Blogging
Why Filipinos Want to Take Over the Blogosphere
People are asking Abe Olandres why the Filipino takeover of the blogosphere is such a big frickin’ deal here in the Philippines.
I explained that our generation (i.e. Filipinos) have become known around the globe as any of of these types of people — domestic helper, nurses, sea men, care-giver, or call center agents. In short, we’re looked down by most as cheap 3rd-world laborers. I have aunts that are working as nurses in the US for decades, uncles & cousins on a cargo ship at sea, relatives who are domestic helpers (OFW is the proper term) in Singapore & HK, older cousins who graduated as nurses but ended up as care-givers in UK and even more younger cousins who are now waiting for their Nursing Boars exam results. So, a fellow Filipino taking over a top position in a pre-dominantly western niche is real news.
Having worked with the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council during the Estrada administration, I can see where Abe’s coming from here. Too much of the IT trade promotion work done at the dawn of the 21st century focused on turning Filipinos into anonymous low-level BPO drones powered by Starbucks and shallowness. The big hoopla over Filipinos’ success in the blogosphere is fueled in part by our own rebellion against that Faustian bargain.
Edelman: Asians Read Blogs More Than Americans
Edelman just released its fourth whitepaper on blogging (PDF). The study confirms something I’ve suspected for almost a year now: Asians read blogs more than Americans do. Steve Rubel notes:
One of the biggest takeaways is that blog readership is far higher in Asia than it is in the US. Some 74% of Japanese read blogs, followed by 43% in South Korea and 39% in China. In the US, it’s about 27% and its even less in Europe.
Another key point: the mainstream media is getting more and more stories from blogs. The Derivative Myth has not only been debunked, it’s been reversed.
The study also shows influencers read blogs. That means if you’re reading this, you’re probably an influencer. Go you.
P.S.: Thanks to Philippine Edelman affiliate Eon for helping ArtFarm Asia’s Mina Caliguia. Eon’s Robert de Quelen coordinated swift action in response to Mina’s blog comment, via BlackBerry from Paris over the Holidays. Now that’s responding to the blogosphere.
