One of the questions of those who find me or my website interesting is why I blog in Filipino. Perhaps some of them thought I was uncomfortable writing in English or limiting myself to reaching a wider audience. Well, their opinions are valid. But to give you more ideas bakit ako nagba-blog sa Tagalog o Filipino, here are my reasons:

1) Because of WordPress/ and its setting in Filipino

Somewhere in time (charr), I met and heard from Mr. WordPress Matt Mullenweg (2 times) that he’s wondering why most Filipino bloggers/ online writers prefer to post articles in English.  If I remember correctly, Mullenweg said he understands that the Philippines is one of the largest English-speaking countries, but they (WP) still expect Filipinos to blog in their native language. In this way, the blogging community becomes bigger and reaches specific readers (a.k.a niche market).

Ever since na nalaman  ko na may Filipino setting ang wordpress.com,  ‘yon na ang setting ko in my first ever blog Kwentotpaniniwalanihitokirihoshi.wordpress.com. Dahil nga doon ay I discovered what’s website (pooksasapot) and email (sulatroniko) in Filipino. I also found many Pinoy bloggers around the globe and their top posts all over the World Wide Web.

In that setting ay mas madali mag-bloghopping, link building, and makitsika with other Filipino bloggers (wherever they are).  In my first few years in blogging, mostly mga personal bloggers ang ka-blog ko and the feel was, I’m only exchanging ideas and realizations in life. Siguro that’s also my first taste of social networking and content marketing. Very valuable for me kasi dati I’m contented to write in diary only. #makahiya

2) Advertisers and PR Firms also work with content creators in Filipino

I’m frustrated before kasi hinihindian ako ng Google Adsense DATI. They had this rule that most of my posts should be in English. Medyo na-hurt ako and I wonder why they don’t cater Filipino content creators, eh mayroon din namang Filipino readers.

I admit that I also tried to blog in English for monetization. It came to a point where I had to decide whether to blog for money or blog for passion. I always ended up choosing the latter, no matter what. Then, one day, an Ambient Digital staff talked with me (in person, complete with a professional presentation) about being part of their partner publishers. So, mayroon din naman advertisers who recognize creators and readers even before.

Eventually, nag-cater na rin ang Google Adsense ng sites blogging/vlogging in Filipino, like mine. They approve my application after a month.  So, I’m more than satisfied with my decision to blog in Filipino.

If we also notice, there are a lot of Filipino sites and publishers/ content creators (including local vloggers) who earn money que balbal na Tagalog pa ang kanilang language. What is relevant is (the essential tip) “content is king” and how you will reach your target audience. Mag-a-adjust din ang big companies like Google depending on market clamors, local/ international.

3) Because blogging in Filipino is niche blogging, too

I have two inspirations behind this post. These two were the latest persons who asked me the same question in my title, and also inquired about my experiences. Gusto nila malaman kung kumikita ako sa ganito. Bahala kayo mag-isip, hehehe.

One of them shared that he’s searching bloggers who write in Filipino, at nakita n’ya ako na isa o tanging may ganitong klaseng site. That’s the point already, madali n’ya ako nakita because I’m one of the unique / online creators who blog in Filipino.  Pinoy readers are my niche market, which I only realized not long time ago.

I’m okay if my reasons do not convince them. Ako naman ay tinanong lang at sumagot, hindi ko nilalako na mag-blog ang sinuman sa Filipino. From time to time, I also blog in English for some good reasons. I encountered visitors who commented on why my particular posts were not written in English—the answer hindi s’ya belong as aking main target readers– Filipinos worldwide. However, I can translate my Filipino articles in English (and today there are free online translators and AI tools to use).

Additionally, there are many blogs/sites out there that are already informative and entertaining. Practically, mahirap ng maki-share sa readers nila so I am serving those who prefer to read Filipino content.  Iba rin ang saya, if you get to know Filipinos from different places/ countries who have different interests,

The following sample of posts/comments  serve  as inspirations and proof that I am serving my niche market:

4) Because it’s “Me,” my voice, and I in Filipino   

Mayroon akong regular readers na nasundan ang journey ko sa blogging. Kapag sila ang nagko-comment medyo conscious ako because I know that they’re all very good in English—Grammar Nazi level.  Pero conscious lang ako if my post is in English.  So why do I have to experience that misery?

Then, may time pa nga na nag-comment ang isa sa kanila na “prolific blogger” daw ako because I post often (hindi na masyado ngayon). Possibly, my secrets in being quick to post or prolific blogger are

• Blog about my interests, experiences, realizations, and anecdotes
• Blog in the medium that allows me to express my ideas easily

  

Mayroon din isa sa kanila, who brutally, commented na iba na raw ang binabasa n’yang blog, mag-Filipino na lang ako. I don’t know if I gravely offended him with my wrong grammar (hahahaha), but he’s right. My writing voice is different when I write in English. Ano ba ang kadalasang sinusulat ko in English?  Letter, thesis, reports, etc.

Bukod din sa nosebleed na ako, my nuances come naturally if I write in my native language. And come to think of it, who will understand my expressions such as “charot,” “eddie,” “hello,” “mabuhay!”  “gogo sago,” and  “hohoho” except my fellow Filipino millennials and readers? Who will be interested and understand my stories about OFWs, Isawan, and my penchant for Anime and Korean series?

5) Because I see potentials and good boundaries in it

Continuing a career is hard if you think there’s no growth. On the other hand, it is also easier to get lost in the wilderness if you don’t set boundaries.

In terms of topics, I acknowledge that my site is like a chop suey because I blog about business, personal finance, travel, entertainment, arts and culture, and other interests (for me, Hoshilandia is a personal lifestyle blogzine). I don’t limit myself to posting articles under one category, or it will kill my productivity (but I will try to organize stuff).

By the way, I created …

In the Entertainment Zone for my stories, reviews, and reflections about TV shows, movies, celebrities, music, and books.

Career 2.0 for my tips, analysis, and stories about career, freelancing, and other employment issues in the Philippines.

Nakikita ko rin ang maraming ideas and opportunities sa pagba-blog sa Tagalog.