GEE 3: Philippine Pop Culture

Lesson 4 Lecture Notes

Popular Culture in the Philippines

Philippine pop culture is a vibrant and diverse blend of influences from both local traditions and
global trends. From Original Pilipino Music, to being the social media capital of the world,
dominance in global beauty pageants, the creation of street slang languages, and based
internet pinoy memes. It reflects the rich history, values, and creativity of the Filipino people.

Historical Formation of Popular Culture in the

Philippines
The roots of Philippine popular culture can be traced to the Spanish colonial
period. During this time, the Spanish introduced popular culture to native Filipinos
through literature and plays, aiming to captivate their hearts. This highlights the colonial
origins of popular culture in the Philippines.

It originated as a substitution for native culture with Christian and European

traditions, facilitated by the offspring of indigenous elites. These individuals acted as
intermediaries, using vernacular literary forms to pacify the natives. An example of this
was the portrayal of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection in plays. These plays
served to propagate Christianity, whereas songs and comedy conveyed the ideals of the
Spanish monarchy.

The introduction of popular culture to the Philippines aimed to sway the Filipino
population towards the Spanish regime's ideology. This cultural shift was engineered to
advance the interests of both the Church and the State.

During the American colonization of the Philippines, the term "popular culture"
aptly applied to the country. The arrival of the Americans brought with it the introduction
of popular culture. The advent of technologies such as the printing press, radio,
television, and film facilitated the rapid dissemination of various forms of popular culture.
Hollywood films, in particular, held a significant influence over the Philippine market
during this time.

According to Bienvenido Lumbera, popular literature is treated as a commodity,

created for mass consumption. This perspective deems it a challenge to "serious artistic
work" due to the prioritization of publishers' and editors' commercial interests over
artistic aesthetics. Furthermore, popular culture does not spontaneously emerge from
the populace. Instead, it is typically instigated by the ruling elite or a select group
employed by them, aimed at catering to the populace's consumption.

Popular culture in the Philippines is a concern. Popular culture is in question

because of
the following reasons.
1. The Philippines is a third world country.
2. The Philippines has many indigenous ethnic groups that are still not urbanized.
3. The Philippines has a long history of two major cultural influences: Spanish and
American.
4. The Philippines is still predominantly agricultural in its present socio-economic status.
5. The Philippines is still dependent on foreign economies

The definition of popular culture in the Philippines is not just “of the people” but
“of the mass”, which is basically construed to be urban and industrialized.

Popular culture in the Philippines is a culture generated by mass media that

consists of film, radio, television, and press. They were introduced in the twentieth
century but are still exclusively urban. The earliest form of popular culture research in
the Philippines is mass communication research. It is concerned with content analyses
and effects on the audience. In the mid 70s, literature scholars began examining film,
television, radio, and comics as modes of fiction and drama. Their main concern was
the cultural values and the way the transmission of these values are being done. This
concern was brought up by the so-called “serious” literature, which are the novel, the
short story, the poem, and the play because these were not reaching the majority, not
even the urban masses, and definitely not the rural masses.

The following are some of the major areas of Philippine Pop Culture

Komiks
a comic book. a comic strip. comics; the medium of comic books, comic strips, and
other sequential art. Examples of komik characters are:

1. “Kenkoy” was the first Filipino comic strip. Its first appearance was in 1929. Its
main character was created by Antonio Velasquez. It was only made with four
frames and was used as a filler for a weekly popular magazine Liwayway.

2. Dyesebel. She is a mermaid created by Mars Ravelo, the same legendary

cartoonist who created Darna.
 3. Darna. She is a Filipino superhero created by the legendary cartoonist Mars
Ravelo.

During the Martial Law, the komiks have been used by government agencies to
deliver message of development like the Green Revolution, family planning, and
housing programs. The content of the komiks reflects dreams, hopes, values, vision of
life, escape from reality, and problems and solutions. All these make komiks definitely a
popular culture. Komiks are created by artists who favor the public voice and dreams.
Komiks has an extensive reach and grasp which makes them entirely “of the people.”

Komiks are reading materials that are cheap and accessible for Filipinos and are
a substitute for serious literature. It has such an extensive reach and grasp because
they are being swapped between neighbors and workers and their relatives. That is a
form of circulation in itself and it is not expensive. Komiks have different roles suitable
as a phenomenon of popular culture. Komiks is a “purveyor of entertainment and moral
lessons, disseminator of values and attitudes, and a source of practical knowledge on
farming, government policies, medicine, and science.”

Film.
Cinematrografo are short-featured films that were first shown in the Philippines.
The first feature films that were produced locally were in 1909, featuring the life of Jose
Rizal. Jose Nepomuceno’s “Dalagang Bukid” was the first full-length feature film shown
in 1919. “Ang Aswang” was the first talking picture made in 1932 by Musser.

There were a total of 214 movie houses in the Philippines in 1924. In 1939, the
Philippine movie industry became fifth in world rank when it came to the number of
talkies produced. The Philippine movie industry moved from the big-studio syndrome to
the present proliferation of small independent producers with challenges such as high
taxes, high production costs, raw material scarcity, no aid from the government, little or
no professional training for actors and technical staff, and the greatest challenge was
the competition from foreign movies. Despite all of these challenges, the Filipino film did
have an audience. The movie houses were filled especially with stars like Dolphy, Nora
Aunor, Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, Fernando Poe, Jr., and a lot more.

The following is a list of most influential films in Philippine Pop Culture:

1. "Tanging Yaman" (2000): Directed by Laurice Guillen, this family drama delves
into the complexities of relationships, forgiveness, and the Filipino concept of
"pagmamahal sa pamilya" (love for family).
 2. "One More Chance" (2007): Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, this romantic
drama starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo became a cultural touchstone
for a generation, exploring love, heartbreak, and second chances.

3. "Heneral Luna" (2015): Directed by Jerrold Tarog, this historical biopic focuses
on the life and leadership of General Antonio Luna during the
Philippine-American War, sparking discussions on nationalism and heroism.

Popular Music.
At the beginning of the 70s, Philippine pop music was certainly American. However,
Philippine popular music was also present in the form of kundimans, love songs,
zarzuelas, street songs, and children’s nonsense songs but these were not sung on
stages or even played in the airwaves. Philippine pop culture was basically American,
from pop, to rock, and even Broadway, to variety shows on television. Pinoy rock
emerged in 1973 through Joey Smith. It has a Western rock sound but in Pilipino lyrics.
Hot Dog came, which is another group, with a slow and melodious beat in Taglish lyrics.
The Pinoy trend emerged when Rolando Tinio, a poet, translated an album of American
songs into Pilipino for Celeste Legaspi. Radio stations were required to play three
Filipino songs every hour, proving that the dominant music culture was certainly
American. Some radio stations went all the way by having allFilipino songs in their
programming, thus Pinoy pop had arrived. The Metro Manila Pop Song Festival, or also
known as Metropop Song Festival, is one of the songwriting competitions in the
Philippines that cater to the promotion of Filipino music. It has launched the careers of
singers and songwriters in the country.

Several bands have had a profound impact on Philippine pop culture, shaping music
trends and leaving a lasting imprint on the country's musical landscape. Here are some
influential bands and a few of their notable songs:

1. Eraserheads: Often referred to as the "Beatles of the Philippines," Eraserheads

is one of the most iconic bands in Philippine history. Their music covers various
genres, including rock and pop. Some of their influential songs include "Ang
Huling El Bimbo," "Pare Ko," and "With A Smile."

2. Parokya ni Edgar: Known for their humorous and witty lyrics, Parokya ni Edgar
is a beloved band that blends rock with comedic elements. Songs like "Buloy,"
"Harana," and "Inuman Na" have become anthems for many Filipinos.
 3. Bamboo: Fronted by Bamboo Mañalac, this band brought a dynamic rock sound
to the forefront. Songs like "Hallelujah," "Noypi," and "Hudas" showcase their
energetic style.

4. Up Dharma Down: This band is celebrated for their experimental and

electronic-infused sound. Songs like "Tadhana" and "Oo" showcase their musical
innovation.

These bands and their songs have not only shaped the music scene but have also
resonated with Filipinos, reflecting their emotions, experiences, and cultural identity.
Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, as the Philippine music scene is rich and
diverse with numerous influential bands and artists.

Literature of Popular Culture.

Popular culture literature consists primarily of the following:

1. Reportage and feature stories in daily newspapers and weekly magazines;

2. Reviews of films, TV shows, pop concerts or performances, radio programs;
3. Studies done by mass communication undergraduates, thesis writers, and scholars;
4. Studies done by literature students and scholars;
5. Studies done by scholars who are interested in popular culture as a field of research.

Zeitgeist of Pop Culture in Postwar Philippines

Zeitgeist is defined as the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history
as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.

The Post War Period, also known as the “Recovering Era” is a period in
Philippine History that started in 1945 (the time when Japan surrendered to the U.S)
until 1970.

Postwar Philippines refers to the period following World War II, specifically after
the country was liberated from Japanese occupation and the war came to an end in
1945. This era extends through the 1950s and beyond, encompassing the efforts of the
Philippines to rebuild, recover, and reconstruct its society, economy, and institutions
after the devastating impact of the war.
 During World War II, the Philippines was under Japanese occupation from 1942
to 1945. The country endured widespread destruction, loss of lives, and social
upheaval. The postwar period marked a significant transition as the nation transitioned
from wartime conditions to peacetime recovery.
The key zeitgeists of pop culture in postwar Philippines have played a significant role in
shaping culture and society, reflecting the prevailing attitudes, values, and trends of the
time. These zeitgeists have also held importance in influencing various aspects of
Philippine society.

1. Nationalism and Identity: The postwar period saw a resurgence of nationalism

and efforts to define and assert Filipino identity. Pop culture became a vehicle for
expressing this identity through art, music, and media, fostering a sense of unity
and pride among Filipinos.
2. Modernization and Globalization: The influx of Western influences and
modernization efforts shaped pop culture, introducing new music styles, fashion
trends, and entertainment formats. These influences facilitated cultural exchange
and interconnectedness with the global community.
3. Social Commentary: Pop culture became a platform for social commentary,
addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and political challenges. Films,
music, and other forms of media convey messages that prompt discussions and
reflections on societal issues.
4. Cultural Fusion: The blending of traditional Filipino elements with modern
influences gave rise to unique expressions of culture. This fusion bridged
generational and cultural gaps, celebrating both heritage and progress.
5. Cinematic Golden Age: The Golden Age of Philippine Cinema during the
postwar era produced films that reflected the collective consciousness of the
nation. These films tackled a wide range of themes, from love stories to historical
narratives, contributing to cultural enrichment.
6. Entertainment and Escapism: Pop culture offered an escape from the
challenges of postwar life. Films, music, and entertainment became sources of
joy and respite, offering moments of celebration and distraction from difficulties.
7. Formation of Cultural Icons: The era gave rise to cultural icons who
represented the hopes and dreams of Filipinos. These figures, whether in film,
music, or sports, served as role models and sources of inspiration.
8. Community Bonding: Pop culture provided a common ground for people to
bond and connect. Shared experiences through music, films, and trends fostered
a sense of community and belonging among Filipinos.
9. Education and Awareness: Pop culture played a role in educating and raising
awareness about historical events, societal issues, and cultural heritage. It
helped disseminate information and provoke conversations.
 10. Preservation of Tradition: Despite the embrace of modernity, pop culture also
played a role in preserving traditional arts and practices. Folklore, storytelling,
and cultural practices were often integrated into contemporary forms of
expression.

The importance of these zeitgeists lies in their ability to shape collective identity,
influence public discourse, and reflect the evolving values and aspirations of Philippine
society. By engaging with pop culture, Filipinos connect with their history, find avenues
for self-expression, and contribute to ongoing discussions about the country's path
forward. Additionally, these zeitgeists serve as a cultural archive, allowing future
generations to understand the context and spirit of postwar Philippines.