Friendster, an unlikely internet election campaign arena

Posted Wednesday, February 14th, 2007 1:06 am by Abe Olandres
Viewed 3910 times | Related entries: Tech News, The Internet

It didn’t really crossed my mind, but a recent story from GMA News mentioned the use of Friendster as one of the internet marketing tools used by senatorial candidates Chiz Escudero and Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes IV. (Just look at how cheesy Chiz’s Friester account is!)

But actually it made sense. Friendster is probably the most widely visited site by Filipinos with over 5 Million users (that’s way back in January 2006). It’s a social website and since the election is all about socializing with the electorate, the candidates are right smack in the middle of millions of potential voters. In exchange for candidates knocking on your door and shaking hands with you, you get a Friendster invite instead.

Now you can say you’re friends with a senator. *heh* If Chiz’s total number of friends is any indication of the number of votes he’ll get thru internet campaign, then he’s already counting 311.


Related Entries:


19 Responses to “Friendster, an unlikely internet election campaign arena”


  1. Could Friendster win you an election? » @ YugaTech | Philippine Technology News & Reviews » February 14th, 2007 01:18
    1

    [...] That’s what senatorial candidate Chiz Escudero is trying to find out. Check out my short entry on PTB: Friendster, an unlikely internet election campaign arena. [...]

  2. Ituloy angsulong SEOPh » Recipes for a better SEO » |ituloy angsulong| » Political Friendster » February 14th, 2007 03:16
    2

    [...] Having read Kuya Abe’s post: Could Friendster win you an election? and Friendster, an unlikely internet election campaign arena [...]

  3. Alex » February 14th, 2007 08:57
    3

    Hey, there’s a steadily growing number of elections related posts. Here’s my take on the topic: Pinoy “citizen journalism,” politics, and campaign period.

  4. Dana » February 14th, 2007 11:11
    4

    Actually, it makes no sense at all. Being Friendster “friends” with a politician is just as meaningless as most online “friends”. What is the value of a Friendster “relationship” unless it translates to something in the real world? (aha, baka pwede siya mamigay ng sako ng bigas sa mga magfe-friend sa kanya… w00hooo!)

  5. baddie » February 14th, 2007 11:39
    5

    I wonder if Chiz would be willing to give me a testimonial.

  6. Miguel » February 14th, 2007 11:56
    6

    “Interested in: Friends”

    ha! “interested in voters” yeah!

  7. migs » February 14th, 2007 14:12
    7

    Just re-posting this comment i made on yugatech
    ===========
    did you know that there is a site called POLITICAL FRIENDSTER?

    And i’m sure matatawa kayo… lalo na pag nakita nyo kung sino-sino ang mgakaka-friends.. hahahha

    i blogged it here: http://migs.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/politicians-using-friendster/

  8. the jester-in-exile » February 14th, 2007 20:01
    8

    i’d say it’s a reflection of how cyberspace is the new hyde park.

  9. David » February 15th, 2007 09:28
    9

    it would be better if they just make sites that would accept contribution and tell volunteers where to go to help

  10. philip » February 15th, 2007 15:20
    10

    mas gusto ko silang makitang mag-blog. para makapag comment din ako sa kanila.

  11. karla » February 16th, 2007 11:14
    11

    How about Wikipedia? hehehe :D
    Read it in Inquirer that some are using Wikipedia.

  12. teods hierro » February 18th, 2007 23:34
    12

    yup. may wikipedia na sya. and a website too. ung target nya kasi is the youth. pero people on friendster are potential votes too. but parang corny naman yung pag gawa ng friendster account. and if may blog naman sya, hope this will continue even after the election.

  13. mich » February 22nd, 2007 14:11
    13

    I will definitely vote for Chiz Escudero!

  14. @play » Internet’s impact on elections: the US experience » February 26th, 2007 03:55
    14

    [...] bloggers have also been talking about the possible impact of online tools. Here’s Abe Olandres’ entry, which references a GMANews.tv [...]

  15. Leoneil » March 8th, 2007 18:00
    15

    I don’t think it’s really Chiz who manages his own account. If he sends me a birthday greeting, I might believe =)

    There are other ways of campaigning online. I blogged it here:
    http://www.maranan.us/archives/bringing-campaigns-online/

  16. Online Guide to Election 2007 « » March 19th, 2007 11:10
    16

    [...] you, you get a Friendster invite instead. Now you can say you’re friends with a senator”. pinoytechblog.com: Friendster, an unlikely internet election campaign [...]

  17. jap » April 6th, 2007 05:21
    17

    hahaha…alam ko yan…sa bayan ko sa quezon ininvite nya muna lahat ng nagfrefriendster na taga amin..mga 6 months bago mag election…lagi muna siyang nagpopost ng mga bible quotes,inspirational. bla bla..tapos pic nya sa simbahan………tapos ngayon election na naging vote for me yung dating pa wise wise words ya..hahaha

  18. ultradust » March 21st, 2008 12:35
    18

    Hi. You’re invited to attend the 14 hour internet marketing hands on workshop at the Mall of Asia on March 28-29,2008.
    Details at http://internetmarketingphilippines.blogspot.com.
    -Marie for Jomar Hilario

  19. one way links » September 28th, 2008 22:56
    19

    one way links…

    Cause- related marketing is finally coming into its own. What began in 1983 with the American Express campaign to restore the Statue of Liberty, has evolved into countless programs and parterships today. This one from Xerox- Let\’s Say Thanks- is a g…


Add your comments





Search PTB


Enter your email address:

Adverts


Send money to over 180 countries with EPAY debit card.

Technology & Computers - Top Blogs Philippines

Meta