Philippine Popular Culture: A Lens on Filipino Society PDF

AUTHORS: MS. JOLLY ZAFE BELGIRA, MICB, LPT, MBM  CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF POPULAR CULTURE Overview The study of Popular Culture delves into the everyday cultural expressions that captivate a diverse audience. It encompasses a broad spectrum th...

AUTHORS: MS. JOLLY ZAFE BELGIRA, MICB, LPT, MBM  CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF POPULAR CULTURE Overview The study of Popular Culture delves into the everyday cultural expressions that captivate a diverse audience. It encompasses a broad spectrum that trends in the different aspects of the society. This interdisciplinary field explores cultures that both reflect and shape society, examining issues of representation and identity and cultural evolution. Popular culture offers a dynamic lens through which we can understand the complex interplay between culture, society and individual identity in the modern world. Welcome to Philippine Pop Culture. It is where we are going to learn the prominent or prevalent traditions and characteristics of material culture in a certain society like the Philippines. But before we head on, let’s do a culminating activity. Ready? Come on At the end of this chapter, the students will be able to demonstrate: 1. Demonstrate the connection and contribution of PVMGO of the university to local and global development. 2. Enhance students' capacity to engage to popular culture texts. 3. Assess students' understanding of current topics, concerns, and trends, particularly in the context of the Philippines, In this part of the lesson, everyone will be asked by the teacher any concepts or ideas they know about culture. The teacher will call the student's name and you have to answer rapidly. Anyone who answers late or wrong will be tasked to create his or her own definition of culture out of the samples given by his or her classmates. In general, popular culture (or "pop culture") refers to a society's traditions and material culture. Pop culture in the modern West refers to cultural products consumed by the majority of a society's population, such as music, art, literature, fashion, dance, film, cyber culture, television, and radio. Popular culture refers to media that are widely accessible and appealing. BRIEF HISTORY OF POPULAR CULTURE Pop Culture in the 1920’s In the 1920s, pop culture became a part of everyday life in the United States. The flapper, vehicles, jazz music, movies, and nightclubs were all part of popular culture throughout the 1920s. People in the twenties mirrored a new era of affluence and freedom as World War I came to a close. Photo taken from: http://theroaring2o.weebly.com/ Culture in the 1940’s The 1940s saw a boom in music and athletics, but society was still reeling from the Great Depression. Music was still quite popular and brightened people's spirits, even though fashion had settled down and people were going to the theaters less owing to financial problems. Photo taken from:: https://www.retrowaste.com/ Pop Culture in the 1960’s During the 1960s, sex, love, and rock & roll were the norm. Pop culture served as an escape from government crimes, protests, conflict, and violence. The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, and Elvis Presley were all hugely popular during this time. The 1960s were a decade of fun, fashion, and rock & roll, as well as social changes. Photo taken from:: https://fiftiesweb.com/ Pop Culture in the 1980’s The Berlin Wall fell down when the Cold War ended. In the 1980s, comedy films underwent a transformation. Accessories in bright colors, such as sunglasses, bangles, and hoop earrings, were a must. The 1980s gave us some of our most memorable films. E.T. is a fictional character. There was something for everyone, from the Goonies to Freddy Krueger. Photo taken from: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/ Pop Culture Today Throughout the decades, pop culture has changed dramatically. Fashion can be whatever that we wish it to be. A society preoccupied with social media has emerged as a result of technological advancements. Reality television, YouTube personalities, music videos, and everything else is now touchscreen. Photo taken from: https://iwixmp.com/ In a nutshell, in the mid-nineteenth century, the phrase "popular culture" was established to refer to people's cultural traditions as opposed to the "official culture" of the state or ruling classes. Back then, the upper classes with higher education had their own "official culture." People began to spend more time and money on cultural objects, mostly for entertainment, as literacy rates in Britain began to rise throughout that period. As a result, a market for cheap popular literature known as penny dreadful, or penny fiction, arose. Those articles were published once a week for a cent each. As a result, the "official culture" felt compelled to separate itself even more. In the 20th century, the end of World War II created enormous cultural changes mostly brought about by the innovations of mass media, and the meaning of pop culture started to intertwine with mass culture or culture for mass consumption. The changes were the most prominent in the United States at first. In the 1950s, people started to use the shortened form for popular - “pop.” Future predictions where pop culture will be entirely digitally oriented. Technology will be even more advanced than before, and it will rule the world. Choose a partner, in the discussion below choose a definition of pop culture and briefly explain this to your partner. Give sample situation of popular culture hot issues that relate to the definition. Your instructor will call you in the recitation proper to share what you gain by exchanging thoughts. DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS OF POP CULTURE: British media scholar John Storey proposes six different definitions of popular culture in his enormously successful textbook "Cultural Theory and Popular Culture" (currently in its 8th edition). It is as follows: Popular culture is simply culture that is widely favored or well-liked by: 1. Many people: it has no negative connotations. 2. Popular culture is whatever is left after you've identified what "high culture" is: in this definition, pop culture is considered inferior, and it functions as a marker of status and class. 3. Pop culture can be defined as commercial objects that are produced for mass consumption by non-discriminating consumers. In this definition, popular culture is a tool used by the elites to suppress or take advantage of the masses. 4. Popular culture is folk culture, something that arises from the people rather than imposed upon them: pop culture is authentic (created by the people) as opposed to commercial (thrust upon them by commercial enterprises). 5. Pop culture is negotiated: partly imposed on by the dominant classes, and partly resisted or changed by the subordinate classes. 6. Dominants can create culture but the subordinates decide what they keep or discard. In the postmodern world, in today's world, the distinction between "authentic" versus "commercial" is blurred. In pop culture today, users are free to embrace some manufactured content, alter it for their own use, or reject it entirely and create their own. Storey's six definitions are still in use, albeit they appear to vary depending on the context. Mass media, the way pop culture is delivered has evolved so significantly since the turn of the century that experts are having trouble figuring out how they work. Only print (newspapers and books), broadcast (televisions and radio), and film (movies and documentaries) were considered "mass media" in 2000. It now encompasses a wide range of social media platforms and formats.  CHARACTERISTICS OF POPULAR CULTURE 1. Produced by Cultural Industries: Example: Disney Corporation produces movies, cartoons, amusement parks and merchandise. 2. Differs from Folk Culture: Folk culture are traditional activities that are not financially driven. For example, the traditional dances like Itik-Itik, subli and Pandanggo sa Ilaw. 3. It is Everywhere: Can be found in TV, commercials, radio and other platforms 4. Fills a Social Function: It serves as a cultural forum. Example, your friend or family asks about your reaction to a specific Netflix series. Importance of Popular Culture in our daily life. Everything in today's world is influenced by popular culture. Pop culture includes our music, the arts, the movies we watch, and everything else we consume on a daily basis. Popular culture is a type of culture that is often derided and attacked for being incomprehensible and nonsensical. However, it is critical to understand what this popular culture is, as well as how it is used in diverse contexts. 1. Popular Culture Produce Norms Media is one of the ways in which the dominant or ruling class of a society's ideology spreads. The fashion sector, for example, exhibits its works of art through fashion weeks and fashion shows, which are broadcast in many forms of media. These outfits will be sold in stores and malls, forcing the general public to accept them. Of all, more than fashion, popular culture is the culture that inevitably establishes conventions. Popular culture dictates what sexual activities are acceptable, what music is popular, and even how children should act. 2. Popular Culture Creates Boundaries Popular culture, like the music we listen to, the clothes we wear, and the movies we watch, not only shapes our individual identities but also forms a type of “community" in which people share many interests. The emergence of popular culture determines what kind of music and films we enjoy, as well as those we must regret and reject. As a result, we'll be able to draw borders around our circle, with others who share our likes and dislikes.  3. Popular Culture Creates Rituals Many modern ‘rituals' have sprouted over the years as a result of the emergence of popular culture. Every single ‘ritual' is made feasible by the emergence of popular culture. Teenagers go to clubs, college students go out together to watch TV events, fans line up for book releases-every single ‘ritual' is made possible by the rise of popular culture. These rituals produce a sense of belonging as well as a link between these individuals. 4. Popular Culture Generate Innovations The use of the internet is one of the most celebrated things that popular culture has produced. A lot of things have happened because of the internet, the social media, video-sharing content are the things that would not exist if popular culture hadn't been powerful enough to push them ahead. 5. Popular Culture Yields Changes in the Society Perhaps the most essential aspect of popular culture is how it inevitably contributes to social change. One example is Barack Obama's election victory in the United States. One of the reasons Obama won the election is because he exploited the celebrity endorsements of numerous celebrities to promote his political views. Rap music, which glorifies black or African-American music culture, is another example that inevitably confronts the white canon of music. In the foreseeable future, pop culture is set to undergo significant changes. The truth is that what is popular now may be obsolete in the future. The majority of jobs will be computerized, and robot entertainment will take over. Popular Culture has evolved significantly over the centuries, from the emergence of oral traditions and folklore to the globalized, multimedia- driven phenomenon it is today, reflecting societal changes and technological advancement. It encompasses music, fashion, film, television and digital media, shaping and reflecting the tastes and values of each era. Popular culture is a multifaceted concept with varying definitions. Some see it as the culture of the masses, encompassing everyday practices, while others define it as commercial culture produced by the entertainment industry. These differing viewpoints highlight the complex nature of popular culture and its significance in society. Popular culture places a significant role in the society by reflecting and influencing the beliefs, values, and trends of a given era. It provides a shared cultural framework that allows people to connect, express themselves and engage in ongoing conversations about social issues and personal identities. Name:_______________________________ Rating:_______________ Course/ Year: _________________________ Teacher:______________ QUESTION AND ANSWER A. Review the Questions: Answer the following questions comprehensively. 1. In what ways does popular culture serve as a mirror reflecting the values, beliefs and trends of a particular era of society? 2. To what extent has the advancement in media and technology revolutionized the production, distribution and consumption of Popular Culture? 3. How might educators and institutions harness the power of popular culture to engage students and promote critical thinking?  Activity: Pop Culture and Me! Directions: Think, reflect and identify the importance of popular culture in the categories identified below. With a minimum of 3 sentences and a maximum of 5 sentences, explain your reason. What is the importance of popular culture in terms of: 1. Economy 2. Social Life 3. Physical Function 4. Government 5. Education 6. Religion 7. Your Life Conclusion: ___________________________________________________________ Anonymous. (2017, March 03). Blue Rocket Productions. Retrieved from WordPress: http://www.bluerocketproductions.com/importance-popular-culture/ Cirjak, A. (2020, February 02). World Atlas. Retrieved from World Atlas: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-pop-culture.html Crossman, A. (2019, December 09). ThoughtCo. Retrieved from ThoughtCo.: https://www.thoughtco.com/popular-culture-definition-3026453 WordPress. (2021). OpenLab. Retrieved from WordPress: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/groups/what-is-pop-culture/ Fiske, John. "Understanding Popular Culture," 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2010. Gans, Herbert. "Popular Culture and High Culture: An Analysis and Evaluation Of Taste." New York: Basic Books, 1999. McRobbie, Angela, ed. "Postmodernism and Popular Culture." London: Routledge, 1994. Storey, John. "Cultural Theory and Popular Culture," 8th ed. New York: Routledge, 2019