In "The Pinoy A-list," I asked, what makes a blog "Pinoy"? Some suggestions have been made through the comments on my post, Random Takes and Ambot Ah! I'd like to suggest the following definition of a "Pinoy" blog based on the definition I use for my "Filipiniana Online" series:
Blogs about the Philippines, produced in or outside the Philippines, by Filipinos or non-Filipinos, in any of the Philippine languages, or in a foreign language (Medina 1992).After all, if Jose Rizal, Ramon Magsaysay and Jessica Hagedorn had blogged in their youth—no matter what they wrote about—I'm sure we would all still recognize their work as Filipiniana. Another way of stating the definition would be:
Blogs about the Philippines. It doesn't matter whether the blogs were produced in or outside the Philippines, by Filipinos or non-Filipinos, in any of the Philippine languages, or in a foreign language, as long as they are about the Philippines.What about Filipinos who do not write explicitly about the Philippines? As long as they acknowledge their Filipino roots, I'd consider them Pinoy blogs. Even those writing about not-so-Filipino topics like technology matters or American Idol, will do so with a recognizable Filipino perspective, no matter how subtle.
I am, of course, a librarian. How do I now "collect" all of these blogs in my "library"? I will now have to come up with a collection development policy. Give me a few days—maybe weeks—to come up with "Blogs as Filipiniana, Part II." In the meantime, suggestions, comments and feedback will be very welcome.
Categories: Blogging, Filipiniana Online
