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IF HE BUILDS IT, THEY WILL COME - Part 1
When the internet was first introduced in the Philippines in 1995, I immediately saw its potential. The possbilities were endless. Having an extensive background in computer graphics, 3D animation and visual effects, I realized that making web sites were far more easier. So I ventured into this by adding web site design and hosting services which was geared towards companies and businesses, including celebrities. Anyone can have a web site created even individuals. There are no limits to its application. It seemed that many people, including celebrities, liked the web sites I created. So through email inquiries, referrals and by word-of-mouth, I was getting more celebrity clients. I hope I haven't disappointed them with the quality of my work and services. It is very rewarding when a web site is regularly visited by surfers. It has been my policy to constantly updated all web sites I create with the latest photos and information in order to get surfers to come back. So when a web site hasn't been updated for a certain period, I personally contact the celebrity and ask if they have any new material that they want to put into their web sites. Why should a celebrity have a website? Because it is a business card, a marketing tool that is targeted not towards the local market but towards the gobal community. This is the information age. We should not only have a localize application or perception of technology anymore. We have to think global. The web sites I create should cater to the needs, requriements and appeal of the global community and not the local market. These celebrities are already known in the Philippines, so there is no point marketing them here. The internet has over 100 million users worldwide with 2/3 in the US. And it's growing exponentially. It opens international markets. A celebrity should exploits his or her web site to the fullest. I think in the local market, some web sites by other companies were created for the sheer novelty of it. For some celebrities, it became a "status" symbol, like an "in" thing to have. Eventually, these web site weren't maximize to its fullest potential. Of all the celebrity Web sites you've created, which did you enjoy doing most? Which eventually became your favorite? Each web site has its own unique feature. They are distinct from each other and have their own character. Personally, I focus on content and information. A web site can have a great design and tons of photos, but if it doesn't have any infomartion, and content, then its just a worthless piece of junk. On the other hand, a web site may have lots of infomartion but if it is not presentable or organized, then it just confuses and dicourages a potential surfer to navigate through it. So I make it a point to incorporate both ideas but always put premium on the information aspect. I will admit that I do have a personal favorite but I'd rather keep it to myself. What is your most-visited celeb website? How many hits does it get? Why do you think this is the most popular? From my daily log reports, the web sites of Charlene Gonzalez, Pops Fernandez and Mikee Cojuangco have high daily hit rates. Following closely are the web sites of Dina Bonnevie, Gelli de Belen, Rachel Alejandro and Zsa Zsa Padilla. Charlene's site has always had the highest visits averaging 250 hits/day and still growing. Although it has a number of articles about Charlene, I think people like to see of her pictures. Aside from having lots of audio clips which surfers love to listen to, Pops' site has ASAP Live! as a special section wherein surfers can view live images of Pops on ASAP and listen to audio clips of her song numbers. So every Sunday, visitors to Pops' site significantly increase sometimes reaching 450 hits. Mikee's site is relatively new but has gained momentum in just a couple of weeks. Dina's site which is an extension of her daily show Ms.D has its own following too. In general, I think people like seeing lots of photos - beautiful and sexy photos! |
A certified rescue diver and sky diver in his spare time, Ronnie T. Miranda brings his passion
for high risks into his profession. As the head of the graphics design firm Storm Visualization & Imaging,
he's the man behind some of the best and most popular Filipino celebrity Web sites,
including the