Pinoy Passenger

PDA Little Dreamer Winner Cristina de Leon - and she has been a winner, most consistent in bringing outstanding, flawless performance as mentioned by her mentors and jurors. The sad part is either, the ABS CBN network is more inclined to promote the more “marketable” contestant, or that Filipinos may not be voting for talent, instead going for the kawawa and “underdog” type. I was there in their first ever live gala night, September 21 PDA Little Dreamer Gala Night.

Pinoys love underdogs, especially those who are having a poor plight in life. Yes, the poor deserves so much more in this life… but I hope that in cases like this, fairness should prevail regardless of social status. Yes, Cristina de Leon’s family is also financially struggling, and yes this contest is one of their best hopes in experience a better life. But this sad reality isn’t their main weapon in the PDA Little Dreamer battlefield - it’s mere outstanding talent.

She’s been exerting her best efforts not to make flats, and sharps, and to perfectly express the emotions of the songs well. Oh yes, the judges take notice of these remarkable qualities of her, saying she’s always giving an exemplary performance ABOVE the rest.. yet the results seem not to be on her side.

None in the viewing public are seeing the tally of text votes, right? None of us has ever seen who’s got the most text votes. So you can imagine how fertile these sort of popularity contests for manipulation.

That night, I think everybody was shocked even the parents of other contestants with the announcement of the winners. No offense to Philip and Amy because I do believe both kids are talented. But how could a contest who sings with flats, or someone not in the right tempo, be announced as the most outstanding PDA Little Dreamer?

The in-house PDA Little Dreamer mentors would now have a hard time deciding who among the kids need improvement - because the obvious one was named most outstanding. Too bad.

This post isn’t just meant to campaign for Cristina de Leon of Cavite. This is to urge the viewing public to VOTE FOR TALENT in the PDA Little Dreamer competition. And also, just a memo to ABS CBN that contest manipulation isn’t at all behind a dark veil. It can be so obvious, too!

PDA Blog Awards

Blog and Vote for Cristina de Leon: PDA Little Dreamer Winner!

Oh yes, I’m giving away prizes for the best blog posts about Cristina de Leon! Free tickets to Star City’s Snow World!

Here are the Mechanics:

1. In 150 words minimum, blog about Cristina de Leon of the PDA Little Dreamer 2008. Tell us why you think she should win.

2. Link to http://www.pinoypassenger.com/ using the Text: PDA Little Dreamer Winner. Link again to http://www.pinoypassenger.com/ in the last part of your blog post using the text: Vote for Talent! Vote for Cristina!

3. Send me the your blog address (your blog post about Cristina) by email at pdablogawards@gmail.com

4. I will then decide the best (top 3) blog posts by October 6 (Monday)

5. Wait for my email reply to check if you were chosen (will also post the winners here in this blog). I will send your tickets for Snow World at Star City via courier by October 7 Tuesday.

• 2nd and 3rd Price - free entrance at Star City & Snow World worth Php 160.00
• 1st Price - free entrance at Star City & Snow World plus ride all you can worth Php 325.00

And please do vote for her via text every Gala night! Go go go Cristina!

Philippine Economy - a lot of talk in the news today, probably around the globe, is the predicted slip of the US economy into recession. The cause being pointed out by many for the 2008 US recession is the unwise increase in the supply of money credit, which consequently leads to inflation. Economists, businessmen, and of course the Philippine politicians are out with their press releases on the effects of the US recession to the Philippine economy.

Malacanang is blatant in saying that RP can “weather the storm” because of our strong economic fundamentals. I wonder what “strong” actually means to them…

Continue Reading »

Do you know why I sometimes think Multiply.com is better than pay-per-click ads?

Pay Per Click Marketing Versus Multiply.com

I’ve been with the Internet marketing industry as a Filipino SEO for almost 3 years. And yes, I’ve worked with Google Adwords, Yahoo Search Marketing, and MSN Ad Center. Adwords can make profitable returns to your business, but you are always challenged with cut-throat keyword-bidding competition.

The Freedom to Choose and Target your Market

Now with Multiply.com, where most Filipinos – from students, to professionals, and even moms seeking extra income can be found, comes out to be an interesting option! Multiply lets you upload your product photos, together with specs and all. You gain a market by continuously adding contacts and business prospects to deal with. They in turn, translate into buyers/customers (not to mention your search engine listing placements). Yes, multiply is searchable (indexable – if there’s such a term! Haha!)… unlike Friendster.

With multiply, you have the freedom to choose your target market. You can get as many contacts as you wish! Turn around is faster as you can easily note down your email add and mobile number. The trick is, just like in any paid campaign, your landing page has to be optimized for conversion (i.e. call-to-action links; good fluid content). Ad placement in Multiply’s group networks are endless. Best of all, the Multiply platform is FREE!

Audience Demographics at its Best

Of course, you cannot necessarily beat the scope and reach of an Adwords campaign, for example if you wish to target a broader audience base. But think about it, the most profitable keywords in your paid campaign are those that are more specific and targeted (less expensive most of the time). Why not switch to something that will let you have the capability to really shoot for your particular market segment? Multiply lets you take a peek on people’s demographics – so that’s a plus point, too.

Adding a Personal Touch

But what I love most about Multiply.com is that you can go as personal with your customer, as you wish. Personally replying to each email and SMS brings a “closer” bond between seller and buyer. That’s customer rapport to beat. Being online doesn’t mean being automated and impersonal all the time. Multiply.com has so much room for personal customer service.

I’m not dumping my pay-per-click belief of sales profits online. The best option actually, is to combine the two platforms in your search marketing campaign (IMO only). I think the point I’m driving at is rethinking of resource allocation whenever you sell something on the Web.

 Disclaimer: This isn’t a paid post for Multiply.com (hehe!)