Charles Teves
Former PinoyExchange (PEx) users strolled down memory lane as they reminisced about their experiences on the online forum before its official shutdown.
The 24-year-old popular forum announced, “with deep sadness,” that it would bid Filipinos farewell on April 15th.
The shutdown reason was not disclosed.
“From the bottom of our hearts, Maraming Salamat!” it said on Facebook.
In its post, PEx also included its logo from its launch in July 1999 and its current logo with a tagline.
Netizens recalled their moments on the website.
OMG. Dito ako nag start as a D. Cook fan nung 2008, tapos nakita ko may thread din for RV kaya minsan nakikigulo ako doon. Before Twitter, PEx ang masayang tambayan for chikahan, chismis, latest updates sa mga artists and bardahan ng mga fandoms.😂. Hayyy so many great memories. https://t.co/L5HshouDSY
— Super Saiyan (@MrGineVela) April 4, 2023
Salamat PinoyExchange di nyo lang alam gaanong karaming industry info ang nasagap ng competing networks and shows dito. At gaanong karami rin ang napaso later kasi patibong pala ang info hahaha. Indeed it was a lot of fun, thanks guys! https://t.co/huafGqAo1Y
— Perci Intalan (@percinotpercy) April 4, 2023
Amazing that it held on for as long as it did. Maraming salamat https://t.co/2yimw1AX6C
— Jonathan de Santos (@desamting) April 4, 2023
Trivia: Sa @pinoyexchange forums nadiscover ng Star Cinema ang isa sa kanilang pinakapremyadong writers kasi inis ang team ng Pangako Sa ’Yo (2000) dahil nahuhulaan niya ang mangyayari sa next eps so they have to revise their scripts. https://t.co/hBt3wV6BoX
— H Y R O (@heyrow) April 4, 2023
PEx was where I honed my skills in editing and songwriting with such a diverse community of people who were just so supportive.
As an introvert who could only talk best behind a screen, this was definitely home.
And it just sucks to see this home go. 😔
Thank you PEx 💔 https://t.co/dVVfzg2cg3
— rob (@perowian) April 4, 2023
NOOOOOO 😭😭😭 sometimes I still go to PEx to read stuff about my favorite shows from the past.
Dito ko kaya nalaman na may issue pala si ___,____,at___ from ***** hahaha! Awww, thank you so much, PEx. I must say ikaw ang bumuo sa kaadikan ko sa TV and anything past. 💖🫶🏻 https://t.co/zBMQ3CFUWi
— Jimpy Anarcon (@jimpylosophies) April 4, 2023
Omg! End of an era!!! Spent so much time here early 2000s 🥺 https://t.co/zNgEhIlZhW
— Lester 📸 (@yetkl) April 4, 2023
END OF AN ERA OMG https://t.co/hBt3wV6BoX
— H Y R O (@heyrow) April 4, 2023
No FB, IG, etc. yet when I spent a year in Tokyo as an exchange student. Lived home vicariously through Pinoyexchange (and Friendster & YM). Ang luma. Haha! https://t.co/oT5Zpac3Hp
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) April 4, 2023
PinoyExchange (PEx) is an online forum that predates many social media platforms, including Reddit and operates similarly. Over 1.5 million users visit the site monthly to express their thoughts and opinions on various topics. These topics include showbiz, sports, gadgets, travel, other interests, and local and international news.
The idea for PEx was born in the late 1990s when the only way to communicate virtually was through chat sites and chat rooms. Michael Nolledo, Nix Nolledo, and Jude Turcuato founded the popular forum on July 12, 1999. They were later joined by Michael Palacios, who became the lead designer and technical consultant.
Other early PEx members also became moderators to manage site content and discussions. PEx gained popularity through its exposure to UAAP basketball games, which were televised, and where Jude served as a commentator. Viewers were encouraged to express their thoughts about the ongoing matches. This led thousands of students and alumni from UAAP member schools to flock to the site and participate in discussions.
PEx reported reaching 2,000 members “before the turn of the century,” when internet penetration in the Philippines was less than 2%.
Since then, the online forum has evolved into a place where users worldwide can connect and converse on various topics, not just sports.
