with topics ranging from the arts, culture, technology, and politics, because of the fast growing blogging industry here and abroad. PBA, the first and the most prestigious award-giving body for bloggers, aims to recognize notable Filipino-owned blogs in their respective niches.