Too Much

Written on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 2:54 pm | by Rom

I have great respect for the people who write on this collective, and so it was with some trepidation that I set out to write this post. But still, freedom of expression and all that…

In Worst Case Scenario, Benj wrote:

With Bloggers’ Kapihan’s bold plan to launch blogs authored by Jun Lozada (yeah, remember him?!) and Ed Panlilio, the blogging community could be headed to a position that places is dead center in the cross hairs of the Arroyo government’s sights. Lozada was one of the most talked about personalities until recently due to his statements regarding the ZTE deal. He has been muffled in recent weeks because of high fuel prices and a looming food crisis that have dominated the headlines, effectively rendering people much less interested about a shady under-the-table deal with a Chinese firm.

First off, what’s so bold about a blog by Jun Lozada and Ed Panlilio? It’s the new millenium. A blog is like a radio talk show. Anyone with higher political aspirations gets one, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gonna be a humdinger.

Second, Lozada isn’t being talked about because he’s pretty much run out of anything new to say. The whole topic has been talked to death, hasn’t it? Not even the pictures of the Prez in Shenzen were able to resurrect that dead horse. This isn’t to say that the issue is no longer relevant. Of course it still is; it’s just not interesting to the general public anymore, and so the media - ever the slave to the issue du jour - has moved on. So, why should a blog wrest the headlines back to Lozada?

The current administration has been very particular regarding keeping unnecessary information out of the press’ and public’s hands. Blogging has always been a viable platform that enables people to broadcast their message to an almost infinite audience but for some reason, those who have been muffled and disenfranchised in the past have chosen to just keep what they know to themselves. You can blame the technological divide and the generational gap, but you just know that these people who have been told to shut are probably just dying to get their side of the story. Opening the path to blogging to people like Lozada and Panlilio seems to be a double-edged sword.

Please. Blogs in the philippines - especially political blogs - rarely ever contain actual information not available in mainstream media. Blogs in the Philippines contain opinions and analysis. Sometimes, the opinions and analysis are truly worth their weight in gold (whoa! how do you weigh words in grams?), but alot of times, the opinions are just cobbled together from the opinions of other like minded individuals; and the analyses are uninformed musings of the lay mind that was given access to some colorful graphs or filled with tons of unsusbtantiated reports, rumors, and wild accusations.

Take Mon Casiple for instance. Mon Casiple has more political acumen in his little finger than Jun Lozada or Ed Panlilio combined. And yet, the admin doesn’t take him seriously enough to shut him down or shut him up. Because whatever he says, it’s just an opinion and he can’t sway the millions who don’t even know what a blog is. SUre it can be argued that Panlilio and Lozada are about a hundred times more famous than Casiple, but, at the end of the day, they still have to contend with the fact that even a blog will not reach the number of people they need to reach in order to make a dent in the way things are.

And even if we were to consider only appeal among fellow bloggers, Lozada and Panlilio will still have to measure up to a certain standard of interesting-ness in order to sustain the initial popularity. Lozada is like Brian Gorrel. He will probably be all spit-fire and confessions in the beginning, but after he runs out of things to say, he’ll start repeating himself and branching out into other areas of discussion where he will pretend to be a significant contributor of ideas. But he won’t be, and sooner or later, people will realize that. Just like they’re realizing that Brian Gorrel isn’t all that.

Panlilio, on the other hand, really rose to power simply on his charisma and what he represented: a new and untainted leader. Has anyone ever really heard anything new from Panlilio, other than the repeated claims of his new-ness. We get it. He’s not a traditional politician. But what else is he bringing to the table. Having a blog doesn’t really matter much in the grand scheme of things.

For one thing, blogs are not as commonly accessible as many bloggers think. Oh we have our circles that adore us and tirelessly comment on our blogs, but beyond those people, bloggers don’t really have a steady audience. SO, what kind of impact is to be expected from a Lozada blog? That’s the trouble with closed communities or organizations; it is so easy to imagine that an impact is being made because basically, you’re all just talking to each other.

Remember Malu Fernandez? Everyone was so het up about her, and someone even made a badge. In less time than it takes to say it, she was back as if nothing ever happened.

Ok, so a few more people will know about Panlilio. But these are likely to be bloggers themselves. In other words, people who already know anyway. What impact will he have on the thousands of Capampangans who aren’t wired?

Over-all, its a little too much to imagine that Lozada and Panlilio blogs will merit more than a passing glance from the administration. The blogosphere just isn’t the front line in the battle for power.

While the value of freedom of expression is undeniable and is arguably a concept that should almost supersede any other idea out there, this move also exposes the once sheltered community of bloggers to possible run-ins with the administration. If there are thousands of people who are willing to read to a heartbroken and vindictive man’s repetitive and poorly-written diatribe against the person who stole his money, could you just imagine how much more people would be interested in a blog written by cult figures like Lopez and Panlilio?

This is the kind of conditioning that really has me in stitches. “Exposes bloggers” indeed. Jaywalking exposes you to a possible run-in with the administration. And the only reason people like reading Gorrel is because he trades in gossip. Does this make Lozada and Panlilio gossips as well? Of course not (que horror!)! And I would agree. What Lozada trades in is possibly factual insider information; and Panlilio will most likely populate his blog with sermons. Neither can possibly be as interesting as the brand of who-does-who and who-does-what drivel that Brian Gorrel spews and recycles.

In countries like Egypt and China, bloggers have gone to jail because of the things that they wrote against the state’s official religion and elected leaders. It is not a far stretch to extrapolate such incidents to happen in the Philippines. Filipino political bloggers have always had their way all these years. No one has ever been charged and they could criticize using the strongest terms but what happens once the spotlight finally hits this corner of cyberspace.

The Boy Bastos incident of 2007 showed that the government can in fact do something that is remarkably similar to the beginning of a “cyber crackdown”. With more eyes and ears listening in to blogs, we may be just a few months away from seeing our first blogger arrest.

Melodrama much? Egypt and China isn’t the Philippines, and we’re not likely to head there anytime soon either. This kind of fear-mongering, to my mind, serves only one purpose. To generate sympathy - in advance - for the Lozada and Panlilio blogs. I can respect that, because of course, promoting the blogs in this way fits right in with the overall goal to make the blogs relevant. But, I find it to be a bit of over-kill.

There will be no cyber-crackdown in response to a Lozada or a Panlilio blog. ‘Course, if it makes you feel like a maverick to think that you might be engaging in some politically risky activity to be reading Lozada or commenting on Panlilio (oooh! you’re such a rebel!) well, hell, have fun. Otherwise, we should all just get a grip.

(cross-post:smoke)

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About The Author: Rom is the writer behind the blog Smoke. In her own words, "I write better when I smoke. Don't ask me to reduce it to a science."

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Comments

19 Responses to “Too Much”

  1. Nick on May 30th, 2008 3:22 pm

    @thought provoking Rom, there is truth in what you write. And yet, there is hope that we will gain, as much as we are giving.

    There are those, who would doubt the clout with which we make our opinions known, and I am not that much of an egotist to not realize that our goal is far from being achieved.

    This is why, as bloggers, the best thing we can do to make an impact now, rather than a few years from now, where I expect we will have a bigger impact, is by bringing our blogs offline too. By bringing the issues we write about to our daily lives. This is definitely the reason why many bloggers are focusing much energy in creating events outside of the blog.

    Also, information is the key to our influence, it isn’t here yet though. But this does not mean we do not try. We are trailblazers in this respect, even the more advanced U.S bloggers who have gained greater influence did not start out as huge as it is now.

    In this case, the hindrance to our success, lies in the fact that few Filipinos still have access to the information online.

    I suspect, as we develop as a nation, the rise in notoriety will be concurrent, as more individuals will have access and have more familiarity of the blog.

    With respect to the blogs of Panlilio and Lozada, I am greatly concerned that these blogs may just be press releases and not the traditional way we look at blogs. There is a difference, and I hope both Panlilio and Lozada actually know the difference.

    Furthermore, there must be a working relationship with blogs and mainstream media. It is not the death of mainstream, it is just the shifting of focus. As old media gives more notice to new media, shows such as Media in Focus, will greatly help new media, in our case blogs, to push their agenda to the consciousness of the people.

    It is a worthy goal, I believe it is achievable.

    Lastly, I will not be surprised, when there might come a time, where the administration may have its back to the wall in such a grave condition, that it may focus its attention to online critics too. That is not as far-fetched as it may sound. As of the present, it’s highly unlikely. But then again, were we ever right in predicting the great follies of this administration?

  2. benign0 on May 30th, 2008 3:30 pm

    Jun Lozada is just another over-rated grandstander. A lot of people are on to him.

    If he were to start a blog I’d inform all those people in that forum I linked to (above) to comment. :D

  3. Benj on May 30th, 2008 3:43 pm

    there’s a reason why it was called “a worst case scenario”. :)

    And oh, I loathe Lozada. Even though I am with Bloggers’ Kapihan I have done little to help in this project.

  4. Nick on May 30th, 2008 3:47 pm

    @Benj, I have a few questions on these blogs, as I mentioned, are these blogs going to be just press releases? Are they going to be the ones logging in, editing and then posting their articles?

    Or will this just be under the roof of one blogger who will post the press releases of these two men?

  5. Benj on May 30th, 2008 4:00 pm

    I have no idea. I will have to ask / read about the launch after it happens. What I read was BK actually met up with JLo and taught him how to blog.

    –

    I find it funny that cvj thought that I somehow alluded to how destructive the JLo/Panlilio blog can be to the community.

    Rom on the other felt that I gave too much of importance to the novelty of blogging.

    All I wanted to say was “look, this might happen”. :) That is a ll.

  6. Nick on May 30th, 2008 4:22 pm

    @Benj, haah, it’s all about impression I guess.. look what you started.. I, on the other hand, think it will be a boost to the community. I think Panlilio’s blog, however, will be the blog to watch.

    If Panlilio, can coordinate his blog effort through his speaking engagements, governance, and through media publicity, then I don’t see why it wouldn’t help the progress of Philippine blogging especially in the aspect of politics.

    but, all this, is a mere guess. I can only hope that his blog doesn’t turn out to be mere press releases..

  7. Rom on May 30th, 2008 4:29 pm

    benj: please, i meant no offence. And I also didn’t mean to make it appear that i was criticizing only the over-statement of the importance of blogging. Like Nick, I know that blogging is in its infancy as a shaper of the greater public’s opinions.

    Just to be clear, I was also criticizing the use of “the worst case scenario” as a kind of marketing tool.

    too often, people with an ax to grind (or who just don’t like other people) use exactly that strategy to demolish an intiative’s chances for success OR (as in the case of the Lozada and Panlilio blogs) to boost an intiative’s chances for success by painting it as a threat to a common enemy.

    as a result, people’s perceptions are skewed right off the bat. how then, can the people come to an intelligent decision whether or not to accept the intiative? Hence I’m saying, we should ditch the fear-mongering and just get a grip.

    Anyhow, like I said, I get the subtext of the worst case scenario angle. This is a BK supported initiative, isn’t it? Actually, reading the link you provided, it would even seem that BK is actually the driving force. So, it would make sense that a BK crew member would try to drum up attention for the initiative. Sad, tho’ that it was considered necessary to paint such a gloomy picture.

    :D

  8. Benj on May 30th, 2008 4:36 pm

    no problem. :)

    Yeah, I’m with BK but I didn’t really do much to help with this project because I didn’t really think it was that exciting.

  9. cvj on May 30th, 2008 7:39 pm

    I agree with Rom, a couple of middle class bloggers (unless we have damaging inside info) is hardly top priority. As far as cyber-crackdowns are concerned, the canaries in the mineshaft, aside from the Leftists blogs will be that of Ellen’s. IMHO, as long as we don’t post anything pornographic, we’re safe.

  10. Ederic on May 31st, 2008 12:23 am

    @Benj: kaya pala.

  11. Patricio Mangubat on May 31st, 2008 6:34 am

    Why are we so afraid of government crackdowns? I mean, they tried it before and failed. I agree with most of the things discussed here. Jlo’s rants and Panlilio’s views are not threats; they’re constructive additions to the ever-growing number and influence of political bloggers.

    However, let me point out that “growing” influence of political bloggers mean that those who are in the business of theory-making and political insights should now be more responsible to their readers. We don’t want to be called “poo-litical” instead, do we? Hehehe.

  12. Manuel L. Quezon III: The Daily Dose » Blog Archive » No blog is an island on May 31st, 2008 6:15 pm

    […] might embark on blogging, with interest. I disagree with many of the assumptions Rom makes in Too Much. To wit: that there is anything particularly different between Philippine political blogs and those […]

  13. Oh, really? « smoke on June 1st, 2008 10:16 pm

    […] at Filipino Voices. A noted blogger writes: I disagree with many of the assumptions Rom makes in Too Much. To wit: that there is anything particularly different between Philippine political blogs and those […]

  14. jhay on June 2nd, 2008 11:57 am

    @ benj: Sana naman sinabi mo agad sa amin noong nasa planning stage pa lang ang blog ni Jun Lozada. Hindi yung ganitong nagkakagulatan tayong mga magkakasama. Ang nangyayari tuloy ay para bang magkaka-ribal tayo. O kaya kung saan tayo nakikinabang o sumisikat, doon tayo didikit at mula doon bibira sa iba. Posibleng gamitin ito laban sa atin, at ang mas nakakapanghinayang na resulta, baliwalain ang ating mga pinaghihirapan matapos dustain ang ating mga personalidad.

  15. cvj on June 2nd, 2008 12:39 pm

    Jhay (and Ederic), for what it’s worth, Benj’s honest opinion was what caught the attention of a segment of the blogosphere (including me). I don’t think it detracts from BK because it shows that you’re composed of thinking individuals. Jun Lozada’s success (or failure) as a blogger is now entirely up to him.

  16. jhay on June 2nd, 2008 3:15 pm

    @ cvj: I harbor no ill thoughts of benj and I respect his views.

    Ang gusto ko lang iparating, “ang pagsasabi ng tapat, pagsasama ng maluwat”

  17. cvj on June 2nd, 2008 3:46 pm

    Jhay, glad to hear that. I guess the hesitation to speak our mind among peers is a very Filipino trait which we share with our fellow East Asians. Typically, we’re not as fortright as the Westerners or the Indians.

  18. Benj on June 3rd, 2008 5:46 pm

    Jhay: I kept my silence during the planning stage. I didn’t say anything because you guys were so excited to get the project out. I don’t want to be the one damper who would just rain on your parade. I was in the minority - everyone was definitely on board so I let you guys do what you do best (plan, execute etc).

    I just made a value-neutral entry. I don’t like Lozada and there’s no changing that. I wrote something that was hypothetical and at the same time, still able to generate considerable buzz for the project. Heck, people were thinking that I was campaigning heavily for what BK was doing.

  19. Nick on June 10th, 2008 8:05 pm

    @jhay, good to hear there’s no ill-will, let the man be, let Benj speak his mind, I hate pleasantries anyway.. truth sometimes stings, but if an honest opinion is what you want, that is what you got.

    In all honesty, you guys did a great job, and their blogs are already garnering great fanfare..

    But, united we stand, need not be “united we think”..

    In any case, I think Benj boosted the project’s visibility..

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