I have a lot to be personally thankful for with blogs. In a limited time, I have come to understand a lot of issues by just reading the right blogs. The highest recognition will go to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Their purpose has convinced me so much to the point that I subscribed and even willing to include their subscription in my club membership package. (I hope Alecks will be able to get back to me soon about the rates on that.)

As a nation, Filipinos are going through tough times. This is not only in terms of economics but also in terms of values. The current power play among our politicians creates great confusion and gives a sad reflection on the kind of leaders and political players we have. Nevertheless, vigilance among Filipinos will be vital to our society's survival. We need more Internet users who will blog and report the right and wrong-doings happening in their community. This level of awareness and transparency, although hard and confusing at times, but is part of the rude awakening Filipinos had to do go through in order to make better decisions today and in the future.

For those who don't know how to get started, help is on its way.

Reporters Without Borders published a Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents (in English, French, Chinese, Arabic and Persian), in which experts and bloggers from all over the world advise Internet users, especially those in repressive countries, how to set up their own blogs and get them known, while preserving their personal anonymity.

Reporters Without Borders has produced this handbook to help prospective bloggers, with handy tips and technical advice on how to remain anonymous and to get round censorship, by choosing the most suitable method for each situation. It also explains how to set up and make the most of a blog, to publicise it (getting it picked up efficiently by search-engines) and to establish its credibility through observing basic ethical and journalistic principles.

Many Internet experts helped produce this manual, including US journalist Dan Gillmor, Canadian specialist in Internet censorship Nart Villeneuve, US blogger Jay Rosen and other bloggers from all over the world.

The Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-dissidents can also be downloaded in five languages (English, French, Chinese, Arabic and Persian) from the Reporters Without Borders website: www.rsf.org.