A hashtag and the changing Philippine Internet

Check out the hashtag #AlDubEBForLove, with more than 5 million tweets hours before the show even starts. With more Facebook users than Internet users, the Philippines has always been considered a Facebook nation. The rise of Twitter among Filipino netizens have been slow and steady, and largely unnoticed until now. Filipinos are unapologetic bandwagon-ers and it would be quite interesting how much Filipino Twitter numbers has changed just in the past two months of the #AlDub fever. For several weeks now, anything #AlDub has been the top trending topic worldwide. I am quite sure Twitter HQ is taking a look at this phenomenon, probably looking at how it can take even more advantage of the Filipino market.

I wonder how much Tito Sotto’s views of Filipino netizens has now changed, from the time when he was being pummeled on a daily basis online to the present when his show reigns Twitterverse on a daily basis. If the Anti-Cybercrime bill were up for deliberation before the Senate today, would Sotto have pushed as vigorously for the inclusion of online libel? Perhaps armed now with the knowledge of how the Internet can be a powerful tool for fostering community among Filipinos worldwide, he would insist that ICT-enabled crimes should not be subjected to penalties of a higher degree.

I am quite sure Filipino politicians, not just Sotto, are taking note of the #AlDub developments. Politicians are not starting to realize that Filipinos online can be quite a committed and formidable force. Imagine if these online hordes were on your side. Maybe improving Internet service will now be part of the de riguer talking points: “Vote for me, the candidate who believes in God, will work for the poor, and will make sure Internet service speeds in the Philippines improve!” On the other hand, imagine if this committed and formidable army trained its sights on keeping the politicians honest, ferreting out the empty election promises so these liars and cheats don’t get voted for anymore?

Filipinos took to texting with such glee, and we were quite proud for the fact that we were the texting capital of the world. Twitter is not that far-removed from the concept of SMS. Look who’s ruling Twitter now.