ribbed.us …

This is a list of Filipino online communities and forums I’ve found around the web. This is not a directory. I’ve found that many of these “directories” around the web are plain billboards to advertise commercial ventures while the “community” has become secondary.

• iSTORYA – This is a Cebu based general forum. Posts range from general chit-chat to technology to music to politics. iSTORYA also has a very active and very effective online marketplace forum where members can post classified ads, products, and services. Members can also create albums in the included Photo Gallery.
• The Free Network Group (Philippines) – free.net.ph for short is a community for open source enthusiasts in the Philippines. Most interaction among members is done via mailing lists.
• The Philippine Webdesigner’s Network – PhilWeavers is the premier community for web design professionals. The site features an open forum, design/designer showcases, and many more. PhilWeavers is a must for anyone with Filipino roots and serious about web programming/designing. A word of caution: Prepare to be humbled.
• Microsoft Philippines Community Site – This is the official forum of Microsoft Philippines. The forums are very active and deal with all things Microsoft. The forums are filled with professional Microsoft Philippines developers and users.
• PinoyExchange – PinoyExchange is the largest Filipino forum on the internet with close to 150,000 registered users. Topics range from sports to business to computer gaming.
• Atenista.Net – The unofficial community for Ateneans all over the country and around the world.
• PinoyPC Network – PinoyPC is a site catering to the Filipino computer hardware enthusiast. The site not only offers forums, but a black market and articles with reviews and how-tos. I seem to remember PinoyPC having a lot more content in the past though. I could be wrong.
• Grabeh.com! – More than just a portal, Grabeh.com! has articles, polls, chat and searh for all their services.
• Praning.Com – Basically just a forum with a quite active community.
• linux-ph – linux-ph is an Open-Source forum. It started out as an offshoot of Linux discussion on iSTORYA and has since grown slowly but steadily over time. It is Philippine based, but everyone is welcome especially those new to Linux and open source
• Prendster – Taking advantage of the Friendster craze, Prendster borrows the name and manages to create a lively community.
• PhilMusic.com – PhilMusic is a great resource for any aspiring Filipino musician or for anyone who loves music. The front page is in the form of a blog where people can comment on the articles written as well as hop into the forum and create their own controversy. Other nice features include a Photo Gallery and free e-mail.
• Ilocano.org – Ilocano.org best describes themselves:
  

  This is the place on the web where Ilocanos from around the world can participate in discussions about the Ilocano culture, language, its people and other related and non-related topics.

  I love the Ilocano dictionary. It is not very complete, but the idea is great nonetheless. Users can also request an e-mail address with access via web mail. The site also features a photo gallery, articles, and a directory in addition to the rice and adobe of it all, the forums.

• candymag.com – Home of the Filipino magazine for teens, Candy, the forum(teentalk) caters to the teen and preteen demographics. If that describes you, then you can go crazy in the forums with other like-minded teens.

Did I not include your community or community you visit? Did I wrong you? Was your mother insulted? Feel free to comment.