A couple of major changes have happened to my problogging in the past few weeks. One of them was my choice, the other was dropped into my lap from thin air.
The first, I resigned my post on PlanetEye Traveler, writing about Philippine Culture and Travel. It was just time for me to let it go.
The other one is harder to adjust to. Early this week, the entire entertainment channel of b5media was shut down. About 50 bloggers were given the boot and locked out of the blogs without even the chance to say goodbye to the communities around those blogs.
And so, I say goodbye to Merry Royals. Though it was never truly mine, I built that site from scratch, from the domain name (which I love!) and up. Save for a couple of guest posts, it was written solely by me. And while I understand economics and dwindling ad revenues, the firings came out of the blue and caught all of us unaware. It was hard to believe that five years of SEO, talent and contacts have been thrown out the door. I shed a few tears over what happened, but I’m glad to say I’m now steadily working out the shock of it. In the end, maybe it’s all for the better. There are some top-rate writers in that group, with loyal followers who will (and have!) followed the writers to their own new sites. As one of the writers put it, b5 just might have empowered these bloggers to branch out on their own and finally be their own bosses. And that is always a good thing.
I take many positive things from my b5 experience. I remember the early days of the company, when we were all passionate and excited and were a real community of bloggers. I have good memories of tetris tournaments. 
I learned my blogging chops from the best. And, most of all, I made great friends. You’ll learn more about them in the coming days and weeks. We’re all just rather busy at the moment, reorganizing and restructuring our own endeavors. This is one tough (and wonderful and talented!) group of bloggers who are far from crushable. You haven’t seen the last of us, I promise.
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I’m so very sorry to hear about this, Maricar. Having gone through the elimination of travel & culture, I know how painful it can be. As you said, though, out of it will come something good. I believe that! So please let me know where you, and your merry royals, land.
Thanks, MJ. It’s been a rough week. But such is life, and good things will come out of this , I’m sure. I’m taking a vacation from royal blogging for now, but will definitely let you know if I take it up again.
sigh. I really did love that domain.
Hi Maricar. I’m sorry to hear about this. I just looked at my Google reader to find articles on fashion and such where my royalty news was supposed to be! I thought maybe there was some hacking or something, but I Googled and found your blog. That truly is so disappointing that they just cut you and other bloggers off. Merry Royals was the only royalty news site I relied on and you did such a great job with it! Alas, it is what it is, but perhaps bigger and better things will come
Kristine, yes. I’m sad that it’s gone now. But I’m hoping for better things to come. I’ll let you know if I set up a new royal blog. And thanks so much for your support!
Hi Maricar, I have been looking for your Merry Royal’s site for a couple of months now and am so glad I found you! Every time I would try to find you I would end up at this website that is worse than awful! Now I know why. What they did to you and your readers (like myself) was terrible! Your site was one of my favorites and I miss it but I understand needing some time away. If you should ever start it another one… I will be there! Take care! Em
Emaly, thanks for your support. I miss blogging about the royals and will announce a new blog here eventually.