Survey Says Facebook Rules in the Philippines! Hooray!? or Boo!?

I don't know what to feel now that 24/7 Wall St concluded that the Philippines is the country to beat in terms of the dominance of Facebook in the online landscape, even topping the home of the social networking site itself: the U.S.  Today, there are 600 million Facebook members worldwide.

In the said report, the Philippines is joined by Israel, Turkey, Chile and Argentina as the top five nations where Facebook has whopping dominance of the online market.  Malaysia, Indonesia, Columbia, Peru and Venezuela round up the next five.
Here are the exact words from the article

1. Philippines
> Facebook: 93.9%
> Twitter: 16.1%
> LinkedIn: 1.9%
> Internet Use: 29.7%

Social network penetration is incredibly high in the Philippines, reaching 95%.  Facebook is the country’s most popular website, more so than Google, and has a penetration rate of 93.9%.  The Philippines is also the eighth most popular country for Twitter use on a global scale, with a penetration rate of 16.1%.  The popularity of photo sharing has increased by 46% in the country in one year, largely due to Facebook.  Social networking is so popular among Filipinos, the country has been nicknamed “The Social Networking Capital of the World.”

What does this mean? Here are some thoughts:

• TV commercials. TV being the dominant media in the country is one platform where the social networking site is massively promoted. Everywhere you see spread out like eagle's wings these commercials that carry the Facebook Fan pages of brands. You usually see these commercials at prime time where shows like telenovelas, koreanovelas, game shows, and more are being shown.  Hence, Facebook is being promoted free and Mark Zucherberg has a lot to thank the country's businessmen for having these ads without having to pay Philippine television networks a single cent.

• Filipinos are fond of "lists".  We are a curious race.  Last time, we are racing to set a record with the most number of circumcised teens in the world.  Then once upon a time, the Philippines was reportedly the third largest nation with the most number of English-speaking people, then the "Texting Capital of the World," and am not a bit surprised if we will again top this one. But yes we did! Another title? Yes, "The Social Networking Capital of the World." Did we ask for this? Definitely not, but it appears very natural for us Filipinos. Isn't it that the once glorious Friendster.com was the king of the internet landscape in the country here? And now that Facebook or FB is the king, we are quick to jump ship.  And it also looks like it is embedded in us to look for something that will make our country stand out among the rest. And even not economically perhaps, we can at least become the first to beat the U.S. and the G8.

• Cheap Internet Cafe Rates. For one peso, one can use the Internet and surf Facebook for as little as one minute! I am not kidding, this only happens in the Philippines. What can one do with one (1) minute? Just check notifications and generously spread "Likes," perhaps?  

• Consumption of time. Some would rather open Facebook and shout to the world that someone has completed the folding of 1,000 pieces of baby wipes in 10 seconds, mopped the lobby, post photos that charted the person's whole lifespan on earth, entered a mental hospital and shook hands with a parrot. These are considered more productive way of spending one's time than the more important things like devoting full eight hours to work, helping a son or daughter do assignments, and visiting charities and volunteering for causes.

• Narcissism. Sadly, could this also be telling us how much we love ourselves more than the others? There are already numerous studies about why social networking sites are growing more and more popular among children and adults, while some knows how to use the site for good, others don't. And others never will.

• And more.

Facebook is obviously here to stay. It will continue to grow or something new will emerge along the way. But what will be the same is that Filipinos will surely be among the first to appreciate these things before any nation in the world. We have proofs to back this up.

However, it is just my hope that somewhere along the way we would pick up the good over the bad: the use of technology wisely and intelligently not just for the self but for others.

Sitting and Dying (Softly)

Why sitting all day long is not good for your health? Take a look at this infographics below that I spotted at Mashable.com with the title, Just How Dangerous Is Sitting All Day?.

Via: Medical Billing And Coding

Filipino-English Diction: Do we know this Exist?

In a speech that BBC World News' anchor Rico Hizon delivered recently about our very own Filipino-English diction, he made valid points that should be pondered by many of us, Filipinos.

The Filipino tongue is unique, we must admit, and it was as if our race was singled out and blessed with this gift like no other people in the world. What could be God's reason? Is there a very significant purpose? 

Let's now read the analysis of Hizon, a true-blue Filipino, who explained why we should be proud of this unique quality, why we should protect and nurture this as well.

I am re-posting the speech here in full (of course with his permission) for the benefit of all.

Being Proud of our own Filipino-English Dictionby Rico Hizon
(Delivered during Toastmaster's International District 75 Annual Conference)

Every single day for the past 10 years on BBC World News, over 350 million people from all over the world wake up to the sound of my voice.

What I say can make or break their business. How I say it, however, will affect how they will react - whether to stay calm or panic.

DELIVERING THE NEWS
Delivery is key.

Apart from having complete, accurate and relevant information, the news must be read clearly to ensure that it is easily understood.

And for that, I am grateful for my education from the Philippines.

Tubong Maynila po ako! I was born, raised and educated here in Manila. Hindi po ako nag-aral sa Amerika o sa UK.

Hindi po ako nag Cambridge o Harvard.

I learned to speak well and clearly thanks to the patience of my parents, siblings and my teachers at La Salle Green Hills and De La Salle University.

My looks and my diction often leave people wondering about my nationality.

On many occasions, I've been asked if I'm a western-educated Chinese, Singaporean, Malaysian or even Indonesian.

They wonder because of my eyes, skin color, and the way I speak English.

I guess you can say its Pinoy super power.

We have the gift of languages. But what sets us apart is how, with any language we use, we are able to speak it clearly.


PAN-ASIAN DICTION
The Filipino diction is - clear, simple, neutral, easy to understand.

The Filipino enunciates clearly, pronounces every syllable in a pleasant --- even --- and non-threatening tone modulated for every ear to capture its essence….

And when we speak English, for instance, it is neither American nor British English.

It is a Pan-Asian diction. It does not pretend to sound western but both Asians and non-Asians can easily comprehend what is being said.

There are a variety of accents speaking the English language and there is no need for the Filipino to imitate … the American, British or whatever accent just to say its proper English.

We have our very own, and that is what makes us a cut above the rest.

And that's why I am where I am.  It's because of the Filipino English diction.

People often mistake the American accent for good diction.  And yet, there is no real American accent because there is the Southern drawl, the Texas twang, and a host of so many others ….

It is too, difficult to keep track….

But that's beside the point.

Someone pointed out, we are Filipinos. We don't have to speak good English.

But don't you think it's amazing that we do, despite the fact that we're not?  (Think about it)


EDUCATION
During my time, English was the medium of instruction.

When I graduated Grade School in 1980, High School in 1984 and University in 1988, majority of students could carry a very decent English conversation, because during my generation we had very good teachers who encouraged us to speak the language fluently.

We either spoke in  English or we spoke in Tagalog.

Mixing them up into Taglish was unacceptable.

Even earlier, during my parents' and grandparents' time, the country had citizens that were very good in English regardless of their educational attainment because English was widely and strictly used.


But today when I look around me and speak with the youth, I think we are dwindling race. English as a second language of Filipinos is fast deteriorating.

In fact, it has become a third language after Filipino and the more widely spoken Taglish. Not many can speak at least two or three sentences of straight English.

Worse, the diction is twisted to favor a twang often taken as a sign of being sosyal or wealthy.

And believe me, nothing could be further from the truth.


MEDIA
The media has played a major role in the inability of many Filipinos to speak English well.

TV programs these days are all in Taglish.

Even the news is no exception.

What do we do? How do we stop the spread of "Here na me, where na you?" and "Yes, op kors, dats rayt"

And it also does not help, that when people text or sms, the language and the writing is inappropriate.

And thus their inability to learn correct spelling, impacting their ability to communicate clearly and correctly - whether it be in English or Tagalog.
The key lies in recognizing that proficiency in communicating in English is indispensable.

Speaking in English is not unpatriotic.

We are not less Filipinos for mastering another language.
We are only making good use of our gift for languages to forge ahead.

English should be the medium of instruction in schools.

Spoken in the presence of trained teachers, children will learn to speak fluently and clearly, because when we master one language, whether it be English or Tagalog, we prepare our youth to challenge themselves to stretch and excel in their language skills, and basically, setting the foundation from an educational perspective.

There should be more English television programs such as documentaries and talk shows on commercial/terrestrial television with at least one dedicated English newscast.

Such shows these days are all on cable channels and are beyond the reach of the less privileged.

It is also equally important that we Filipinos read English text more often. Doing so further improves the grasp of the language.

Nowadays less Filipinos read and enrich the mind through books, editorials or websites.

And because of this, poor reading skills translate into poor writing and poor diction.

Indeed, sometimes the answer truly lies in reading between the lines, as well as from cover to cover.


GLOBALIZATION
In this age of globalization, it is inevitable that the Filipino will interact with peers and colleagues in the international community.

We can rightfully expect to hear even more accents, even more variations of the English language.

As such, this should spur our youth to even greater heights, to cement our place in the international scene as the most skilled, in communicating in the English language.

You have to give it to the Pinoy, we are still the best English speakers on this side of the planet.
So I believe, it is time to stand up, stand out, speak proudly as a Filipino and be heard across the globe loud and clear.

I know I did!

Live from the Toastmasters International Conference this is Rico Hizon reporting. Proud to be Filipino! Proud of our Filipino Diction! Mabuhay ang Pinoy! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!