CEBU, Philippines -- A Davao-based non-profit organization will soon hold a Wordcamp in the Philippines, its lead organizer told INQUIRER.net.

A bootcamp for users and developers of Wordpress (a popular open source blogging platform), Wordcamp also hopes to bring together Filipino enthusiasts using this platform for the first time.

Local organizers have yet to decide on the date and venue of the local version of the Wordcamp. But interests have been evident in the local blogosphere.

"WordCamp, as you know, is the premier event for WordPress users and developers. WordPress is arguably the number one blogging platform in the world today. Apart from the fact that it is feature-packed, highly customizable and flexible, WordPress is open source, and therefore has a large community dedicated to advancing its development," said Oliver Robillo in an e-mail interview with INQUIRER.net.

Robillo said bringing Wordcamp to the Philippines hopes to strengthen the foothold of WordPress among its users, and "bring more bloggers into the fold, so to speak."

Various Wordcamps have been held in the US and other parts of the world. This has become popular because WordPress, despite its popularity, is "probably not the most user-friendly blogging engine," added Robillo.

"Many bloggers still find self-hosted WordPress as opposed to the free wordpress.com blog platform rather daunting. Having a WordCamp here will hopefully demystify the software for them," he said.

Robillo said the group has no idea how many Wordpress users are in the Philippines. But there are local communities dedicated to Wordpress, namely Wordpress Philippines, a usergroup, and WordPress Pinoys, which is an online forum.

"Participants of WordCamp Philippines can expect to learn about the latest developments in, and future plans for, WordPress; hopefully from Automatic representatives themselves," Robillo said, as he hinted that the people behind Wordpress might become part of this bootcamp.

The Wordcamp Philippines will have two tracks: technical sessions for hardcore users and developers and sessions for beginners.

"Aside from that, there will also be an "install-fest", where we'll invite everyone to bring laptops or even desktops to the venue for a guided installation of the latest version, the most important plugins, and for demonstrations on how to tweak WP themes. Of course, there will also be socials after the sessions," Robillo added.

Wordcamp Philippines also hopes to attract developers in the country who are developing so-called plug-ins, or little software programs, and themes or templates for Wordpress.

Robillo said that the Wordcamp Philippines is organized by the same people behind the Mindanao Bloggers Summit.

"Beyond the technical know-how that we wish to impart to participants, doing WordCamp in the Philippines will mean deeper awareness of blogging as an effective medium of communication and advocacy," he said.