Author’s Note: Standard Web Standards will be starting a “blog mini-series” on the notable websites of Philippine candidates (For everyone’s information, Filipinos will be voting for national and local officials this coming May).
Around early February, I saw a sticker on a public bus which bore the crypic message “Ang gara ng Buhay,” which translates to “Life is fine.” I knew from that time that Ed Angara, former senator and president of U.P., was on the already on the campaign trail. But while he wants us to believe that our lives will be fine with him on the senate, would we be “fine” if we do away with his website? Read the review:
- Design of the times – The site sports a simple but clean design, very chic by today’s political web standards. It’s a nice start but…
- Ugh, the picture! – What’s with his picture on the Flash animation on the homepage?!? I’m sure his campaign staff can find a better picture of him in his campaign– better composition and better quality. Too bad it brings the homepage down.
- Fire the welcoming committee! – This message, because of its truncation, makes me cringe:
My name is Ed Angara. I am a lawyer, educator, farmer, banker, and government official of the Republic of the Philippines. But I’m also a technophobe; computers and computer-talk generally give me a feeling of uneasiness..
Ack! It seems to be sending the wrong message.
- Content Architecture – The site’s information architecture is very well thought of. Very commendable.
- Layout – Related to #3, is it me or the site should have used the header menu to place the main navigation currently located in the left? The first screenful is wasted in my opinion.
- Textbook play - Hats off to the site’s imlpementors– they seem to know how to use new media efficiently, although better preview feature is a big help.
- Subltety has no place here – While the site over-all is subtle and shows a lot of restraint, I somehow feel that it’s doing the campaign a disservice. I hope to see more spirit on the site, given the rising campaign competition.
Can traditional politicians like Ed Angara hide in the guise of a neat, “magara” (fine) website? Remember, “Ang gara” is also used negatively in the Philippine context– it can be used sarcastically to mean “unbelievable.”
