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Hi, my name is Jhouvann S. Morden. I'm 19 years old, born and raised in Davao City, and a full-blooded Filipino. I am currently studying Computer Science at Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao. I enjoy doing many things, such as reading, playing games, listening to music, and engaging with Philippine pop culture as a proud Filipino. I enjoy listening to BINI, the 'Nation's Girl Group' in the Philippines, whose mix of contemporary pop and Filipino elements captivates me. Furthermore, I'm also active on social media, interacting with Filipino memes and posts that are often hilarious, edgy, or amusing, sharing and commenting on them. I use also use Filipino slang when interacting online, love Filipino comics featuring Filipino mythology like Trese, and listen to OPM artists like Cup of Joe, Zild, Frank Ely, and many more.

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The Filipino Pop Culture I would like to highlight in this Padlet are Filipino memes. Memes, which can be images, videos, GIFs, or other forms of media, are spread widely through the internet and have become one of the most popular and unique way of expressing various emotions, ideas, and perspectives in the digital world. Filipino memes, in particular, captures and reflect the humor, creativity, and resilience of Filipino culture, often reflecting relatable day-to-day experiences, cultural quirks, and insights to social or political issues. Those memes serve as a window unto the lives of the Filipino people, bringing laughter, fostering a sense of community, and subtly challenging the societal norms or address issues in a lighthearted yet impactful manner. Filipino memes not only entertain and unite people by highlighting shared experiences and cultural values, creating a sense of community and identity that feels both authentic and lighthearted, but they also celebrate and preserve the unique Filipino identity in today's digital age.

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Catalysts of Change: The Impact of Filipino Memes in Pop Culture

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Catalysts of Change: The Impact of Filipino Memes in Pop Culture

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Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) is a communication theory that explains why people choose and use media to satisfy their needs. Using this lens, we can analyze that Filipino memes play a significant role in modern Philippine pop culture by serving as a tool that fulfills various personal and social needs, such as expression, entertainment, and community building, driving change in different aspects of society. Memes, as we all know, allow users to interpret complex and sensitive topics humorously, providing a platform for individuals to engage in self-expression and share opinions, emotions, and experiences in a relatable way, even when the topic is controversial or sensitive. People, like me, seek out memes for personal gratification, whether to lighten their mood, gain insights, or feel connected to current events; interacting with these memes often allows them to find common ground with others who share similar views. This interaction, driven by this form of media, encourages participation from everyone, which strengthens social bonds and fosters a sense of understanding, belonging, and solidarity within the community, as memes become a medium for gratification and self-expression in a lighthearted way.

Filipino memes create change in different aspects of our lives, serving as more than just a source of entertainment—they are catalysts for change. Nowadays, they act as instruments for social commentary and cultural expression, with satirical memes shedding light on social or political issues such as economic hardships and social inequalities, encouraging people to engage with these topics; this engagement can then lead to increased awareness, foster critical thinking, and inspire advocacy or support for social causes, subtly influencing public opinion and behavior. Furthermore, Filipino memes also do a great job of promoting Filipino pop culture and contributing to the cultural continuity and identity of Filipinos. By reflecting shared experiences coupled with humor, they strengthen community bonds and a sense of solidarity, which not only reinforces cultural identity but also mobilizes collective action during significant social movements, as people rally around memes that resonate with their ideals and perspectives. Lastly, due to the viral nature of memes, they can reach wide audiences in a quick manner, making them an effective tool for raising awareness and creating discussions about various issues, ultimately molding the socio-political landscape. Filipino memes are powerful as they not only bring humor and critique, but they also empower individuals and communities to advocate for change.