Friendster, the first social network site is shutting down its social networking services on May 31, 2011 after 9 years of being online.

On its e-mail sent to users last week, Friendster advises them to export their profiles, photos, and blogs by May 31 or these will all be history. All these will be erased to give way to the new Friendster which will be launched in a couple of weeks.

Nikolai Galicia, Friendster and MOL country manager for the Philippines said they can no longer compete with now the world’s most visited site – Facebook. “You can’t compete with Facebook. They did a good job. It’s a Facebook world,”

But Galicia also disputed rumors that Friendster is shutting down. “Friendster will continue. Mag-iiba lang ang focus niya. After MOL bought Friendster, we are moving forward. The new Friendster will complement Facebook.”

Friendster will retain its name but will discontinue its social network services. It will be re-launched as a social entertainment site where users will be able to play games and listen to music.

“Fifty percent of FB users don’t like games. We will service the other 50 percent,” said Galicia.

Friendster was bought by Money Online (MOL), a Malaysian company that also owns the Berjaya group of companies, from its American owners.

The Philippines has the most number of Friendster users worldwide with an estimated 20 million users.