How to join IGDA?
How do I join IGDA Manila? I mean I want to join your meetings and such but I'm not yet working in the industry (still trying to get in). I want to contribute and make connections while my application is not yet entertained. And I don't currently have a job so I might as well do something other than studying.
So how do I know if I'm already an IGDA member? Are there formalities or something?
No formalities, your presence here is more than enough.
No formalities, your presence here and a tub of ice cream at the next meet is more than enough.
Well the ice cream would certainly help, but isn't a necessity. I prefer Pizza myself.
Technically, you need to be a registered member of the IGDA forum to be an IGDA member - but you already are, so cheers.
Even more technical still, you need to be a PAID registered member of the IGDA forum to be a full IGDA member - that means you get a membership number, membership card, discounts on conferences and books and events, etc.
But because of the migration to the new IGDA site, people from the Philippines are having trouble signing up as full IGDA members - so your membership in this forum is good for now.
Welcome to IGDA Manila 
Welcome Pennylane Goodman (nice online handle)
I am actually wondering how you were able to start topics even though you're a free member. I hope you can tell the others how you did that because as far as I know, IGDA has currently set the forums to only paid members can start topics.
I didn't do anything. I've been a member of this forum since way 2005. I think it was still free. Then the site was in hibernation for a while. Then it's active again when I checked lately. Tried to login. My account still works.
Is that weird? Or am I just lucky?
I'd guess lucky. I think if you'd had logged in earlier you'd have your account recreated with the same settings as the rest of us restored accounts do, which don't automatically have topic creation privileges.
Hi pennylane, you can check the igda manila website or join the facebook group for updates on our monthly meets.
Otherwise you can post in the forums (are you a paid member btw, because so far only paid members can post, something we've been trying to fix) and get feedback from people, as I see you're already doing.