Didn’t I just say my mysterious partner-in-crime shall make his presence known soon? Well, here goes.

If this ain’t screaming girl power, I duno what is. Who says Search Engine Marketing can’t be all pink and girly? c”,) Now that I have an eye candy of a design, tis about time I make some serious SE Optimization going on here. Pfft. Gudlak naman.

Top 40? Can we make it? We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, maybe you can help us? Give us some link luuuuv?
Ituloy Angsulong

That, ladies and gentlemen, is my most favorite question of all time. Sometimes, it’s just so easy for me to psyche myself up and start something radical (and by radical I mean something I haven’t tried just yet), only that somewhere in the middle of the psyching up and finish line, I’d find myself stuck over the whys, and the hows, and the now whats, then I don’t know what to do again.

I was merely a spectator of the recently concluded Isulong Seoph Contest. Albeit some push here and there, it never really crossed my mind to join. And while my intimidation was mostly because of my inexperience in SEM, being a girl in a man’s world is just too overwhelming for a beginner like me. Oh, and don’t tell me it’s not (a man’s world). I was there at the Isulong Seoph awardings night at Pier One (a spectator, no less), and I have to say, I could smell testosterone right from the parking lot. You see, sometimes I wonder, how come there’s a Mr. SEO Philippines and not a Miss SEO Philippines?

That’s why brave souls like her inspire me to bits. She went out there, and even though she didn’t take home cash and gift certificates that night, for me, she made a statement so loud it inspired me to join now (and tag along a colleague too hehe) inspite of my incapacity.

And then there’s Miss Aileen Apolo, the Philippines’ very own representative to the Googlers association. What did we know about her? Na-da. But now, everyone worships the ground she walks on. (Di ba di ba?)

How many Ituloy Angsulong female contestants are there, anyway? I’m curious. I want to know. And I shall make my count soon. But for now, let me dwell in the now-whats. I wish not for long, coz time sure is running out. Grr.

It’s past one month since The Ituloy Angsulong contest was launched but what the heck, we decided to join anyway, late as we are. Who knows, the search engine gods might just smile this site’s way and just in case that happens, I want to be standing tall and smiling at them too.

So I’m laying down my cards. I’m Riz. I’m a girl, trying (and hoping) to make it big in a man’s world (SEM, yes). I’m a Senior Webcopywriter (slash SEO Specialist–or so my job title claims). I’ve been blogging for years but not for monetary purposes. I know nothing about Search Engine Marketing until last year, when I was given the opportunity to work with one of them bigtime Filipino SEO gurus. I have to say I was (am being) mentored well, but I still have a big room (for improvements) to fill–one I am so determined to work hard on even with sweat and tears (ohh the drama of it all).

Then one morning, it just dawned on me. I thought, perhaps the best way to learn these things is to be out there, in the field, where the action is. So. Here. I. am.

P.S. I’m doing this thing with a colleague. He shall make himself known soon. Let’s see where the wind blows us.