1 Far-fetched from those of our business-skewed Southeast Asian neighbors, our gadgets are filled with conversations jolted with entertainment value.
Here, we delve into the topics that headline the internet culture of Filipinos—of which the most active are university students and young professionals aged 16-24—and discover how social media apps such as WeChat have become influences as to why our smartphones, tablets and desktops have evolved into our amusement favorites.
- The Political Brainwave. From peace processes with the Bangsamoro to the never-ending issue of pork barrel allocations, the internet brims with political news on a minute-to-minute basis thanks to the presence of local social news networks as well as online versions of broadsheets and television news channels. With real-time information made more shareable today, our online conversations have been bustling with the topic of politics—making it the topic discussed by 55% of internet users and 57% of WeChat users.
- The Superstar Reflex. Idolizing people has been ingrained in our social culture so much so that our television screens and online newsfeeds are studded with the presence of personalities. Entertained by the goings-on of these influential people, 54% of average internet users and 55% of WeChat users go online for their daily fix of celebrity news and gossip, which they are able to satiate through photo updates, video clips, and other multimedia posts.
- Nerves of Speed. It’s no surprise why events such as the recently concluded Manila International Auto Show are such big hits in the country. With various modes of transportation—from Philippine jeepneys to foreign race cars—vying for the “king of the road” title, automobiles and the functions that make them parts of Filipinos’ daily lives have become the third most talked about topics across social networking services.
- Adventure Hormones. Summer has dawned upon our side of the world which is probably why most of us are into the subject of adventure, sports, and wildlife. The study reveals that 51% of average internet users and 55% of WeChat users talk about adrenaline-inducing activities—be it of surfing through the waves of La Union or booking trips to the Labor Day zone that is Boracay.
- The Beauty Bone. With more and more lifestyles open to influence by technology, clicking through 5-minute tutorials and looking up reviews online have become more rampant to those who are in the topic of beauty, which is the fifth conversation driver in the local internet scene. Through videos and photos, experts and enthusiasts are now more easily able to engage in such health and beauty-related exchanges. Consequently, WeChat users are into similar topics but more for their furry friends with 57% talking about pet grooming and care.
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