There are times that we tend to focus on the death of Rizal rather on what he did before his death. His writings in particular is a hoard of gems from which one can sew a tapestry still useful for the present. Take for example the first two chapters of his second novel El Filibusterisimo. Rizal took the time, two chapters, to write about a boat travel from Manila to San Diego.
This is perhaps alien today to most Filipinos since we have long abandoned or use very limitedly the rivers as a means of transport, relying on concrete roads and airports. But during the Spanish colonial period this was a major transport route.
The boat mentioned in El Filibusterisimo was the Tabo. And it was truly shaped like a Tabo – a water dipper common in all Filipino homes used for bathing and cleaning. A Tabo looks like a big tumbler with a handle. The ship moving and bringing people through the river was named Tabo, because it looked more like a Tabo than a ship. It was newly painted to look new and fresh. Like the Philippines, Tabo had a new coat of paint but was essentially the same ship.
In El Fili, Rizal wrote two chapters about the Tabo. The first chapter describes the happenings at the Upper Deck of the Tabo, where the upper class of Filipino Society where members of the clergy; the powers-that-be; Dona Victorina De De Espadana; and Simoun. Now, the second chapter concerned itself with the hustle and the bustle at the lower deck. Where most the common folk were.
A ship divided into two by class. Carrying moving along the river to the town of San Diego. A near perfect picture of the Digital Philippines as it moves to progress.
This actually explains a lot. For example during the last Presidential election the close race was between Aquino and Estrada. Although, observing it online one would think it was between Aquino, Villar and others but not Estrada. So when Estrada came in second one could imagine the howl of disappointment from the online community.
In most social media forums it has often been trumpeted that the Philippine has a high engagement rate almost at 90 to 95 %. This is 90 to 95 percent of 29 to 30 percent of the population. There is still 70 percent of growth or 70 percent not connected online. Some call it potential while some see it as a gap to fill.
Another way of looking at it is that the 30 % of the population that are connected are the Digital Haves – meaning they have the equipment, time and money to be online. And the 70 % would be the Digital Have Nots and most likely have other priorities than being online.
Welcome to the DIGITAL DIVIDE.
Will this last? I do not think so and I hope not. Rosalinda Pineda Ofreneo wrote the book, “The Manipulated Press: A History of Philippine journalism since 1945”. It is an interesting book and details the problems and corruption of the Philippine Press from 1945. Incidentally, it also provides a mirror to what can and has been happening in digital media or as some would call it New Media. George Santayana was correct in saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Anyway, In Ofreneo’s book in Chapter VIII section C – Limited Readership ; Ofreneo gives the following reason why the newspaper had a limited viewership:
(i) low income of readers
(ii) low educational level
(iii) lack of communication facilities
(iv) alien language and content
If you look at the present state of Digital Philippines similar factors are preventing the 70% from becoming engage.
(i) low income of readers – No money to go online
(ii) low educational level – Although not a big obstacle it may contribute to hesitation in engaging,
(iii) lack of communication facilities – No computer and No smart phones. Computers are used primarily for playing and communication rather than engagement.
(iv) alien language and content – Lingua Franca used and content do not fit.
Of course at the moment there are things happening that point to the over-riding of these factors and the filling up of the gap. Cheaper computers and (hopefully) cheaper smart phones will gradually level things up. Hopefully, Internet connections would also be more affordable even though the trend seems to be to a more stratified access ( back to the Digital Tabo) where the rich can afford fast Internet Speed Connections and the not-so-rich will just have to be satisfied with what is available. As the price of equipment and cost of connection go down we would probably see a shift in digital media. Again similar to what happened in television and radio. More and more lingua franca will be spoken and topics covered will faithfully reflect the likes and practice of majority of the population. This is going to happen. I have no doubt about it.
When this does happen. Will the present members of the Digital Tabo/Digital Philippines be ready for it?
References:
Ofreneo , Rosalinda Pineda. The Manipulated Press: A History of Philippine journalism since 1945. Metro Manila, Philippines : Solar Pub. Corp., ©1986.
Rizal, Jose . El Filibusterismo. Translated by Virgilio Almario. Philippines. Adarna House.
Digital Tabo – Digital Philippines
There are times that we tend to focus on the death of Rizal rather on what he did before his death. His writings in particular is a hoard of gems from which one can sew a tapestry still useful for the present. Take for example the first two chapters of his second novel El Filibusterisimo. Rizal took the time, two chapters, to write about a boat travel from Manila to San Diego.
This is perhaps alien today to most Filipinos since we have long abandoned or use very limitedly the rivers as a means of transport, relying on concrete roads and airports. But during the Spanish colonial period this was a major transport route.
The boat mentioned in El Filibusterisimo was the Tabo. And it was truly shaped like a Tabo – a water dipper common in all Filipino homes used for bathing and cleaning. A Tabo looks like a big tumbler with a handle. The ship moving and bringing people through the river was named Tabo, because it looked more like a Tabo than a ship. It was newly painted to look new and fresh. Like the Philippines, Tabo had a new coat of paint but was essentially the same ship.
In El Fili, Rizal wrote two chapters about the Tabo. The first chapter describes the happenings at the Upper Deck of the Tabo, where the upper class of Filipino Society where members of the clergy; the powers-that-be; Dona Victorina De De Espadana; and Simoun. Now, the second chapter concerned itself with the hustle and the bustle at the lower deck. Where most the common folk were.
A ship divided into two by class. Carrying moving along the river to the town of San Diego. A near perfect picture of the Digital Philippines as it moves to progress.
This actually explains a lot. For example during the last Presidential election the close race was between Aquino and Estrada. Although, observing it online one would think it was between Aquino, Villar and others but not Estrada. So when Estrada came in second one could imagine the howl of disappointment from the online community.
In most social media forums it has often been trumpeted that the Philippine has a high engagement rate almost at 90 to 95 %. This is 90 to 95 percent of 29 to 30 percent of the population. There is still 70 percent of growth or 70 percent not connected online. Some call it potential while some see it as a gap to fill.
Another way of looking at it is that the 30 % of the population that are connected are the Digital Haves – meaning they have the equipment, time and money to be online. And the 70 % would be the Digital Have Nots and most likely have other priorities than being online.
Welcome to the DIGITAL DIVIDE.
Will this last? I do not think so and I hope not. Rosalinda Pineda Ofreneo wrote the book, “The Manipulated Press: A History of Philippine journalism since 1945”. It is an interesting book and details the problems and corruption of the Philippine Press from 1945. Incidentally, it also provides a mirror to what can and has been happening in digital media or as some would call it New Media. George Santayana was correct in saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Anyway, In Ofreneo’s book in Chapter VIII section C – Limited Readership ; Ofreneo gives the following reason why the newspaper had a limited viewership:
(i) low income of readers
(ii) low educational level
(iii) lack of communication facilities
(iv) alien language and content
If you look at the present state of Digital Philippines similar factors are preventing the 70% from becoming engage.
(i) low income of readers – No money to go online
(ii) low educational level – Although not a big obstacle it may contribute to hesitation in engaging,
(iii) lack of communication facilities – No computer and No smart phones. Computers are used primarily for playing and communication rather than engagement.
(iv) alien language and content – Lingua Franca used and content do not fit.
Of course at the moment there are things happening that point to the over-riding of these factors and the filling up of the gap. Cheaper computers and (hopefully) cheaper smart phones will gradually level things up. Hopefully, Internet connections would also be more affordable even though the trend seems to be to a more stratified access ( back to the Digital Tabo) where the rich can afford fast Internet Speed Connections and the not-so-rich will just have to be satisfied with what is available. As the price of equipment and cost of connection go down we would probably see a shift in digital media. Again similar to what happened in television and radio. More and more lingua franca will be spoken and topics covered will faithfully reflect the likes and practice of majority of the population. This is going to happen. I have no doubt about it.
When this does happen. Will the present members of the Digital Tabo/Digital Philippines be ready for it?
References:
Ofreneo , Rosalinda Pineda. The Manipulated Press: A History of Philippine journalism since 1945. Metro Manila, Philippines : Solar Pub. Corp., ©1986.
Rizal, Jose . El Filibusterismo. Translated by Virgilio Almario. Philippines. Adarna House.