I still can’t believe it! Wifely Steps won last night at the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards under the Home and Living category. Wow! Two words capture this whole experience: disbelief and gratefulness. Now that I’ve expressed my disbelief, let me express my thanksgiving now. Thanks to the judges who believed Wifely Steps deserved to win the Home and Living blog award. Thanks to the Blogging Berks for their constant encouragement and friendship. Thanks to YOU GUYS, my Wifely Steps community, for being such a wonderful source of inspiration, for being so warm and supportive. Thanks to the Ganns for nominating my blog. And of course, thanks to H for without him, this blog would not have existed in the first place.
Was that a good acceptance speech? 
The winners didn’t give any speeches, but that’s what I would have said anyway. Eek! I’m still giddy. It was a really great evening. More pictures and stories after the jump.
I got an e-mail last Thursday that cocktails were to begin at 5:01 p.m., and that the awards would start at 6:07 p.m. How precise ‘no? H and I were there at 4:55 p.m. The sponsors and volunteers were still setting up. It was great to see familiar faces right away. Lori of Dessert Comes First was already there, accompanied by her husband Bindoy. H and Bindoy have worked together before, and I know Bindoy as one of our clients from work. Small world, isn’t it? Turns out that marketing, advertising and blogging weren’t the only things we had in common. We were all early birds too!
During the cocktails, I also got to meet Paul of
The Rocketboy Chronicles. I unashamedly just approached him and asked, “Hi! Are you Rocketboy?” I felt like this was an EB (eyeball). Haha! I’ve been a longtime reader of his blog so it was really great meeting him! Paul is a super nice guy. His blog was nominated for Best Entertainment blog. I also met up with
Noel and Via Perlas. The three of us attended the same university so we go way back. Noel’s blog was nominated for Best Blog Design. I also got to meet bigtime bloggers
Yuga and
Jayvee during the cocktails. How cool is that?
Home and Living Finalists (minus one): The bloggers behind Market Manila, Our Awesome Planet, Wifely Steps and dessert comes first.The awarding started an hour late. Filipino time at the Philippine Blog Awards, I suppose? We used the extra hour to chat with the other finalists.
I finally got to meet Joel of Market Manila and Anton of Our Awesome Planet. They were also my fellow Home & Living nominees. I’ve been a longtime reader of Joel’s blog so it was really wonderful to finally meet him in person! I was a little bit starstruck.
Joel, Anton and Lori were all so warm, charming and friendly. It was an honor to meet these three great bloggers!
The moment of truth! When the Home and Living category came up, H was so giddy beside me. I swear, he was more excited than I was. So cute!
When the hosts announced the nominees under the Home and Living category, they forgot to mention my blog! Aaaaack! I literally froze in embarrassment. Oh well. H however, didn’t take it sitting down. He immediately shouted, “WIFELY STEPS! YOU FORGOT WIFELY STEPS!” His shout then prompted another guy in the audience to shout “WIFELY STEPS! Nakalimutan niyo!!” Hehehe. Thanks man. Oh well. I was just quiet about it but H was seething. He did have a point when he wondered if the hosts rehearsed. H is in the network business so he knows how programs like this are supposed to go. He was so frustrated for me. Mahal talaga ako ng asawa ko.
Ajay was then called up to the stage to announce the winner. I was super shocked when she said, “And the winner is… Miss Toni.” Huh?! She looked at me directly and gave me a big smile. I was still in Huh?! world. H was delirious beside me, hahaha. So I walked up to the stage, gave Ajay a big hug and did the whole photo op thing while receiving the plaque. It was so cool. I won’t deny the fact that I loved that moment.
In the middle of all the cheers, I wondered, “Uh-oh. Does this mean I have keep my home cleaner now?” Glass-cleaning wipes, shaving cream and my Star mop danced in my head.
My good friend
Batjay won Best OFW blog. Yahoo! Mabuhay ang Blogging Berks! Other familiar faces in the audience were hip and cool mamas
Girlie and Marie who were seated near us. Marie won Krispy Kreme GCs during the raffle. Yum!
Funny moment of the night: When my Mom told my sister what I had won, my sister went, “She won a clock?!” Ay naku.
It was a cool evening. After the awards, I got to talk with
Erwin and Joey of Inquirer.net. We did a short interview and chatted about blogging. They were two really nice guys! I hope to talk with them again soon!
Ta-da! The Philippine Blog Award Winners. It’s fantastic to note that two of my fellow Home and Living nominees also won.
Joel won the Blogger’s Choice Award and
Lori won the Globe Deliblog award. We were all smiles up on stage.H and I didn’t join the afterparty anymore. It had been a long day for both of us, and the truth is, I wanted to celebrate that evening with him. After all,
without him, I wouldn’t be taking any of these wifely steps. So off we went on our dinner date.
Thanks again to the Philippine Blog Awards, to the judges, my Blogkadahan, the mystery person who nominated me, all you wonderful ones who read Wifely Steps, my Mom for lending me her shoes that evening, and of course, my loving H.
One more time: Yey!
P.S. And on that note, I’ll be going on a short break. See you guys after Easter!
April 1st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
congratulations toni. ang galing mo talaga. pag laki ko, gagayahin kita.
April 1st, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Well- deserved!!!
And not because it’s April’s Fools Day but in my blog roll, Wifely Steps is the last blog I read because I wanna… save the best for last!
Congratulations!!!
April 1st, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Weeeeeeeh, I am happy for you, Toni. Congrats.
April 1st, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Oh My God!!! CONGRATULATIONS, TONI!!!!!
April 1st, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Hey, Congrats! You deserve it! And it’s nice to finally see your photos posted
I love your blog. I am truly happy you won!
April 1st, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Congratulations to my co-finalist, the winner! It was nice meeting you at the awards, Toni. Bask in the bliss. Your hubby is obviously so proud of you. Kakakilig.
April 1st, 2007 at 8:16 pm
congrats toni am here in france at the ski slope
April 1st, 2007 at 9:36 pm
congrats toni!!
April 1st, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Congratulations. You did look stunned. Your co-finalists were all great. It must have been a tough choice for the judges.
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 am
congratz!truly well deserved.
April 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 am
Toni, you deserved\ the award. Congratulations.
Too bad there was no chance to say hello.
April 2nd, 2007 at 2:06 am
Congrats..Toni..!! came via.. Hipmomma’s blog..
thanks in advance.. 
Love your banner.. and was wondering if you did it yourself..?? or if there is a website you go to.. for the graphics..?? let me know.. can..??
April 2nd, 2007 at 4:44 am
congratulations toni!!!
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:27 am
I reckon I’m more embarrassed about it. (Horrified, actually, that I did that!) I am truly sorry about what happened. Yea, you’re right (and your husband, too!) we should have gone over that bit and not relied on the script.
Congratulations and well-deserved award!
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:11 am
congrats toni
shucks, rubbing elbows with blogging superstars, kainggit! [lalo na with bryanboy hihihihi!]
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:55 am
[...] in life and blogdom, won the Philippine Blog Award for Home and Living last Saturday, for her blog Wifely Steps! Yahoo! She so deserves that award. Wifely Steps should be on your list of must-visits every day. [...]
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:59 am
well done toni
congratulations! just so you know and to add to that feel good feeling you’re having right now, your blog makes me feel inspired and happy everytime i read it 
–miss b
April 3rd, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Congratulations, Toni! More power and more inspirations!
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Wow!!! Congratulations, Toni! Well deserved.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I’m so happy for you.
Your smiles on every photos, shows it all. You should be proud.
Kisses,
Mae
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:48 pm
good work toni!
April 4th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Congrats!!! Where do we go to eat & celebrate
April 4th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Wow Toni… Congratulations!!! I’m so very happy for you. You truly deserved that awards.
April 4th, 2007 at 3:00 am
My fellow volunteers were surprised when one blog was left out. Sabi namin, “Baka yan pa manalo,” and we were right! Congratulations, hehe!
April 4th, 2007 at 4:39 am
Woohoo!!!! Congratulations, Toni! It was well deserved
April 4th, 2007 at 11:16 am
congrats again toni! i don’t think i’ll ever run out of congratulations for you
*muah*
April 4th, 2007 at 11:43 am
you TOTALLY deserve it tons! congratulations! enjoy your vacation!
April 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
congratulations! i’m a fan of your blog. =)
April 4th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
How cool is this?!
Thanks to everyone who left their kind words and good wishes. They warm my heart. *thump thump*
I’ll see you guys after Easter!
April 4th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
toni, congratulations! the award was well deserved =)
cheers!
April 4th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
CONGRATS Toni!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buti na lang nagdilang anghel ako! hehehhe
April 4th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Super congrats!!! Wow! Extra pa kami in your blog.
Sorry we had to rush out and didn’t get to shake your hand in person, we had to run to my sister’s birthday.
April 4th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Toni,
Congrats!!!! I’m so proud of you. Kainggit naman I would have liked to be at the ceremony and be able to put a face to the name. Psst.. pede post ang pics ni MM? Or email mo na lang kaya. He never posts his pics kase. Was it MM who won the overall? I’m having a blonde moment.
April 4th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
wow! astig. congratulations toni. galeng galeng!
April 4th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Congratulations Toni! It’s a well deserve award.
Sorry you couldn’t open the e-card I sent you. I’m not sure what happened but it was a card meant to express my overwhelming joy of hearing that you won. It’s a well deserved award and I’m very proud of you.
Thanks for being my inspiration to improve my blog. You’ve helped me in more ways than you know. It’s a pleasure knowing you.
Take care and have a meaningful Lenten Season.
April 4th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Congratulations Toni! Super duper well-deserved!
April 5th, 2007 at 3:46 am
congrats toni!
April 5th, 2007 at 4:23 am
Congrats Toni, you really deserve it.
Good acceptance speech too
April 5th, 2007 at 7:38 am
congratulations, toni! you deserve it! keep on shinning!
April 5th, 2007 at 10:29 am
hi toni,
congrats! you truly deserve it!!!
April 5th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
hi! toni, i saw you finally at the blog awards and i won krispy kreme coupons ahahaha
congratulations you looked really nice that night too. ^^
April 5th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Hi Toni,
Wow! Congratulations! Ang galing galing!!
WE are so proud of you dear Toni…
You really deserve the award..:-D
TC!
April 5th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
you are so…pageanty. hahahahaha! oh my god, toni! congratulations! (hugs, hugs, and moooore hugs)
April 5th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
LOL ang cute naman ni H, indignant on your behalf
Congratulations again!
April 5th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
di pa yata ako nagpost ng congrats dito….congrats again toni. you stood six feet tall that night. and having your husby next to you was the sweetest thing. more power, girl!
April 6th, 2007 at 12:07 am
congratulations, Toni! you really really deserve the award! you have touched the hearts of so many!
April 6th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Congratulations, Toni! Reading your blog always adds a bit of cheer to my day.
April 6th, 2007 at 2:00 am
congratulations toni! you truly deserve it! ang galing mo talaga!!
love your pics. thanks for sharing this!
congrats!!:)
April 6th, 2007 at 10:36 am
whoooa!!! youre… so … young!
pasensiya na ha, i cant believe thats you in the red blouse. all these time i thought toni is at least 45. uy compliment yon ha. ( hindi ko pa kasi napupuntahan ang archives mo so ive never seen a pic of you. yung sa china mo, hindi ko naman minaximize lahat). i guess it’s the way you write, so full of wisdom, like youve been there, done that. i guess it’s all about your blog’s dating to me, so homey and cozy, parang grandma’s house (that is a compliment!!, and believe me, that’s how i want people to feel when theyre in my house.). well, sabi nga nila age is a just a number.
kaya ka nga nanalo e.
you deserve that award! congrats!
one of the hosts (aileen) is a friend of mine. so alam ko nang nanalo ka even before you posted this entry.
April 6th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Congrats! Big big hugs!
April 6th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
congrats! congrats!!!
April 6th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
congratulations!!
April 6th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Congratulations on your win. That must have been exciting for you! The photo are good to see (you are so cute!).
Michele sent me. Happy Easter!
April 7th, 2007 at 10:52 am
WOW! Congratulations Toni!
Happy Easter!
April 7th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
No DISBELIEF from me, Toni! Noon pa man believe na beleive ako. Am supposed to be a “doubting Thomas” but with that award, you more than merit and deserve it!
MORE POWER TO YOU AND MORE AWARDS TO COME. CONGRATULATIONS!
April 9th, 2007 at 5:48 am
Congratulations, Toni! I’m very happy for you! Well deserved!
April 9th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Wahahaha ang galing! Congrats Toni! All the while I was secretly hoping you win…
April 9th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Congratulations! Well deserved!
Keep up the good work!
Sorry, I am a bit late with my congratulations but I couldn’t access your blog ?!? Too much traffic?
April 9th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
hi Toni. Congrats on the much deserved award. i tried coming here the day I found out you won but you’re site was a no show. much have been a traffic overload
. Congrats again!!!
April 9th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
galeng!!! congrats toni!
April 10th, 2007 at 11:46 am
wow….i really feel sikat just knowing you and sharing domain name with you
i really should meet up with you the next time i visit. papa-autograph ako!!! heehee
April 11th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Toni, Congratulations! ‘Sens’ya na, I’m so out of the loop.
April 12th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Hi Ate Toni. Congratulations! You deserved the award! Definitely! nakakatuwa naman at nanalo ka alam ko namang hindi imposibleng mangyari yon, sa dami naming taga suporta mo. hehe. Keep it up!
April 13th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Congratulations! It’s always fun reading your blog. You deserve to be a winner.
April 13th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
congratulations ms. toni!
you’re maintaining a nice blog… its no wonder you won…
^_^
April 18th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
congrats! (“better late than never” is how you can describe this comment ;o))
April 27th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Congratulations!!!
April 28th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Hi there. Congratulations for winning the award. I promised to visit your site but I couldn’t find it for a while.
Anyways, just dropping by to say hi.
May 15th, 2007 at 10:22 am
One word to cap the experience – Surreal. I can’t belive they missed out your name & blogsite, to think you’ll be the winner. Surreal din kasi the feeling was definitely unexplainable. Surreal kasi si Chuva and the way he reacted was very Chuva. Surreal kasi you saw Bindoy – my ex-Client. Hehehe!
Congrats, Toni. I wish you continued success. Sana next year you’ll get another award and another chance to get interviewed – malay mo sa GMA na. =)
June 8th, 2007 at 4:12 am
sobrang late na pero sobra talaga akong natuwa when i read this. grabe! parang feeling ko tuloy ang tagal kong nawala sa sirkulasyon. hehehe:)
congrats talaga, toni girl! ang galing mo. and, you deserve all these good things that have been coming your way. here’s wishing you more and more good things!:)
*mwahugs!*