Filipinos Psyche on Joining Social Networking Sites

For my reference on my thesis, I conducted an interview with Mrs. Michelle Santos-Alignay, Guidance Councilor at Miriam College and Ms. Joanne Valle, Guidance Councilor at Ateneo de Manila University. Questions are provided that will help me understand the psyche behind Filipinos joining and using social networking sites especially Friendster. Interview was conducted through e-mail.

1. Why is it important for Filipinos to be sociable? Is this a character trait distinct to Filipinos or Asians?

Mrs. Michelle Santos-Alignay:
Filipinos are known to be sociable/ hospitable people. It is inherent to the culture and we grew up valuing our big families or clans. We regard our kinship or affiliation, (either blood relations or through rituals , e.g. kumpare, ninong sa kasal) with relatives important to the society or people in authority. It is not being important to Filipinos per se, but it is a trait that existent in our families and societies we are raised, thus our tendency to be sociable becomes important to us as well.

Being sociable appears to be a trait inherent to Filipinos, as we are regarded to be the most hospitable Asian people. Our heritage of being a colony may have contributed to this.

Ms. Joanne Valle:
We are a culture that gives utmost importance to interaction which is also very much evident in our basic values such as “hiya”, “pakikipagkapwa-tao” “pakikisama”, and “utang na loob”. We always generally want to be in good terms with other people. Filipinos also exhibit strong kinship ties. We are always never alone, especially during momentous occasions from birth to our burials. This is partly why we are so used to not being alone. Our well-being seems to be very much anchored in our relationships (smooth interpersonal relationships).

Since this phenomenon seems to be culture-bound, I would say that it would depend on the culture that is prevalent among a certain race or country. From experience, people in the Northern parts of Asia, where it tends to be colder, are not known to be friendly as compared to those living in more sunny and tropical locations. A more specific example would be Vietnamese people from Ho Chi Min (South) as compared to those from Hanoi (North).

2. It is important for an individual to be part of a group because they want to feel accepted or wanted. What other factors can you contribute to this statement?

Mrs. Michelle Santos-Alignay:
It is not just that individuals wanted to feel accepted or wanted, it is a natural human need to belong and be accepted by others. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (check out Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs), belongingness needs is one of the basic need of people, following the need for food, water, and security. A person’s sense of individuality is only affirmed upon belonging to a group wherein he/she feels accepted and belonged (such as families, peers, clubs/ organizations).

Ms. Joanne Valle:
It is a basic need to belong and one has to experience the dynamics of being in a group since this experience is imperative for growth and development (self-insight and learnings from others).


3. Aside from connecting to old and new people or friends, what other values or benefits can people get in joining social networking sites?

Mrs. Michelle Santos-Alignay:
There are some benefits of joining social networking sites, to name a few. First, above from maintaining the connection with family and friends, it boosts an individual’s self-esteem to know that there are people who are interested to connect or affiliate with them. It means that they have people who accepted their invitations to be affiliates, acquaintances or even as friends. Second, persons’ social networks become the ground for building deeper relationships, either romantic relationships or deeper friendships. Many relationships are rekindled through such networks. Third, it becomes a means for an individual to share bits and pieces a person’s life events (blogs, shutouts, profile) to more people without the fear of being censored through personal interactions. Sharing about oneself to other people is a means of growth in a person’s socio-emotional well-being. Lastly, being part of the social network is also a means of belonging “in” a group or being “updated” with the latest trend in the society wherein some people see as a means of fulfillment.

Ms. Joanne Valle:
Feeling of belongingness, of connecting with others (new and old), and possibly a continuity and even deepening of relationships in some cases (i.e. families, OFWs)
Broader knowledge base (sharing of info)
Perspectives also widen (learning about other cultures)

4. Most of the users of friendsters are teens, young adults and yuppies. Can you please describe the social needs of these age segments?

Mrs. Michelle Santos-Alignay:
The teens, ranging from the high school to the college years, are considered in the developmental stage of Adolescence. While the young adults or yuppies, actually belong to the stage of Early Adulthood.

According to Erik Erikson’s theory on the socio-emotional tasks of this life stages, the central task of Adolescence is building a person’s identity. Part of the identity of the person is grounded on his or her belongingness to a group or the fulfillment teens attain in being part of a peer group. During adolescence, the peer group is the most influential network in helping build the person’s identity. Thus, it follows that teenagers seek this cyber social circles as a source of satisfying their need for people, being able to identify with a particular group and building their identity through affiliations and peer influences.

With the early adults, the central task of this stage is establishing intimacy. Intimacy, meaning establishing deeper relationships with good friends, particularly romantic relationships that may lead to marriage. Thus, the individual’s social connections, either personal or through networking sites, serve as the pool of people wherein he or she completes the task. As mentioned earlier, the stage of early adulthood is when people search for someone who can be possible future partners. Thus, the social networking sites serve the needs of people who wants to find eligible people whom they can get to know better as well.

Ms. Joanne Valle:
We like to expand our social circles and we also like to know what is happening with other people, as well as letting them know what is happening with us. Friendster provides this and more. We also like to be creative and Friendster gives us the chance to showcase this.

5. Filipinos are the biggest users of Friendster in the world. Please share some thoughts on why do you think Filipinos like joining Social Networking Sites like Friendster?

Ms. Joanne Valle:
According to Erikson, it is in these ages that people develop their identities and eventually form deeper relationships with others (identity vs. role confusion and intimacy vs. isolation). They have a need to fit in, to feel that they belong, to establish relationships that may or may not lead to deeper commitment and Friendster can be a vehicle for these.

6. What kind of programs or activities would you recommend that would help participants maximize their participation in events that promote social interaction?

Mrs. Michelle Santos-Alignay:
(I’m not particularly sure about what you mean on participants , and events…)

Programs and activities that individuals can join that can promote social interactions:

First, join social religious groups like Singles for Christ and Youth for Christ to build a network of people who have a common religious foundation. (This is where I met my husband!)

Second, youth and yuppies may also join organizations on advocacy, groups regarding their interests (hobby groups).

Third, participating in classes, sports or other interests that can help them to meet new people.

Fourth, get together with old classmates and friends. Go to reunions and other social gatherings.

Ms. Joanne Valle:
Engage in new experiences like learning a new skill, hobby, craft.