It must have been keen foresight on the part of my folks to have nicknamed me “Blogie” back when I was still in diapers. Actually, the monicker came from the Tagalog word for ’round’ — because I was such a rolly-polly baby, Mom would say. I remember I had another nickname when I was in Grade 1, and it was much, much cooler: Jared. That’s because I had a bright yellow Smurf t-shirt with that name written on back. But it was Blogie that stuck.
Since it sounded so childish, I didn’t much like that nickname…. So I tried to go under my Japanese name (Maru), but only my Japanese friends would use it. So then this whole blogging phenomenon on the Web took hold, and little by little I found a new respect for my nickname. Now I love it! 
I live in Davao City, Philippines — probably the best place in the world to be. I’m involved in the I.T. industry as a consultant and marketer; and I speak, write, teach Japanese.
