HUMOR OR HARM: INSIGHTS ABOUT MEME CULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
First,
what is a “meme”? According to Oxford
Dictionary, “meme” is defined as an
image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied
and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations.
The
YouTube Video of Janina, uploaded by PapaJanno107,
accumulated a total of 2.1 million views as of this writing. While, on a
similar video posted by Pageant Trend
in Facebook has 1.8 million views and 196 thousand “haha” reactions, as of this writing. That means, it has been
watched by many people in the Philippines and maybe even abroad.
That
showed how a video that aired 15 years ago can still be relevant nowadays
because of the prevalent “meme culture”
in the Philippines. Due to the popularity of the video, Janina recently joined
a pageant again and has been received warmly by pageant fans. It highlighted
the positive side of “meme culture”
because it helped her regain her confidence to be on stage again. However, it
is not the case for most people who becomes trending on social media. The
negative side of “meme” is it can be used in “cancel culture.” Cancel culture is an online form of bullying and
harassment to a person. Despite its advantages of cancelling the insensitive
words, actions, and behaviors of certain individual, the method of constant
hate through comments are immature, negative, and unhealthy way to correct
someone.
Long story short, technology has brought a new
community – digital world – where everyone can post contents and comment on
other people’s posts. The freedom to communicate with each other becomes easier
and more convenient. Nevertheless, it is imperative for us, netizens, to think
before we click and to always spread kindness, sensitivity, and positivity in
the real world and in social media.
***
REFERENCES
PapaJanno107.
(2008, March 13). question & answer (janina san miguel) [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZsHsjfviXM
WATCH
Full Video I Binibining Pilipinas World
2008 JANINA SAN MIGUEL. . . (n.d.).
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2687152938002938
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento