The History of Philippine Internet

Earlier this afternoon, I perused a copy of the Philippine Internet Review: 10 years of internet in the Philippines (1994–2004) (thank you for the complimentary copy, Janette!). I haven’t finished up with the whole thing, but the writeups by Janette, Migs, and Danny (and as well the other writers) were all very enlightning, so far. However, one thing prevailed in my mind while reading: Where was I during all this?

I have always considered myself to be at the forefront of technology — or at least I try to keep abreast of whatever’s new and whatever’s happening. Back during the heyday of the BBS, I was quite active in the community (I even operated my own BBS and started a Fidonet-based network). When the Web as we know it was young, I also tried to get in the scene, being active in forums, message groups, and trying to learn Web markup.

Of course, I didn’t get anywhere near what those featured in the book had accomplished. And somehow, I think I never will, simply because I’d rather not be in the middle of things — I’d rather work behind the scenes, or even observe from the outside, looking at things from that excellent vantage point. Better perspectives? Probably.

In the online world and the Internet-related industries, I believe there are influential and accomplished people who are, and will be, prominently featured as movers and shakers. And my hat’s off to them. However, things tend to happen simultaneously, and there are also important things that happen in the background, behind the limelight, and on the sidelines.

I’d rather not forget the contributions of everyone else, though. In this world in which everything is connected, everyone has a part to play after all. We’re one big community of creators (and consumers). That’s probably a better definition of “World Wide Web.”

I know some people who truly are movers and shakers, but would rather not be named, and would rather remain in the sidelines, content that the work they begin meets success at the hands of others. They’re still truly the ones at the helm of everything, though.

It’s like being a covert operative connected to a group of other similar people within a super-secret organization — trying to shape world affairs without being noticed.

And in a way, I feel that I’m doing the same, in my own small ways. But then again, the smallest of snowflakes can start an avalanche.

So here’s to ten — or rather, twelve — years of the Philippine Internet!