Tonyo Cruz left a very interesting comment at my previous post which pretty much sums up all the doubts raised by a lot of many people with the Ako Mismo Campaign. The concept of the campaign is really inspiring, and I’m sure that a lot of you will agree that this has a lot of potential and can snowball into something that can really make a difference. However, what’s alarming here is that the people behind this movement are using the campaign to build a massive database – complete with mobile numbers, e-mail addresses, and other personal information.
Tonyo Cruz raises 3 caveats in his comment left on my previous post. I’d like to focus on the first two that he pointed out. I believe that the campaign organizers really have to address these if they want the movement to really become genuine and sincere.
First, this is a political movement. It seeks to bring change to something. Unfortunately, we are not given information on who are behind it and why. That is sad because it fits the mold of the trapo politics which doesn’t care about the right of the public to be fully informed.
Second, it is distasteful and questionable why a person must first sign up and hand over personal information before being told what the site and movement is all about. Whether they intend to spam the registrants, sell the personal information to companies and politicians, or would really just wish to keep in touch are all beside the point.
In short – who’s behind this and why are you building a database?
What’s stopping them from selling the database to the highest bidder? What’s worse is maybe that there is already a political party running this from the get-go, and that they’re just using this as a tool to harvest potential voters that they can convert come 2010. They’ll easily breach the 1M mark of registrations soon. Imagine the power of having direct communication with 1M potential voters in 2010 – both mobile and e-mail.
Doubters and cynics will continue to attack this campaign until the two questions above are answered. Like what I said (and I think this is the sentiment of the majority), the concept is nice, they just have to prove that it’s genuine.
Ako mismo, tutulong at sasama sa inyo. Kayo mismo paki sagot mga tanong namin sa taas. (lol)
I totally agree with your sentiments. I just had a conversation on Facebook with some friends.
Someone heard thru the grapevine that this is an MVP effort and will be used for a political campaign. I mentioned that if this indeed will turn into a database for a political candidate, I expect a retaliation from the members who would have been deceived. I know I will.
So I will give them the benefit of the doubt. But they should be careful what they do with the information.
Really mysterious. lolz
We have the same sentiments. I am really uncomfortable about the whole thing. Why should I sign up first before I can even see the “about” page? Why are some info hidden from the public who wanted to know the real deal behind this? O_o
When we first saw this during the pacquiao fight, i looked at my husband straight in the eye and said AKO MISIS MO! he he
But seriously, this is a good advocacy, provided that we are told that we will not be used.
“Ako Mismo nagtataka kung ano tong ako mismo.” Lolz
I am sharing the same sentiments with you. Though we can’t blame the people behind this so called “Advocacy” if they can build a massive database of potential voters because of the fact that site visitors are the ones giving their personal information. We can do nothing about it!
The best way for Ako Mismo Movement to do is to explain first what is exactly the causes of this advocacy so that commitment posted would be in line with the Advocacy. Di tulad ng nag post na “AKO MISMO Papatay sa mga Terorista.” Huh? Good Luck!
The people behind this Advocacy is obviously MVP. If not, its PLDT and SMART – it’s still him! I see nothing wrong on MVP doing this, as long as he will not enter the ring of politics.
Ang tanong “SYA BA MISMO ANG TATAKBO?” : )
@Hozae: It’s good to note though that they’ve answered most of our questions through the FAQ. Check my latest post for details.
@Dinah: Natawa ako dun ampf, hahahaha! Nice one!!!
quoted from a friend:
They also wash their hands of any person “accidentally” cracking the site and getting all your info. If you read privacy policy, again, which no one reads:
AKO MISMO shall not be liable under any circumstances for damages resulting from unauthorized use of information collected from visitors to the site.
AKO MISMO website is already updated. you may check the website again for clarifications regarding the ako mismo ownership. or visit this blog to be enlightened that the campaign is apolitical and only country beneficial.
http://www.akomismo.org
go to who is behind ako mismo.
Faqs from http://www.akomismo.org
Q: Who is behind the Ako Mismo campaign?
A: DDB, under its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, DDB Cares, is the spirit behind the campaign. For many years now, DDB Cares has been supporting causes it firmly believes in, using its creative and media resources to espouse positive values. From taking care of the environment, to education of children, responsible voting, protection against domestic violence and human trafficking, role of media in shaping society, religious efforts for Veritas and Caritas, and now, this advocacy for hope and empowerment. We do this, probono oftentimes, both for our clients and for our own advocacies.
Q: What is Ako Mismo about?
A: Ako Mismo is a patriotic initiative anchored on optimism. It is a battle against indifference and the feeling that the individual is helpless. Amidst all the bad news and negativism gripping the nation, Ako Mismo provides a refreshing message of hope and empowerment. It is an apolitical and inclusive movement to energize and rejuvenate Filipinos, especially the youth, and move them to action. It is our collective desire that the action arising from our individual commitments as Ako Mismo advocates will mobilize a groundswell of change, contributing to a bright future for our country.
for me.. i believe that this is one way of making people realize that, we as individuals should do something by ourselves to help out in anything, and not just to depend on the people involved.. actually this is in general, no specific area, no specific situation.. its just that you yourself should do something.. instead of complaining, just ACT on it..
kudos to those who initiated this campaign..
its like looking at a piece of paper with a small ballpen mark on the middle, no matter how small the mark is people will always notice it first. akomismo is a very good campaign in my opinion, you know this is what this country needs a little bit of hope and encouragement. though it may be a fact that this campaign is funded by big companies, its still your decision whom to vote.
i find the akomismo message direct, strong, and sincere. and MVP doesn’t deny his involvements in crafting the whole thing.
Can i get the number of the stall in Two world square where i can buy dogtags for myself after i register?
wel oh well,if you really wanted to buy,sure nakabili ka na ngayon.see?naging negosyo na itong BMPM na pareho nating sinalihan.ako mismo,bibili din sana but I got second thoughts.buti na lang.pero tinanggap ko rin ang binigay ng isang member din na ikinahiya niya ata ang pagiging member.but you know,I am wearing it so that when somebody asks me how to be a BMPM member I just discourage them to join.para ano pa?dadami na tayo na maloloko?kaya ako,naloko na eh di tigilan na.
“ako mismo” is just a hype. unless the people behind create a real impact on the society, wala ding mangyayari. parang nang-impress ka lang just to make yourself look good. mas okey pa na mag-volunteer na lang kayo sa Red Cross, World Vision o kaya Gawad Kalinga. At least doon, makikita mo na the fruits of your labor in your face.. hindi yung papogi lang tulad ng ako mismo. No offense but you should know better than just doing a catchy commercial and a fancy dogtag. very superficial.