Google launches custom Philippine content via GMA, other sites

Google on Thursday showcased custom content from its local partners, including realtime updates from GMANews.TV and PEP.ph, as well as Pinoy-flavored themes from top local artists. Google Southeast Asia marketing head Derek Callow said that the Google Chrome web browser has been making significant headway into the Philippine online community, driving up the company's interest to develop more local content for the country. Citing independent data from StatCounter.com, he said that Chrome usage in the Philippines has remarkably grown in the past year.

Browser use in the Philippines from July 2008 to September 2010 (Source: StatCounter.com)

"The Philippines is where Chrome has its greatest market share," Callow explained. To capitalize on the growing community of Chrome users in the Philippines, Google has entered into partnerships with local content providers and artists to develop browser extensions and themes aimed directly at Filipino users. Browser extensions are application-like programs within Chrome that deliver customized content. Users can, for example use the GMANews.TV Chrome Extension to receive realtime news updates within their browser. Users can also get the latest showbiz news via the PEP extension. "At least 13 to 14 percent of visitors [to GMANews.TV and PEP.ph] use Chrome, so partnering with Google was a no-brainer. It was what we could do with the platform that interested us the most," said Edna Belleza, general manager for media at GMA New Media Inc.(NMI). Other featured local content include ABS-CBNNews.com news updates; buying and selling updates via the AyosDito.ph online maketplace; mobile banking via Banco de Oro; airline fares and schedules from Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines; traffic information and driving tips for Metro Manila via MMDA; and forum discussions via Pinoy Exchange. Google also showcased custom Chrome themes by top local artists, designers, and institutions. Artworks on display included works by graphic artist Arnold Arre; illustrators AJ Dimarucot, Corey Cruz, Dan Matutina, Drew Europeo, Electrolychee, Karen Gosingan, and Paul Guadalupe; fashion vanguards such as Aranaz Bags and the School of Fashion and the Arts; graphic design studio Team Manila; social change group Yabang Pinoy; and tour guide extraordinaire Carlos Celdran. —VS, GMANews.TV