SAY hello to our Blog Addict of the Week, Johanna Balagtas.

Could you tell us something about yourself? How old are you and what are you currently doing? When and why did you start blogging and who got you hooked?

I’m 20 years old, currently a biology major trying to get through physics, math and working part-time. I’ve always been interested in a lot of things and writing about them is one high for me.

I’ve been blogging since March of 2005. I found out about it while I was surfing a friend’s Friendster profile, trying to distract myself from a bad break-up. And then it just flowed from there… I got space on Tabulas so I could relieve myself of post-break-up stuff and then eventually it became a hobby.

What makes a blog better than a regular website? Did you try putting up your own site before you started blogging?

I did try putting up my own site. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish it because it was so time-consuming for me, not to mention that it’s pretty mentally exhausting figuring out codes for this and that. Obviously blogs are a lot easier to set up so I just settled with blog accounts instead of websites.

Would you say that blogging is very addictive? How many people have you convinced to also start blogging?

In some sense, yes. Because you get to freely unload ideas, feelings, opinions, etc. that could otherwise eat you alive if you keep them. You get to share your thoughts without really imposing them on anyone. And it’s a satisfaction everytime you find people reading and leaving comments on your entries. It’s like somehow you’ve contributed something to someone. At least you made them think about something for the day.

How has blogging made a difference in your life?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I just never had enough confidence to submit any of my articles to anyone. So when I started blogging and people started commenting on my entries, it just dawned on me that I’m probably not a bad writer after all. Blogging helped me improve my writing style and helped me gain confidence as well. Plus it keeps me and other bloggers out there entertained.

What blogging software do you use? What makes it better than other blogging services?

I use the one in my Multiply account now since it’s more user-friendly than other blogging software. And Multiply allows you to put in music, pictures, links and even events in one site. It’s like an all-in-one account.

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in the blogging world?

There’s an entry in my previous blog that had the liveliest interaction among its readers. It felt so wonderful that they got really interested in what I had to say, and they were into it enough to share their own thoughts and start a mini forum about the topic. It’s just great when you’re able to provoke other people into thinking and make them feel things.

If you have to pimp your blog to readers, could you tell us in 100 words or less why they should visit your blog?

My site is not really dedicated to just one topic. You can find in there just about anything under the sun — from books to sports to food to stars. Anything. Even topics some of my friends requested. The site is sort of a collection of lives. It’s like a witness to the ups and downs and in-betweens of a number of characters that almost anyone can relate to. You just have to be human to enjoy it.

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Thanks, Johanna! And to all those who’d like to be featured, just leave a comment and your URL so that we can check out your blog. Or e-mail joeyalarilla@gmail.com.

We’ll feature a new Blog Addict every Friday, so keep visiting

Who knows? The next Blog Addict of the Week could be you.