UPDATE: Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 Writing Project

What are the measures of an emerging influential blog?

Being popular or has the potential to become popular is one. Second, the blog should be effective in providing an information to its readership. Third, the writer's opinion is worthy of respect. Fourth, the blog somehow influences (in a positive manner) the way its readers think or act. I think these are enough criteria of an emerging influential blog.

Ms. Janette Toral has come up with part 3 of this writing project that identifies new and emerging blogs, which are making waves this year. She calls it Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 Writing Project. These are blogs that started anytime from May 1, 2008 to the present.

I'm participating in the contest and here's my list.

Shie’s Asylum is a personal online journal of Shie's journey through life and what makes her life interesting. It's a place where her sane and not so sane thoughts really matters.

Mommyjourney is a personal diary of a stay at home mom who wants to share her experiences to other moms. It is a venue for mommies all over to network and learn from each other. It speaks of day to day activities and realities of parenthood.

Barrio Siete is an alternative collective blog by a group of bloggers who talk the talk, and walk the walk of its target audience — the socio-economic group who do not use pretentious and intellectual language that can not be grasped by ordinary human beings. The blog uses the basic Tagalog sometimes Taglish language that can be easily understood by ordinary people.

Dare to Speak Out is a personal and commentary blog penned by Silver. It discusses her different take on a wide range of topics - from the trivial to the political.

Her and History contains telltale stories of a new mom who will soon be an old mom in the coming years, a teacher who grows up wanting to be a doctor but ends up realizing that teaching was her calling, a child of God who believes that " a drop of God's wisdom is greater than an ocean of human intelligence", and a foreigner's life in the Land of Smiles. Peek my world and discover Her and His Stories.

Writingtoexhale.com is a new site maintained by blogger extraordinaire Jan Geronimo. From his quirky personal blog called Sa Labas ng Mandaluyong, his new haven is more focused on blogging, writing and social media.

Dear Bloggery is a personal journal of a researcher that blogs about everything under the sun. The author Snow discussed about personal experiences and opinions, current affairs, media and entertainment. Perhaps, Snow is born with a passion in blogging because she also blogs regularly about the latest buzz in the blogosphere through her Bloggery Buzz of the Week.

Goodtimesmanila is a lampoon site created by Deejay. It's a work of satire featuring bogus news about politics, show business, business and other current events in the Philippines and thereabouts.

Zorlone is a creative writing blog that focuses on poetry and short stories. Zorlone is an anagram of the blogger's name who also goes by the initial Z. The site owner, who happens to be a medical doctor, hopes to inspire readers to start writing and make their mark in this niche. Thus, his blog's slogan 'Dream. Create. Inspire.'

Chocolateword. Mahalia initially put up her site to chronicle her pregnancy with her third child. Today she still writes within the realm of family life, motherhood, and occasional reflections and meditations. She also shares interesting insights about her garden, sumptuous recipes, news commentary that provoke her thought, and tips on frugal living.

I am thankful for Ms. Toral for coming up with this brilliant undertaking. And this writing project will not be possible without the support of sponsors such as Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, and Blog4Reviews.com.

For those who wish to join the contest may visit Ms. Toral's site for more information.