Writing for the Web Introduction - Importance of Online Content

Why should you create web content? What makes web content valuable to brands and businesses? Learn by watching this video.

Get Creative! Design Your Own Kicks and Win Shopping Money from SM

Comfort is the thing that runs in the fashion world today.  Walking and running shoes have become an inevitable part of any wardrobe and they have become more fashionable as ever. With this, SM introduced Kicks - the new SM brand that carries its sneakers and canvass shoes for ladies, making walking around more comfortable and fashionable at the same time.

What’s more beautiful about Kicks is that it can be customized by the wearer.  Whether it is acrylic paints, beads or patches, it is not impossible to emanate the wearer’s individuality with Kicks.  With this, SM Store will be staging the Design Your Own Kicks event this coming Sunday at The Events Center of SM City Lipa.  Those who would want to join this activity should first buy their Kicks shoes and art materials from SM on their selling activity on August 20 which is also at the Events Center.  Once the purchase is made, participants may register their names in the allotted registration area and wait until the start of the DIY activity at 2pm. 

Five on the spot winners shall receive their 2^nd pair of Kicks shoes and by just posting their entry on Instagram using the hashtag #StrpUpWithKicksXLipa 2 winners will have a chance to win 5000 pesos worth of SM Shopping Money.  The criteria for judging includes 30% creativity, 25% originality, 25% Overall Impact/Appeal (Neatness, Quality, Color Harmony) and 20% use of SM Stationery. Instagram winners shall be announced on August 25.

How I Started Writing | Writing with Celine

This is my writing story. I started dreaming of being a writer ever since I was a kid. I imagined myself writing fairy tales, legends, and simple kids stories at ages 3 to 5, enjoyed creating make-believe characters through the tales told by my parents, Yaya, and titos (eg. Habana and Iksina by Tito Teody Valdez), loved listening to storytelling sessions by Tito Vic Villacorte, Tito Uly Tumpalan, Tito Bong de Lima and others.

From 6 to 9 years old, I also imagined myself joining the campus magazine (Bakas). I tried writing poems and submitted one to the editorial team when I was in Grade 3. Thankfully, they published my poem entitled "Gift of God"!

At 10 years old, I was fortunate to have been accepted as staffer of Bakas (Balita at Kaganapan sa La Salle), with Sir Erwin V. Magnaye and Mrs. Myrna de Castro as our moderators. There, I've learned how to sharpen my writing to fit the elementary school audience. I've enjoyed attending workshops, learned the old-school styles of journalism (vividly recalling how we used to use Manila papers for the mockup/layout of the magazine), attending poetry reading, and other training sessions.

11 to 13 years old, I felt like my calling was indeed for the Literary Section. From Grades 5 to 6, I handled the Literary Section of Bakas, while when I was in 1st Yr HS, I was accepted as part of Stallion Pen, the Literary Folio (as Managing Editor). Those were the days! Writing poems, stories, and other essays proved to be worth the while. I've met National Artist Prof. Cirilo Bautista, Sir Fredevel Bruce Banaag and other campus journalists (who I did not know that time will be dear to my heart come College).

From 14 to 16 years old, I did not pursue writing in school that much. I thought that I'd be better off trying new avenues (such as playing the piano and joining the book lovers' club). True enough, I did learn new skills, met new students and teachers and found myself exploring my other talents and interests.

However, as College years went by, I realized that I did miss writing. And so I applied as a writer for Lavoxa (Lasallian Voices in Action), De La Salle Lipa's college school paper. There I met Sir Bruce Banaag, Sir Joe Macatangay and Ms Cherie Cabungcal (our advisers for some year(s)), together with other campus journalists. Together, we helped each other in honing our skills, learned core disciplines that journalists must possess. We competed against other schools, as well as with ourselves to come up with pieces that inform, inspire and move fellow students. The experiences we went through did not only contribute to our prowess in our respective fields, but more so helped us become well-rounded individuals... all through the help of the Lord, our mentors and our support systems.

Truly, writing, just like other disciplines, is not an overnight feat. We do not wake up realizing we're already pros. It takes determination, grit, life-long learning, perseverance, humility, and a lot more! Writing is not just about concocting recipes out of words for the sake of a byline; it is on preparing a meal for the family by pouring our hearts out through words that satisfy the soul. :*

Freelance Websites - Upwork - Writing with Celine

Upwork… it is has been a favorite of mine since 2009 most especially since it is where I get hourly and fixed gigs in writing and other fields. Yes, aside from writing, I also try to apply for marketing, virtual assistance, and other fields where I can use my skills and knowledge. Their system allows me to choose among those jobs from clients with verified payment methods (hence ensuring that I’ll be getting paid for great work) and be informed if I want to take the risk of applying for jobs from those with unverified payment methods.



Likewise, upwork is great for those with proven track records for previous jobs. So far, I do receive application invites – meaning, I get the chance to be interviewed by clients themselves if they see my profile as a fit to their job post. Right now, since I’m also working as a part-time instructor at a school here in the Philippines, I just maintain two regular hourly Upwork gigs (at a total of 7 to 12 hours a week) with a rate of $12 and $9 per hour for the two jobs, respectively. Not bad, especially as I’m from the Philippines. A higher rate would be much appreciated, but since this is a regular gig, it’s really a huge improvement since the time I started freelancing, wherein I received an equivalent of only Php6,000 a month for a total of 100,000 words a month (yup, that’s indeed a lot, right?)

Writing with Celine | Who are You Writing for? (Your Audience)

Determining your audience when writing is a must. By getting to know your readers, you'll have an easier time writing, plus a more effective article/essay. Learn the techniques in learning more about your readers by watching this video. Enjoy!