Republic of the Philippines

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, 4417
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: ca.pasacao@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 513-9519

GEC12 Philippine Popular Culture

Course Module
A. Course Overview

GEC 12 (Philippine Popular Culture) course introduces and allows

students to explores the concept of popular culture within the Philippine
context. A multi-disciplinary approach will be utilized to explore the evolution
of pop culture in the country, providing the students with the necessary tools
of analysis to explore the various mediums in which it is embedded in. The
course will discuss how pop culture is present in everyday life: how it
simultaneously influences and is being influenced by the feelings,
performances, and identities of the Filipino people.

B. Course Calendar

Week Topics Assessment

Week Introduction  Lecture
1 VMGO Discussion
Quality Policy  Slides
Course Outline, Grading Presentation
System and Classroom  Recitation
Policies

Week 2-3 Module 1 Introduction to  Lecture

Popular Culture Discussion
 Slides
Module 1.1 Definition, and Presentation
concept of popular culture  Recitation

Module 1.2 An overview of

different cultural theories

 Define and frame the

concepts of culture and the
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popular
 Understand the concept of
Pop Culture
 Understand the
Relationship between
Media and Pop Culture
Week  Lecture
4-5 Module 2 Discussion
 Slides
History and Evolution of Presentation
Pop Culture in the Philippines  Recitation

Module 2.1: Arts and literature

Module 2.2: Lifestyle, Fashion,

and Foods

 Identify arts and literature in

t Philippines.
Recognize the lifestyle, fashion,
and foods in the Philippines
Week 6 Assessment
Week  Lecture
7 Module 2.3: Media and urban Discussion
legend  Slides
 Information literacy, media Presentation
literacy, and technology  Recitation
literacy and their roles in
Philippine Pop Culture
 How they can use
information literacy, media
literacy, and technology
literacy to identify fake
news

Module 3 Foreign Influences  Lecture

Week 8-10 that affect Philippine pop Discussion
culture.  Slides
Presentation
Module 3.1: Mexican and Korean  Recitation
Novela
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Module 3.2: Japanese Animation

Module 3.3: Hallyu culture and

Virality
Week 11 Module 4 Philippine Popular  Lecture
culture and the new form of arts Discussion
 Slides
Module 4.1: Flip top Presentation
 Recitation
Module 4 Philippine Popular  Lecture
culture and the new form of arts Discussion
Week 13-14 (Continuation)  Slides
Presentation
Module 4.2: Stand-up comedy  Recitation

Module 4.3: Vlogging

Module 5 The rise of social  Lecture

Week 15-17 media; The experience economy Discussion
 Slides
Lesson 1: Facebook, Reels, Tik- Presentation
Tok, and YouTube  Recitation

Lesson 2: Meme-ology 101

Lesson 3: The experience

economy
Week 18 Assessment 3 Pen and Paper  Lecture
Test Discussion
 Slides
Presentation
 Recitation
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C. Professor

Rita D. Alarcon is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

major in Library Science at University of Nueva Caceres where she also took her
master’s unit for master’s in library science. She took her master’s degree for Master of
Library in Information Science at Manual S. Enverga University Foundation in Lucena
City. After graduating in college as administrative assistant, she was hired as library staff
at the main library. A year after 2003, she worked as librarian for almost fifteen years at
AMA Computer College -Naga Campus and applied as campus librarian at Central Bicol
State University of Agriculture in 2019. She took her first teaching job in 2021 as
permanent faculty at the same time designated as librarian at CBSUA Pasacao
Campus. She is teaching General Education Subjects.

D. Assessment

Assessment Type % Course Due Graduate

Learning Date Attributes
Outcomes
Week 1-6 Video 30%
commentary
Week 7-12 Video 30%
(Blogging
style)
interview
Week 13-18 Pen and 40%
Paper Test
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Synchronous Classes (Google Meet)

Week Date Synchronous
No. Class No.
E. 2 2
3 3
4 4 https://meet.google.com/nob-
6 6 gxzo-ssj?
7 7 hs=122&authuser=0
8 8
GEC 12 https://meet.google.com/eic-
9 9
10 10 bnnu-zdp?
11 11 hs=122&authuser=0
13 13
14 14
15 15
16 16
17 17

Module
Chapter 4
Module 4 Philippine Popular Culture and the New Form of Arts
Module 4.1: Flip top; Module 4.2: Stand-up comedy; Module 4.3: Vlogging

(Week 11,13,14)

Introduction

Lessons in this unit came about because people have access to the Internet. Social
media platforms like Facebook and YouTube flourished and made way for new forms of art.
These new forms are thriving in the Philippines and have the possibility to stay longer. This
module contains the origins of FlipTop and stand-up comedy and their influences to the
Filipinos.

Pre-Competency Check
What do you know about Flip topping? Can you name some of the celebrities
know for fliptop?
Learning Resources
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Britannica (2023). Arts and culture: Stand-up comedy.

https://www.britannica.com/art/stand-up-comedy
Valentine Q. (2022) LinkIn. Advantages and Disadvantages of Blogging.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advantages-disadvantages-blogging-queen-valentine

Prezi (2023) Filptop. https://prezi.com/p/8eijgp0chtkf/fliptop-modern-balagtasan/

Scribd.com Module 3.2 | PDF | Stand Up Comedy | Comedy (scribd.com)
Yu, J. (2018). Influencer The current situation and the trend of vlog.
https://www.noxinfluencer.com/blog/the-current-situation-and-the-trend-of-vlog/

Visayan State University https://elearning.vsu.edu.ph/mod/resource/view.php?id=94573

Explore

Module 4.1 Flip top

Module Overview
Created in 2010, FlipTop is one of the most popular cultures in the Philippines. It is
where two rappers take turns in showcasing rhymes and rap strategies to outclass each other.
Since then, and across the past decade, it has amassed more than 1.5 million views on
YouTube alone, a testament to the popularity of the platform for aspiring rappers. Fliptop, also
known as rap battle, is a big hit for us Filipinos.

Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Trace the development of Fliptop in the Philippines;

2. Define FlipTop and how it uses different rhetoric strategies to address some issues; and

3. Understand the literacy devices in Fliptop rap

Motivation Questions
What is FlipTop? Who do you think is the founder of Flip Top? Did you ever watch a Flip
top battle? Let us watch some of the flip top lines:
https://youtu.be/fbzuHmqnB1w
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Module Pre-test
Instructions: Read the statements below. Match the given statements to the ones inside
the box by writing the answer on the space provided before each number.

_______1. This is a brand name for a rap battle.

_______2. He/she is the founder of FlipTop

________3. This is a show or performance in which a comedian performs original jokes

on stage in front of a live audience to make them laugh.

_______4. This is a complete stand-up routine, from start to finish. It is structured with a
beginning, middle, and end.

_______5. This is where the comedian starts with a great joke to get the audience
laughing from the first line.

_______6. These are short conversational bridges that connect one joke to the next.

_______7. This is what comedians call jokes.

_______8. The final joke in the show.

_______9. He is an American stand-up comedian who is famous for his Filipino content
comedy.

_______10. This is where you use your personal experience and write what you know.

Reading

At this point, you will read a blog by Karina Isabel M. Yap that narrates an experience of a
person who witnessed a Fliptop Battle event live. This topic is very familiar to me because I
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have been a follower (from the very first upload of FlipTop back in 2010 up to this day) of
FlipTop. We will try to steer away from the idea that FlipTop is just two people talking foul to
each other. Rather, we will assign FlipTop as an art performance that attracts a lot of criticisms
because of its dominant grip on modern day hip hop movement and music scene.

The Modern Day ‘Balagtasan’ by Karina Isabel M. Yap

A few years back, fliptop rap battles gained recognition in the Philippines quickly after several
videos of such went viral on YouTube. Millions of Filipinos trouped to the popular video sharing
website to watch two men test each other’s wit with rhythmic and clever lines delivered in an
impressive tongue-twisting manner. The men also test each other’s tolerance for insults.

Tongue twisters and rhymes have a special place in the childhood of every Filipino. However,
most are taught in English like “Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers.” One could argue
that fliptop battles are, in essence, a reclamation of childhood and its transliteration to the native
tongue.

Anygma, one of the more famous faces in the fliptop scene, attributed the success of fliptop rap
battles to the typical experience of Filipino male telling each other all types of bull in the parking
lot “from grade school to high school.” Somehow, remnants of afternoons spent hanging out
with my classmates, in grade school and high school, outside our school flashed in my mind.
The memories are hazy, but it made me smile thinking of the crap we told each other.

Fliptop rap battles do not feature your usual nursery rhymes. It’s common for colorful language
to find its way in the prose of participants. Derogatory remarks occasionally pepper their prose.
The constraints of rhythmic flow free participants from the burden of being politically correct.
Words you wouldn’t dare say in front of your mother are spitted out in fliptop rap battles, without
hesitation and without a blink of an eye from the participants.

Ejo vs W-Beat
For this article, I watched the fliptop rap battle between Ejo and W-Beat, for the First Filipino
Rap Battle League, uploaded on YouTube a few weeks ago. It’s everything a typical fliptop
battle should be. Perhaps, the tamest line from the battle came from Ejo: “Sana marami kang
ininom na tubig bago makipagbuno sa tulad ko. Sa sobrang init ng aking linya baka matuyo ang
utak mo.” There’s a lot of reference to popular culture. Spongebob was not spared. Nothing
seems sacred. Plants vs Zombies was mentioned by Ejo, saying W-Beat was spared by
zombies hungry for brains, simply because he has none.

Allegation that one of the participants was brainless had each man showcase his wit in a fliptop
rap battle. Participants Ejo and W-Beat intertwined their prose with trite social commentaries
and observation of the locals.

Poverty and prison were mentioned, just in passing, but it showed awareness of socioeconomic
issues that dogs the youth engaged in fliptop rap battle. These two issues, afflicting American
youth in depressed communities, are popular subjects of rap, even among rappers that broke
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into mainstream media. One can say fliptop rap battles serve as a medium through which
Filipino youths decry their condition.

“Nang dahil sa maling paniniwala ng kabataan, tuluyan nilang nawasak ang ating kinabukasan.
Nang dahil sa kahinaan tulad ng kayabangan,” rapped W-Beat, who is older than Ejo.

Mainstream acceptance
Fliptop rap battles had gained a wider mainstream acceptance since 2010. A comedy show had
a segment resembling such, replacing the rap with “pickup lines.” In YouTube, a casual search
will reveal tons of videos of Filipino youngsters engaged in fliptop battles. It cuts through social
classes and ages.

In the US, rap is so developed that occasionally, you read critics raving on the literary
significance of the genre. Jay-Z and Lupe Fiasco are both noted for their literary techniques,
similes and metaphors of life in America. In the Philippines, the same level of development
could be attained. It’s not too far-fetched. We already have balagtasan to build on. Fliptop rap
battles, especially one in Filipino, resemble a more musically updated version of the form.
Indeed, one can claim fliptop rap battles are balagtasan on steroids.

Participants in fliptop rap battles display an awareness of Filipino popular culture in their prose.
Though interjected with colorful language, rappers often have a clear grasp of the
conversational, if not formal, form of the Filipino language. It’s a healthy development in a
country where local music is fast vanquished by imported tunes.

It’s easy to dismiss fliptop rap battles as a fad that will soon fade. But one must remember that
Shakespeare broke new ground in English literature by weaving the language of the common
with the formal language of the aristocracy within the rigors of poetry. The same case can be
made in favor of fliptop rap battles. It affords innovation—which leads to development—in the
Filipino language through the experimentation and exploration of rappers. This isn’t “jejenese”
fueled by technology. In fliptop rap battles, technology merely enables the genre to find an
audience, and attain a critical mass to sustain development of the form.

Discussion
Fliptop also known as Modern Balagtasan is like is a contemporary type of
poetry. It is similar to the old balagtasan or “poetic debate”, “poetic jousting” or “poetic
wrestling”. Rap used in Fliptop Battle is poetry in rhythm to beat imaginary beat.
The merging of literature and music as evident in the musicality of language used.

Battle rap (also known as rap battling) is a type of rapping performed between
two or more performers that incorporate boasts, insults, wordplay, and disses.
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The biggest likeness of Fliptop to poetry is its role as a literary medium of

expression. It is a way in which a person could actually speak his mind, release his
inner thoughts and strategically impart his deep well of ideas.

Elements of Fliptop
Content – which is poetry component.
Flow- refers to the use of rhythm and rhyme
Delivery- pertains to the performance.

World of Fliptop
Heavily influenced by rap battle in the West, its origin can be traced from the hip-
hop culture, Rap in the Philippines blossoms in the 80s and 90s popularized by Francis
M and Andrew E. through social media like YouTube which paved the way for Fliptop
rap.
Alaric Anygma Riam Yuson started the FlipTop battle in the Philippines in 2010.

Some facts about Fliptop

 The number of judges is always in odd number (tis is to prevent draws)
 Fliptop battles last 1 to 5 minutes
 Coin toss is used to determine who will go first
 There are three formats of Fliptop battle, Written, Freestyle, and Old school

FlipTop has had some changes since its launch in 2010 by Alarci Yuson. It started
in Makati and has become national with various events and divisions in other parts of
the Philippines. Aside from that, FlipTop has produced articles from reputable
publishers, and made it to online radio shows. It also has graced online platforms
creating events monthly among others (Solitario, 2019).

Although we hear vulgarity and below the belt remarks, we should also credit the
craft and creativity of the wordsmiths in each presentation. From the very beginning,
FlipTop used to be somewhat like ‘asarang kalye’ with the emcees throwing jokes and
spoofs against each other. After a couple of years however, it evolved into something
franker, and more colorful in the display of different styles which include, multis (multiple
meaning), wordplay, rhyme schemes, and bars. As of this writing, Yuson declared that
FlipTop is the most viewed rap battle league in the world.
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Figure 10. Fliptop Battle. (Image retrieved from

http://www.whatshappening.com.ph/post/thefliptop-festival-announces-second-wave-
lineup-plus-more-surprises.)

Other than the usual themes of personal allegations, political issues also are
presented in some battles like Shernan vs. BLKD (a known political activist), and there
are instances that emcees would exclaim their criticism against the government
subliminally or vulgar. There was even that point when Kahir (another activist emcee)
name-dropped a party-list name, which according to him was just paid by the
government. With all this in mind, we can say that because there is too much freedom in
their platform, they can also use this as a vehicle of political satires and remarks.

A plethora of topics such as addressing depression, women empowerment, drug

use, toxicity in social media, respecting indigenous tribes and LGBT rights are also well
presented in some battles. It is to the extent that Sinio Cagasan popularized the term
“Edi Wow!” and has become a part of daily informal conversations. Approaching the
world of FlipTop can be harder for those who do not listen further. You see, when you
cover your ears you can hear your heartbeat and that is the same with FlipTop. It is a
colorful platform of wits and ingenuity which can be appreciated with full attention to
detail. Aside from the insults and foul remarks is the lesson that we can also defend
ourselves without violence but with a carefully formulated rebuttal. I can also say to you
that viewers can grow smarter because FlipTop enhances a person’s understanding of
shades of meaning and references.

Read the definition of terms below written by Heaven Bonifacio.

How Does a FlipTop Battle Works?

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The contest consists of three rounds with a time limit for each contender set by
the referee. Overtime is applied if the battle is a draw. The first turn is determined by a
toss coin.

•Written or non-written lines are allowed. Both sides can also bring props for the
event. Filipino language is the primary medium although other languages or dialects
can be used.

•The winner is determined by the decision of the judges. The criteria for judging
are the usage of words, audience impact, delivery, and rapping style.

•Aside from battle rap, the league has also had a beatbox battle competition,
concerts, and seminars about hip hop culture commonly named as Mindfields.

Definition of Terms

• Emcee : Noun. a term to describe a rapper who acts as a crowd pleaser

at live events.

• Antic: "Noun." A joke or prank done during a battle that has absolutely
nothing to do with rhyming or the battleits self, just used to gain attention
or cause controversy.

• Bar: "Noun." In the context of rap, which may or may not be accompanied
by music, loosely analogous to a poetic stanza or strophe (i.e. a grouped
set of lines of determinable measure). Bars often are spoken of
symbolically as a sort of wealth or stock possessed of oneself or another
rapper.
• Choke: "Verb." Run out of rapped lines prematurely either by forgetting
prepared bars or failing to freestyle fluidly; arguably the single most
incriminating misstep in rap delivery. Not to be confused with stumbling.
• Multisyllable rhyme (Short form: multi): "Noun." Grouped phrases in
which more than one syllable rhymes. e.g. I've got a bad taste / It gives
me mad haste.
• Punchline: ''Noun.'' A line delivered as the climax to a joke or series of
setup bars.
• Rebuttal: ''Noun.'' Bars delivered to counter an opponent's comment
earlier in the same battle. Given the inability to foresee such comments,
rebuttals are often delivered freestyle.
• Setup: ''Noun.'' A series of bars executed as a lead-in to a verbal payoff,
or punchline.
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• Wordplay. ''Noun.'' The witty exploitation of the meaning, ambiguities,

sound, composition, rhyme pattern, and layered subtext of words and
phrases.

Example : Natuto ka lang mag-freestyle, akala mo ikaw na si Super-

Natural.

E 'yung free-style mo aral, sa kanya super-natural.

Taz haharap ka sa tulad ko na ang pagiging SUPER, NATURAL.

Pagka-tanggal ko ng kaluluwa mo, yun ang super natural."

Photo owned by the author. Retrieved from https://ph.linkedin.com/in/alaric-yuson-

8bb914180

A typical rap battle is governed by rules and mechanics adopted from its foreign
counterpart who first launched battle leagues. The local rap battles run by FlipTop are in
the modern format in which the competitors are given prior notice and ample time to
 Module and Learning Management System

prepare their a capella verses before the night of the competition. This is different from
the old-school format in which performances are more spontaneous and verses are
crafted on the spot with a beat.
Learning Task/Activities
Create at least 10 Flip Top lines. Below are the sample lines.

Picture taken from Fliptop Best Line FB page

https://www.facebook.com/1427437960631428/posts/d41d8cd9/2139698042738746/

Assessment
Answer the question below.
1. What are the similarities of Fliptop to Balagtasan?

Module 4.2 Stand-up comedy

Module Overview
In this lesson, you shall learn more about stand-up comedy, its definition, reasons why it
is popular in the world and in the Philippines, and its relation to politics, economical views, and
social views.

Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, you are expected to:
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1. Define stand-up comedy;

2. Know the new format of stand-up comedy; and
3. Discover and appreciate Filipino stand-up comedians.

Module Pre-test

List down Ten (10) comediennes that you know, use the template below
NO.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Motivation Questions
What is stand-up comedy? Who is your favorite comedian/comedienne? Let us watch the video
before we go on with our discussion.

https://youtu.be/x4sxExxBTak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yyqu0Ww6Uk

Discussion

Stand-up comedy, comedy that generally is delivered by a solo performer

speaking directly to the audience in some semblance of a spontaneous
manner.

Origins
Stand-up, at least in the form it is known today, is a fairly recent entertainment
phenomenon. In the United States, where it developed first and reached its greatest
popularity, it had its origins in the comic lecturers, such as Mark Twain, who toured the
country in the 19th century. It began to emerge as populist entertainment
 Module and Learning Management System

in vaudeville in the early decades of the 20th century. While comedy was a staple of
every vaudeville bill, it most often took the form of packaged routines delivered by
comedy teams (who spoke to each other, not to the audience). But a few performers,
such as Frank Fay, became known for their facility at off-the-cuff patter while serving as
emcees in vaudeville houses such as the famed Palace Theatre in New York City.

This solo style was honed further in the resorts of the Catskill Mountains region of New
York in the 1930s and ’40s. The predominantly Jewish comedians of the so-
called Borscht Belt developed a brash gag-filled monologue style that played on familiar
comic tropes—the bossy mother-in-law, the henpecked husband—exemplified
by Henny Youngman’s famous line “Take my wife—please.”

Yet the comedian who probably did the most to make stand-up comedy a staple of
American popular entertainment was Bob Hope, a British-born former vaudeville song-
and-dance man. Hope, an admirer of Fay, developed an engaging rapid-fire style as an
vaudeville emcee and, beginning in 1938, as host of his own top-rated radio program.
Forced to come up with fresh material for his weekly radio monologues—and for the
military audiences that he frequently traveled to entertain—Hope hired a team of writers
who came up with jokes that played off the day’s news, local gossip in the towns and
military bases he visited, and the offstage doings of Hope and his show business
friends. This was a significant departure from the vaudeville and Borscht Belt comics,
whose gags were generic, were largely interchangeable, and could be repeated almost
endlessly.

Bob Newhart
Photo retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/art/stand-up-comedy
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Stand-up comedy in the Philippines

Stand-up comedy has been in the entertainment industry for two decades now. However,
it has only been blossoming recently. But what makes stand-up comedy different from other
types of comedic styles? For one, stand-up comedians have to perform in front of a live
audience. They involve the audience in their performance. In reality, they actually do not do this
since they have a script they stick to. Stand-up comedians share their jokes through a storyline
or storylines in succession and in a fast-paced manner. These short, fast-paced jokes are called
bits. A bit is basically a story. It has a beginning, which is a background story of the story or
characters; a middle, which has the meat and climax of the story; and the ending, which has the
punch line. This structure is called a typical structure of a joke.

Through efforts of Filipino stand-up comedians to create organizations that highlight

stand-up comedy, it has garnered a spotlight. Mostly, these comedy organizations are in Luzon.
How does stand-up comedy reach the other region? It is through social media platforms. Filipino
comedians living in other countries spread their reach through Facebook. Others use Netflix. An
example is the stand-up comedian with the stage name Jo Koy. His content is very much
Filipino.

Jokoy. (Image retrieved from https://www.pep.ph/guide/tv/143744/fil-am-stand-upcomedian-jo-

koy-talks-about-his-greatest-source-of-pinoy-pride-a3438-20190608 )

In the Philippines, stand-up comedy is still taking its baby steps in making its stand in the
entertainment industry since it has a hard time rivaling classic comedic styles that Filipinos
prefer.

Some of Local Comedians in the Philippines

1. Alex Calleja
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Alex Calleja
Image retrieved from
https://www.wheninmanila.com/10-filipino-comedians-you-must-see-in-manila/
2. Derf Hebrado

Derf Hebrado
Image retrieved from
https://www.wheninmanila.com/10-filipino-comedians-you-must-see-in-manila/

3. GB Labrador

GB Labrador
Image retrieved from
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https://www.wheninmanila.com/10-filipino-comedians-you-must-see-in-manila/

4. Marlon Olivan

Marlon Olivan
Image retrieved from
https://www.wheninmanila.com/10-filipino-comedians-you-must-see-in-manila/

5. Victor Anastacio

Victor Anastacio
Image retrieved from
https://www.wheninmanila.com/10-filipino-comedians-you-must-see-in-manila

Read the article below to understand the sociological effect of comedy in people’s lives.

The Power of Comedy

By Sociology Lens

Mark Twain once said, “that the human race has only one really effective weapon and that is
laughter.” Even if this is an exaggeration, it might explain our love for humor, specifically the art
of comedy. Humor allows people to approach sensitive issues. No one is better at this than the
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Standup Comic. The Comic’s job is to create, sustain, and guide the audience throughout their
performance. In doing so, the comic touches on material that is taboo to the host society.
Jokes are obviously meant to be laughed at and understood by the way in which the comedian
communicates their craft onstage: in front of their audience under terms and conditions that are
both relatable and comical. The more a comedian works on their craft, knowing their audience,
honing in on the jocular, the more they earn trust and respect from the people that pay to laugh.
This trust and respect is crucial to the comic to not only obtain laughter, but also to send a
message to the audience, that even in times of difference, we are more similar than we think
Polished comedians allow for their audience to learn about the society by forcing them to think
about the infrastructure that orders our daily lives. Jokes become the chisel chipping away at
the preconceived notions which perpetuate the inequalities of today’s world.
Because of the nature of a joke, topics that are often taboo can carve out a space that can work
at creating a new understanding of a sensitive topic in its parody. It also allows the
comic/audience a dynamic space to openly discuss and contemplate these sensitive issues.
Humor provides a key site for reversal and resistance to the inequalities that society
perpetuates, encouraging its incongruity through disturbance, thus offering a stylistic redefinition
of reality. One such issue that has been going through this redefinition is the notion of sexuality.
Two weeks ago, Buffalo, NY celebrated their 21st annual Pride Parade. It also celebrated a
year in which equal marriage rights gained traction in the socio-political arena. With each
successful movement there comes hardships and down times, but what we should really focus
on is the work being done every day to create the compassion needed in order to rid our lives of
the tyranny that inequality creates.
At the heart of this work lies Kristen Becker (Buffalo Art Voice’s 2012 Best Comedian).

Laughter as a weapon is something Becker takes close to heart. Comedians like her succeed
because they help individuals to rearrange the way we all understand social relationships.
Topics such as sexuality forces the listener to reevaulate their understanding of identity from
both their own understand as well as the one being conveyed by the comedian. Under her
guidance, the Queen City is armed with an arsenal of humor (both by performance as well as
mentoring) that is helping to redefine the reality of this Blue Collar city. Her comedy began over
ten years ago and she has travelled all across the United States promoting her no-holds-bars
progressive comedy on a plethora of sensitive issues. Her success brought her home to Buffalo
six years ago, where she started reinventing a comedy scene downtown that had previously
been dead for over a decade.
Starting with Doin’ Time Comedy at a music venue aptly named Nietzsche’s, Becker has given a
voice to those who want to speak their mind about issues that matter in life through the art of the
jocular. Doin’ Time is in its sixth year and has had over 90 different comics take its stage to not
only develop, but educate those who come out to watch. Shortly after starting Doin’ Time
Comedy, Becker hit the road on one of the first ever tours featuring lesbian comics, going to
places in which progressive comedy can be frowned upon. The success of the Dykes of Hazard
Tour gave birth to the Comedy Variety Hour at the Babeville Arts Center, located in the heart of
Buffalo. Notably, the show consists of more than just comedy, focusing on music as well as a
burlesque show.
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These shows not only combat long standing prejudices; they are also a part of Buffalo’s
rebuilding process. The growing comedy scene, according to Becker, can help stimulate the
economy by making it a place where people come to see comedy. With a downtown comedy
club, people can focus on coming to shows that represent the local culture but also see national
acts, which up until now, have shunned the Nickel City for cities like Cleveland and Rochester.
As a Buffalo native, Becker wants the city to regain the popularity that made it one of the most
progressive cities at the turn of the twentieth century.
Her motivation to make Buffalo succeed is best understood by her focus away from individual
differences that constrain our development (both individually as well as a City) and focus on the
importance of similarity.
As a sociologist, I cannot agree with her more. A good joke does not divide us in its incongruity;
it makes us laugh at how petty we can be concerning difference, and by seeing how we are in
fact the same, can have monumental effects on all of us regardless of our sexuality, race,
ethnicity, or gender.
Although the conversations I have had with Kristen Becker (and this article) might seem like
nothing more than reinventing the wheel, it is important to remember that the more we talk
about individuals like Becker, the more we can focus on those everyday occurrences of
similarity that will help us push for the equality we all deserve.
Stand-up comedy, and humor in general, covers or euphemizes issues and topics that are
considered as controversial. The article sums this up. In the Philippines, the use of humor in TV
shows and movies, allow anyone to think about issues (such as political, social, and economical
issues) in the country. Stand-up comedy has brought this kind of branding in the platform.
Standup comedians, with careful writing, and delivery, put controversies on a platter and serve
them their audience, the Filipinos who make decisions during elections.

Learning Task/Activities /Assessment

Make a comedy script that you will present in class as if you are a stand-up
comedian. Make sure that the script contains humorous content or topics that will
entertain your classmates.

Module 4.3 Vlogging

Module Overview
Using a camera of a mobile phone, a person can create a story and promote new
opportunities to other people. With the rise of the so-called influencers, we can justify
that vlogging brought new audiences to the entertainment scene. However, we as digital
citizens must also know that there are two sides to a coin. We must approach this
subject with critical understanding to know which is beneficial and which is toxic.

Vlogging has played a pivotal role in reshaping societal perceptions and norms.
Creators use their platforms to raise awareness about social issues, advocate for
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change, and create safe spaces for marginalized communities. In fact, besides the
increase in accessibility of vlogging, school-related vlogs also alleviate fatigue, help
learners build self-confidence with recorded experiences, create interaction and
collaboration, which will then bring about language improvements in positive classroom
culture.

Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Define vlogging;
2. Appreciate the value of vlogging as a modern vehicle to meet new opportunities; and
Identify the innovative benefits of vlogging.

Module Pre-test
List down celebrities/personalities that is known to for Vlogging.

Motivation Questions
Have you tried creating a vlog and uploaded it on your social media platforms? Who is
your favourite influencer or vlogger?

Discussion
A vlog is a set of videos that someone regularly posts on the internet in
which they record their thoughts or experiences or talk about a subject
Vlogging is the act of creating videos that fit the definition of a blog, a diary-
style or conversational piece of content that is uploaded to the web, typically on a
regular basis. Vlogging allows individuals to showcase their unique personalities,
perspectives, and talents to a broad audience. By consistently creating content that
aligns with their brand, vloggers can develop a loyal following and establish themselves
as experts in their field.
What is the most important element of a vlog?
A consistent intro, a consistent camera angle, consistent audio quality, consistent
segments; all of these things are essential for a good vlog. From the gear that you use
to the way your episodes are organized, creating any sort of template for yourself to
work within will help to keep you on track.
Let us define vlogging. Read the article below.

The Current Situation and the Trend of Vlog

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By Jessie Yu

In the recent past, blogging has become a darling to the internet community. Putting together
the basics of blogging and the richness of expression that comes with video blogs, (vlogs) will
redefine our existing televised news sources. Google acquisition of YouTube has made vlogs
more popular and given it more attention worldwide.

Trends in video are taking over the content of numerous sites. In fact, Facebook and Instagram
have invested heavily in video in recent years. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO predicted
that he wouldn’t be surprised if in the next 5 or so years, most of the content shared on a day-
to-day basis on Facebook is in video form.

YouTube is rapidly growing with hours of video watched growing by over 60% every year,
despite the fact that it was acquired just over 10 years ago and the product is still fundamentally
the same. 8 year olds are making a fortune (up to $11 million a year) on YouTube and are also
being featured on “primetime-old-people television” such as SNL. Ask random kids or teenagers
what they want to do in future and the traditional “doctor” “engineer” responses are becoming
rarer and rarer…you will often hear them say that they would love to become a “celebrity
vlogger.”

How vlog promotes the development of influencer marketing

People tend to remember the reputation of a celebrity or an organization by the audio, look and
experience they have encountered with them. They expect specific behaviors when being
reminded of a certain familiar celebrity, product, or organization. This reputation is normally
known as brand.

For those who are familiar with influencer marketing, you probably are already aware of how
effective it can be in boosting engagement, generating more leads, and increasing conversions.
But did you know that it can also take your brand to the next level?

As a matter of fact, according to Shanebarker, 76% of marketers believe that influencer

marketing helps boost customer loyalty while 96% say that it helps build brand awareness. But
how exactly can you employ vlog to grow your brand?

There are several influencer marketing tactics out there, most of which are highly effective.
Whether you are hiring external influencers to promote your brand, or doing it internally by
building a community of ambassadors to act as micro-influencers, influencer marketing will
definitely help you track every single part of your sales funnel.

People tend to trust what influencers say and do and the products they recommend. Their
audiences and followers are usually very engaged and accessible. This is exactly why video
blogging is more effective that most other influencer marketing programs. Below is a breakdown
of why this is so, including a few examples…

Depending on which part of your sales funnel (driving acquisition, building awareness, or both)
you want to focus on, it is important that you consider working with influencers on different
platforms. Here’s a quick look on some of the most effective platforms:

• Instagram- Works well with particularly visual products or those looking to build their
following on social media. It is very effective when paired with Instagram ads.
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• Snapchat- Works magic if you want to build awareness and create buzz around real-
time events such as products targeting young audiences or product launches.
• Facebook- Unlike before, many users are now using this particular social media
platform for vlogging– and for good cause. Facebook has a livestreaming option that
allows market influencers to connect directly with their viewers in real time. The platform
also contains video hosting platforms that, together with the option of livestreaming are
rapidly making Facebook a hotspot for vloggers across the world.
• Twitter-This platform is appropriate if you are looking to engage in broader online
conversations.

• DailyMotion-It is a French hosting website that gets a huge amount of traffic on a daily
basis due to its wide and varied existing content. It is fun and very easy to engage your
audience, making it an excellent platform to vlog about your favorite topics ranging from
entertainment, politics, or social causes.
• Vidler-it has an extremely simple user interface, endearing it to people who are just
starting out. You can post anything you want at any time, and viewers can easily come in
and see what you have to say.
• Vimeo-since its invention, Vimeo has gradually become more business-oriented, hosting
more and more business websites. However, there is still room for vlogging. More
experienced and established video bloggers can use Vimeo for different purposes and
earn a lot of money while at it. But they have to possess the technical knowhow.
• YouTube-This is, by my recommendation the most effective platform for influencer
marketing. In fact, vlogging rose to fame as a result of the rampant growth of You Tube’s
popularity. It is particularly special since it works perfectly at every part of your sales
funnel- giving you both the visual branding opportunity as well as significant traffic to
your site. Overall, You Tube is a one stop shop for both experienced and new vloggers.

What is the Proportion of You Tube in Influencer Marketing?

According to Shane Barker writing for medium, the number of YouTube viewers is close to 1.5
billion today. This number is expected to grow to around 1.86 billion by 2021. 40% of millennials
believe that their favorite You Tube Vlogger understands them better than their close friends,
and 7 out of 10 You Tube subscribers relate better to their YouTubers than to traditional TV
stars.

NoxInfluencer
This is currently the largest market place that makes You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, and
Instagram influencer marketing across the globe much easier. Thus, startups can hugely benefit
by using influencer marketing in NoxInfluencer to boost their business.

Vlogging simply means video log or video blog. It is usually called vlog. It is a sister of blogging.
This means that it is blog, but instead of using words, the material used is videography.

Discussed in the article is the influence of people to other people by using social media
and vlogging. It has become to the point that sharing ideas and opinions, and dreams to others
does not aim to “sharing” alone. It has become a business. The various sites also are growing
by number each year. This is where social and economic aspects of vlogging come in. The goal
of the social media sites by uploading vlogs is of course to create a sustainable business by its
founders and employees. The goal of the vloggers is to “share”, to socialize, and some
underlying reasons we might never know (probably branding their names). This is a cycle and
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both overlap. The political aspect certainly comes in by the vloggers who include in their content
politics. Also, in other countries, the governments use social media sites and the influencers for
their political agendas.

This relationship of the social media sites and the influences/vloggers will remain for a
long time as long as both have a mutual understanding and both are earning. We can only hope
that this relationship is healthy. In the Philippines, many vloggers are influencing the Filipino
people. Many vloggers have contents that are purely about fashion or about humor. One
example is Mimiyuh. This vlogger has captured the taste of Filipinos and thus she has garnered
many followers. Another influencer is the fashion icon Kryz Uy. Now that she has a son, she has
turned into a mom influencer.

Vlogging in the Philippines has its own branding and will probably be the same branding for
many years to come.

Advantages of Blogging

1. "0" Financial Investment

In contrast to other businesses on the market, you don't require a capital

investment to start blogging. You only need knowledge about content as well
as some SEO techniques and basic design skills to post images, as well as
some basic research capabilities, access to the internet, and lots of
patience. For starters, you can make use of the blogging software, which is
accessible via the internet, or you can purchase a domain and begin posting.
2. Turn Your Traffic Into Leads

Your blog posts are an excellent way to remarket your products or

services. The people who read your blog are those with an interest in your
product or services. There is evidence that blogs that have subscriptions to
newsletters and contact buttons can generate more quality leads. Blogs are
great "lead magnets."
#3 Work From Anywhere

Blogs can be shared anywhere in the world, provided you have access to the
internet and a monitor to work on. You can move from one place to another
and write a blog. Blogs that are published on the internet can be accessed by
anyone around the world. If you can get access to it, you'll be able to work full-
time as well.
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#4 Build Your Community

The feeling of connecting with other like-minded people can be great. Making
a community with blogging is an amazing skill. Blogs provide a platform on
which you can showcase your personality and your business. By posting
engaging blogs regularly, engaging with readers, and updating them regularly,
you can help expand your audience.
#5 Position Your Brand

Display your niche. There are a lot of companies offering the same services
and products for less. Make sure your customers know what you excel at, and
it will allow you to establish your company in the marketplace. Your blog
should be the voice of your brand. Plan them in a specific manner that gives
you insight.
#6 Excellent Source Of Income

This is the main reason that people opt for blogging as a

profession. Making sure that your blog is monetized could be essential. It
takes a lot of effort and time, but once your blog posts are monetized, it is
possible to make huge profits. Your wish to live like a blogger for a year could
be realized.

Disadvantages of Blogging

#1 Needs Maintenance

Do you think that putting up new blogs each week could suffice? While writing
and uploading new content is important, maintaining your older blogs is
essential. Continuously updating your old blogs will ensure that they are
current and useful. It is impossible to predict the day when your blog will be
booming, so be sure to ensure that all websites are up and running and the
blog's content is easily accessible.
#2 A Steady Source of Income? "NO"

The blogging industry may not be an income-generating source initially. When

you begin your journey as a blogger, expecting large sums of money is not a
good idea. It is recommended that you have a steady flow of cash before you
begin full-time blogging.
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#3 Huge Investment of Time & Work

The process of blogging requires lots of time as well. Conducting research on

subjects as well as finding inspiration, framing your posts and making them
pertinent to the present, and producing insightful content will take up many
minutes of your precious time. We guarantee that it will be worth it when your
blogs have been made monetizable.
#4 Not All Bloggers Make Money

It's true. Blogs don't automatically generate revenue; however, not everyone
can earn income from them. You could be updating your blog frequently and
constantly posting new blogs and still not get the attention of readers. It could
be that your blog content is not properly framed or isn't governed by market
trends. Everything should be moving in the right direction, and your blogs can
be made monetizable.
#5 Market Trends Always On The Swirl

One of the main disadvantages of blogging is that the content on the internet
is different every day. It is impossible to create the same type of content every
day and then post it. It is possible to get a great audience one day but not
another. This is why it is important to keep an eye on the trends in the
marketplace, and preparing your content to meet the market's needs is
helpful.
#6 You Always Run Out of Ideas

Maintaining your blogs on a regular basis is an absolute must. In doing this,

there's an opportunity that you will run out of ideas. This can be solved by
seeking ideas from other blogs, conducting research on statistics, and finding
articles that will engage readers. Blog posts can be prepared in advance to
prevent this problem.

Learning Task/Activities
You are going to make a short vlog that you can post on your FB account.