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by Joey Alarilla, Philippines

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Filipina co-founder of b5media cited among most influential female bloggers, Part 1

Jan 23, 2009 13:09

Filipina blogger Shai Coggins, co-founder of one of the world's biggest blog networks, b5media, has been cited by Fast Company as one of The most influential women in technology for the bloggers category.

Ironically, she found out about the accolade a few days after she ceased her employment with b5media.

Asked how she felt about being recognized by Fast Company as one of the most influential female bloggers, Coggins replied: "It's always an amazing honor to be recognized in the work that we do. And, my inclusion in Fast Company's recent list on "Most influential women in technology: bloggers" is definitely a wonderful surprise.

"Actually, I was taken aback when FC first contacted me via Twitter DM about the list. I even asked if it had mistaken me for someone else. But it was only when I found the article online that I realized that I was, indeed, in the list."

Days earlier, however, many bloggers had been surprised and saddened to find out that Coggins was no longer connected with b5media, as she recounted in this farewell post that drew an outpouring of support.

Was the Fast Company accolade made poignant or ironic for her by the fact that she had left?

"Yes, in a way. It was a bit strange to be recognized for my work at b5media just a couple of days after I received notice that my employment there has ceased. It's just as well Fast Company emphasized two things: That I'm a co-owner of the company (yes, I still own shares--and I'm currently awaiting decisions on that front) and that I'm a blogger of influence in my own right.

"It was especially great to note the latter, as I believe our experiences and accomplishments are things that can never be taken away or changed even when our circumstances get altered."

Born in the Philippines, Coggins, whose husband is British, has been based in Adelaide, Australia, since 2003, and prior to that spent three years in Singapore. When asked how she feels whenever she's asked about being one of the few Filipina bloggers to achieve international success, Coggins replied: "I have to admit that this is something that I get stumped with everytime someone asks me about it.

"When I look back on how I started in this industry, I'm just amazed and humbled with how things turned out. After all, I already have a few challenges before me--being a woman of color who grew up in a developing country, whose first language isn't even meant to be English... and not even professionally trained in the field of technology.

"How I got to where I am is just proof that if you want to do something, you just do it. It doesn't matter what the challenges may be. It doesn't matter who you are, or where you come from, and what you do or do not have. You just do it. You never know what will happen next."

(To be continued)

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About Joey Alarilla

Joey Alarilla is the Multimedia Head a.k.a. The Catalyst of Manila-based Level Up! Inc., the PLDT Group's online gaming company. He is a doting dad, avid gamer, and pro wrestling fan. Visit his personal blog and follow him on Twitter. You may also add him to your Facebook, or follow him on Plurk and Yahoo! Meme.