World’s netizens mourn death of ‘visionary and creative genius’

JOBS REMEMBERED. Steve Jobs holds the new iPhone 4 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco on June 2010 . Prior to his death, Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple. No reason was given although speculation swirled that he gave up his post due to failing health. AP FILE PHOTO

Filipino netizens joined the world in cybermourning over the passing of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs Thursday.

Immediately after the news of his death due to pancreatic cancer broke, “RIP Steve Jobs” became a top trending topic worldwide in the social networking site Twitter. The hashtags #iSad and #thankyousteve were also trending topics.

On Facebook, more than 100 pages labeled “RIP Steve Jobs” were created after his death.

Twitter and Facebook users in the Philippines expressed their sympathy and sadness over the death of Jobs, whom Twitter user @KatDeCastro described as “a visionary and a creative genius.”

“It’s like Michelangelo or Da Vinci died. Humanity lost a genius,” musician Jim Paredes wrote on Twitter.

International artist Lea Salonga wrote on Twitter: “iMourn. iCry. iLove” while Rock Ed founder Gang Badoy tweeted: “iUsed, iLearned, iAccomplished, iThank, iMourn.”

“Meeting and chatting with Steve Jobs is part of my bucket list. I feel extremely sad that I’d have to say goodbye to this fond dream today but I’m pretty sure his contributions to technology will live on. May he rest in peace,” Rhea Alba posted on her Facebook account.

Crazy enough

“Here’s to the Crazy Ones, because people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who actually do. At the end of the day, it’s not just about the products—it’s about the core values that drive innovation. RIP, Uncle Steve,” Facebook user Mika Palileo said.

Some posted their gratitude to Jobs and expressed how he changed the way they live.

“Some people change the way we live. Few are able to change the world. Even less can do both. Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. Thank you,” TV host Cesca Litton posted on Twitter.

“All I need right now to cover a story or event is my iPhone. That’s how Steve Jobs changed the way I work,” journalist Carlos Conde said on his Twitter account.

Twitter user @rodneygarcia posted on Twitter: “As a pastor, his products helped me preach and communicate God’s Word creatively and powerfully. That’s my passion.”

Jobs saved Apple again

Others made mention of the iPhone 4S, which received negative reviews, which Apple released a day before Jobs’ passing.

Facebook user Elijah Mendoza posted: “Steve Jobs’ death saved Apple one last time—everybody just forgot about yesterday’s launch. A marketing genius ’til the very end. RIP.”

A number of people also left comments in the Inquirer.net’s report on Jobs’ death.

User Milo Go said “The world is less bright today. We lost a great visionary.”

Mission accomplished

“Godspeed, Steve; your mission to serve humanity is finished. Take your well-deserved rest in the company of angels and saints,” one Serge Imperio wrote.

A special thread in the Philippine Mac Users website (www.philmug.ph) dedicated to Jobs has more than 400 posts and over 7,000 views as of 2 p.m. yesterday.

User Dxtrman wrote: “As I type on my iMac, tears spring to my eyes for an amazing man I never met. His genius has touched us all. A pioneer and a genius. Steve Jobs, you will be with us forever. Farewell our friend.”

Around 30 million Filipinos use the Internet as of June 2010, according to data from the interworldstats.com. The country has one of the biggest Facebook penetration rates in the world at 93 percent.

The Philippines also ranked ninth worldwide in terms of number of users of microblogging site Twitter, according to the January-April 2011 comScore Media Metrix. Inquirer Research