“Ako Ang Simula”, “Ako Mismo” – Ako Nalilito, May Duda

(english back translation of title: “I am the start”, “I myself” – I am confused, Suspicious”)

i don’t think anyone will miss what just happened. “ako” (me) all of a sudden became very important in the last few weeks.

first, we were called attention to “ako” during the pacquaio-hatton fight when we saw these long list of celebrities declaring “ako mismo”. its a well produced tv ad and a damn expensive ad to produce given the wall-to-wall celebrities appearing in the ad. this is probably the most expensive tv ad produced in the country’s history on the talent fees alone. (view the ad here: 
http://the-wawam-file.blogspot.com/2009/05/pldt-smart-telecoms-ako-mismo-ako-may.html
) 

Ako Mismo

 then just last night, “ako” came up again in a different form, “Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo, Ako Ang Simula” (Your Vote, Patro It, I am the start) through abs-cbn.

ako ang simula

question: has the ad industry and broadcast media ran out of creativity that they are unable to come up with phrases or titles that are different from each other? must they be so similar to each other?

the names of these “advocacies” are so close together that i think people will confuse one for the other, although reading the websites will tell you they are very different in what they are for but admittedly they use the same core consumer insight.

“ako ang simula” is abs-cbn’s vehicle to get content from its viewers through text (SMS) and video (MMS) for the election. apparently they have done this previously where viewers sent them text and MMS on what people witness to be election irregularities.

“ako mismo” is supposed to be an advocacy to get citizens involved in nation-building or changing the country. we do not know yet what this group will do in the end, but it is asking for “commitments” and personal information from participants.

the first one, “ako ang simula” is very clear in intent – to gather content for their news and programs for the tv station from viewers. the second one, “ako mismo”  is unclear in intent and what it is for.

we like to raise a few red flags for “ako mismo”.

• first, this movement’s objective has not been stated. you need to be careful with groups like these. ignore the fact that celebrities are in the ad and even they did not say what this group od for.
• second, it is gathering a lot of personal information for those who join it. and it is through the internet that they are doing this. you know how it is in the internet – giving personal information is a big no-no. the website says they now have 90T signatories. it has become a big group, we wish them well.
• third, this is being funded by smart and pldt – the largest telecoms in the country. the kind of information they are asking participants to give out is very useful demographics data for a business like smart and pldt. also, they can sell the personal information you give them to other tele-marketers.
• fourth, press releases have said DDB, an ad agency is managing the whole thing. DDB is the ad agency of smart and pldt.  DDB as an ad agency will not do anything for free. it does things for clients. this is no exception – they are doing this and getting paid for by smart or pldt.

the biggest problem we have on “ako mismo”  is very simply it has not stated its goal/s. we do not think it is wise to join a group, give so much personal information to anyone or any group that has not stated what the group is for and what will it do. and one more – it is plainly not safe to give your personal information on the internet.

next in this blog: what is the good thing about this? 

ako ang simula website:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/botomo

ako mismo website:
http://www.akomismo.org/main.php?s=whois