Why Davao Needs More #DigitalInfluencers - Davao, Food & Photography

No. Absolutely not. Davao doesn’t need more online citizens. We need digital family planning and Im being serious.

In a world where people are given too much freedom, as big as the cyberspace, endless things are likely to happen. People are spending more time in their cyber reality and this has become their breathing space. I am not just highlighting the negative impact of internet to people but I wanted to demonstrate here the importance of internet to our daily lives because ladies and gentlemen, we are in the digital age.

If you are an 80’s kid like me, you would have witnessed the very transition of semi-mechanic to fully-automated processes in our daily lives. You would know how to operate some “gadgets” that would now be considered “antique decor” or find delight in hearing dial up sounds and patiently wait for a homepage to load. You have physical everything for every transaction you need-a bankbook, call cards, notebook or books, actual paint brush or calendar even medical equipment! Everything has a physical representation but since the digital gates opened to every single person on Earth (and I mean every single human being), every game has also changed.

Being in the hospitality industry made me appreciate digital communications better. Marketing took a 180 degree change in strategies and approach in the past few years. People are easily available because the digital gates are quite lenient on the availability of data. You will see wonderful tools that are more cost-efficient, creative and alive.

But marketing isn’t always about digital tools. There are many human factors and traditional styles that are still proven to be effective; old school has its own charm that will never be replaced by any binary digits. Relationships cannot be built without the creature behind it and for hotels like mine, value for money isn’t just about new buildings or the newly refurbished space but the totality of the experience, the genuine warmth you get not from your bed or blanket but from the people who makes your stay worth while.

So why need online influencers when the traditional still works? When the cyberspace is free and open?

My answer to this may have been implied in my earlier statements. It is quite obvious that every power has its limits and nothing in this world is constant apart from change.

No we don’t need more digital influencers, we are all digital influencers already–in our own family, circle of friends and at work. What we need are RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL INFLUENCERS. We do not need another fashionista who tells me to buy this apparel or another foodie who will haunt my dream for a food that I will never be able to eat after posting it in midnight, nor buy another gadget, go to the next city in the world or be like this and be like that. We have gazillions of them, me included and I sometimes get enough of myself too.

What Davao needs is someone who sells their confidence and shares them to afflict positivism amidst this age of hate. What Davao needs is a foodie who shares culture through stories in a plate or someone who would send a message of how beautiful (and safe) Davao (and Philippines) is. We need responsible digital influencers who shares a portion of the beautiful, not their personal insecurities. We need online warriors who uses the powerful tool called the internet to change the world and advocate peace not promote hate, prejudices and double standards.

So amidst the sad news we heard about Davao, I am very pleased to introduce the new set of online peace advocates and influencers, the first of its kind that gathers bloggers including the micro and video bloggers, and traditional media, the Davao Digital Influencers, Inc which was recently launched in partnership with various organizations and companies.

Photo courtesy of Ian Garcia

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting Davao Digital Influencers, Inc.

Platinum Sponsor

PLDT HOME is the country’s leading broadband and digital services provider that allows seamless, simultaneous streaming in all your devices at home. Enabling moments that bring your family closer together, PLDT HOME offers Fibr, DSL, Ultera and Telpad services.

PLDT brings you the finest options when it comes to telecommunications solutions. Whether you need high-speed Internet connection, a landline or a combination of both, PLDT HOME has the right package for you.

Gold Sponsors

Coca-Cola FEMSA is the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world. The Company has 63 bottling facilities and serves more than 358 million consumers through more than 2,800,000 retailers and over 100,000 employees worldwide.

Locally, the Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines operates 19 plants and 53 sales offices and distribution centers across the country. It has operates two plants and one Distribution Center in Davao. The first plant was established in May 1950 and is located along MacArthur Highway. The second plant is located in Barangay Darong, Sta. Cruz. Collectively, both plants employ around 350 associates.

The Davao Digital Influencers Inc. is supported by Cebu Pacific, the largest airline operating flights to Davao. It offers seat sales that go as low as P599 all-in, and a network that spans Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Guam. It operates direct flights from Singapore, Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga to Davao. Book now through bit.ly/DavaoCEB or call 7020-888. The latest seat sales are also up on Cebu Pacific’s Facebook and Twitter pages.