Learning from the Drop

Learn from the Drop: my first drupal event

It started last August 2012 from a course requirements in Computer Science Seminar in which we are to organize and conduct our own seminar as required in our program. I got help from a friend from Developers Connect Philippines (DEVCON) to get a Resource Speaker from their pool of developer professionals. They pointed me to Mr. Paul De Paula currently advocating Open Source Technologies specifically Drupal. After weeks of preparation and communication with the resource speakers, at last the seminar have been conducted and got a good remarks from our instructors. With sir Paul is Ms. Gemma Devanadera currently the Head Organizing Committee of Philippine Drupal Users Group (PHDUG) announced during the seminar about joining the community and learning more about Drupal. 

Sir Gerald Villorente from Kitesystems and one of the Drupal Rockstars

Sir Young Jin Kim from Chicago, the Master Ninja of Drupal

Ms. Gem Devanadera, head organizer of the drupal event

Me as the volunteer emcee of the event

I was invited to attend the Learn from the Drop event which at first i thought would be a hassle since we were busy in our thesis and the venue is very far from our province. I was asked by Ate Gem (refer to her as big sister in the community) to volunteer as emcee. I was surprised for the first task given to me although I've been communicating in different public events. At that event i got the chance to meet personally the people in the PHDUG community and get to know them. Indeed, it was an awesome experience meeting developers eager to share what they know in Drupal development to the newbies and professionals. It was a followed by another amazing event and another and another. I was happy to meet new friends and mentors in drupal and also to contribute my time, skills and efforts for the community.

Drupalizing the Philippines and beyond

And now, I was blessed to have a work related to Drupal as Drupal Developer in a company in Pampanga. I felt the achievements and worthiness of my initiatives and efforts in learning drupal that would be beneficial for my professional career now. With these outpouring blessings and support from the community, I believe it is indeed an honor to give back and pay it forward what I gain. I would like to share this verse, "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." Mark 9:41

Evolving from the community to the Drupal World as Drupal Developer

I urged students in Information Technology Education and even for non-IT but have the passion for technology and the web to join the PHDUG community. Rest assured that you will be accommodated in your learning needs. You can start by joining our facebook group - Philippine Drupal Users Group and like our page Drupal Pilipinas. Then get in touch with the community members, volunteers and mentors. Join different awesome events organized by Drupal. And lastly, give back or pay it forward what you gain from the community. 

It really started from a drop of curiosity, a drop of initiative and a drop of passion to learn new technologies. In which these drops would cause a good ripple in your career like for me it paves way for an employment in the Drupal World. Maybe soon in the future, you will be one of the mentors and Drupal Rockstars speaking in different events. You may share your skills and talents in the following areas: 

• Passionate in Organizing events, meet ups and trainings
• Bloggers
• Trainors
• Speakers for drupal,PHP,Git,Drush, module development
• Host/Emcee
• On site committee for registrations
• Social Networking 
• Marketing 
• Good in Documentations and reports
• Photographer and Videographer

Want to be Drupalize? JOIN NOW! 

Please don't hesitate to send us a message or email Gem at gemmadevanadera@gmail.com

Philipine Drupal Users Group, a community that grows bigger and better!

Mozilla PH Dev Team officially organized

After the successful kick off of the Firefox OS App Days - Manila, Student Rep Marcus Ang from DLSU-CSB in coordination with ReMo Kemuel Domanong suggested to come up with an event to organize the Development Team which is one of the key component of the Mozilla Philippines Community in which developers or not can contribute their amazing works for the community. This initiative was gladly supported by the awesome Mozilla Rep Mentors Mr. Robert 'Bob' DC. Reyes, Regional Localization Lead and Mr. Eusebio 'Jun' Barrun Jr., Community Manager to push through the event. 

Mozilla Rep Mentor Robert 'Bob' Reyes opening with a Getting to Know session

The Development Team Focuses on programming and developing apps. get to know more about the current trends in coding, enhance your skills in coding. It is currently lead by ReMo Joell Lapitan and supported by ReMo Kevin John Ventura.

Community Manager Eusebio 'Jun' Barrun Jr. gave the updates in Mozilla Community

Thus, the MozCoffee Meeting for the MozPH Dev Team has been organized to officially launch the Dev Team and to gather ideas from devs in the community. It was held on Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Two E-com Center, Prism Plaza, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City earlier today. It was attended by devs and non-devs who wishes to contribute to this initiative which composed of student reps from UST, PNC, FEU, DLSU-CSB and me (from the far flung peninsula of Bataan). 

It was started by a welcome talk from the event lead, ReMo Kemuel Domanog and followed by getting to know session by ReMo Robert Reyes. ReMo Reyes asked the participants to introduce themselves and if they are devs what are their forte or specialization in programming or platforms handled. Community Manager Eusebio Barrun Jr. briefly gave the updates from the Mozilla PH community and the upcoming Mozilla Summit 2013. 

ReMo Kevin John Ventura showing the Mozilla Webmaker video

After that, ReMo Kevin Ventura gave a lightning talk on the insight of Development Team and Mozilla Webmaker. Next was the meeting proper and brainstorming session in which participants shared what they can do to officially organize the team. It was noted that the initiative for Dev Team should be included in the next scheduled Business Meeting of the MozPH Community. CM Barrun noted that the team should have a goal and other participants suggested the organization or assignment of tasks for everybody to contribute.

Everybody got their hands on awesome Mozilla swags and Shirts. We've enjoyed the cool CBTL Mocha Latte FREE courtesy of the MozPH Community to beat the heat of the summer wave.

Mozilla PH visited PUP Bataan Campus

The Mozilla Student Reps Team from Bataan Peninsula State University visited the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Bataan Campus at Freeport Area of Bataan, Mariveles, Bataan last March 15 on their seminar entitled as Mozilla Firefox Revisited and I was honored to be invited as Resource Speaker for the said event on Mozilla for Student Topic and HTML5 Next Generation Web Development. We felt the warm welcome of our fellow Bataenos in Mariveles in our advocacy for Open Source in cooperation with the Student Society on Information Technology Education - Region 3.

It was attended by 250 students enrolled in BS Information Technology, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering and BS Business Administration (Human Resource Development Management) enthusiastic to learn more about the Mozilla Firefox.  

Cherlowe Reinard Ramirez, Student Reps Lead for BPSU Team discussed about the overview of Mozilla and imparted its mission. He demonstrated the Web Developer Tools which can be very useful to IT students in web development such as Web Console, Responsive Design View and Scratchpad in which they can test and edit Javascript codes. The participants was amazed by the awesome power of 3D website in firefox through Tilt 3D add-on. He also showcased the sneak peek of the Firefox OS, the open source operating system developed by Mozilla, through its simulator add-on. This was timely because they are learning about mobile development. 

Ramirez also talked about the WebFWD which caught the attention of the HRDM students in which they are encouraged to create their own startup company in pursuit of their chosen profession. Participants raised their questions pertaining to the information about the WebFWD initiative. 

 After the sumptuous meal given by the faculty, we went for courtesy call to the Director for Academic Affairs and Director for Guidance Services and Student Affairs to express our gratitude for the warm welcome they given. Both directors gave their sincere thanks for this initiative of the students from BPSU in which they told that it can boost the morale and encourage the students to study more as they learn more about the industry. 

We resumed the session which talked about a glimpse of HTML5: Next Generation Web Development. Students from HRDM also have related to the topic since they were taught Basic HTML in their ICT subjects. We discussed the features and advantages of HTML5 compared to the traditional HTML through demonstration of the changes. To break the monotony, the students danced the latest viral dance craze, Harlem Shake and won Mozilla Swags for their awesome performance. After that, Q&A session and those who participated also got an awesome Mozilla Swags. At the end, we asked them to like the Mozilla Philippines Community Facebook Page and follow on Twitter. Everyone got their hands on the awesome Mozilla Swags.

Mozilla PH supports Technology Innovation Seminar

The Limay Polytechnic College Computer Club in cooperation with the Student Society on Information Technology Education (SSITE) - Region 3 invited the Team BPSU of Mozilla Student Representatives headed by Cherlowe Reinard T. Ramirez as one of their Resource Speakers during their Technology Innovation Seminar last February 15 at the Audio Visual Room of Limay Polytechnic College (LPC) with the theme: "An Instrument to Modernized World". This is one of the program of SSITE Region 3 to unite IT schools in the region by providing linkages to industry partners and communities that can help them conduct seminars in their institutions.

 

There were other topics discussed by students in their college such as Virtual Reality by Ms. Elmiralyn Tulud, Moodle by Mr. Eric Padayao and Intel Core 3rd Generation by Mr. Jeromy Peralta. As the highlight of the event, we talked last for the seminar. I was surprised that there were also non-IT/CS students attended the event such as Education, Business Administration and Technical Drafting. My topic was Mozilla for Students and Firefox OS to promote the new mobile software developed by Mozilla. 

My talk on Mozilla for Students

Q&A for Mozilla Swags

To optimize your browser, do update it to the latest version and plugin checker

One of the questions asked focus on comparison about other browsers in terms of speed and functionality. So we've demonstrated the awesome power of add-ons and how to optimize your browser with the help of Mozilla Support (SuMo). The participants have seen 3D website using tilt, getting the colors from a website using colorzilla and grabbing a picture via Pixlr Grabber. 
 

Promoting Firefox OS to the students of LPC

With the permission of the SSITE Region 3, we've promoted registration of this college to Philippine Society of IT Educators (PSITE) Region 3 Chapter as institutional member and individual members for their faculty by providing basic details and information in registration and its benefits. We've also invited them to participate in its annual gathering such as SCITE and SAITE every semester and be part of the SSITE Region 3 as local chapter.

Ramirez invited the students to join the Mozilla Student Reps Program and become contributor and member of Mozilla Philippines Community through localization and mozilla support. They can integrate it to their existing computer club as an activity for them. 

Mr. Remin Pasion, the adviser of Computer Club thanked the team for their efforts and helpto make the event successful and hoping to invite them again in their other events. #MozillaStudentsLPC #MozillaPH

LPCians got their hands on awesome Mozilla swags

Mozilla PH: HTML5 - Next Generation Web Development and beyond

Websites in 3D using Tilt in Mozilla Firefox! Kewl!

A seminar was organized by the School of the Madeleine  in cooperation with Mozilla Philippines Community represented by the dynamic team of Mozilla Student Reps from Bataan Peninsula State University to introduce a glimpse about the HTML5 and Mozilla Webmaker for 1st year to 4th year students in their Computer subject. 

Mozilla Student Reps Cherlowe Reinard T. Ramirez discussed about the overview of HTML and its successor the HTML5 through discussion about the main features and advancement brought by HTML5. He also talked about the Mozilla for Students, an overview of what Mozilla is all about. Ramirez showed to the participants the Mozilla Story 2012 video explaining the Mozilla's mission. He also discussed about the Mozilla Webmaker and how it can help the high school students in creating websites. 

Ramirez stressed that "You do not need to be an IT person to help and contribute to the web because it is open and easy for students like you"  as he explains how young webmaker from around the world utilize the web and igniting their passion to contribute to the open web. He demonstrated the thimble where they can easily check their codes and create website through the comfort of their amazing web browser none other than Mozilla Firefox. He urged the school administration and computer teachers to install Mozilla Firefox browser in their computer units for them to experience the open web standards as he impart them the Mozilla's mission. He gave away Mozilla swags for the curious and participative students during the plenary talk and Q&A like lanyards, button pin, stickers and pens. 

Principal enthusiastically invited the team to continue imparting up-to-date knowledge about technology and the noble mission of Mozilla to the students in their school. Mr. Bernard Dasco, Computer teacher and facilitator of the seminar handed over the Certificate of Appreciation for the Mozilla Student Reps team headed by Cherlowe Reinard Ramirez. In compliance to what the principal said to the team, he invited again the team to talked more and demonstrate about the Mozilla Webmaker on next week.

Mozilla PH hacks Firefox OS App Days - Manila

A series of App Days celebrating Firefox OS takes place in more than 20 locations around the world. Most of these App Day events takes place on Saturday, January 26, 2013, with a few exceptions.

This program is designed and organized by Mozilla's Engagement team in collaboration with the ReMo (the Mozilla Reps program) and the Mozilla community.

These are the confirmed event locales for Firefox OS App Days. Developers, designers, and entrepreneurs are invited to register. Start building apps for Firefox Marketplace and Firefox OS:

        Athens, Greece: http://firefoxosappdays-athens.eventbrite.com/
        Bangalore, India: http://firefoxos-appday-bangalore.eventbrite.com
        Barcelona: http://firefoxosdaybcn.eventbrite.com/#
        Beijing, China: http://firefoxosbeijing.eventbrite.com/#
        Berlin, Germany: February 2 - http://firefoxosappday-berlin.eventbrite.com/
        Bogota, Colombia: http://firefoxosappdays-bogota.eventbrite.com/
        Buenos Aires, Argentina: http://firefoxosbsas.eventbrite.com/
        Bucharest, Romania: http://firefoxosappdaybucharest.eventbrite.com/
        Jakarta, Indonesia: Mon, Jan 21 - http://firefoxosappdays-jakarta.eventbrite.com
        London, England: http://fxosldn.eventbrite.com/
        Madrid, Spain: http://firefoxosmadrid.eventbrite.com/
        Manila, Philippines: http://firefoxosappdaysmnl.eventbrite.com/
        Mountain View, CA, US: http://firefoxosappday-siliconvalley.eventbrite.com/#
        Nairobi, Kenya: http://firefoxosappdays-nairobi-eorg.eventbrite.com/#
        Paris, France: http://firefoxosappdaysparis.eventbrite.com/
        Rome, Italy: http://firefoxappdays-rome.eventbrite.com/
        Sao Paulo: http://firefoxosappdays-saopaulo.eventbrite.com/
        Seoul, South Korea - Jan 26 http://fxos-appday-seoul.eventbrite.com/
        Taipei, Taiwan - Jan 26 (UTC+8) - http://firefoxosappday-taipei.eventbrite.com/#
        Osaka, Japan: Jan 26th http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5216195782#
        Tokyo, Japan: Jan 26th http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5216143626#
        Toronto, Canada: http://firefoxosappdays-toronto.eventbrite.com
        Vancouver, Canada: http://firefox-os-vancouver.eventbrite.com/#
        Warsaw, Poland: http://firefoxosappday-warsaw.eventbrite.com/#
        Wellington http://wellingtonfirefoxosappday.eventbrite.com/# 

Mozilla Philippines Community take part in this celebration and became part of Mozilla's history by being one of the 24 cities worldwide to host Firefox OS App Days. Its Manila leg was held at Boracay and Balesin Rooms of the Alphaland Southgate Tower last January 26.

I was one of the fortunate selected Student Reps to serve as Student Crew in this event. It was attended by 113 developers and students which are excited and curious about the Firefox OS. 

I was assigned as Social Media Updater in which contributed to Twitter and Facebook update of the Mozilla Philippines social media accounts. The Firefox OS App Days  - Manila leg was fortunate to have Mr. William Reynolds from Mozilla Mountain View (California, USA) to join the Pinoy Mozillians and Developers in this celebration. The participants presented 8 apps for Firefox OS and probably more soon to be created and published in the Firefox Marketplace by Filipino developers.

Credits to Sir Robert 'Bob' Reyes Firefox OS App Days - Manila Event Lead (Two Thumbs Up!) for the amazing photo in Firefox OS App Days (Official Photog)