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By Anna Valmero INQUIRER.net SOCIAL networking sites continue to evolve and now shape up for a new career: i n the political arena. At Facebookâs News Feed menu, you can identify friends w ho are attending the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama online . In the study "Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship" by Da nah M. Boyd and Nicole B. Ellison, one of the first recognizable social network site launched is SixDegrees.com (1997), as well as Classmates.com which starte d in 1995. Today, social networking sites abound boasting different features, such as mult imedia sharing, links, messaging and micro-blogging. Previously, social networking sites linked up long-lost friends and even strangers, allowing them to interact via personal messages, blogs, file an d link sharing applications, and comment posts. In addition to building online communities, social networking sites have evolved to become tools for product o r self promotion, business, knowledge sharing, news and now, politics. Looking back at the turnout of people on the Internet during Obamaâs inaugurati on, millions have trooped to the Internet to witness this historic event in American history, as they expressed hope, se tup pages for Oba ma on Facebook and kept themselves updated through Twitter. To follow Obama, bloggers worldwide, such as U.S.-based Filipino Rheynz, has po sted a slew of articles at the blogging site Reyna Elena.com on how to view the inauguration as it happened. It has been a refreshing perspective that through social networking sites, peop le can again come together and share their feelings about a historic moment, In ternet-style. What do you think will be the next role of social networking sites? Do you thin k it can cause more "change"?

As I'm writing this, I'm watching the unfolding of a historic event in American history over the Internet. Thanks to CNN.com and Facebook, I can now watch president-elect Barac k Obama's inauguration on the web--wirelessly, that is. What makes this event interesting is I'm getting this supposed "live" stream fr om CNN over my wireless connection of 1.8Mbps. There are slight pauses. But so far, my connection is not giving up on me. To make things more spicy, I can see people in my Facebook network logged on to this CNN Live streaming video in partnership with the popular social networkin g website. Now, I can chat with fellow Facebook addicts from the Philippines. One Facebook user says this is going to change how Presidential inaugurations a re covered. And the social network aspect of it is simply brilliant. Score one for CNN and Facebook. Another was wondering how many Filipinos are watching thi s live feed. Judging from the comments that are coming in by the minute (or sec onds), a lot. I also found from fellow Facebook friends that this online video streaming service is different from what you see on cable TV!

By Alexander Villafania INQUIRER.net SAN JUAN City, Manila â They start late at night, with bags of junk food and pi zzas. They sit on floors covered with mattresses and small tables and put their footwear on the cold cement. Around them are paintings and sculptures from fin e arts students and their mentors. It's a scene typical of an art gala but peop le here are not talking just about art -- they're hoping to share in national c hange through their blogs. And at the last small and intimate gathering at the My Little Art Place in San Juan City, the group of amateur and professional bloggers talks about how blogg ing is changing information dissemination. The event is simply called Philippine Bloggers' Night. Essentially, the event i s a workshop on creating a blog and how individuals and other institutions are using it. Some bloggers gave insights about how they built their blogs and what they focus on. Others shared how media companies are adapting to the changes b rought about by the Internet. The realization is that media is not the gatekeep er of information anymore. The power to disseminate has also been given to the ordinary individual. Of course, being in an art place, the event also has some creative essence to i t. Percussionist Paul Zialcita showed some of his instruments, such as a daiko- like drum that is actually made out of a garbage can and a drum made out of a h alf-filled water gallon placed on top of the opening of a hand-made baby walker . There is also a performance by "spokenword" artist Miko Pepito and recording artist Nityalila. The event is organized by a group of bloggers calling themselves Flippyknows, whose name is a p lay of the word "Filipino." Just as their tagline says, "Because the Filipino K nows," the group focuses on encouraging Filipinos to develop their creativity a nd also on technology. For this particular night, the group also partnered with Team RP, who is advocating change in the so ciety for the sake of truth, accountability and reform. After a successful night, both groups are hoping to continue holding such event s to encourage people to get involved in social issues while enjoying creativit y at its simplest.

Editor's Note: Updated and clarified quoted statement. The Philippines' first Wordcamp Philippines, a boot camp for free blogging platform Wordpress, nears, according to organizers. Led by Mindanao-based bloggers, the Wordcamp Philippines aims to bring both use rs and developers of the Wordpress. It also aims to bring together Filipino ent husiasts using this platform for the first time. According to this blog, the Wordcamp Philippines i s scheduled to happen on September 6, 2008 at the College of St. Benilde in Met ro Manila. Wordcamp Philippines is organized by Mindanao-based bloggers Oliver Robillo, Ma ria Jose, Migs Hipolito, Winston Almendras and Andrew dela Serna. Various Wordcamps have been held in the US and other parts of the world because it has become popular platform for web publishing.

By Alex Villafania INQUIRER.net NOW on its fourth year, the recently held iBlog blogging forum at the Universit y of the Philippines Diliman Law Center showcased different aspects of blogging , with several bloggers serving as speakers. Charo Nuguid, who maintains The Geekette Speaketh, gave first-time bloggers an overview of b logging, as well as resources where users can get tools that will get them into the social networking scene. Controversial Australian blogger Brian Gorrell also made his presence felt in the event thr ough a video blog that welcomed the participants. Gorrell emphasized the need f or people to speak out their minds. However, he cautioned that while blogging c an be a form of communication, bloggers will almost always receive flak from th ose who do not agree with certain missives. Nevertheless, Gorrell stressed that bloggers should continue with their craft. As blogging becomes a powerful communication tool, some have taken the concept to the next level as professional bloggers. One example is computer engineering student blogger Juan Kar lo Licudine, who shared his experience as a problogger who earns an income through blogging. The young Licudine explained that he has found a niche in problogging. When que ried about how much he earns as a problogger, he said that it could reach as hi gh as $1,000. However, he said problogging also involves risks, in particular the high risk o f failure and lack of useful work experience. "It's also unpredictable and constantly changing," he added. Here's a video I took of Licudine's mom asking him after his presentation if he still needs an allowance. Podcasting and video blogging In the afternoon session, Google country consultant for the Philippines Aileen Apolo and video blogger Coy Caballes introduced podcasts and video blogs. In fact, the two didn't present and instead recorded themselves prior to the event, using a video to explain what podcasts and vide o blogs are. Apolo also spoke a bit about video blogging as a form of citizen journalism, wh erein a video blogger can serve as a journalist by submitting their videos to a n online media site. Although quite new, Apolo and Caballes said video blogging can create new concepts not normally used in traditional broadcast media. Here's Apolo responding to a question on video blogging as a form of news repor ting, and pointing out the difference between bloggers and journalists. With he r is Caballes. Blogging and 2010 elections Veteran journalist Luz Rimban and columnist and socio-political analyst Manuel L. Quezon III had their say on what the bl ogging community can contribute to the coverage of the upcoming 2010 elections. This was the main highlight of the iBlog4 summit and at some point prepared bl oggers for what they can do. Rimban and Quezon had different approaches as to the responsibilities of the bl ogger but agreed that bloggers, with their wide social network, can play a role in ensuring clean and honest elections in 2010. Rimban narrated that media outfits had limitations in coverages and so bloggers had filled up some of the gaps. Rimban said that in the 2010 elections, blogge rs can again fill the gaps that mainstream media could not cover. Bloggers can even report about stories not normally reported in broadcast or print. "Citizen journalists can help reconnect the public with the political processes , revive interest in elections, and create a sense of community among voters," Rimban said. For his part, Quezon emphasized the need to spur on voters against corruption, saying that a blogger covering the election should be a "pain-in-the-ass." On t he other hand, he noted that the low level of acceptance by voters of bloggers' reportage of the elections could go beyond 2010 when more Filipinos get access to broadband Internet connection, especially in the provinces. "It may take until 2016 for blogging to make an impact," Quezon said. In this video, Rimban answers a question about tapping bloggers for news covera ge. With her in the video is Quezon. Meanwhile, lawyer JJ Disini talked about the legal culpability of bloggers when it comes to copyright infringement and libelous statements. He cited the examp le of blogger Gorrell, who made allegations on the wayward lifestyles of member s of high society. Here's a video of Disini talking about the copyright issues that bloggers must take into account and explaining the concept of fair use. Editor's note: Videos taken by INQUIRER.net community evangelist Alex Villa fania.

By Erwin Oliva INQUIRER.net FILIPINO bloggers and fans mobbed Filipino-American video blogger Christine "HappySlip" G ambito during a "meet and greet" event with local bloggers and fans. More than 100 Filipino bloggers and fans came to the event held at the Mag:net Cafe on Bonifacio High Stre et in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. The event was organized by the Department of Tourism and Internet portal Yehey! Local bloggers and fans were initially given a chance to ask several questions, which Gambito answered readily with a tinge of humor. She then gave each fan a chance to meet her up close. Among the fans who came were children. "I feel so great meeting Christine. This is a one in a million chance to meet s omeone like her. That's the beauty of the Internet. Unfocused offline audiences can trample you at a meet and greet. Online audiences are more targeted, valua ble and easier to handle" said Mike Abundo who has been blogging for three years. Manuel Vilori a, also a blogger who creates how-to videos online, said he was surprised  by the popularity of Gambito. "I didn't know she was this popular here," said Viloria, who was among the loca l bloggers who came to the event. Gambito is a Filipino-American video blogger who has become a celebrity online, as she created video clips based on family-inspired characters. She plays all the characters in her videos. Talking about her trip to the Philippines, Gambito said she felt "humbled" by t he attention she was getting from local bloggers and fans. She again turned emo tional as she shared her reasons for doing her video blogs. "It all comes from the heart," she said, answering one question from a blogger. Carrying her photos, a poster and other merchandise Gambito was selling during the event, the bloggers and fans lined up to have her sign them. During her talk, fans and bloggers openly declared their admiration. One blogger asked her if she was interested in doing video blogs about the poli tical situation in the country. To this, she replied: "Let's enjoy the country. " Gambito admitted she's now getting offers to do shows on television and film, b ut declined to give details. Josh Verdes, cousin of Gambito, also gave his own set of fans a treat, singing original compositions.

A GROUP of teachers will be talking about blogs as alternative tools for education. The Bloggers Kapihan< /a> has invited two well-known teachers who use "old" and new tools of web publ ishing to extend learning beyond the classroom. Sharing their experiences are < a href="http://sirmartin.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Martin Perez of th e Philippine Science High School and Danny Arao of the Department of Journalism of the UP College of Mass Communications. More details:

The BK Crew presents Bloggersâ Kapihan 2.0: Blog Ed 101. This time around, let us tackle the importance of blogging in learning, learning in blogging and blogging as a tool for alternative education. The even t will be held on October 13, 2007, 1:30 p.m. at the R amon Magsaysay High School in Quezon City. Blog Ed 101 is in cooperation with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), a nationwide network of educators from different schools, colleges and universiti es.

Tonchi Tinio, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, will also dive into the controversial CyberEducation Project of the Department of Education d uring the event.