BongBong Marcos Partners with Friendster


Now it can be said that Filipinos have fully embraced the concept of being online.

Only son of former President Ferdinand Marcos, Ilocos Norte Gov. BongBong Marcos, who is gunning for a senate slot, has partnered with the Philippines' largest social networking website. Gov. Marcos has jumped on the bandwagon but has targeted the Pinoy youth through Friendster.

Besides a full-blast online campaign, Gov. Marcos has capitalized on an offline strategy also with Friendster through its "campus raid" which has covered Metro Manila colleges and universities -- and has even touched base with some schools in Cebu.


It was not a surprise that BongBong has been able to get the support of many youth in his campaign with his natural flair and charisma. Stopping by the Seaman's Center in Luneta, Gov. Marcos was able to listen to our Pinoy seafarer's plight and has promised support in the senate to extend their length of service by shipping companies.


BongBong's campaign, with the help of Team Friendster's on-ground events crew, were able to cover Manila's finest schools, namely: DLSU, CSB, St. Scholastica's, TUP, PWU, PCU, U.P. Manila, St. Paul Manila, Lyceum, Mapua, FEU, UE, San Sebastian CEU, La Concordia, Holy Spirit, San Beda, and St. Rita. More partnered on-ground events with Friendster is scheduled in the next few days.

With this development, it is no wonder that Friendster is said to be making a strong comeback given its online-to-offline-and-back strategy. To-date, only Friendster is capable of implementing this type of effort as it has a strong and solid youth base despite perceptions that Facebook has overtaken them in the Philippines. With still a strong 40 million registered user-base versus Facebook's 10 million, it's still a no contest.

As for BongBong, my personal fearless forecast predicts that the young Governor will make the top 8 in the senatorial slate.