The Philippine blogosphere is awash with spirited online discussions, posts and tweets from bloggers and tweeples alike regarding the proposed formation of a “National Bloggers Association of the Philippines”.
Things started heating up after Janette Toral’s interview with Tonyo Cruz was posted (“The Need for a Philippine Bloggers Association”), and @tonyocruz posted a question on Twitter asking “Would you join a PH-wide organization of bloggers?”. This instantly drew ayes and neighs and a lot of other comments, both good and ugly, from many tweeps. Bloggers blogged about it; even an anonymous "Janitor Al" blogged about his (or her?) vehement rejection of the proposal to form a national bloggers association.
From what I have understood, this national bloggers association will be open to Filipino bloggers both here and abroad and seeks to encompass all types of blogs. Users of blogs such as the following would qualify for membership:
- Traditional blogs such as Blogger and Wordpress
- Micro blogs such as Twitter and Tumblr
- Photo and video blogs such as Flickr and YouTube
- Social networking sites such as Facebook, Yahoo Pulse and Google Buzz
- Self-made/self-maintained blogs and all other types of new internet media that can be categorized as a "web log" (as per Wikipedia's definition of a "blog")
If Facebook population statistics is to be taken as an indication of the Philippine blogger population, that would mean the Philippine blogging population is a whopping 22 million strong (as of today)!
Organizing this large a population, or even just a small percentage of it, into one group will be a very painful experience -- this pain is now manifesting itself online in many forms.
Come to think of it, the association is not even a baby, it’s not even born. Heck, it has not even been “procreated” in a way. It is just an idea. Sadly, people are already opposing this idea's existence.
This reminds me of the controversial Ayala Alabang bill entitled “An Ordinance Providing for the Safety and Protection of the Unborn Child within the Territorial Jurisdiction of Barangay Ayala Alabang…” This bill seeks to control the union of the sperm and the egg by mandating a doctor’s prescription whenever someone buys condoms. As in hellooo? Where is the unborn child here when there's not even a zygote to talk about?
People opposed to the idea of a national bloggers association seem to have the same mindset as these baranggay Ayala Alabang leaders.
"BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME"
My take on this… Start small and take it from there. Build it and they will come.
2000 years ago, Jesus started with a core group of only 12 disciples and Christianity took off from there to where it is today, in spite of the persecutions encountered by the disciples and the early Christians.
Each of the core team members of this proposed national bloggers association should have specific responsibilities and should not be mere spectators or participants who are just “going with the flow”. The entire team will need to work together to propel this project forward. A single person cannot do it on his own. Conversely, a "weak link” could bring the entire team down.
If possible, the different blogger associations should provide representation and get involved in the formation process with the goal of uniting all the different local and regional blogging associations under a common cause (but not necessarily getting them organized under one umbrella).
The draft manifesto, after all, states "One country, one blogging community".
It is unfortunate that the formation process started off on the wrong foot and elicited a bombardment of attacks and negative comments. But that's done. What's left to do for the proponents is to keep going forward despite challenges and obstacles.
The "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" and the "17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork" by John C. Maxwell will be very helpful guides to the core team who will be starting up this organization. These laws should be put to heart when the core team goes about its business of building up the association and propelling it forward.
FOR THE PROPONENTS: “THE LAW OF BUY-IN”
The "FAQ" addresses people's common concerns and questions regarding this proposed bloggers association while the "manifesto" lays down the founding principles and the vision for this proposed bloggers association.
For the proponents, always remember the Law of Buy-in: “People buy into the leader, not the vision.”
This law of buy-in has always been the mark of great leaders who successfully rallied people for a cause.
There are some prominent bloggers who are very vocal in their opposition to forming this association and it is obvious that they are not buying in. Let them be. Put focus on those who are buying in and to those who are sold -- these are the people who will support the proponents and the leaders' vision of what the association is supposed to be. These people will be instrumental in starting up this organization and in making it grow.
I only know @tonyocruz (Tonyo Cruz), @digitalfilipino (Janette Toral), and @blogie (Blogie Robillo) through their blogs and tweets. I do not know them personally nor have I met them, save for a few minutes with Janette Toral many years ago in a PICS function. From what I know about them through their blogs, they are three of the most qualified people to spearhead the formation of this National Bloggers Association of the Philippines. There may be others out there who are as qualified as they are or maybe even more qualified; it is my hope that these people will band together for a common cause.
Earlier, I have put a note to self to review the manifesto and provide my comments and inputs to it. While needing some improvements, I feel it is unnecessary at this point in time to discuss about its revision or enhancement. The manifesto is good as it is. I'm sure a proper forum will be setup for its review in the near future once this national bloggers association has organized itself. What matters now is that the association should come into formation first so that things can eventually move forward.
AN ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINOS
As an national association of Filipino bloggers, the group should also encourage "patriotic duty", being Filipinos, to promote the Philippines as a nation and showcase the Filipino culture in all its uniqueness and intricacies. The existence of this national bloggers association should not just be about protection of the blogger's rights and about lobbying congress and the senate on bills and measures that could affect the Philippine blogger community.
My fellow bloggers, it is not about what the Philippines (and what the government) can do for you, but what you can do for the Philippines that matters.
To signify your interest to be a founding member of this "National Bloggers Association" (or whatever name it may be called once it is organized), click here.
