His story is one of the most inspiring we've heard. An electrical engineering graduate who lost his job in the city and failed to pass the licensure exams twice, he got a second lease in life by blogging and becoming successful at it. Sustines Laplana, who can be found at selaplana.com, is one of the Philippines' top bloggers in the make money online niche, with an Alexa rank of 684 for the Philippines. Based in faraway Southern Leyte, Philippines, his blog income is good enough to support his family and give part of it to his church. Let's hear his story:

Q. Please tell us how and when you started to blog.

A. When I was in Quezon City working as an Internet Café attendant, I came across the blog of an Iraqi (Baghdad) blogger who wrote about his experiences and observations during the US invasion in Iraq. It was on the year 2003. I visited his blog everyday to read his new blog posts regarding the war. I did not know about monetizing a blog or website at that time. My only reason was that I wanted to enhance my English writing skills.

Remember that I was taking an engineering course during my college days and most of my time was spent solving mathematical and engineering problems. I knew how to read and understand an essay but I could hardly write a paragraph with correct grammar or proper usage of words.

I continued my blogging activities at my new hosted blog, kawebspynet.com. I then applied into that blog what I learned about Marketing. When the blog started to gain popularity, I also started to receive negative comments from its visitors.They called me idiot and told me to stop publishing articles because according to them I was just ruining the reputation of the Filipino.

But I did not let those comments affect my blogging activities. In 2005, I learned about Google Adsense. I immediately registered for an account and installed its code into my blog, hoping that I would be earning dollars from it.

On December 2005, I lost my job, so I went home to Malitbog, Southern Leyte. On March 6, 2006, I launched a new blog, and it was the SELaplana blog (http://www.selaplana.com).

But I had problems in maintaining my blog. I didn’t have computer and even if I could buy a computer, our barangay had no available internet connection.

After one year of blogging, I bought a Honda XRM 110 motocycle worth P56,000.00 that would be used for my daily transportation. It’s my first acquisition using my income in blogging.

Then on November 2007, using again my income in blogging, I bought a laptop worth P35,000.00. Then I rented an apartment in Maasin City for P3,500.00/month that would be used as my blogging office and at the same time my own home.

Until now, I am here blogging in my apartment.

Q. Who are your idols in blogging, if any?
A: My first idol in blogging is Mr. Abe Olandres. I learned a lot from him. I am also following Mr. Darren Rowse and Mr. John Chow.

Q. In your opinion, how can a blogger be effective in making money online?

A:
1. Passion in Writing or in Blogging.
2. Basic Knowledge on HTML.
3. Knowledge in Search Engine Optimization.
4. Socialize with other bloggers through events and social networking sites like Facebook.

Q. What precious tips can you share to newbies and fellow bloggers on blogging?

A: Don’t be obsessed on the money that you might earn by blogging. Just blog as if it’s just your hobby but put your heart in it without thinking of the money you’ll earn.

I knew a lot of bloggers who started blogging just to earn money, and ended up earning nothing. People like them easily get bored and embarrassed.

I also knew a lot of people who blog because they want to blog and share their knowledge and expertise to their readers. And until now, they’re still blogging and earning money from their blogs. Their income from their blogs is enough for them to quit from their job and spend almost all their times with their families.

Q. The blogging rules and principles you live by

A: I am not perfect but at least I am trying to consider the following when blogging and making money online: Strive to write quality articles and share your knowledge to your readers. Try to give them what they need by answering their questions.