Talking on starting the year right…

Last year on this date, January 2, 2010, I received my first Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award.  I started as a Windows7ako online community member,became active in it’s Facebook page, named president of the community (they usually call me El Pres), next thing I know, I’m involve in hosting events and delivering a talk or a demo on my favorite topic, Windows.  I still remember my first demo in the first community meetup was a Windows 7 feature called Problem Steps Recorder and I became active since then, giving talks here and demos there.   I never knew there’s this MVP thing then and after a few months I got nominated by Jojo Ayson, one of the MVPs here in the Philippines.  Lilian Quek from Singapore informed me that I was nominated and I complied with the requirements.  Few months later, I was surprised with an email in my inbox congratulating me being an MVP.

About the MVP Award Program

Since the early 1990s, Microsoft has recognized the inspiring activities of MVPs around the world with the MVP Award. MVPs freely share their deep knowledge, real-world experience, and impartial, objective feedback to help people enhance the way they use technology. Of more than 100 million users who participate in technology communities, around 4,000 are recognized as Microsoft MVPs.

MVPs make exceptional contributions to technical communities, sharing their passion, knowledge, and know-how. Meanwhile, because MVPs hear the opinions and needs of many others in the technical community, they are well-placed to share highly focused feedback with Microsoft.

MVPs are independent experts who are offered a close connection with people at Microsoft. To acknowledge MVPs’ leadership and provide a platform to help support their efforts, Microsoft often gives MVPs early access to Microsoft products, as well as the opportunity to pass on their highly targeted feedback and recommendations about product design, development, and support.

Awarded in over ninety technology areas, MVPs reflect Microsoft's global customer base and the breadth of Microsoft's technologies. A significant proportion of new MVPs represent emerging markets in China, Russia, and Korea, as well as smaller markets including Ghana, Nepal, and Kazakhstan.

Today, January 2, 2011, the same email has landed in my inbox, telling me that my MVP Award has been renewed.  Thanks Microsoft and most of all to the Lord Almighty :)