People Power meets Social Media
Today, we laid to rest Corazon Aquino, the housewife who led a mass based movement that resulted in an unprecedented phenomenon dubbed People Power. 23 years ago, this grass roots engine of change toppled a 20 year dictatorship and showed to the world a perfect example of democracy at it’s purest.
That was the EDSA Revolution, and I was 16.
Ironically, as the veteran’s of People Power bid farewell to the former philippine president, a new form of People Power was put in motion. Social Media today was in full force as micro bloggers broadcast their updates, photos, and videos throughout the 8 hour journey of the funeral cortege from Intramuros to the Manila Memorial Park.
Cory Aquino as the top trending topic throughout the day was temporarily surpassed only by the rescue of CurrentTV journalist from North Korea by Bill Clinton, and Paula Abdul quitting American Idol.
For everyone on Facebook with filipino friends, Cory related traffic must have been a surprising annoyance as wall posts streamed by with yellow ribbon profile photos, thank you’s, and anecdotes from the 80’s.
Social Media is People Power on steroids, and today it helped rekindle the fire of nationalism within the hearts of filipinos worldwide. Solidarity is reinforced when you see friends and strangers with the same message and thoughts as yours.
Our cause would have been easier if we had all that back in 86.
Today’s display of People Power+Social Media is a preview of what to expect when the 2010 presidential campaign comes to full swing. Traditional politicians should beware because old rules will no longer apply. The conversations have already started and will play a major role as the nation participates and guards the electoral process.
