Youtube Philippines: Why It's Good For The World
Posted by
Alain Yap on Tue, Oct 18, 2011 @ 01:51 AM
In this part of the supposedly conservative world is a hidden gem of people, known mostly for leaving families behind to work overseas for menial jobs locals proudly shy away from. But if Youtube and social media are to be used as gauge, then it doesn't take a webbie to realize that Filipinos have much value to offer and that the world can learn a thing or two.
Maligned is an understatement when used to describe Filipinos or the Philippines as a nation. It is a sad fact that the once proud Asian country post-WWII has consistently been plagued by poverty often attributed to the corrupt system of government that continues to pull the country deeper. What this does is drive more Filipinos to seek solace and work abroad, leaving behind own kids to care for princes and kids of wealthier families. But of course, there exists deeper reasons but best left for society to examine.
Maybe, just maybe, it is the same distance between families that is a huge factor in why the country is considered a top social networking country. Known for being close-knit, the web continues to bring Filipino familites together, pretty much taking over from the more expensive phone services. Yet, the geographical divide among families isn't just what current internet technology partially solves. A far greater divide such as that between the rich and the poor to a certain degree is also being breached.
Information is fodder for knowledge and that alone is something that separates the have's and have-not's and it is no different in the Philippines. Yet, if there is one thing that money simply can't buy and that the web has amplified, then it's got to be that raw creative talent - a rare sort of great equalizer. Strangely, Filipinos sure have that aplenty.
Freed from oppressive publishing media, Filipinos, mostly with nothing more but an emotional drive, took to the web like fireflies to the light. Using various social networks, it wasn't enough for Filipinos to just communicate - which they already can do via SMS but more so, flock to the web to express themselves. It didn't matter if the world was an audience of one or just the family members. Filipinos were born to entertain.
When Youtube decided to launch the first Asian affiliate in the Philippines last week, I bet the rest of the world couldn't care less. Afterall, the video sharing site has consistently been at the top of the web's most visited by hosting content shared by it's members cum audience and having one branded for Filipinos would make no difference, right? Except for Filipinos, themselves?
Come to think of it, Filipino artists were among the first ones to cross over and achieve mainstream recognition via a submitted video of their performances on Youtube. This has happened not only once given the success of Charice and Arnel Pineda, and of course, expect more coming on their heels. What was initially meant as a platform for appreciation has slowly been transformed to a channel for the world to discover future stars. Somehow, Filipinos have contributed a lot to this phenomenon that we expect other nationalities to also shine via this simple and humble process.
On a deeper level, Youtube along with other social networks continue to connect Filipinos with their own cultural heritage and I mean not to the usual stereotype the world has come to treat the nation - that there are a lot of things to be proud of besides being overseas workers. From sporting icon, Manny Pacquiao to mixed-race artists like Bruno Mars, Filipinos around the world can hold their head high. As a race, Filipinos were never inferior.
Yet, as much as we value celebrity status, we can't help but wonder what social means for Filipinos that the world can truly learn from. Yes, all the world is a stage but as a group maybe there's an activity worth a closer look about harnessing the power of coming together. Which immediately brings to mind the EDSA revolution of 1986. Something unheard of at that time but has become more of the norm in shifting the balance of power in every part of the world. It continues in the Arab Spring of the Mideast and is likely coming to every key Western city with Occupy Wall Street protests dealing with financial crisis.
What EDSA was really, began as an expression - a collective release against perceived abuses. It wasn't meant to grab power from authorities. People came en masse to show support and stand firm for those beliefs. It reinforced the belief that even one person can make a difference. And from it came, even fleetingly, a true feeling of oneness.
And if social networks can translate their newfound influence to something this meaningful, not just ads, then it won't be a surprise if Filipinos will be the first to discover it's value. For it is not just about social media but more of social responsibility for which Filipinos have coined a better term.
People Power.
