Q. Please tell us a little something about you.

A. My name is Rick and I'm 23. People like calling me Edu because of my last name (no, we're not related). I'm a web designer and a frustrated photographer. I'm hoping I could save money to get myself a DSLR so I can take pictures for a living. I think it's the perfect excuse to travel, meet different people, see different places and try different foods.

In short, I'm a pseudo-artist with a big appetite.

Q. Can you give us a background of your blog and why you named it Project Manila?

A. This baby's just barely a year old and I'm proud of what it's accomplished so far as it was also a Finalist in the Philippine Web Awards 2006 under Blogs category. I'm not very good in writing and I tend to get too emotional when I write that's why I decided to post photos instead. I think photos say a lot of things. Project Manila's all about photos.

Project Manila is about my exploits in the Metro and other places I've been to. It's my heroic (coughs) attempt to save Manila; my personal project to change how people perceive Manila. Hence, the name Project Manila. It's all about my bittersweet relationship with this crazy city, captured in photos.

At the time I created the photoblog, my social life was very active as I was dining and drinking out almost every night.

Thanks to that. Now, I'm poor as a rat and huge as an elephant. Hello reality!

Q. Please tell us something about your blog's design and the publishing system you're using.

A. Simple-elegant is how I'd describe my blog design. It's actually a template I modified a bit. I like to keep things simple especially with this blog since I want it to be all about the photos.

The photoblog's created on Blogger, which I've been using since 2001 when I started blogging. I think it keeps on getting better over the years that's why I decided to use it for this blog as well. I haven't had major problems with it. So far, so good and I hope it stays that way.

Q. Why a photoblog? What do you think are the elements of a good photoblog?

A. It's what I really like doing, I guess. I just enjoy taking pictures. Plus I find it easy because I always have my cam-phone with me. Besides, I don't write very well.

Regarding the elements of a good photoblog, I think it should be clean, organized and straight to the point. Focus should be on the photos, not so much on the design or layout.

Q.  What do you think is the best part about blogging? How does blogging "complete" you on a personal and professional level?

A. The best part is being recognized. Not everyone can be a celebrity in the "real" world. But online, everything's possible. Although I'm far from being an online celebrity, having people see my photos already makes me very happy.

Two people can look at the same thing and see it entirely differently. Project Manila shows how I see things differently.

Q. Content vs. design. Which one is more important to you? How should content and design complement each other in a blog?

A. I think content is more important. People will keep on coming back to a site so long as they think that the content is relevant to them. But of course, it does follow that the design should be at least pleasant-looking and easy to navigate.

Q. You've been blogging for a relatively long time now. What advice can you give newbie bloggers on getting started?

A. If you're more into writing, go ahead and write your thoughts on your blog. It's not only therapeutic; it'll also make you a better writer.

If you like taking photos, go ahead and share them on your photoblog. It doesn't matter what kind of gadget you have, what matters is how you use it to "immortalize" how you perceive things around you.

When you're passionate about what you're doing, people will feel it and will keep coming back to your site. And we know what site hits mean, right? (Think cash, think Adsense!)

Q. The blogging rules and principles you live by.

A. Take pictures.

Use your imagination.

Be nice to fellow bloggers.

Have fun!

Q. Your blogging/bloggers' wish list for 2007.

A. I've got 4:

1. More site hits.

2. More site hits.

3. More site hits.

4. DSLR cam.

Meanwhile, here's a complete list of the Finalists in the Philippine Blog Awards, which will culminate in a grand awarding ceremony at the RCBC Plaza on March 31. Blog-O-Rama is honored to be one of the judges for this event:

Personal: Bikoy.net, Fight Pompe, Jessica Rules The Universe, Last Leaf Designs and Chronicles, Misteryosa

Technology: Digital Life by Chin Wong, PinoyMacLovers, JaypeeOnline, Stellify, Leon Kilat: The Cybercafe Experiments

Travel: Byahilo: Your Journey Begins Here, Coconuter, Ironwulf.net: En Route, Ivan About Town, Walk This Way

Entertainment: Kiven, The Man Blog, Pinoy Rickey, Retzwerx, The Rocketboy Chronicles

Home & Living: dessert comes first, Finestkind Clinic and fish market, MarketManila.com, Our Awesome Planet, Wifely Steps

Socio-Political: Far From Neutral Notions, Philippine Commentary, Philippines Without Borders, Salita Blog, Tingog.com - Voice of The Filipino

News & Media: blog @ AWBHoldings, By Jove! , Cyberbaguioboy, Inside PCIJ, RG CRUZ, Observer

Business & Entrepreneur: Jozzua, ManuelViloria.com, Reflections of a BizDrivenLife , Sonnie's Porch , The Unlawyer

Sports & Recreation: Be@rbrick Love, ChiyoDad Learns Go, Sporting Break, Vespinoy, Who rides a Vespa?

Fashion & Lifestyle: Beautynomics.Com, Bryanboy: Le Superstar Fabuleux, GIBBS CADIZ, Manila Fashion Observer, Nostalgia Manila

Photo Blog: The Dubai Chronicles, Glance Over, Project Manila, Senor Enrique, The Sleepy Traveler

Best Blog Design:  Far From Neutral Notions, Ironwulf.net: En Route, Midori-X, Noel Perlas - Perlas Design Studio, Seasonal Plume

Best OFW Blog: Balikbayan Box, coffee with amee, francescanfrance, Kwentong Tambay, Palabok

Best Free Custom Theme: Blu3zin3 by Tew Reonal, Papillon by Beng Hafner, Psalm 8 by Joni Ang, SimplaZEN by Jorge Cosgayon, WoWza by Kevin Codamon

Best Plugin / Extension: Guestbook Generator by Andrew dela Serna, iPap by Markku Seguerra, Name Dropper by Andrew dela Serna, Post Avatar by Vicky Arulsingam and Dominik Menke, Top Posts by Category plugin by Marc Macalua