Facebook activity surged last week, fueled by K-pop comebacks and announcements of government cash assistance. Millions of users reacted and commented across the platform, according to the latest analysis by Capstone Intel Corporation, which tracked posts, reactions, and overall engagement from March 16 to 22.
South Korean boy band BTS led the engagement charts. Posts related to the group’s new album Arirang generated around 2,700 posts, with an engagement score of roughly 807,000. Fans left more than 58,000 comments and millions of reactions, mostly “Love” and “Like.”
A post from The Philippine Star highlighting BTS’s comeback earned over 166,000 reactions and was widely shared. GMA News also recorded strong engagement, with nearly 170,000 reactions on its welcome-back post, most marked “Love.”
American pop band LANY ranked second in engagement for its Soft World Tour. Although only 58 posts were made about the tour, they gathered about 28,000 comments and an engagement score of roughly 275,000. Posts with ticket information and tour schedules were widely shared, with fans tagging friends and planning attendance.
Public service topics drew significant discussion, particularly cash aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program generated approximately 1,700 posts, 183,500 comments, and an engagement score of around 218,000.
A GMA News report about tricycle drivers excluded from aid lists became a major discussion point, attracting nearly 20,000 comments. Users shared experiences and sought clarification, while other updates on government funding and assistance also gained traction.
The week’s engagement also reflected users’ interest in financial news. Posts covering the peso reaching around P60 against the US dollar included 695 posts, over 57,000 comments, and an engagement score of roughly 104,000. Reactions showed concern and surprise, and many users shared posts to highlight the impact on daily expenses.
Technology and online gaming continued to drive conversation as well. Discussions about Roblox, an online gaming platform where users can play and create games, remained active alongside topics related to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center. The topic included 320 posts and more than 71,000 comments, with an engagement score of about 86,000. Coverage from ABS-CBN News focused on possible regulation of the platform due to safety, privacy, and content moderation concerns, prompting mixed reactions.
“Entertainment posts tend to get quick reactions and shares, while public service topics encourage discussion and information exchange,” said Kaye Domingo, director of Capstone Intel Research and Publications.
Capstone-Intel’s Social Listening service provide real-time awareness of online conversations and media narratives for proactive communication and decision-making.
