The Philippine Online Chronicles

Twitter, the social networking and micro-blogging site has become the perfect platform for people from all walks of life to share feelings, opinions and thoughts; as well as rants and raves about anything under the sun.  Twitter users range from celebrities, to politicians, to journalists, to businessmen, to employees, to students and the list goes on.

Twitter is a tool for connecting with people who usually share the same interests or who might be interested in your point of view. There are celebrities who use Twitter to keep in touch with fans and update them about new films and projects. Some politicians use it as a platform for policy and legislation issues and other commentaries. Business oriented individuals utilize it to promote products and services. Bloggers share blog updates to readers and journalists share news breaks, commentaries and engage with their audience on Twitter.

Twitter has dominated the world of social networking with about 200 million Twitter accounts created. A Twitter user is restricted to 140 characters per post but this does not stop some individuals from taking things a little too far.  Varied interpretations about freedom of expression have led to some controversial tweets that placed some Twitter users in hot seats. Here are just a few actual situations where certain tweet messages have blown out of proportion.

• On May 6, 2011, actress Saab Magalona tweeted, “Thinking about a young actor who slapped my friend (his ex gf) makes me so angry. I hope his career goes nowhere!!" The tweet generated speculations in the Internet until a fan of Mara Clara actor Albie Casiño (who believed the friend Saab was referring to was Andi Eigenmann, ex-girlfriend of the said actor) questioned “Albie” on another social networking site called Formspring if he was the young actor mentioned in Magalona’s tweet. To which, “Albie” replied, “So much bull****. I never hit her. Maybe one of her many boys did. Andi’s a cheater kasi she has maybe 10 guys. Ao yeah nope not me." Andi Eigenmann joined the bandwagon by sending out consecutive tweets about the issue, “Question is why he had to have the reason to answer that question. So maybe it was him. Why would my friend, someone who just cares go about and tweet something out of disappointment if it were a lie. The issue is not what he’s done but how he’s trying to ruin my life and let him be wo defending myself. All I ver did for 2yrs was sty by hm. Make sure he’s happy and he doesn’t get hurt. Cus I care. A lot. And why do I get this inn return? No one knows.” Eigenmann mentioned in a separate tweet that the Formspring account indeed belonged to Casiño.  Jacklyn Jose, mother of Eigenmann has chosen to speak out to defend her daughter. The veteran actresses said that there’s no truth to the “cheater” accusations that Casiño has thrown against her daughter.

• On February 25, 2011, a lively virtual discussion organized by Newsbreak to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Edsa 1 turned into a heated exchange when Senator Gringo Honasan and APO Hiking Society member Jim Paredes threw snide remarks at one another.  Paredes, an Edsa veteran tweeted, “They joined EDSA to save their asses against Marcos. When it was safe again, they launched their coups.”  He later added, “Serial coup plotters who never accepted the people’s will except when they won in elections. They owe the people an apology. They were plain users without the nations good in mind.”  Honasan retorted by addressing Paredes in a tweet message saying, “Until U have faced the business end of a gun as a soldier, for God, country & family HERE, U know nothing.” The politician added, “I didn’t go abroad” in reference to Paredes’ publicized migration to Australia in 2006.  The word war continued as Paredes tweeted, “Unless yo can tell us why or even admit you launched those coups causing deaths and economic dislocation, wala ka.”  Honasan retorted, “Get elected first, even as brgy. Captain. Then let’s talk.”

• On March 3, 2011, actress Angelica Panganiban expressed her opinion about football player Phil  Younghusband entering showbizness. Panganiban tweeted, “si phil may indie film... Akala ko ba football player sya??? :( lahat na lang artista na :( sad...” Panganiban’s tweet was retweeted by more than 100 twitter users which generated negative reactions from Azkals and Younghusband fans. The uproar of some fans led Panganiban to send follow up tweets, “masama. Sana lang mag focus muna silang lahat sa football. Para sa pinas kasi yun. #justsayin' after na lang ng tourny mag artista” and “Ang kitid ng utak ng iba. D ko sinasabing ang gusto ko eh ako lang ang artista. Kung gusto pala nya mag artista, sana d na sya nag football.” Some angry fans chose to criticize Panganiban’s boyfriend, Derek Ramsay. Heated exchange between Panganiban and Azkals/Younghusband fans led to a tweet war. After that Panganiban reportedly expressed the desire to take legal action against some of the said fans.

• In October 2010, Presidential Communications Operations Office assistant secretary Mai Mislang’s controversial tweets about Vietnam caused an uproar. Mislang was part of the Philippine delegation accompanying President Benigno Aquino III to Vietnam. Mislang reportedly tweeted, “(The) wine sucks” while she was with secretary Carandang and the president during a banquet hosted by Vietnamese premier Nguyen Minh Triet at the Government Guesthouse.  She also reportedly tweeted disparaging remarks: "Sorry pero walang pogi dito #vietnam. (Sorry, but there are no handsome men in Vietnam)" and "Crossing the speedy motorcycle laden streets of Hanoi is one of the easiest ways to die." When her tweets caught the attention of the media, Mislang immediately deleted her Twitter account.  Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte later announced on government-run dzRB radio, “The sentiments of Mislang were her own and not the sentiment of the Philippines or of the president in general." Mislang was quoted on her Facebook page saying, "I apologize for my comments. If I offended anybody, please know that was never the intention. I feel extremely blessed to be in a beautiful country blessed with warm hospitable people."

Twitter is free and easy to use. Nowadays, you can use the computer or a mobile phone to send out a tweet. However, this does not mean that people can just use Twitter with less sense of responsibility and disregard for possible consequences that could arise from what they type on their keyboards or mobile keypads.

A single tweet that can be read by millions of people can become a powerful tool especially in the hands of a public figure. A tweet has the ability to make or break a person.  For instance, when Lady Gaga tweeted, “Can’t stop crying watching this. This is why I make music. She is the future. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0wi1m-89o,” 10-year old Maria Aragon became an overnight Internet sensation.

A tweet can be harmless, innocent and positive. On the other hand, it can also be harmful and destructive. A tweet can be a reason for public embarrassment or worse, a ruined reputation. In fact, Twitter word wars and controversies are becoming more frequent.  As a result, many people are realizing the need for a code of conduct for social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Perhaps there are currently no clear and structured rules about the proper and ethical use of social networking sites but all it takes is a personal check and balance.  For instance, a user should think twice before sending out a tweet.  An insensitive joke about an individual, a group or a nation may not mean anything to a twitter user but his words could inflict pain and embarrassment for others.  Twitter users should learn how to set a boundary between what is acceptable and what is not.  There’s nothing wrong about sharing an opinion but tweeting insulting or degrading words directed to an individual, group or nation is disrespectful and out of line.

Remember that once you post something on twitter, it is not easy to take it back. You can delete the tweet but others who have read it will always remember. Some can use screencap to save a copy an offending tweet.

Responsible tweeting means choosing your words wisely before hitting the send button.  Craft your words carefully and do not send tweet messages that are malicious, hurtful and disrespectful in nature. If you have a disagreement with someone, keep your messages private. The whole world doesn’t have to know about your quarrel.

Keep in mind, that what you tweet is a reflection of who you are.

Photo by Rachel Yapchiongco. Some rights reserved.

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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University.  She took up several units of MBA at the same university.  Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.