In the early 2000s, the Philippines was dubbed the “text capital of the world” when Short Message Service (SMS)-enabled mobile phones became a primary communication tool in the country. At that time, it was the fastest and cheapest way of getting in touch with people around the nation, compared to email and landline. Filipinos did not only use their cellphones for important text message exchanges, they also sent quotes, graphics (using symbols and characters) and chain messages, creating a subculture then known as “Generation Txt”. In 2000, there were around four million cellphone users in the Philippines out of the 77+ million population. As the population continue to grow, so does the significant increase in mobile phone subscribers.
Now that cellphones have evolved into internet-enabled smart phones that make use of wifi and mobile data, more and more people gain access to social media and various online communication platforms. Currently, there are close to 28 million smart phone users in the Philippines—seven times more than the number of cellphone users in 2000. Recently, many have switched from text-messaging to online chatting as their primary form of communication.
With Filipinos being the most active “texters" during the advent of texting, it comes as no surprise that they are also the most engaged social media users in the world today. As the internet is made more accessible to the masses and prices of mobile devices come at low costs, more and more Filipinos are able to access social media, with Facebook being the most popular site.
In more recent times
On Facebook, Filipinos’ activities include sharing viral content, reading the news, posting status messages, videos and photos and selfies. In March of 2014, Makati was named the “Seflie Capital” of the world by TIME, ranking #1 in its list of “Selfiest Cities”.1
Apart from being active in sharing and posting, Filipinos also participate on Facebook by commenting, replying and reacting (now there are more options apart from just liking). Filipinos being sentimental as well as “chismosos/chismosas” (gossip-mongers) and holding a record for being the most avid mobile phone users in the world. It is no wonder that they are also the most engaged social media users.
A social platform is a social movement
This was highly evident in the months leading to the recent May 2016 elections when Filipinos took to Facebook to share news and articles about the presidential candidates and exercised their right to free speech by posting their thoughts and political views. Of course it is with this same right that they criticized and attacked one another on issues in which they do not see eye to eye.
This kind of communal affinity is what leads the active and reactive behavior seen across all social media platforms and on many different matters. Everyone has something to say and everybody feels the need to react. In some cases it could be a good thing, but not in others.
There are positive posts that can inspire and uplift spirits: people sharing a story about an honest taxi driver, pets being reunited with their owners, motivational quotes, tips and tricks on home improvement, and so many others. But there are also posts that elicit negativity and backlash from netizens: graphic posts about road accidents caused by irresponsible driving, people affected by heavy traffic in congested cities, senseless killings around the world, false news and unverified information, etc.
Apart from sharing, posting and reacting on social media, another reason Filipinos are highly engaged online is that many have established their businesses on different social media platforms. These online sellers have made Facebook and Instagram their virtual stores, posting images of their products and services, and getting in touch with their customers via instant messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, Viber and Whatsapp.
In a developing country such as the Philippines where putting up your own business and dealing with bureaucracy is not so easy, promoting your products and services and transacting online are the most cost-efficient way to succeed. Not only is it convenient for the person selling or offering services, it also saves the clients the trouble of going out of their homes to find what they need. It’s no wonder there is a plethora of entrepreneurs using social media for their businesses.
Social media has so many advantages and disadvantages, and Filipinos have been exposed to all these. With this kind of technology and information already made available to the Philippines, it is up to its people to use them to benefit the nation.
Source: http://time.com/selfies-cities-world-rankings