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Computer World Q&A
QUESTIONS
1. How many times has your Web site been part (either as nominee/semi-finalist/finalist/winner) of the Philippine Web Awards?
This is the first time that SarahGeronimo.com joined the Phil. Web Awards
2. What do you feel that you have been chosen as one of this year’s finalists?
It’s a mixed feeling. We’re both excited and honored to be chosen as a finalist in the [celebrity/fan] category despite being branded as an unofficial home of Sarah.
3. What do you think is your Web site’s edge, making it one of the finalists of the 7th PWA?
Our main edge is the dedication and commitment of the Sarah Geronimo community. Our administrators, moderators and 3,000-strong members all have a common passion - 101% support to Sarah Geronimo. Our web content, all shared by loyal members, already resembles Sarah’s biography.
SarahGeronimo.com is a very dynamic website because it is highly user-friendly and has a clean graphical layout. Several tools are used in managing our content, which allows us to keep our records very organized, fresh, interesting and highly relevant to our members and guests.
4. Can you share some details about your Web site - what is it all about? What are its features? What is the objective of your site? Who is its target audience? How old is it?
SarahGeronimo.com is an independent, fan produced website established on October 2003 to provide an in depth information about Sarah Geronimo and to create an online Community of Sarah Fans on the Internet.
Today, it is the most comprehensive Sarah Geronimo site on the web, with a gallery of nearly 5,000 pictures, a site-written biography, a detailed Concert History, filmography, discography and a regularly updated News Section. Sarahgeronimo.com’s multimedia section gives our members an opportunity to download wallpapers, avatars, graphical images, audio clips and video footages. We have a very active online community and a membership-base that stretches the globe – from Asia to Hawaii, the US East and West Coast, and even Europe.
5. Would you say that your objective for the site has been attained, especially that it is a PWA finalist?
Being a finalist contributes to our over-all goal and objective of providing a highly comprehensive fan site because it recognizes and validates all our efforts for making the site what it is today.
6. Do you think that being a PWA finalist will somehow affect your Web site? In what way? Can you cite some instances to illustrate your point?
Being a finalist is a morale-booster to our members. A prestigious award-giving body that confirms the site’s strong fundamentals and gives its seal of approval, will push our community to work harder to become the no. 1 fan site in the country.
7. What is the general feedback of those that frequent your site about your site?
Let us just say that the general feedback from members and visitors are highly favorable. These kind words have inspired the site moderators and administrators alike. Come and visit www.sarahgeronimo.com. Welcome to the Real Home of Sarah Geronimo.
8. Do you expect to win in this edition of the PWA? How so? If ever you do not, will you join the PWA next year? Again, why?
As a finalist, we are hoping to make it to the finish line and we are keeping our fingers crossed. We will continue to strive and provide the best fan content but leave it to the PWA panel of experts and jurors to see through our labor.
9. A lot of winners last year were “newbies” in the PWA. Do you think being a new competitor gives one an edge against the other finalists, especially as some see it to propose fresh concepts in Webmaking? How so?
Newbies bring fresh ideas and new concepts but it does not mean they have an edge over other finalists unless these Old Sites are not able to keep up with change and adapt to new trends.
10. Do you think “newbies” will reign again in the Philippine Web Awards? Why so or why not?
Websites are continually evolving and new tools will make web design more interesting in the years to come. It is a combination of being able to take advantage of these tools plus the dedication to bring the site to a higher level, That’s in my view, the winning criteria. In that regard, everyone has an “annual” chance to win an award, old and newbies alike.
11. With the entry fee, do you think that this year’s PWA stayed true to its objective of recognizing the best of the best in the local Webmaking realm? What is your main opinion about the entry fee, including the fact that this move has been made to “professionalize” the event?
The entry fee serves two important purposes. First, it supports the operation and marketing of PWA. Second, it creates a barrier to entry, leaving only those that are serious about competing to join PWA.
12. Lots of other changes were implemented as well, including some categories being merged and even removed (“Weird and Humor”). How do you see this move by the PWA organizers?
The category mergers and deletion would give the PWA judges more time to go over and evaluate the content and features of the registered and likely, short-listed participants.
13. This year’s PWA will also be handing out not only trophies but prizes as well. What is your opinion about this?
That’s an added bonus. Maybe if there are more generous corporate sponsors, there will be more participants and that would make the annual event even more interesting as competition intensifies.
14. What do you expect in this year’s PWA?
We are confident but are keeping down our expectations. Let’s just say that all the hard work, if recognized and rewarded, will be a great Christmas gift. The site gets its inspiration from Sarah Geronimo, the talented, soft-spoken, humble and charismatic Teen princess.
15. What is your opinion of the Philippine Web Awards and its objective to award the best Web sites and developers/designers the country has to offer? How do you think the PWA contributes to the ICT industry?
The Philippine Web Awards helps drive the creative, technical, and professional progress of the Web Community in our country. By recognizing and acknowledging excellence in Web Design every year, PWA is pushing the standards of web development in our country continually higher.
i love it here!!! 
