Blogger Spotlight: Johanna Marie of Bean in Transit

Herbert Kikoy

This week’s featured blogger is not new in the business. She has been roaming for quite sometime now. She like anything that involves art, history, outdoors, and food.

This indecisive and frail lady has been travelling here and there, conquering new heights, breaking barriers and pushing herself beyond boundaries and limitations. Alongside with her partner France, the couple joined forces in exploring the great beyond.

Folks, let’s give it up for Hanna of Laagan Nga Bata.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU GOT INTO BLOGGING?

Hanna: Hi, I’m Hanna, the tiny blogger behind Laagan Nga Bata. I am currently working as a freelance writer and virtual assistant, but I have plans going back to the corporate world. I am also a staff writer of cebufinest.com.

I’m a LOUD INTROVERT. People don’t believe me when I say I’m an introvert because I am an outgoing person and I like engaging in good discussions. But the truth is, at the end of the day, I get drained after meeting people. Sometimes, it would take me days to recharge before I can get out of my shell again.

I started blogging in 2008 when I was inspired reading my high school English teacher’s blog. I used to write anything and everything under the sun before I finally decided to professionally establish a travel blog in late 2013.

WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA OF YOUR BLOG’S NAME?

Hanna: As far as I can remember, people would always call me “Bata” because of my stature (obviously) and because of the way I act. I am not the typical girly girl you will meet because prepping up is simply not my cup of tea. Although, I enjoy it sometimes, I am mostly the type who is very much contented of wearing anything just as long as I am comfortable. I don’t notice it but my colleagues also said that I have a distinct child-like voice when I talk. I wanted to name my blog to something where people would recognize me online just as they know me personally. I also wanted the name of my blog in Bisaya. Since I love wandering anywhere on a whim and people call me “bata”, thus, “Laagan Nga Bata”.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BLOGGING?

Hanna: Other than the joy of sharing my opinion and experiences with the world, I also love it when you can make personal relationships with your readers or followers without getting too personal. If you know what I mean.

WHAT IS THE NICHE OF YOUR BLOG AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE IT?

Hanna: My blog’s niche is Travel. I chose it because of my love for anything and everything about traveling. I’ve always wanted to follow my mom who chose to leave her comfort zone at a very young age and traveled to different places in the Philippines.

ARE YOU MONETIZING YOUR BLOG? HOW DO YOU MONETIZE YOUR BLOG’S TRAFFIC?

Hanna: I’ve just started monetizing my blog this year because I realized maintaining a decent blog is challenging. Currently, I’m getting my earnings from affiliate marketing, Nuffnang ads, and sponsored posts.

TOP 5 SITES YOU VISIT (ALMOST) EVERYDAY

Other than my blog, these are sites that I visit almost everyday.

Facebook
Biyaherong Barat
Wild Spirit
Cebu Pacific Air
Philippine Airlines

TOOLS YOU USE WITH YOUR BLOGGING

Blogger
Google Analytics
Laptop
Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
Canva
IFTTT

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR BLOG POSTS?

Hanna: I find inspiration mainly from observing anyone or anything around me. When I travel, I like observing people and places from a distance. I also get inspired by travelers who travels not for the purpose of ticking off their bucketlist, but those who are continuously finding themselves in every place they go to.

BESIDES BLOGGING, WHAT OTHER INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE?

Hanna: I love reading books. In fact, last year, I joined the Goodreads’ 2014 Reading Challenge with the goal of finishing 120 books. And I did it!

I also love crocheting. I take pride of my skills in making my own purses, cellphone pouches, and yoga slings out of my colorful yarn collection.

GIVE US 5 OF YOUR BEST BLOG POSTS

HOW WAS YOUR BLOGGING SO FAR? HAVE YOU RECEIVED AWARDS AND RECOGNITION SINCE YOU STARTED?

Hanna: I can say that it is going well. Blogging led me to lots of opportunities and with that I am really thankful.

I have not won any awards yet but I am truly honored for being recognized as one of the finalists for Best Cebu Photo &Travel Blog 2014 and as one of the top 5 finalists for Best Cebu Travel Blog 2015.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO JUST STARTED BLOGGING

Hanna: I have lots of advice but I guess I could simply sum it up to this quote I read somewhere,”Don’t get too caught up with the rules and certainly don’t try to copy someone else’s style. Just be you.”

LASTLY, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BLOG IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

Hanna: I guess in five years I’m already a well-traveled person and I’ve already achieved my blogging goals.

Hanna’s FAVORITES