Ed Arevalo works for an investment bank by day and pursues his passion for blogging when he's free. In this case, his interest is music so he's put up a blog for this purpose.The site called "Music Picks"  easily gained traffic in the short period of time it's been launched. It has been cited one of the Emerging Influential Clubs for 2008 by the Digital Filipino Club and was also a finalist for the best entertainment blog in the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards.

The benefits of being a music blogger are too tempting to resist. As the 22-year old Ed says: "Music blogging  keeps me present in different gigs and major concerts. I was also able to meet local and international artists and bands such as Ne-yo, Lifehouse, Fall Out Boy, among others. In my entire life, I never thought that I would ever have this chance." Life is good, indeed! More in the following interview:

Q. What made you come up with a music blog?
A. When I was starting, I noticed that only few people blog about music (especially in the Philippines). If there were such blogs, some of them are into illegal downloading of copyrighted music or materials (which I don’t like), lyrics, streaming of videos and songs.  That made me decide to put up a music blog, an informative one which is free from any illegal materials or content.

Q. Where does blogging figure in your professional life? Has your blogging helped you professionally, or is it purely personal?
A. Music blogging is way too far from the industry or field I’m in. I deal with numbers, banking terms, accounting, analysis, long excel sheets and formulas, and presentations. Somehow,I think blogging is helping me personally especially in terms of values like being patient, hardworking, etc. I also earn a little from it, good enough for me to buy the things I “want”.

Q. What are the blogging rules and principles you live by?
A. Original content, do not plagiarize, and always ask for permission if you are getting a portion of someone else’s work. As a music blogger, I will never ever promote illegal materials or content on my sites (e.g. illegal download of copyrighted music or videos). The music industry is so much affected by piracy and if I as a music blogger won’t help in the battle against it, there will be no artists or musicians will come up with good songs. Meaning, there’ll be nothing to blog about too.

Q.  What are the five things that you can't live without as a blogger?
Computer, which I use in writing, research, and getting in touch with my online network
My camera with super zoom which I use for covering events
Mobile phones, I use for getting in-touch with my contacts, this is also where I store my notes and the thoughts that instantly pop out of my mind
Pen and paper, a backup just in case the computer fails to work
Business cards which I give away to potential contacts and acquaintances 
 
Q.  Any tips you can share for newbie bloggers out there?
A. Just focus on what you really like doing or what you are good at. If you are prone to any flaws, be it in your writing skills or grammar, just work on it and never be discouraged. Also be ready for criticisms or negative feedbacks because surely, there’ll be some who will not appreciate your work. Don’t be afraid to ask other bloggers for some tips and advice, or if you have questions in mind. Never even be afraid of experimenting, And also, keep in mind that blogging is not just about making money but also sharing information to others and making them be aware of your advocacies. 
 
Q.  If your blog were a song, what would it be, and why?
A. This is a tough question. Hehe. I never thought of any song that would describe my blog or me either. But if there is one song that best describes it, I think it’s Maroon 5’s “Little of Your Time”. Why? I try to make my blog posts brief and short, but with complete details as possible. People are so much busy nowadays and don’t have much time to read long articles so I just keep it easier to read and user-friendly. So, I just need a little of my readers time to see my blog and read my posts. But if you will ask me what song I will dedicate to myself as a music blogger, I think it’s Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” because obviously, I did it, and I’m doing my blog my own ways. Next to it would be Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop the Music”. If there’s no music, there is no music blog.