Last year, there were a number of people, including Matt Mullenweg himself, who raised very valid concerns about the way we let bloggers attend WordCamp for free, in exchange for having them post an article with links to the event’s sponsors. Some of these concerns were the following:
- Google, in particular, frowns upon frivolous linking, of which the required posts might have been deemed to be in violation.
- Paying for something gives one the right to complain, in case something went awry (thankfully, nothing really untoward happened in 2008!), or the right to expect full service. I’d like to think that everyone had a blast last year… But I’m afraid a few people did have cause to complain.
- Not everyone got a t-shirt.
So, this year, we have decided to make WordCamp Philippines — just like all WordCamps all over the world — a paid event. Participants will have to shell out a certain fee to be able to attend, but we will make it as affordable as possible. Plus, the fee will also cover some freebies, including WordCamp Philippines t-shirts for everyone. And lunch, of course.
Naturally, volunteers, speakers, resource persons and members of the organizing team will be exempt from paying the participation fee.
The amount that we’re looking at is between ₱750 to ₱1,500 per person. A discount for students is being considered. No matter what amount is decided on, you can rest assured it will be worth it!
Of course, we welcome your feedback.
Philippine_Island: It was a great...
Blogie: Hi there. We're...
dms27: When?? Where? wala bang dito...
sem724Care: Is their another Word...
Lique: Hi All! Looking forward for...
FunnyPinoy: So when's the 2010...
Sergey Serg: Show me again this
Willing to pay any amount!
Going going going! 
Natamaan ako dyan. Hehe. Seeing all the other WordCamps prior attending WordCamp Philippines made me expect A LOT from the Philippine WordCamp, but yes, it was free and some this and that were pretty limited. I look forward to a fruitful WordCamp Philippines this year, no matter how much the cost might be, may discount rin ba pag galing ng Davao? hahaha.
What "this and that" were limited? I might be biased, speaking as the organizer, but I think last year's WordCamp was pretty full-on WordCamp. If I remember correctly, you left early.
This year, I hope you stay on for the whole show, so you won't feel you missed out, ok?
I think Word Camp 2008 was indeed a blast… it was a meaningful and learning event… I wish I could have been a speaker this time around to talk about blogging and socio-political advocacy
Bago pa lang ako sa WordPress (and blogging for that matter), pero na-"hook" na talaga ako sa WordPress at looking forward talaga akong pumunta sa WordCamp.
Welcome to the club! Looking forward to meeting you!
Hoping for larger sizes than X-Large hahaha i gave my shirt to my mom…
I'll definitely come back this year …
Ako don't know WordPress… Pero gusto kong pumunta dito para matuto… =)
I was part of the first WordCamp, and I am looking forward to attending this year's camp.
I am very excited for the upcoming WordCamp.
I hope lots of WP Plugin developers would come, I want to meet them. Hehe.
Can’t wait to see the list of sessions.
Very welcome news, Blogie. I'm glad you shared Matt's concerns about last year's linking policy .. thought I was a voice in the wilderness there. Since I really want to be a part of WCP 2009, once you decide on what the participation fee will be, I'll run a little writing contest and pay the participation fee for x number of winners (x depends on what the fee turns out to be).
I'm glad to see the comments so far are pretty favorable … this is a good sign. To go to an event of this magnitude and potential future value is worth digging into the piggy bank a bit. Life can't be all payola and freebies … nice as they are from time to time.
Hello Dave! Your plan to run a writing contest is fantastic! I'll let you know about the participation fee as soon as we've decided how much. Looking forward to seeing you this year!
Well, perhaps I get some good free guest posts and/or someoe gets some writing expereince/exsposure along the way too. ideally WordCamp would be more about 'doing' rather than being a listener/spectator, but of course with the size and popularity the logistics of providng much of a hands-on expereince is pretty daunting. My calendar is already marked
I have registered and paid. By the way my T-shirt size is Large
It should have been included on registration process because most of the time people don't get the size they want if shirts are given out.
Thanks for registering! But let me clarify: there is no more free t-shirt. You see, the organizers were requested to make the registration fee really cheap, so we opted to make the t-shirt optional. What's included in the reg fee is lunch and some freebies.
Mr. blogie, I have paid using my mother's paypal account. Is it okay that my name is different from what is indicated in the receipt?
Hi there! That's perfectly OK. I've taken note of it already. Thanks and see you at WordCamp.
Thanks! May I ask if the WordCamp will be held at the Stephen Fuller hall of AIM? I just attended the PWDO form function and class conference there
Yes, Fuller Hall, that's the plan!
Blogie, now what should I do? How may I help as part of it?
I will get in touch with all confirmed volunteers very soon.
Is the event is also inclusive of certificate?
We didn't have that last year, but we'll do it this year!
Where could we order for the shirt?
Hi Babsy. The online shop will be open soon! Watch out for it — I'll announce it here as soon as it's up.
all right. I hope you do it.. I need it for school…
Have already paid and looking forward to meet everyone
… never noticed that one year had passed already.
yahoooooo!!! At last makakaregister na rin ako.. last year hindi ako nakaabot for the registration kasi nag close na.. see you all guys!
do we have another option to pay? pwede pa ba magregister? ilan po kaya ang makakarating?
gaano po pala sya katagal? until when pwede magregister? tsaka wlang naka-indicate na time.. marami po bang aattend?
do you still need volunteers? i am attending regardless. it'll be my first and i'm so stoked!