Politics and Web 2.0

Hi all,

First, let me say that it’s great to have settled down again after an amazing honeymoon experience in Japan. As soon as I got back to the country though, a lot of my friends wanted to know if it was really me and Korina who were ‘tweeting.’ Let’s just say that I found the question amusing.  Just so everyone knows, I’ve been using Twitter since late last year; Facebook, for over two years now (although these days I prefer looking at the comments in my fan page rather than my personal account). I’d also like to call myself a blogger but I don’t think the number of articles I’ve written will justify the title, haha.  Hanggang ngayon parang newbie pa rin : )

At first, I thought that these social networks were just for getting in touch with my contacts online, sort of like e-mail only more social. Later, I was pleasantly surprised to find many of my schoolmates from high school and college adding me up as friends. People from work and even constituents from all over the country started sending me messages. Medyo na-overwhelm ako.

I particularly like it that Facebook has a fan page that doesn’t limit the number of contacts I can have.

Reading messages came by the hundreds on some days. I’d add people up only to find out that I was limited to just 5000 friends. Now that I’ve gotten a hang of it though, I’ve limited myself to occasionally reading and answering messages, posting photos, and tweeting when time permits. I particularly like it that Facebook has a fan page that doesn’t limit the number of contacts I can have. My good friend Noynoy now has over 100,000 fans supporting and listening to him.  Sobrang impressive ang pag-dami ng supporters! I am very proud that the internet population is doing its share in bringing about change to the country.

For the record, let me state that these are amazing tools for a country like the Philippines, a country so divided by geographical boundaries that it’s almost impossible to tell what’s going on without news coverage by national TV networks and newspapers. These physical limitations are now so easily beaten by two-sentence tweets or status updates. Nakakamangha.

Who would’ve thought that something that allows for so much transparency in government could be so easy and fun to use at the same time?

Some say that these social networks belong to the younger generation and that us politicians should stay out of it. Sa palagay ko, hindi e. It’s an interesting experience, to say the least, both for the politician and his constituents. What better way for us to hear what people have to say than having comments appear real-time in a medium which everyone treats as their online identity? I remember when Congress attempted to railroad cha-cha with HR1109, the web exploded with so much negativity that one can’t help but be impressed with the online reaction. When the $50,000 dinners were held in the states, the net once again erupted in anger. When the flooding occurred in the metropolis, I remember reading dozens of contact details spreading virally because of both celebrity and non-celebrity tweets.  It’s no secret that the the relief effort after the typhoons was largely a product of “bayanihan 2.0” – a combination of web and Filipino culture. Ang galing talaga!

I’d go even as far as saying that it might be a good idea for all our officials to have Facebook and Twitter. For one thing it would make them more accessible to those who’re interested in reaching them. For now, just for myself, having both Facebook and Twitter accounts, reading about what people say about current events, and tweeting every now and then about my own public, personal, and even married, life seems like a good way to start. Who would’ve thought that something that allows for so much transparency in government could be so easy and fun to use at the same time? Until my next update, feel free to let me know what you think about politicians and the internet in the comments below. Thanks!

M.