Top 5 Most Popular Social Networks for Filipinos

People are, by definition, social creatures. Filipinos, however, go a step beyond. It's rare for Filipinos to lose touch with long-time friends, geographical distance, being the only factor to be considered here. With the internet, however, finding long-lost friends in this big world of ours has become simpler, more meaningful and fun.

Most Filipinos who are using at least *one* social network finds that, the new line for communication does NOT actually replace the actual friendships they have, but it complements it. Here's a list of the top 5 most popular social networks for Filipinos.


24Ever - A new-comer, and a still-growing network, with its barkada-centric (circle of friends) design captures the "one-up" spirit of the Filipino. People join 24Ever in groups, and are most likely there to prove that THEIR group of friends have the best fun, best activities, best members ... just the BEST. With its bright, colorful design, it captures the playfulness of groups that join it. It also helps that there's a prize incentive for the group of friends who are deemed "most active uploaders."


Plurk - It's supposed to be a microblogging site, right? But since its initial launch just this June, the microblogging site has exploded into avenues for instant-output of ideas. The social network features are there if you look hard enough: it has a "friends" feature, privacy settings, a "clique" feature and group discussion. Isn't that what social networks are made of? Plus, the karma unlocks are an addictive virtual incentive that will leave you watching your timeline for HOURS.


Facebook - Back in 2006, Facebook membership was exclusive per invite, and it was supposed to be for students in campuses to get in touch with each other. The open platform for application development has spawned several addictive apps that are both fun AND social. If you've never gotten a poke from that highschool crush, or played pirates with your kapitbahay (neighbor), then you're probably not getting the appeal.


Multiply - If social photos are your thing, then Multiply is a little bit friendlier than, say, Flickr? Just the right site to show off those new baby photos for your relatives who are far away. Most Filipino users are finding that setting up online stores THEMSELVES make it easier for them to monitize on their hobbies, and they get to meet new people too!


Friendster - The one that started it all. (In the Philippines, anyway.) Back in 2003, the creators of Friendster noticed surges in traffic in the hours between 3 AM --- which, converted to GMT +8 time, was equivalent to noontime in several South East Asia countries, most specifically the Philippines. It was a big deal --- and it still is now, as some of the people who have gathered hundreds and hundreds of friends in Friendster since it was introduced are still reluctant to leave their groups behind.

Tired, But Happy

Well, for the week, I've attended 3 Christmas parties, and it's not looking like it's going to stop any time soon.

Of the times that I'm not bolted to my chair in front of the computer, I'm standing on a carefully-balanced chair, putting up decorations, or drunk, or playing "I'm a staff member, so I can't have any fun AT ALL!" Which is all for work, of course.

My Buxfer's screaming over-budget over the email. My to-do list on Google Maps seems like some quest in an RPG --- "go here, go back, then go there ... oh yeah, remember to come back."

I may not be the only one --- and I promise, a blog entry will be out hopefully before the "big" holiday days. Which is, without speaking, taking a grand toll on my personal life. I may have been saying less in conversations and talking more online, of replying to plurks, of walls in Facebook, or notes for my 24Ever barkada.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one, and I'm not even sure if my friends are getting this, but I'm starting to wear out ... and I'm afraid I'm liking it. :p

Things To Do On The Filipino Internet

As much as browsers, HTML, javascript and flash have changed the surface of the internet, the basic premise stays the same: open a website TO DO something. There are Filipino sites that help you DO several things --- here’s a list of them.

• Check out the latest news – As much as the future has been depicted to be paperless, we still churn out newspapers; but what if newspapers aren’t available at all? Like for relatives abroad who want to keep up with the latest news --- that’s what online news sites are for. No wonder two of the biggest Filipino news sites are from the papers themselves --- Inquirer.net and Philstar.com.

• Talk junk – Gossip is a Filipino pastime. Back in the day, when communication was scarce, newspapers and television were the only sources of information about the stars. Now we could IM the URL from sites like PEP and PinoyParazzi to the kumares.

• Find something to do in a mall – Going to the mall is no easy feat --- when there’s something specific that you’re looking for, like a restaurant, or movie schedule; a pre-planned trip to the mall nowadays is more … methodical. That’s what ClickTheCity is for --- providing a well-compiled directory of establishments, movie schedules among different malls and reviews and opinions, both by the site itself, and the big following that the site caters to.

• Be healthy – Every country has the right to be healthy. Every country too, deserves one-click information on doctors and establishments who will be able to take care of them, should an emergency arise. RxPinoy carries a philosophy of getting Filipinos informed about illness, while over40andfighting informs the youth, the generation who surf the internet, about what ails their parents. Both of these sites have directories of emergency numbers and physicians who might be right for the job.

• Play online games - Gaming, as an industry, has grown exponentially over the last decade, and Filipinos aren’t too far behind --- we have Level Up Games, e-games and Typhoon Games to look for when there’s a need for a digital gaming fix. Competing head-to-head to acquire the rights for the latest and greatest online games, these companies are also bringing Filipino youth forming community values.

• Organize a group of friends – Community, family and friendship are part of a Filipino’s intrinsic set of values. They look out for each other, and would do anything to help a fellow countryman, wherever he may be. This is when you need to balance communication, fun and organization. That’s where 24Ever steps in --- rather than focus on your own social network identity, you are showcasing to the world your important group of friends.

Did this cover all the cool things you could do on the Filipino internet? Do you think I missed some cool Filipino sites? Let me know by leaving a comment.