Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Facebook, Twitter and the 2010 Presidential Candidates


Thank God for social networking sites. I don't have to watch TV or read newspapers just to be updated with related news and activities of the candidates. All I need to do is to "become a fan" and I'll get the latest updates of these guys.

That is why I'm a fan of them all - except those who do not have groups.

The following are Facebook groups that have very strong activity. Believe me that their page is updated almost 24 hours. Please take note that some of these pages were created by supporters and not sanctioned of official candidates. Click on the names to be directed to their Facebook pages.

Jamby Madrigal

Somebody should step up to the plate for Jamby Madrigal. Her fan page does not contain any information except for the latest updates. She only has 317 fans as of this writing and she only had 2 twitter posts. The first post was on January 6 (I'm on twitter now… Happy New Year) and her 2nd post was January 19 which is just a reTweet (RT @inquirerdotnet: Plunder raps set vs Villar at Ombudsman http://bit.ly/4P7kLp)

JC De Los Reyes

NONE - Their website is under maintenance for some reason. Please post on comments if you find something.

Richard Gordon

Gordon now has 5K supporters as of this writing. I don't know if this is a verified account on Twitter but it has a very vigorous activity as it has at least three posts in one day. I think someone is doing it for him which is a good thing. Wall posts on Facebook are constantly updated by people supporting him.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva

It's no secret that Bro. Eddie's supporters are some of the biggest users of social networking sites. Since they can't spend billions in advertising, they just use the internet to spread the message. As of this writing, he already has more than 16k supporters. His twitter page is a lot more active as it has constant updates on the news related to the candidate.

Erap Estrada

The former president has more than 4k fans in his Facebook page and the twitter account posted on the info has 594 followers. But even with the small number of supporters, the posts are all pledges of support. The activities are not as vigorous compared to previous candidates discussed.

Gibo Teodoro

We're entering the hot seat now…starting with Gibo Teodoro. Updates on the wall posted by supporters are coming fast. Almost every minute you'll see posts on the wall saying the full support to the candidate. As of this writing, he has more than 53,000 fans. His twitter post is relatively active but it's done by his supporters which reTweets some information and posts some links to latest news.

Noynoy Aquino

Noynoy already has 410,000 fans - and that's a lot. My favorite show (The IT Crowd) only has 190,000 fans and that's worldwide. The posts on the wall are even crazier compared to Mr. Teodoro. His official twitter account though needs some serious work. His last official Tweet? January 1st. Get someone to post some statements Mr. Aquino and fast.

Manny Villar

Manny Villar has the most advertisements not only in television but also online. I've seen his Google ad links many times today and his Facebook ad could have stayed there if I said didn't say no more. He already has 350,000 fans and like the most of candidates, continues to increase. My only beef to their Facebook page is that no one can post in the wall. Everyone can just comment. C'mon, we need to place something there that's original. His Twitter is not as vigorous but constantly updated.

Note: the two new candidates (Perlas and Acosta) will have detailed posts later.

9 comments:

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

and Bro.Eddie's fan page is going to 17k already!

Pinoy Politiko said...

wow. that's fast - and to think I wrote the article just last night :)

Rltr. John R. Petalcorin said...

How About Social Networking like Facebook?

The number of members in Facebook groups and fansclubs is not a measurement of popularity because many join a group just to "bulabog" and "hakot away" the members. You can check out the discussion groups, hindi lahat loyal sa fansclub.

Nevertheless, Facebook is a more effective medium of struggle for sympathizers. The more the membership of a particular group or fansclub, the more effective ang lawak ng "reach" ng mga hirit. Pag sumigaw o humirit ka sa rally, hindi hihigit sa 50 ka tao ang makakarinig sayo -- panay mga kandidato lang ang nagsasalita sa entablado. Pero sa Discussion ng Facebook, mahigit 200,000 kayang marating ng boses ng mga hirit mo.

Tingnan nyo rin ang mga Discussions sa mga groups, fansclub, and profiles ng mga candidato at ng mga political party nila. Diyan ka makaka-basa ng magagandang voting points at mudslinging. Of course marami ding mga walang kwentang mga hirit ng mga supporters at mge kontrabidas. (Excerpt at http://petalcorin.blogspot.com/2009/12/voting-guide.html)

Pinoy Politiko said...

@john - you're right :) Facebook has become a platform that will allow anyone to say something.

I think the number of people signing up as fans is an indication of interest. We can't say 100% are supporters but least 100% wants to know more about the candidate.

Ramon Guico said...

Yeah! nowadays candidates use the social networks for their campaign. Anyway, I enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing.


-pia-

Pinoy Politiko said...

thanks for the comments pia. I have already made a review on Ramon Guico's website - check it out:)

PilipinoPoAko said...

HOW, REALLY, DID MANUEL BAMBA VILLAR, JR. GET TO BE RICH? It may bear and serve the Filipino nation well to investigate and know that Manny Villar may actually have broken through Tondo-ragged accountancy to billionaire-rich presidentiable by allowing himself to be used as a foreign investor’s dummy in the Philippine real estate business. You see, the conduct of real estate business in the Philippines is made exclusive by law to Filipino citizens, necessarily because it involves business affairs affecting matters of territory, patrimony, and national security. Wasn’t that a debonair American who was smilingly visible every day at the offices of Crown Asia, Inc., way back before the Villars became politically ambitious? Unfortunately, sighting an American presence at Crown Asia, Inc. deteriorates to zero visibility in hot election weather, especially nowadays! As Manny Villar embarked on a political career, it naturally became strategically imperative to avoid flaks of damaging controversy about being economically beholden to foreign influence, especially from nationalist camps of the likes of then Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. who was instrumental in passing the general law limiting the conduct of real estate business in the Philippines only to Filipinos. In fact, the last times the bespactacled, middle-aged happy American investor (silent or express?) of Crown Asia, Inc. was regularly observed at the 18th Floor of Cityland Herrera Tower was from 1997 to 1999. Most of us do have "humble," sometimes "rotten," beginnings; yet being transparent about such beginnings can do more good than harm. Perhaps good Senator Manuel Villar may want to comment on this at this time?

Pinoy Politiko said...

@pilipinoako...yeah. the story is too good to be true. But what can we do? we can hound them for the truth but they will always say a different story. That is why we just have to be discerning to choose the right candidate.