Philippine Pop Culture Introduction

• Intro to Philippine Pop Culture by Shirly E. Reyes

Topics

• The topics covered are definition of pop culture, elements of culture, examples of pop culture and formation of pop culture

Learning Outcomes

• The aim is to define pop culture, illustrate elements of a culture, and trace the formation of popular culture

Defining Pop Culture

• Pop culture is generally recognized as vernacular of people's culture that predominates in a society at a point in time
• According to Brummet, pop culture involves social life actively engaged in by the public
• It both influences and reflects people’s daily lives
• Pop culture determined by interactions in activities like style of dress, slang, greetings, food, and music
• Pop culture is mass culture and commercial, producing for mass consumption to a non-discriminating audience
• Consists of the attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, customs, and tastes defining a society
• Defined as products, expressions, and identity aspects, frequently encountered, widely accepted, and characteristic of a society at a given time

Elements of Culture

• Symbols evoke reactions and emotions, like the 3 stars and sun on the Philippine flag
• Language is a key cultural symbol using examples of the Filipino language like BAE, Galawang Breezy, Ninja Moves WALWA and Beast Mode
• Norms are standards for behavior
• Formal norms: mores/laws, seen as most important in a society, like traffic laws, school rules, community ordinances
• Informal norms are folkway/customs, less important but still influential, like table manners, phone/party etiquette, public conversations/ riding manners
• Rituals: established procedures/ceremonies for transitions in life
• Examples include circumcision for boys in the Philippines, wedding rituals, housewarmings, or wearing black/white during funerals

Examples of Pop Culture

• Music
• Print
• Cyber culture
• Sports
• Entertainment
• Leisure
• Advertising
• Television

Formation of Popular Culture

• Urbanization is a key factor as diverse people see themselves collectively through common forms of expression
• Industrialization with mass production, transportation, technology, increased literacy, plus commercial printing contributed to the rise
• In the 20th century, mass-produced illustrated newspapers and periodicals, serialized novels and detective stories, films, broadcast radio, and televisions had profound influence
• Urbanization, industrialization, mass media, and technological growth since the 1700s significantly shaped pop culture and continue to do so

An introduction to Philippine Pop Culture by Shirly E. Reyes. Pop culture is the vernacular of people's culture that predominates in a society at a point in time, influencing and reflecting people’s daily lives. It consists of attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, customs, and tastes defining a society.