FICS Theses and Dissertations
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Theses and dissertations by graduate students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies.
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ItemDrag as Creative Expression: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Filipino Drag Queens in Reality Shows( 2025-01-30)This study examines the lived experiences of Filipino drag queens in local drag reality shows, Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den with Manila Luzon, and how these shape their creative expression. Using a transcendental phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews with four participants reveal drag as a powerful and evolving art form that challenges heteronormative norms and promotes LGBTQ+ visibility in a society where queer identities are often marginalized. The research highlights how drag is not only a mode of artistic expression but also a form of resistance that reshapes cultural narratives and identity. While reality shows provide a valuable platform for visibility and social transformation, they also introduce challenges such as media commodification and the reinforcement of stereotypes. Participants shared how their creative autonomy was affected by the narratives constructed by television, limiting the authenticity of their drag personas. Despite these constraints, Filipino drag performers continue to use their art to inspire change, confront stigma, and redefine gender and sexual norms. This study contributes to the broader discourse on media representation and LGBTQ+ visibility in the Philippines, offering insights for media practitioners, policymakers, and advocates seeking more inclusive and respectful portrayals of the drag community.
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ItemBeyond the Crescent: Exploring Perceptions of the Philippine Halal Logo Among Young Non-Muslim Filipino Consumers( 2025-05-14)Can a logo intended to represent religious principles transcend its roots and become a universal symbol of health? In the Philippines, where approximately 91.5% of the population is reported to be Christian ("Religious affiliation in the Philippines (2020 census of population and housing)," 2023), the government has actively promoted locally made Halal-certified products through initiatives mandated by the Philippine Halal Export Development Program (Senate and House of Representatives Philippines, 2016). Central to these efforts is the introduction of the official Philippine Halal logo (Caybot, 2019). But can this marker truly resonate beyond the Muslim community and symbolize broader notions of health, cleanliness, trust, sustainability, and quality for everyone? This research presents a creative visual perception test, describing how the logo’s design elements-particularly its prominence, messaging, and imagery-influence perceptions of health, trust, quality, and purchase intentions among young non-Muslim Filipino consumers residing in Quezon City. Using a purposive, non-random sample of 311 respondents, the study employed descriptive analysis to explore awareness of and attitudes toward the Philippine Halal Logo. Guided by the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), this study used a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative insights. The findings reveal that while respondents generally have favorable impressions of the logo and its visibility, statistical analysis showed no significant effect of logo size alone on perceived health benefits. Messaging such as the text “Clean Food” resonated well with safety-conscious consumers, but it did not show a statistically significant advantage over other text options. In contrast, a green color scheme for the imagery significantly enhanced associations with cleanliness and sustainability. The synergy of these design elements-rather than any single factor-created the strongest positive impact on health perceptions and purchase intentions within this sample. Furthermore, respondents who engaged in the central route of processing information demonstrated greater cognitive engagement and more positive attitudes toward Halal-certified products, supporting key principles of the Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986). It is important to note that, due to the purposive and non-random sampling method, these findings are descriptive and reflect only the views of the surveyed group; they are not representative of all young, non-Muslim Filipinos in Quezon City or the Philippines. The study’s limitations highlight the need for future research across more diverse regions and with randomized samples to better capture the broader demographics. In terms of development communication, the results demonstrate how strategic visual design and messaging can help transform cultural symbols into more universal markers of trust, health, and quality (Page & Lim, 2022). Recommendations include optimizing the Philippine Halal logo’s design particularly through the use of green color and clear, health-focused messaging-launching targeted awareness campaigns that emphasize “Clean Food,” and establishing standard policies to unite MSMEs and businesses in communicating their Halal-certified products. By bridging cultural divides through effective branding and social marketing, this study highlights the potential of Halal certification to foster inclusivity and drive sustainable growth in the Philippine food industry.
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ItemConstruction of Entertainment News as a Collaborative and Negotiated Communication and Discourse: An Autoethnographic Study( 2025-04)The qualitative study investigated how Entertainment news as a discourse and its meaning come into being. It also interrogated the roles of editorial and Public Relations and Corporate Communications personalities who take part in it, the communication systems and the power relations that enact and shape the construction of Entertainment news. Utilizing analytic autoethnography and thematic analysis, the 10 themes that emerged were “Source” of the “source” of Entertainment news; What and who lands on the Entertainment page; The avenues and sites for Entertainment news; What questions to ask and get to ask; Questions and answers as basis for Entertainment news; The culture of giving; The writer’s making sense of Entertainment event; Entertainment narratives: Events to personalities; Stories people are talking about and whose voice; and New way of gathering and writing Entertainment news. They also revealed different points of communication, collaboration, negotiation and tension in relation to the construction of Entertainment news. Themes were based on the recollections and experiences of the researcher and the five other informants. In the interplay of their voices, the researcher’s perspective took the lead in understanding how Entertainment news emerges. Using Fairclough and Foucault’s conceptions of discourse and Berger and Luckmann’s The Social Construction of Reality as lenses, the study analyzed and discussed Entertainment news, from the text and discursive levels to the social practice level and encompassing surfaces of emergence and authorities of deliminations, and the habitualization, institutionalization and legitimation of practices and policies. The qualitative study legitimizes the value of Entertainment news and that it is never a neutral site of communication and discourse.
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ItemExploring Philippine Futures Through Intergenerational Lenses: Four Alternative Scenarios of the AmBisyon Natin 2040 Vision( 2025-07-15)This study probes the alternative futures of the Philippines through the lens of AmBisyon Natin 2040, the nation's long-term vision for a matatag (strongly rooted), maginhawa (comfortable), at panatag (secure) na buhay. Utilizing Jim Dator's Four Scenario Archetypes-Growth, Collapse, Discipline, and Transformation - the research constructs four plausible, divergent futures to support more adaptive, inclusive, and forward-looking development planning. Drawing on intergenerational Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with participants from Generation Z, Millennials, and Generation X, the study applies participatory foresight tools including the Futures Triangle, scenario matrix plotting, and narrative co-creation to capture how each cohort’s distinct experiences, values and priorities shaped the drivers, barriers and trade-offs embedded in each scenario. Incorporating intergenerational perspectives strengthened both the credibility and relevance of the scenarios. Generation Z often pushed for forward-looking and innovation-oriented pathways, Millennials grounded the discussion with pragmatic system-level insights, while Generation X contributed historical awareness and stability-focused considerations. Together, these dynamics shaped the development and character of each archetype. The Growth scenario affirms the current trajectory envisioned in AmBisyon Natin 2040, reflecting incremental improvements in governance, education, health, and digital infrastructure. It presents a future that is stable and moderately inclusive, yet still constrained by persistent structural inequalities. The Collapse scenario envisions a breakdown of institutions, widespread disillusionment, and systemic dysfunction brought about by unaddressed political, economic, and environmental crises. It serves as a cautionary tale of neglecting present vulnerabilities and failing to build societal resilience. The Discipline scenario imagines a tightly controlled society in which peace and stability are achieved through centralized governance, strict policies, and enforced conformity. It highlights the trade-offs between security and civic freedom, and the consequences of prioritizing order over participation. The Transformation scenario presents a radically reimagined Philippines where inclusive innovation, decentralized governance, and cultural revitalization redefine national progress. It explores a break from the status quo, illustrating how deep systemic shifts-fueled by emerging technologies and social movements-can produce a more equitable, empowered, and regenerative society. These narratives were translated into short-form animated videos to maximize accessibility, emotional resonance, and engagement across generations and sectors. In doing so, the study advances development communication by blending foresight and visual storytelling to foster public imagination, policy reflection, and futures literacy. It underscores the importance of integrating participatory, creative, and generationally diverse approaches into national planning processes, especially as the Philippines navigates uncertainty on the path to 2040.
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ItemSpace and Exchanges: Information Grounds of Selected Filipino Migrants in Bangkok, Thailand( 2025-01-17)This study explored the information grounds (IG) of Filipino migrants in Bangkok (FMTs) by examining the characteristics of significant places for information exchange, the types of information sought and shared, and the social dynamics involved in these interactions. Guided by the Information Ground Theory and utilizing Fisher et al.'s (2007) people-place-information trichotomy as an analytical framework, the research employed a quantitative survey with 101 Filipino migrant respondents recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collected via an online survey revealed that FMTs communicated in both physical spaces and increasingly in digital environments as they mentioned social media, workplaces, and churches as their primary IGs. These IGs are frequently visited for information exchange and social interaction, with preferences influenced by convenience and accessibility. The information shared often centers on work-related issues, personal matters, and news from the Philippines. Most FMTs interact in small groups of five or fewer, playing the role of information seekers while fostering moderate familiarity among members. Social interaction remains a primary motivator for engagement in these IGs. In conclusion, IGs are vital lifelines for FMTs in Bangkok, providing not only access to information but also fostering resilience, community ties, and adaptability in a foreign context. Strengthening these IGs through targeted strategies can address the unique challenges faced by Filipino migrants. This highlights the need for policies that enhance communication and support networks, and ensuring that FMTs thrive while preserving their cultural identity and connections.