After thoughts from an exposition of #8thSdP media related research papers

The 8^th Sining del Pilar, an exposition of mass communication related research papers, audio and audio-visual works of the undergraduates, masteral and doctoral scholars of the UP College of Mass Communication held March 2018 at the UP Diliman Media Center TV Studio sparked the desire for more learning.

Research papers are clustered in 11 paper blocks sorted according to subject matter. 3 to 5 papers are presented by the researchers themselves to a body composed of a critic deemed an academic expert in the field, to the College of Mass Communication faculty and to the registered participants. At end of the presentation, the critic criticizes and presents inputs that can broaden the perspective of the study from their field of expertise. Outputs are captured on Facebook #8thSdP, Twitter and on AM radio DZUP 1602 MHz.

For a sampling on the approach, I expound on the last paper block tagged as "Dutertismo: Dead Bodies, The Simularca and the Real". 3 papers tackle the use of non-traditional forms of media such as blogs, photos and video games that promote the platform of current president RRD.

A research investigates on the messaging of a blog “For the Motherland” owned by Sass Rogando Sasot by an undergraduate Kim Jem D.L. Muana. Against the theoretical framework of Encoding/Decoding Theory of Stuart Hall (1980), Kim Muana provides an analysis on how Sassot understands and disseminates information about the concept of federalism and how her followers react to, comment on.

Grabbed from UP CMC Sining Del Pilar FB

Perspective given by Cleve Arguelles, a populist and an Assistant Professor and Chair of Political Science Program University of the Philippines Manila encourages researchers to broaden discussion points.

I paraphrase the professor’s response. Tatay Digong is a welcome interruption to our elite-dominated politics. His approach is innovative (and pervasive) which opens researchers to find alternative channels of politics. Critic challenges researchers to be innovative, challenging disciplinary boundaries and questioning shared assumptions, to go beyond the known.

He offers 3 points in response to the papers presented: 1. Use of entertainment e.g. video games 2. Beyond 3G. Guns. Goons. Gold. Add the 4th G-Gigabytes such as social media e.g. blogs, digital spheres 3. Dead bodies in photos as political symbols. Avoid looking. Talk differently which begs for more studies on how the people engage with the visuals. Prof. Cleve poses the question “what is voyeurism, what is empathy?” Relating to “tokhang” he offers the idea of Judith Butler defining which lives are “grievable”, and which are not.

He ends stating there is much “broader context that made the rise of such a controversial leader possible.” He implies exploring other discussion points as what gave rise to the Duterte presidency and reflect on the emerging Philippines under his presidency.

Research is about proving a central argument. In the light of exciting times in Philippine politics where we now exist in a highly polarized society, forums such as Sining Del Pilar provide us with extreme positions fairly and force us to make a stand. Did we understand better federalism? Are we voyeurs or do we empathize with the victims of dead bodies? Do we become criminals when we play Fighting Crimes 2? Through the researchers’ studies, their expertise and the disciplined critique, we are objectively enlightened and challenged. This opens up more arguments to prove and more researches to conduct.