My day started at around 6am.  I went to the seminar hall to see if my computer will work properly with the projectors installed, most of the time I encounter some incompatibility issues.  Luckily, that day everything went fine.  Since it's still early, I decided to check the setup, the sitting arrangement, the projectors, screen, sound systems, and check the booth area.  Making sure that signs and company names are done and spelled correctly.  I also made some adjustments in the registration process to make sure that it will be fast and orderly.

Around 7am, people are starting to come in to register.  I found it a bit early since the registration time is 7:30am.  I said to myself this would be great, I will be able to start on time which is around 8:30am.  Unfortunately, at about 8:15am, only a handful (about 300) registered.  What could have gone wrong I said, I did everything I could.  I had 14 media partners who helped me promote the event, how come I only have 300 attendees? 

The fruit of my hardwork came at around 8:30am.  The registration area was jampacked and everyone was taken by surprise.  The Six (6) stations we setup was not enough to speed up the process considering that we only ask for their tickets and names so that their IDs can be printed.  Came 9:00am, the registration area is still filled with people.  We had to simply collect their tickets and write down their names and ask them to go straight to the seminar area.  I ended up having around 1,200 participants for my morning session alone. 

The turnout made me so happy but at the same time sad because we ran out of seats. Some of my participants were made to stand during the entire duration of the seminar.  My apologies to all of you.

I thought my woes were over, but I was wrong.  When break-time arrives (10:30am), I asked my participants to take their break, get their food, visit my sponsors, and be back after 15 minutes.  Guess what?  At around 11:00am, I can still see the tail end of the queue going to the food area.  They were just too many and 15 minutes was not enough.  I was able to start the second part of my seminar at around 11:15am and ended my morning session at 12:00nn since the participants for my afternoon session were already in the registration area.

The afternoon session was more manageable as the participants is a little less that what I had in the morning session.  Despite the problems, I would like to believe that my participants had a nice time.  A seminar filled with fun and knowledge sharing.  We had a nice laugh, a very fruitful discussion about Microsoft Office 2003, and a lot of raffle prizes (gift certificates, wireless keyboard and mouse, mobile phone, and original Microsoft Office 2003 CDs).  At end of the day, I was able to achieved my objective: To impart the God given knowledge that I have to all of my participants.

After the seminar, I was able to talk to most of my participants and answered their questions about computer related problems.  I also posed for some pictures with them for souvenir, and signed some autographs.  For awhile, I felt like a moviestar mobbed by my fans.  A great feeling I must say but I am glad it was just for a day.  I still prefer my private and humble life.

Around 6pm, I was tired and felt so drain that I went up to my room to rest for awhile.  During this time, I started to think what could have gone wrong during my morning session.  The answer: I underestimated myself and the power of advertising.

Underestimated myself because I have been in the I.T. industry since I was 16 years old (forget about how old I am now), and I believed I have made my contribution one way or the other - to share and educate as many people as possible about what computers can do and how it should be used properly to enhance their work.  I believed that a lot of them has appreciated it and has learned to trust me in some ways; and for that, I would like to thank you all.

Underestimated the power of advertising because my media partners are considered the leaders in their own field with great followings.  I had with me GMA-7, RPN-9 and Destiny Cable (TV), Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer (Print), Mb.com.ph, Inq7.net, Philstar.com, Yehey.com (Online), 88.3, 89.1, 89.9, 99.5 and 103.5 (Radio).  To all of you, I thank you all for your support and confidence.  My appreciation also goes to my colleagues in media who have written about my seminar in their respective publications.

I would also like to thank the companies who have supported me all these years - Globeline Broadband, Microsoft, Silicon Valley, Smart Communications, AMA University, AVAYA, Canon, EMC, Epson, Hewlett Packard, APC InfraStruxture (Lamco), PLDT MyDSL, Nexus Technologies, PalmOne (Microwarehouse), PLDT Online, Samsung, SAP and STI.  Thank you for your love, trust and for believing in me.

Lastly and the most important of them all, I would like to thank God - our Lord and Savior for giving me the wisdom, opportunity and for allowing me to do what I love to do, and that is to teach, educate and share my computer experience with others which can only come from Him no less.  Thank you Lord for the love you have given me and for always being there for me.  God is not just good, but He is the BEST.  This success is YOURS, and not mine.

As early as now, I would like to invite everyone to attend the Powertips 2006 sometime February or March of next year.  The Powertips Security Secrets and Strategies seminar will tackle issues relating to security, but this is unlike other security seminars that you may have heard or attended.  This seminar will all be about processes, policies, and strategies and not product presentations, I guarantee you that.  After all, Security for me is a journey and not a destination.  I hope to see you all again next year for the Powertips 2006.

Am logging off.  God Bless us all!!!

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