Semiotics and Subliminal Messages

Images are not mine

Troll 101

              What is a troll?              

              

              What are hybrid trolls?

             
              What is trollosphere?

           Images are  not mine.

Propaganda 101

What is the story of propaganda?

The term “propaganda” apparently first came into common use in Europe as a result of the missionary activities of the Catholic church. 

In its origins “propaganda” is an ancient and honorable word. Religious activities which were associated with propaganda commanded the respectful attention of mankind. It was in later times that the word came to have a selfish, dishonest, or subversive association. 

World War I dramatized the power and triumphs of propaganda. And both fascism and communism in the postwar years were the centers of intense revolutionary propaganda. After capturing office, both fascists and communists sought to extend their power beyond their own national borders through the use of propaganda.

The modern development of politics was another stimulus to propaganda. Propaganda as promotion is a necessary part of political campaigns in democracies.

-excerpt from The Story of Propaganda

Images are not mine.

Additional Reading: Propaganda’s goal is political success by Bong R. Osorio

Fake News and Media Literacy

   

Images are not mine

Additional Reading: Media's Use of Propaganda to Persuade People's Attitude, Beliefs and Behaviors by Johnnie Manzaria & Jonathon Bruck's War & Peace: Media and War

Welcome to my new blog

anglabko.wordpress.com

I will still continue this blog and post here most of the academic/educational articles I will write in the near future, hopefully soon.

Till then.

First Lab, First Blog

I cannot open my tumblr account anymore anglab.tumblr.com.
I cannot reset the password because the auth code is being sent to my old sim card which I already cut in two and thrown.
Tried sending an email to the technical help desk of tumblr but wasn't able to get any help.
Goodbye my first blog.
You were mine once.
I should focus now on my blogspot cause this is what remains.

Katharine’s ShrewStory

HIStory vs HERStory

Patriarchy vs. Matriarchy

Patriarchal rules. Phallus Policy. Panalo? Patuloy pa rin ba?

Halata naman na kahit sa mga simpleng salita tulad ng woman, female, she--- lahat ng mga ito nanggaling sa salitang man, male, and he.

Sino ang mas makikita sa history? Sino ang madalas na bida sa mga ancient literary pieces?

Bigla kong natandaan yung mga nabasa ko at na discussed namin sa isang klase namin sa MACA under Feminist Theory. Ang oppression sa mga babae nuon kitang kita pa rin ang mga ebidensya hanggang ngayon. Nasa mga libro e, nasa mga kwento, nasa mga tula, at nasa HIStory mismo.

Kagabi, nagkita kami ni Katharine ng The Taming of the Shrew ni Shakespeare sa aking panaginip. Una ko syang nakilala nung nasa college pa ako pero hindi ko sya nakausap. Wala pa kasi akong masyadong pakialam at alam noon. Nakakatawa lang yung istorya nya para sakin.

Kagabi, medyo nakapag kwento sya at ipinagtanggol nya ang kanyang sarili. Wala naman daw syang kasalanan at hindi naman talaga sya mali. Tinawag syang Shrew dahil maldita sya, hindi sya submissive tulad ng inaasahan sa mga babae nuon.

Bigla ko syang naintindihan, MAS naintindihan. Nakakalungkot isipin na ang happy ending ng kwento ay nung napaamo na sya ng asawa nyang si Petruchio. Si Petruchio na yun naging bida sa kwento at buhay nya? Maaring mabuti para kay Petruchio pero tunay kaya na “happy” si Katharine sa kinalabasan ng kanyang kwento? Hindi ko na naitanong sa kanya, nagmamadali na kasi syang umalis nun nagtxt si Petruchio at pinapauwi na sya.

Ibig bang sabihin, kaylangang paamuhin ang babae kapag sya ay may sariling pag-iisip at pagpapasya sa kanyang sariling buhay? Mali man sa paningin ng iba pero tama para sa kanya?

Ang ama ni Katherine ang sya ding nasunod kaya naikasal sila ni Petruchio. Bakit ngayon ko lang sya nakausap? Mukhang matagal nya na akong sinusubukang kausapin nun una ko ko syang nakilala pero hindi ko sya masyadong pinansin.

Katharine represented and still represents the so called “shrew” in each of us, the independent woman, the dominant lady,the pasaway, maldita, masungit, mataray girl that our society dictates to be sweet, prim, proper and controlled.

Gusto mo din bang ma TAME? Papa TAME ka ba?

*tame- correct by punishment or discipline

ALDUB: A Critical Analysis (For academic purposes only)

I tried analyzing this phenomenal love team and kalyeserye based on the following critical theories:

 a.      Marxist

·         The base of Marxism is the relationship between the classes. Example is the employee/employer relationship that can be seen on the role of Lola Nidora and Yaya Dub. The kalyeserye also shows the wealthy (ruling class) vs. the poor (working class) based on the following instances:

o   Lola Nidora vs Yaya Dub, this can be seen at the start of the kalyeserye, even before the love team of Alden and Yaya Dub, Yaya Dub needs to follow Lola Nidora because first and foremost Lola Nidora is her employer. Yaya Dub also has an “utang na loob” because Lola Nidora serves as her grandmother after her parents left her under Lola Nidora’s care. In return, it is now her responsibility to take care of the old lady and follow her wishes, because she knows that “Lola Nidora only wants the best for her”. These reasons, in a way affect every decision she does and will do in her life.

o   Lola Nidora vs Alden, starting the day Alden announce his intention to court Yaya Dub, Lola Nidora became the upper hand, because Alden needs her permission in almost everything that concerns Yaya Dub which is under her care and also her employee.

o   Lola Bhabha vs Lola Nidora, when Lola Nidora was informed that she is indebted to Lola Bhabha and Lola Bhaba can get the Explorers’ mansion anytime she wants, the situation was reversed. Now, Alden with his Lola Bhabha is the ruling class.

·         The idea is a reflection of reality

o   The main idea that makes it successful is their digital relationship, their interaction via the digital screen which represents the age we are in. Where instant relationships via email, Skype or dating websites are becoming the norm in finding true love. Also, for OFW and their love ones who are communicating via the internet.

·         Places reality over idealism

o   The tamang panahon tagline shows this. Despite their mutual understanding, the reality is they still haven’t met each other personally (initially). However, it can also be said that idealism are also shown in the show because they are trying to show the audience of the supposed right ways and right time for everything.

·         It gives insight into everyday life

o   The dubmash phenomena, the instant relationship, the digital advantages and boundaries are all tackled in this kalyeserye.

b.      Feminist

·         Female characters prevail in the series. Male characters are short-lived except to Alden.

·         The Explorer sisters: Lola Nidora, Tidora and Tinidora are all accomplished and happy even without a man in their life.

·         Yaya Dub is the first one to like Alden. However, because she is a girl and a Filipina, it is Alden who needs to woe her. Gender roles are clearly defined in the kalyeserye. Lola Nidora is a typical conservative grandmother with lots of reminders to Yaya Dub. Despite of living in the city and already in the modern times, duties are assigned by gender. Alden should court Yaya Dub because he is the guy. He needs to follow Lola Nidora because she is like the grandmother of Yaya Dub. Lola Nidora as an elderly lady needs to be prim and proper and Yaya Dub is expected to follow her example. 

·         The joke of Lola Tidora (Paolo Ballesteros) on the bouquet of flowers being a baby can be a maternal instinct from the character he is playing which is an elderly lady. Even though simple explanations can be rendered such as because of the shape of the bouquet which is similar to a baby, being affectionate to a newborn child is a trait of a woman.

c.       Structuralist

Cultural practices can be seen in ALDUB such as Filipino customs, traditions and beliefs. According to de Saussure, words, he says exist primarily in relation to one another, before they exist in relation to an object. The word ALDUB is the combination of ALDEN and YAYA DUB, their relation to one another as a love team is the first thing that comes to mind rather than their individual identity or real identity.

d.      Postmodern

ALDUB in a way is like a repetition of the formula of Cinderella, Be Careful with my Heart of Sir Chief and Maya and the likes. It has a light and feel good feeling. Its simplicity and "go with the flow" formula were also great additions. ALDUB is commodified and consumed; the ALDUB NATION is a result of that, having a large following currently makes them top endorsers of leading products. Even politicians use their name. Any connection to them connotes opportunities and anything they represent shows success.

e.       Postcolonial

The way we love the mestizo features of Alden Richards in a way show our post colonial mentality. Frankie, a rich guy in love with Yaya Dub also shows an interesting characteristic. He loves to wear designer clothes with big names on it like Channel, Guess, and the likes. He represents the way we like the American brands which is also related to our colonial mentality.

Additional observation: Wordplay was used to its highest form, creating new words, new identities and new meanings. Such as kalyeserye (street series), Lola Nidora (grandmother of Dora) which is originally from the show Dora the Explorer. As I remember, it started with Doktora the Explorer, which later gave birth to the Explorer sisters, Doris and other characters.

High school Days sa Banus, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro

1. Para may dagdag baon, tuwing may libreng oras (kahit sa simpleng pagbili sa tindahan) naging hobby namin ng pinsan ko ang pamumulot ng pako o kahit anung maliit na bakal tulad ng mga turnilyo sa daan. Ibinebenta namin iyon sa kalapit na junk shop. Hindi dyaheng dalhin kasi kasya sa maliit na lalagyan o sa bulsa namin at mas mahal ang kilo kesa sa plastic, bote at dyaryo.

2. Tuwing hapun pag uwi sa eskwela at kapag walang pasok, nangangahoy kami sa likuran ng bahay nina Lolo Celso. Ginagamit namin iyon sa pagluluto.

3. Pakikipag- away sa pinsan ko na minsang umabot sa batuhan ng eveready batteries.

4. Pagbebenta ng mga napanalunan kong lastiko sa mga kapwa ko kalaro na natalo ko (ako bilang 1st year highschool student vs elementary students).

5. Paggawa ng bracelet mula sa bulaklak ng santan. Pag sipsip sa matamis na katas sa stem ng santan. Paghahanap ng santan flowers na may 5 to 6 petals sa paniniwalang swerte iyon at pwede kang magwish.

6. Paglalaro sa may playground ng Banus Elementary School, na kaharap lang ng bahay ng lola't lola ko.

7. Pag-aalaga sa mga nakababatang pinsan.

8. Pagbabantayan sa PULPULAN (ang billiard sa probinsya pero parang mga coins na malalaki na yari sa plastic ang gamit instead na billiard balls). Ako ang nangungulekta ng TONG.

9. Paggawa at pagbebenta ng walis tingting. Pagbebenta ng load, ice candy at ice water sa bahay. Pagbebenta ng ice candy at mani sa elementary school sa tapat namin. Pagbebenta ng barbeque, isaw at iba pang street foods sa may tapat ng waiting shade ng baranggay namin. Pagbebenta ng lugaw at mga ihaw ihaw sa sabungan.

10. Paghuhukay at paghahanap ng kamote sa bakuran ng bahay sa may ibaba (tawag sa bukid papunta sa aplaya sa probinsya).

11. Pagkokopras (niyugan).

12. Paglalaba sa ilog na nasa ilalim ng tulay ng Banus at pagligo pagkatapos.

13. Pagligo at paghugas ng pinggan sa may poso sa may likuran ng bahay. Pag-igib ng inuming tubig mula sa poso sa may palengke ng barangay, na katapat din ng bahay ng lola't lolo ko. Doon din kami nag-iigib ng huling pangbanlaw sa mga puting damit para hindi manilaw.

14. Pagbili ng spaghetti kay Aling Susan sa may palengke tuwing umaga para gawing ulam sa kaning lamig.

15. Pamimiesta sa BULBUGAN, katabing barangay namin.

16. Ang paglaki sa isang extended family sa probinsya ay may pros at cons. Parehas na pros at cons ay ang pakiramdam na madaming may pakialam sa pagpapalaki sayo ng nanay mo.

17. Si JEMEL (acronym ng pangalan nya na dinagdagan ko na lang ng isang letra para di halata) at si Bhabes (mga codename ko sa mga mega crush ko nun highschool). Si JEMEL na ngayon ay isang buhay na patunay na kahit gaano kagwapo at kakisig ang highschool crush mo, malamang na magmumukha din syang siopao pagdating ng araw. Si Bhabes na 11 years later ay crush ko parin. Buti na lang as of this posting ay hindi na.

18. Pag-lalakad hanggang sa aplaya, makaligo lang ng libre sa beach ng Agsalin.

19. Paglalakad mula kanto ng Banus hanggang sa ibaba (sa aming bukid).

20. Pagligo sa ilog ng Agsalin, na napakaganda ng pasukan dahil naghugis kweba na ang mga puno duon na nagmistulang entrance sa mga pupunta sa ilog.

21. Kawayanan Festival. Street Dancing in the tune of "ang lahat ng bagay ay magka-ugnay, magka-ugnay ang lahat"..repeat until fade...

22. Pagpasok araw-araw mula sa dulong barangay (andun ang bahay ng lola't lolo ko) hanggang sa bayan (andun ang school namin).

23. Pumasok sa school na kulang ang pamasahe. Uupo sa likuran ng driver ng multicab o jeep, isasabay namin ang bayad namin ng pinsan ko sa ibang pasahero (kapag kulang ng piso o dos ang pamasahe namin) para hindi kami mahalata (sorry kuya, sa kagustuhan lang talaga namin makapasok).

24. Hindi makasunod sa uso dahil hindi priority ang fashion sa mga kapos sa pera. Ang goal ay patuloy na makapag-aral sa private catholic school na aming pinapasukan.

25. Hindi makasama sa field trips o extra curricular activities dahil sayang ang pera. Balik sa goal na nabanggit na.

26. Mareject sa UP Diliman dahil 2.8 lang ang nakuha ko sa UPCAT.

27. Mag-alala bawat taon ng highschool na baka hindi na makapasok sa susunod na pasukan.

28. Pagdadala ng camera na de film at ubusin sa mga kaklase. Ipaprint ang mga pictures na ang papangit ng kuha. Sayang ang pera pero hindi ang memories.

29. Nagrent ng apartment sa Poblacion/sentro ng bayan nung 4th year na ako.

30. Pagkakantahan sa gabi ang libangan naming magpipinsan. Nabuhay ako ng 4 na taon na hindi nakakapanuod ng mga palabas sa tv, sa kwentuhan ko lang narinig at sa tv ng kapitbahay ko lang napanuod ang Meteor Garden. May tv kami pero dahil walang maayos na antena tanging mga linya na kulay black at white lang ang makikita.

31. Nakahiwalay ang comfort room sa bahay ng lola't lolo ko nung highschool at tuwing umaga kung duon ako maliligo kaylangan kong mag-igib ng tubig hanggang mapuno ko ang palanggana na ipinatong ko sa inidoro.

32. Panuorin ang aming kapitbahay na si Lolo Poldo tuwing nagwawalis sa kanyang bakuran at natutulog sa kanyang rocking chair.

ASTIG ANG BUHAY PROBINSYA!

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES Part 2

11. Texts- cards na mas maliit sa ginagamit na baraha ng mga ale sa tong-itan pero minsan ginagamit ng mga bata sa school sa parehas na paraan. List of anime na nagkaron ako ng texts: dragon balls, voltes v, daimos, power rangers, ghost fighter, pokemon, fushigi yougi, hunter x hunter, flames of recca.

12. Jackstone. Nilalaro sa lahat ng bakanteng oras na magkakaroon ako sa eskwelahan, lalo na kung wala ang teacher, kanya kanyang upuan na kami sa sahig, kadalasan 2-4 kaming magkakalaro. Pagalingan sa expeditions: cave, tutuldok, check, milo, around the world, luksong baka, falling star at iba pang mga terminologies na tanging mga professional jackstoner na bata lamang ang nakakaalam. Sa bahay, kahit mga tiyahin kong kolehiyala na ay addict sa larong ito. Kung mag- isa naman ako, kaliwa't kanang kamay ko ang magkalaban na naging resulta ng pagiging blackbelter ko sa larong ito.

13. Fairy tales addiction. 365 all year round fairy tale book. Galing sa napamaskuhan ko, binili ko ang nakakalagnat na 300+ at unang makapal na libro na nagkaroon ako, galing ang pera sa upa ng aking mga tiyuhin ng minsang ginawa nilang lamesa sa inuman ang study table sa kwarto ko.

14. Fushigi Yougi. Palabas tuwing byernes ng gabi, Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit naisumpa ko ang Meralco noong bata pa ako dahil napakadaming araw at oras naman na mag brobrown out ay byernes pa ng gabi. Minahal ko ng labis ang palabas na ito, gising o tulog man ako.

15. Sino ang hindi naihi at natae sa short o palda noong elementary? E ang tumae o umihi ng sapilitan sa mabantot, madilim at sira sirang banyo? Kung hindi nyo ito naranasan, e di kayo na! E DI WOW! Pero sayang, hindi nyo naranasan ang kakaibang kahihiyan na magpapatibay sa inyong pagkatao at ang sapilitang pagbaon nito sa pinaka ilalim na amnesia part ng inyong utak.

16. Sumayaw ng makarena, hey mickey at ang walang kamatayang exercise songs para sa aming field demonstration. Mga panahong kaylangan mong mag make up, mag suot ng p.e. uniform, maglaso ng buhok at gamitin ang pompoms na pinaghirapan mong gawin.

17. Tatlong araw na bakasyon sa Mindoro tuwing Mayo para sumayaw ng Azu-asucena habang nagsasaboy ng bulaklak para sa Flores de mayo at matakot sa mga Morion na nagpahirap at pumatay kay Kristo.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES Part 1

1. Grade 3: Pagbubudbod ng asin sa ugat ng nyog sa likod ng grade 3 building sa paniniwalang may kinakalaban kaming masasamang espirito na nakatira sa puno. Kasama ang bff ko, after lunch dun namin inaaksaya ang natitirang oras, dala dala ang tirang asin, ketchup o kahit anung condiments sa baon o nabili naming pagkain, walang awa naming binubuhos iyon sa ugat ng puno. Ang kawawang puno, kung nakakapagsalita lang siguro sya, itatanong nya sa amin kung bakit ginagawa naming luto-lutoan ang mga ugat nya.

2. Family days: Antipolo Church, pagkain sa chinese resto at pag gala sa Cubao. Panunuod ng mga gumagalaw na puppets sa itaas ng isang mall/building sa may Cubao tuwing pasko. Ang pagsakay sa jeep pauwi na may napakalakas na tugtog at kung mamalasin pa ay byaheng impyerno (jeep na tila sumasayaw na sa kalye sa likot magdrive ng driver). Pagtulog sa jeep sa ibabaw ng dikit dikit na legs ng mama ko at dalawa kong tita.

3. Grade 6: PINTADOS (my favorite show at that time) VS ERAP IMPEACHMENT TRIAL (my dad's favorite show)= AWAY SA TV

4. 10/20, chinese garter, jumping rope  na madalas gawa sa tinirintas na rubber bonds/goma while singing i love you mother father...

5. paper dolls ni Sailor Moon, chibyusa at barbie= cheaper version ng Barbie dolls, magaan pang dalhin, kasya sa pencil case na tela

6. hollen na iba iba ang kulay, meron pa nga na kahawig ng mata ng pusa

7. lutu-lutuan mag-isa gamit ang mga dahon at bulaklak ng halaman ni mama, bihira akong magluto ng may apoy talaga, mas hilig ko ang mag gunting gunting o mag dikdik ng mga dahon at bulaklak at ipunin ang katas noon

8. Hiyatigidigtigidigka,uupo ako sa hita ng tatay ko at mag papauga na parang kala mo hasyendera na nangangabayo

9. Pongpong pogapong, uupo sa may bandang tuhod pababa at parang kakargahin ka hanggang umangat ka sa ere, another version ay lalaruin ang paa ng bata para itaass ibaba

10. sipa na straw ang katawan at bilog na tanso na makapal pa sa piso na kalabaw ang ulo, lampas ulo ang sipa ng mga professional maglaro nito gamit ang paa o siko, nasa mga paa ko pa ang souvenir kong paltos mula sa paglalaro ng nakasandals lang

to be continued...

My Road in Writing

Whenever I write I don't know how to begin but then I just start. At first, it seems like I am now decided on what I will write about but then I will most likely end up somewhere else, something different from what I originally planned. It feels like my mind is a drop of water traveling in a road, I passed in a bridge and fell in a raging river. It feels like I know where I'm going but the river will lead me to somewhere else. However, I can say that I still enjoy the ride and always thankful that I end up on something better than what I expected when I started my trip. Most of the time, the ending just felt right more than the beginning.

My country and me

            During my first semester in graduate school at UP Los Banos, I applied for a part time job as an Administrative Assistant/Tutor in a tutorial center. It’s a small tutorial center that teaches English as second language to their Filipino, Chinese and Korean students. There is no age limit and similar to other centers they give an evaluation test before anything else. After the exam, they will tell the parents, guardian or the student himself the result of the exam, explaining where should they start the lesson and why.  Basically, there are three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advance. I realized that even though you are an adult, your communication skills may still be in the beginner level and it’s not something to be ashamed of as long as you are determined to learn and improve yourself. I encounter different kinds of students. In terms of age, they range from 5-60 years old.  

One of the students I encountered was a Korean man with a doctorate degree in Animal Science and is currently doing a research paper in Los Banos. He is a professor in a university in Busan, South Korea. He said that he would like to maximize his stay here in the Philippines and widen his English vocabulary. He is a good and disciplined man but short-tempered. The Head Tutor was the one assigned to teach him. I was told to record their conversation and create test and activities suited for him. He is also very meticulous and patriotic. Every time he got a chance, he will tell stories about how proud he is of his country. At first, I am very glad listening to his stories but I can’t help to be sad every time he compares his country to ours. I can’t help but to agree in his observations because they are all true. He said that South Korea is a very small country with few resources but each citizen gave their best to be the country they are right now.

            It was one of those few moments that I reflect on my patriotism. Why am I proud to be a Filipino but I’m not proud of my country? Why am I still thinking to work overseas? Why don’t I have the same level of love that he have to his country? Why is it that I have a higher perception in terms of product, tourism, and even the people in other country than in my own?

            I justified the reasons I found within me. I told myself all the faults I observed in our country.  I read our history again.  I checked the things that will make me proud. I researched all the good qualities we have and the wonderful places we were blessed.  I came with a conclusion that my country is just like myself. I only have one me that I should cherish. I should love my country as I love myself. As I work in achieving my full potential so does my country.