Gail (who holds the fort over at My Filipino Wedding) asks if bloggers are selling themselves too cheaply. The post talks about a condescending remark implying that an easy way to create exposure is to treat bloggers out to free food and drinks.

Over the last few months companies have increasingly wined and dined bloggers. Recent examples include the Timbuk2 event and the first Bloggers’ Fest.

It’s easy to see why advertisers are paying more attention to blogging. The Philippine blogosphere is rapidly growing, and advertisers want to tap the straightforward expression enjoyed by bloggers to push their marketing agenda. Or, at the very least, to be perceived as serious about new media and the online world. In any case, we can get the word out pretty fast, especially topics that aren’t enjoying publicity on mainstream media.

Speaking of which, as a former employee in the marketing department of a large consumer electronics distribution company, I witnessed firsthand how freebie-oriented marketing events easily created exposure on traditional media channels. And a friend fondly remembered his days working for a popular magazine publication, recounting how one event freely handed out food, drinks, and goodies bags containing brand new MP3 players. Can’t we accuse some reporters of only paying attention when the freebies are expensive enough?

It would be unfair to journalists who take their profession very seriously to characterize traditional Philippine media with such a sweeping generalization. Yet the condescending remark as related by Gail does the same to bloggers. Granted, it’s quite possible that the easiest way to a blogger’s heart is through their stomach, which runs counter to independent and “citizen media” nature of blogging. But the fact remains that free food and drinks are attractive to anyone. Whether it’s a local journalist working for a high-circulation TV show or publication, or a local blogger who commands a significant online audience.

If anyone was categorizing bloggers as a cheap way to get the word out (discounting the fact that hosting a group of people in a high-end restaurant is expensive), they must not be aware that since time immemorial companies have been handing out freebies, as part of a a concerted effort to build exposure for their product or service.