Memes and blogs: Netizens’ take on elections

MANILA, Philippines – As early as October 2012, netizens have posted, tweeted and blogged about the midterm elections.

Voters expressed their take on certain election-related issues using internet memes and blogs.

Some tackle and create parodies out of issues, while some criticize certain candidates.

Memes

Netizens used memes to sarcastically comment on long running election problems in the Philippines. Issues like political dynasties, power outages, and illegal campaign materials all made it to the memes.

Twitter user DonyaAngelica, a parody account of the antagonist in the telenovela Marimar, also tweeted her share of memes commenting on candidates’ platforms, vote buying, and other issues.

Senatorial candidate Jack Enrile Jr. was subject of a meme due to his political advertisement.

Netizens made memes about Celebrity Vice Ganda’s comments on senatorial candidate Nancy Binay.

Memes were also used to compare candidates and their platforms. This meme showing the comparison of experiences between senatorial candidates Binay and Risa Hontiveros is very popular.

Blogs

Different blogs and notes have also been published related to elections.

Blogger Red Ollero wrote an article on political dynasties inspired by the novel and TV series Game of Thrones.[Read his blog here: Philippine Political Dynasties, Game of Thrones Style]

An anonymous blogger wrote an entry saying that the Philippines is not developing because of “madurukot” or pick-pockets and linked it to corruption in the government. [Read: Bakit hindi umuunlad ang Pilipinas]

A note entitled Ako Ang Botanteng PIlipino also went viral on Facebook since it was posted on May 6. The note described the FIlipino voter. 

“Sinasabi ng iba, bobo daw ako at ang iba pang mga botanteng Pilipino kasi nagpapadala kami sa mga pasayaw-sayaw at sa mga artista. Hindi naman namin kasalanan siguro na ito na ang nakagisnan namin tuwing panahon ng pangangampanya,” part of the note said. (Some people say that I am and other Filipino voters are stupid because we get swayed by dancing artists. It’s not our fault. This is what we got used to every campaign period.)

The note was posted by an Ariel Clarito. It also comments on the state of Philippine politics. [Read here: Ako ang Botanteng Pilipino]

 

Netizens were active in this year’s midterm elections. Though it is hard to delineate between online bashing from concerned commentaries, one good thing came out of it – the internet became a platform to spread awareness for clean elections. -with reports from Rappler interns Jon Pobar and Gretzel Lantican/Rappler.com

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