By Carlo Ople*

A lot of people used social media to condemn Hayden Kho for his actions, which eventually led to a full-blown Senate hearing (not that I’m agreeing that we should have a Senate hearing for a sex scandal). Now his supporters are relying on Social Media to support and defend him. I was given a link by a good friend through Yahoo Messenger. Apparently, someone made a blog called “Give Hayden a Chance“.

The first post entitled “Let’s give Hayden a chance“, already has 16 comments as of this writing. The site counter on the sidebar also shows that around 400+ people have already dropped by the site. I’m guessing that it’s only a matter of time before the hundreds become thousands then maybe even millions.

It’s a bit annoying and amazing that this issue has been completely blown out of proportion. I fully support the women… but a Senate hearing for a sex scandal? Shouldn’t we be paying more attention to Swine Flu and the fact that there are 14 confirmed cases already in the Philippines? I can understand social media going “gaga” over the Hayden scandals because it’s a human interest story but for institutions to go as far as they have… man!

Carlo Ople is the main author of New Media Philippines, a blog that aims to help Filipinos maximize and realize the potential of New Media. Apart from being a blogger, Carlo also serves as a Marketing Manager for one of the leading online gaming companies in the Philippines. He is also a freelance digital marketing consultant and has worked with various politicians and business owners expand their reach and influence through the use of social media.

By Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net

During the victory party of their movie, “When I Met U,” commercial model and actress KC Concepcion disclosed that she would be having her own website soon.

“I’m making my own website now. That would be my official website. I love blogging. Lahat ng nasa utak ko, makikita ng tao dun. [People will see what’s on my mind through that ],” the young actress says.

Concepcion says she began blogging when she was still a student.

She joined multiply.com in April 12, 2005 and collected 188 contacts cum friends. In her multiply site, she wrote, “hi… i have no myspace. no active facebook. no friendster. no blogspot. just this. a little island in cyberspace. hope you enjoy the ride.”

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THANKS to HappySlip, the US-based Filipino-American video blogger, the Philippine Department of the Tourism (DOT) has recently been awarded the Grand Bronze Anvil Award and the Anvil Award of Excellence.

The DOT launched its online public relations marketing program to reach out to Americans to visit the Philippines, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano in a statement.

The Grand Bronze Anvil Award is given to the most outstanding public relations tool designed and implemented during a year, in this case, in 2008.

“I am very pleased that our venture into Internet marketing and PR to reach and invite thousands of North Americans to visit the Philippines is once again recognized by the country’s PR industry,” Durano said.

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Agence France-Presse

MELBOURNE — Rafael Nadal reached out to his fans here by launching a blog at the Australian Open, taking questions on everything from what motivates him to whether he has sex during a tournament.

The Spanish world number one said he had always wanted to blog during the tournament, but admits it isn’t easy as his writing skills don’t match his tennis exploits.

“This is my first blog in Australia and I am very thankful to have been given this opportunity,” he said on the posts that appear in Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper.

“I am not going to lie to you, this is not easy for me since I am not a writer,” he said.
Rafa wants to get closer to his fans and feels answering their questions is one way to do that.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

MAKATI City, Philippines — Senator Manuel Roxas III is taking his online presence further.

Aside from his official website, an e-forum and accounts in social networking sites, Roxas has finally opened his own blog and is setting up his own virtual rally to further promote his advocacies.

Roxas’ other websites include one that is about his official function as senator. He also has entries in Facebook.com, Friendster.com and MySpace.com.

Roxas who uses the handle “misterpalengke” launched his official blog last August 1, after meeting up with bloggers in Quezon City. It appears, however, that he made his first posting on July 27.

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TV host Bianca Gonzalez talks about her blog, The Diary of a Supergirl Wannabe, which she started back in 2003 when she was in college.

Video taken by INQUIRER.net online videographer Janie Christine Octia.

IN THIS video, Lea Salonga talks about her blog on Multiply, The World According to Manang. She shares that the blog has become an outlet for her and a means to communicate with her fans.

Interview conducted by INQUIRER.net online videographer Janie Christine Octia. Video taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Relly Carpio.

Want more videos of Lea courtesy of INQUIRER.net VDO?

Check out this video of Lea talking about her role in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” which will have its world premiere in Manila this July. And this 30-second clip of Lea singing “There’s Music in You,” one of the songs in “Cinderella.”