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The New Generation of Games – An Analysis of Life is Strange: True Colors

Life Is Strange: True Colors is a third-person adventure video game published by Square Enix and developed by Deck Nine released on September 10, 2021. The story centers around Alex Chen, who has psychic empathy powers to read and manipulate emotions, which she perceives as colorful auras. She physically perceives how others feel around her, putting herself at risk of becoming "infected" by their feelings.

Life is Strange: True Colors defines the new generation of games and gaming. Tell me otherwise.

The Gameplay

The protagonist is controlled by the player as she explores various towns in the fictional environment of Haven Springs. She may converse with non-player characters (NPCs) through a chat system built on a dialogue tree. Players get access to Alex's skills from the start of the game. You will be able to move around Haven Springs "freely" This could point to a less linear plot or a more open universe. Regardless of the size of the world, a variety of choices can impact Alex's path and future.

To analyze the game, according to Aarseth (2012), ludology (the study of games and gaming) began as a critique of the assumption that games are just stories. He suggested that any study should include both game mechanics and symbolic aspects. He proposes a four-dimensional approach:

The World

Haven Springs, a little mining town in Colorado, is full of beauty and mystery. As senior staff writer Felice Kuan mentioned, the forced closeness of a remote village was closed on purpose to provide a place for Alex to deal with a similar difficulty with her emotional intimacy. She gets to know many people, which can be unique and increase her sense of belonging. For someone like Alex, though, this can be a big concern.

The Objects

Alex can interact with items holding memories, which are essentially audio logs that disclose more about certain characters in a variety of scripted and unscripted situations. This, in my opinion, was a terrific addition to Alex's already broad empathetic abilities. It not only aids in making choices large and small, but it also broadens Haven Springs' population's worldview.

After browsing the flower shop, I came across a t-shirt reminiscence about Riley Lethe meeting her partner during a bot-fighting competition in which she competed. When you interact with the object, you will be rewarded with a new backstory for some people, which Alex will record in her diary. Her journal has a strong resemblance to her, and it provides insight into the character you're portraying. When immersed in another person's intense emotions, she will occasionally write new lyrics or expose critical information. You can also listen to the optional memories you come across.

The Agents

Main Protagonist

Alex Chen has an unusual superpower: she can feel tremendous emotions through colorful auras surrounding her. It's not as exciting as time travel, but it goes beyond simply "reading" people. If a person's feelings are strong enough, Alex will experience them. It's almost as if she's having an out-of-body experience as she walks a mile in their shoes.

She hides her 'curse,' which is the exceptional ability to absorb and affect the emotional emotions of others. Alex has always struggled with these powers, which she sees as a curse rather than a gift. She is frequently overcome by the grief, rage, and fear of others. Throughout the story, she comes to terms with her abilities. She seeks comfort in figuring out what happened to Gabe and exposing dark secrets concealed by the town. When a True Colors character experiences a strong emotion, Alex (and the player) can see their entire body glow with a vibrant aura. Alex can hear ideas and feelings.

Side Characters

Some non-player characters will have stronger auras, indicating pain or hardship. When Alex interacts with them, the world around Alex and the individual changes to reflect aspects of the trauma. It allows the player to determine what triggered their emotions and assist Alex in providing consolation to the character.

The Events

It follows Alex, who reunites with her brother Gabe after a difficult life. Alex investigates what happened after Gabe was killed in a tragic accident. She literally senses how others feel around her by using her psychic empathy power - at the risk of becoming 'infected' by their emotions. Along the way, Alex will meet numerous residents of Haven Springs, a picturesque mountain town, including two prospective love prospects, Ryan and Steph.

What makes it "the new generation of games and gaming", then?

It is a wide range of gaming genres - a fusion, rather.

It can feel like a simulation as you socialize, interact with objects, and go about regular activities. This genre is marked by realism and is reminiscent of real-life settings (a.k.a. Haven Springs).

It is also a strategy game because of the decision-making that influences the entire plot. Players must gather and understand the information before making decisions to achieve various endings.

As a result, it may also be "Action" because players do the action through an avatar.

Role-playing is also included, allowing the player to explore and co-author a fascinating universe. A fictional, magical world is built, and players take on the role of a character, contributing to the game by learning new skills and solving puzzles.

In one scene, the entire community participates in a live action role-playing (LARP) to cheer up a sad child. My favorite part of the narrative was seeing the townsfolk dress up in costumes in locations like the town's bar. There's even a minor RPG element in that one episode, which makes the game a lot more enjoyable to play.

To conclude...

Because of the consistent writing for key and supporting characters, Life is Strange: True Colors proved to be the greatest. Furthermore, a gripping mystery plot with solid pacing, functional supernatural abilities, and, most crucially, conversation choices add more depth and complexity with big and tiny decisions that affect the story in meaningful ways across five chapters.

It's a terrific game with a fantastic story and fast-paced gameplay. It gave me the idea that every decision I made was significant. "Life is Strange: True Colors," according to Kuan, is basically about empathy. They were intrigued by how narrative games operate as empathy generators since players truly experienced another character's perspective. They planned to build on that concept and make it the game's premise. It enables the gamer to take on the role of a character, who then symbolizes the lived experiences of other characters in the game.

"There's a lot of nuances to how people experience emotion,"

Because the game designers cannot simply assert that everyone feels agony or delight, each moment is customized. The participants decide how to apply their knowledge: Do you help this person with whatever they're going through? Or do you remove that emotion – and how does that affect Alex and the other characters? "Alex's power serves as a fantastic vehicle to get into that, and we try to explore it from every angle imaginable," Deck Nine writer Jonathan Zimmerman explained.

References:

Carpenter, N. (2021, June 13). Life is Strange: True Colors shows the power of Alex’s empathy. Polygon. Retrieved from https://www.polygon.com/e3/22524888/life-is-strange-true-colors-deck-nine-e3-preview

Lyles, T. (2021, September 9). Life is Strange: True Colors – Review. IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved from https://sea.ign.com/life-is-strange-true-colors/176328/review/life-is-strange-true-colors-review

Siapera, E. (2018) Understanding New Media. 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Skrebels, J. (2021, March 19). Life Is Strange: True Colors Coming in September, No Episodic Release. IGN. Retrieved from https://sea.ign.com/news/169965/life-is-strange-true-colors-coming-in-september-no-episodic-release

Square Enix (2021). Life is Strange: True Colors. Retrieved from https://lifeisstrange.square-enix-games.com/en-gb/games/life-is-strange-true-colors/

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DDSbook: How did Facebook fuel the Duterte propaganda in 2016?

Image Credits: Rappler

Now-President Rodrigo Duterte announced his candidacy for the Philippine presidency in November 2015 - he positioned himself as a people's advocate. The candidate-now-president portrayed himself as a tough-talking "law and order" candidate who offered an alternative to out-of-touch politicians in Manila. The politicians in question are those who had typically protected the interests of upper- and middle-class Filipinos. President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III had made a memorable pledge when he took office: "No corruption, no poverty" (Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap). Aquino, on the other hand, was seen as "elitist."

Facebook has compared Duterte's presidency to Trump's. Duterte, on the other hand, does not use Facebook, unlike Trump, who used Twitter to propagate his message. He didn't have to because his backers took care of everything for him. The Philippines is home to one of the world's most active social media users. For Facebook, the country was a significant market - being the most popular social media platform. Therefore, Free Facebook became an effective amplifier of pro-administration messages and perspectives throughout his campaign.

Free Facebook

According to Siapera (2018), as the information age progresses, smartphones and internet connectivity are becoming more widespread in third-world countries. This circumstance contributes to the spread of mobile technologies. Individual mobile subscriptions, rather than permanent residential subscriptions, became the primary means of internet access. Mobile internet has provided access to those who previously did not have access to the internet, resulting in the creation of new jobs.

This coincides with the debut of "Free Facebook" in the Philippines in October 2013. The plan was to team up with a local carrier to launch Free Basics, a portal of free, essential internet services to help Facebook continue its ambitious global development. Users can post, like, comment, chat, add friends, upload images, share content, and more on the stated platform, available to all telecom subscribers through mobile devices.

Read more: Globe Telecom to offer Free Facebook access for its 36 million subscribers (Inquirer.net)

Free Facebook and the DU30 Presidential Campaign

Image Credits: Karl Norman Alonzo

Now-president Duterte had been the mayor of Davao City in the Philippines for three decades, far apart from Manila politics. He promised Filipino people action and an immediate end to drugs, crime, and the status quo. He used Facebook to spread the word and a volunteer network to promote the candidate's dictatorial image. He is portrayed as a strongman who will rid the country of crime and corruption.

For three decades, he had been the mayor of Davao City in the south, far removed from Manila politics. He promised Filipino people action and a swift end to drugs, crime, and the status quo, and he turned to Facebook to get his message out. Duterte’s campaign directed a network of volunteers to promote the candidate’s authoritarian image. He is projected as the strongman who will alleviate crimes and corruption in the country.

Furthermore, his campaign was pure theater; it transcended traditional political practice. Rather than a reasoned application of concepts to societal problems, the campaign was a sensory experience.

Duterte had his own hired public relations team, a "team of writers and videographers" - trolls on the internet.

The Trolls

Image Credits: Politics.ph

No, not the cartoon characters.

In pages that had nothing to do with the now-presidential candidate or any politician, Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS) used flawed reasoning and propaganda techniques. They pretend to be local or alternative news sites, claiming to be reliable sources and stirring disapproval towards the previous administration. They also fabricate stories based on images to manipulate information and narratives.

During Duterte's campaign, these pro-Duterte pages or DDS influencers with huge followings endorsed him. The most obnoxious pro-Duterte bloggers were hired by the government or hired as consultants using taxpayer funds. Thinking Pinoy, Martin's Man Cave (Martin Andanar), Sass Sasot, Mocha Uson Blog - you name it. Duterte's media superstars were also granted government positions, with the president claiming that these influencers represent "the new generation." They act as a communication channel between official government messaging and popular online culture.

Per the unnamed sources familiar with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) activities, a budget has been allocated out specifically for bloggers, with Andanar giving precedence to his DDS groups. The sources also mentioned that PCOO relies on these bloggers to monitor and influence online sentiment toward Duterte. Furthermore, they are protected by an interim policy that permits them to use vulgarity against anyone who opposes Duterte and his cronies.

Read more: Andanar approves 'interim policy' for accrediting bloggers (Rappler)

How is this alarming?

According to Tapsell, 87% of Filipinos trust social media more than mainstream media, which is alarming considering the country's emerging culture of fake news.

Furthermore, Siapera underlined that, although much content is published by individuals and cultures worldwide, the internet has become a melting pot of experiences. Consequently, it also has standardized methods for going viral. With a network of pro-Duterte Facebook pages vigorously defending his beliefs - a new media ecosystem was born.

Because utilizing data is essential and expensive (such as browsing a news website on a mobile web browser), Free Facebook is the only means for most Filipinos to go online. Moreover, locals consider the platform as an essential source of news and information. It was a driving force behind Duterte's ascension to the president, fueled by a surge of populist wrath.

UP Professor Clarissa David stressed that Filipinos have a problematic relationship with news, including the associated organizations, industries, and habits. Newspapers in the Philippines are expensive and primarily written in English. The country's news industry is also emerging; people went from having no access to information to only acquiring it through Facebook's algorithm-driven news stream, according to David. However, there was no significant support or commitment to the news.

Maria Ressa, the CEO of Rappler, has asked for an "emergency intervention" in what she considers to be a significant threat to democracy. Because these foster divisiveness, misinformation, and conspiracy theories, she refers to social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter as "behavior-modification systems." When it came time for the 2016 Philippine presidential election, Facebook overwhelmed Rappler with unprecedented traffic. Rappler utilized all of Facebook's recommendations, including instant articles, videos, and live feeds. Everything worked out in the end.

On a personal note…

Image Credits: Rappler

I wasn't old enough to vote in 2016 because I wasn't yet of voting age.

Even while I had a candidate in mind — the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago – I depended only on the internet for more information about the candidates. Even before social media, I had a general notion of who she was. I've always appreciated her humor and intellect, particularly when she roasts someone in a Senate or Supreme Court session. She addressed various concerns, which led me to admire her as a politician and vote for her as my candidate.

Don't get me wrong: I admire the late Senator for who she was, but I must express my disapproval with the fact that she had to work with the dictator's son. If I agree with this part, it means I agree with Duterte's heinous actions. Even if the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. did not commit the same sins as his son Bongbong Marcos. I was always convinced that the Marcoses wanted to return to power for personal and familial reasons.

Although the late Senator and Duterte got along well throughout the campaign, I was never convinced by the now-strongman president's persona. I had my doubts about him when he decided to run at the last minute. Because of what he performed as mayor of Davao, many locals around me wished for him to be elected president. Regardless of the propaganda, it made me realize how important fact-checking is to the material we consume on the internet.

Later that year, I encountered further studies on fact-checking and fake news - thanks to the Media, Information, and Literacy courses I took up in Senior High School.

To conclude…

Image Credits: TechCrunch

Facebook has brought the globe closer together than ever before, allowing users to organize themselves in society in previously inconceivable ways. With a social media-hungry Filipino public and large firms that keep Facebook free to use on mobile phones, the platform took over the country entirely. Facebook acknowledges, however, that it was excessively optimistic about the nature of these connections. They didn't pay enough attention to preventing abuse or thinking about how users could abuse the platform's features to harm others.

The massive flow of aggressive speech, propaganda, and false news has distorted the political dialogue in the Philippines and the country as a whole. It is also the same kind of catastrophe we've previously encountered during the Marcos era - where media outlets were sequestered and filtered. In every case, DDS activists publish content claiming that the mainstream media is "biased" or influenced by particular political actors; they argue that the only way to get the ultimate truth is through these social media pages.

“All of the research shows us that lies laced with anger and hate spread faster and further than facts on social media platforms.” – Maria Ressa

Further reading:

Facebook data: Duterte still most discussed presidential candidate (GMA News)

Facebook groups add meaning to DDS (Inquirer.net)

How social media is shaping the 2016 elections (ABS-CBN News)

References:

Alba, D. (2018, September 4). How Duterte Used Facebook To Fuel The Philippine Drug War. BuzzFeed News. Retrieved from https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/daveyalba/facebook-philippines-dutertes-drug-war

Chandran, N. (2018, January 17). Facebook attacked by critics over ‘fake news’ — but outside the US this time. CNBC. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/17/facebook-and-fake-news-controversy-in-philippines-around-rappler.html

Gutierrez, N. (2017, August 18). State-sponsored hate: The rise of the pro-Duterte bloggers. Rappler. Retrieved from https://r3.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/178709-duterte-die-hard-supporters-bloggers-propaganda-pcoo

Ranada, P. (2019, August 9). Andanar approves 'interim policy' for accrediting bloggers. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/interim-policy-bloggers-pcoo-andanar

Rappler Research Team. (2021, July 2). 12 times social media boosted Duterte’s lies. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/times-social-media-boosted-rodrigo-duterte-lies-false-statement

Siapera, E. (2018) Understanding New Media. 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Tapsell, R.(2021) Social Media and Elections in Southeast Asia: The Emergence of Subversive, Underground Campaigning. DOI:10.1080/10357823.2020.1841093

WNYC Studios. (2017, January 5). Filipino President Duterte Has a Social Media Army. Retrieved from https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/president-dutertes-social-media-army

Vyse, G. (2020, November 19). Disinformation on Social Media Is Threat to Democracy, Rappler CEO Says. VOA News. Retrieved from https://www.voanews.com/a/press-freedom_disinformation-social-media-threat-democracy-rappler-ceo-says/6198583.html

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RF Creatives Rebranding

Most of you know that I handle a graphic design business. For ages, I was always indecisive about my logo and branding.

Just wanted to share the collaterals I did for my business Instagram.

One day, I just decided I wanted to get it together.

Yes, I did everything overnight. It felt so wrong that I was impulsive about this decision, but I did it anyway!

Follow for more!

Instagram

Behance

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SIMple reasons to love The Sims!

Image Courtesy: PC Gamer

Most of my friends know me for spending all-day playing The Sims. But what makes me love this game so much?

Game developer and architect Will Wright had his very home got burnt in the 1991 Oakland-Berkeley firestorm. After his house burned down, Wright had to analyze his losses and material needs, which made him think about the value of belongings and the promise of fulfillment they hold. He began to design an idea for a game where players would simulate daily activities in a suburban household. This includes building a home from the ground up – and he has always been interested in architecture. With this, a simulation game was born and changed the entire gaming industry. The Sims is a life simulation game, released in 2000 - created by Will Wright, produced by Maxis and Electronic Arts (EA). With that, The Sims is lovable because of its user-friendly nature.

Yes, I’ve played the entire franchise.

Image Courtesy: New Statesman

Ever dreamt of living the dream life? Ever wanted to throw people into a pool and enclose it with walls? Ever wished to live a happy family with the crush? Or did the want to play God simply came through? Ever searched for a game where nobody wins or loses? Wright quoted, “I don’t believe any one theory of human psychology is correct. The Sims just ended up being a mishmash of stuff that worked in the game.” The well-known game is inspired by a dollhouse-like style; the Sims or the characters stand for as dolls, and the home represents the dollhouse itself. The Sims is an open-ended game, which means the flow is up to the player’s hands. Every Sim has needs to be fulfilled – hunger, social, comfort, energy, bladder, hygiene, and fun. Wright based the needs off of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Players may opt into certain gameplay styles; cheaty, drama, rags-to-riches, celebrity & creature lifestyle, roleplay, and build-build-build. The game also allows players to play within the in-game lore, uncovering family and neighborhood mysteries and playing with the pre-made Sims. The gameplay may also be expanded through official downloadable content (DLC).

My self-made Sims’ family having a holiday dinner and definitely having a chat. (Yes, I designed the house interior, too.)

“Sul sul!” Ever wondered what the Sims are saying? One of the reasons why one may love The Sims is because of its unique dialogues. The gibberish language one hears in-game is called Simlish. It was invented since Wright thought that the game needed speech – and using real-life languages like English may be redundant and costly. He initially experimented with different languages – Filipino, Ukrainian, Navajo, Romanian, Irish. Eventually, the Sims team ended up with a “nonsense language” to leave the Sims’ dialogues into the players’ imagination.

If the Philippines have the Sy’s, Ayala’s, and Gokongwei’s - Simland has the Landgraabs. Here’s an in-game screenshot of my gameplay with business moguls Nancy and Geoffrey Landgraab are casually playing chess in their study.

The video game provides a make-believe world where players can make as much as they can. With that, players can create and be who they want! Create-A-Sim is the character creation part of the game. Various features, such as the push-and-pull sliders, facial and body structures, hair & skin colors, and details, help one create the Sim they wish to do so. EA regularly updates the game with more diversity for Sim creation. Varying skin tones, hijabs, more accessible LGBTQIA+ Sim creation support, in-game ethnicity expansion, and so much more help players make the Sim they want. Not only can one create the Sim they want, but also the house of their dreams! The latest Sims game allows the push-and-pull features the same way the players can operate the character creation. The Sims provides different architecture styles – modern, contemporary, industrial, traditional, luxe, tropical, eclectic, Mediterranean, Moroccan, and more. Regardless, no player is limited to these specific styles. There are also varying lot types – such as high-rise buildings, nightclubs, restaurants, retail shops, hospitals, and cafés.

I made Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in The Sims just recently.

Want to share these works? The Gallery awaits the game’s community – “Simmers” worldwide may upload and download lots, rooms, sims, families from different creators, and those made by the game developers themselves. The Simmers also consist of the community which creates custom content or player-made DLCs for better gameplay according to the player’s liking. Long-time running sites such as ModTheSims and The Sims Resource house talented creators’ best custom content. Simmers also stream their gameplays, create memes, provide tutorials and in-game challenges, and produce films. After all, the Sims community is a large and diverse one.

An intimate wedding set-up for my Sim, which I designed over the academic break.

The Sims provides limitless gameplay, which makes it a great de-stressor. Mental health discourse is apparently rampant, especially in these trying times. In an article, Caragh Poh (2020) stated that the game allows players to control the surroundings and people, with every action having logical outcomes. Hence, Poh believes that the game is highly suitable for depressed individuals and a demographic prone to think that few things are within their control to change. Sims may be offered rewards, increases, and promotions if they accomplish chores, whims, and other requirements to advance in work, skills, or simply progress as a Sim. “It’s how those who believe in ‘pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, no handouts’ erroneously believe the world works. Put forth the effort, and you’ll see good results,” Poh said.

Simmers have repurposed the game franchise to cater specifically to diverse audiences – regardless of religion, race, condition, sexual orientation, gender identity expression (SOGIE), interests, and other factors. The Sims garners lighthearted aspects, such as its eccentric costumes and humorous interactions between characters. The Sims franchise is being repurposed by its community, which now appeals more to a specialized demographic of players, making the game loveable for its user-friendliness.

The Sims is available on PC, Mac, and console – purchasable online through Origin, Steam, and Epic Games.

References:

HelloGiggles. (n.d.). “How playing ‘The Sims’ helps me manage my anxiety disorder.” Retrieved from https://hellogiggles.com/lifestyle/health-fitness/gen-z-breaking-generational-trauma/

Kilbane, B. (2020, February 7). “A history of Simlish, the language that defined The Sims.” The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/7/21126705/the-sims-simlish-language-history-20th-anniversary-game

Poh, C. (2020, March 13). “The Very Soothing Sensation of The Sims.” The Cut. Retrieved from https://www.thecut.com/2020/03/mental-health-the-sims.html

Racoma, B. (2019, May 14). “Dissecting The Sims Language: Understanding Simlish.” Day Translations Blog. Retrieved from https://www.daytranslations.com/blog/dissecting-sims-language/

Rhinewald, S.; McElrath-Hart, N. (2016, May 5). “2016 World Video Game Hall of Fame Inductees Announced: Grand Theft Auto III, The Legend of Zelda, The Oregon Trail, The Sims, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Space Invaders.” The Strong National Museum of Play. Retrieved from https://www.museumofplay.org/press/releases/2016/05/2688-2016-world-video-game-hall-fame-inductees-announced

Savvy Gaming. (2009, October 14). “Gonna Play the Sims? You Gotta Speak Simlish.” Retrieved from https://archive.is/20091014213556/http://gaming.savvy-cafe.com/2008/09/gonna-play-the-sims-you-gotta-speak-simlish/#selection-331.0-331.44

Seabrook, J. (2006, October 29). “Game Master.” The New Yorker. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/11/06/game-master

Taylor, T. (2011, October 17). “Will Wright: Inspired to make The Sims after losing a home.” Berkeleyside. Retrieved from https://www.berkeleyside.org/2011/10/17/will-wright-inspired-to-make-the-sims-after-iosing-a-home

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Kampihan!

Image Credits: PolitiXXX Today

Which faction should you side with – The DDS or Dilaws?

“The early internet may have provided a fluid and unstructured space for debates, and it spreads across the internet once players can move online,” stated Resnick (1998). Users of social media can openly voice their opinions on any topic related to politics. Furthermore, the website allows users to communicate with others who share their viewpoints. Netizens, particularly those on Facebook and Twitter, can share information, voice public opinion, and demand responsibility from the government, political personalities, and socio-political players.

This tendency was particularly noticeable during the 2016 elections when there was a significant divide between President Rodrigo Duterte’s followers, known as the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS), and those who did not. As a result of Duterte and his followers’ actions, the main opposition, the Liberal Party, became the target of their outrage.  Personalities like Mocha Uson, bloggers, government officials, and Duterte have simplified and popularized this opposition. It allowed them to lump their opponents into a single, clearly identifiable category: dilawans. People who favor Duterte versus those who do not support Duterte are called “DDS” versus “dilawan.”

However, DDS or Dilawan factions are merely social constructs – neither is right nor wrong.

The DDS

Image Credits: Jakarta News

It was formerly known as the “Davao Death Squad,” a vigilante group loyal to Duterte accused of murdering many people in Davao during his stint as mayor. Duterte was accused of masterminding the assassinations to kill political opponents and rid the city of criminal elements without trial. People who voted for him or supported his campaign began to refer to themselves as “Diehard Duterte Supporters.” It was as though they were mocking the allegations while simultaneously declaring that they didn’t care.

The most high-profile, vitriolic pro-Duterte bloggers were given government positions or hired as consultants using public funds. Pro-Duterte propagandists are being given special treatment by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which includes Malacañang accreditation, government resources, and cash allowances. An interim policy allows pro-Duterte bloggers to continue using profanity in their posts, often targeting administration critics and media. Under the Duterte administration, the bloggers are legitimized through various ways, including access to those in power, consultancy contracts, and “allowances” from the PCOO.

Former sexy dancer and now Duterte staff/influencer Mocha Uson campaigning for President Duterte in 2016. Image Credits: South China Morning Post

Funding has been provided chiefly towards bloggers, according to sources acquainted with PCOO activities, with Martin Andanar favoring his DDS groups. The PCOO relies on these bloggers to track and affect Duterte’s online reputation. It’s a strategy similar to what Duterte’s media strategists employed during his presidential campaign to boost support for the popular President by harnessing online influencers.

Former Duterte influencer, now government official Martin Andanar mentioned that whatever the bloggers were up to during Duterte’s campaign, they’re still up to, now that he’s in office. “It’s propaganda now that they have state support,” a communications expert who worked on the 2016 campaign stated. One insider said, “They also prioritize DDS bloggers over media.” The dictatorship of Rodrigo Duterte continues to distort history and reduce the current political crisis to a fight between “us” and “them,” DDS versus “dilawan.”

Today, being a DDS generically means someone who is a supporter of the President. (u/gradenko_2000 on Reddit) Consequently, according to Contreras (2020), Duterte loyalists proudly label themselves as such. The label started during the campaign and was worn like a badge of honor, used as a rallying point to consolidate the Duterte political base.

Read more on DDS influencers: https://r3.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/178709-duterte-die-hard-supporters-bloggers-propaganda-pcoo

The Dilawans

Image Credits: The Adobo Chronicles

Portrayed since the 2016 election by some as a vote on the PNoy administration’s achievements, critics of Duterte have been referred to as “dilawan,” as in “Liberal Party (LP) loyalist.” For Duterte supporters, seeing resistance to the Duterte administration as a single group was more articulately convenient for them. Unlike the opposition, however, Liberal Party supporters never referred to themselves as such.

“Dilaw” is a Filipino word that signifies “yellow,” the color of the LP, which ruled for six years under then-President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III before Duterte. Benigno Aquino Jr., PNoy’s father, recalled the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” from his captivity and exile during the Marcos regime. In 2010, the late Former President and LP selected yellow to revive the color. Furthermore, yellow (and the ribbon) has become part of the party’s identity. In 1986, when then-presidential candidate Corazon “Cory” Aquino used the name Dilaw to describe her campaign, it had a distinct connotation. Because the anti-Marcos coalition donned yellow, it became the color of democracy.

The use of yellow was the LP’s attempt to claim “heirship” to EDSA 1 and Cory’s movement, according to Patricio Abinales, Ph.D., historian, and professor at the University of Hawaii. Former LP presidential and vice-presidential candidates, such as Mar Roxas and now Vice President Leni Robredo, are living proof of this. Similarly, they used yellow in their electoral campaigns. Yellow was also “elitist,” according to Abinales, who claims that Duterte reinterpreted yellow to refer to the billionaires he vowed to remove in line with his populist approach. He also criticized the LP’s inability to appeal to the Filipino people, citing the party’s failure to confront President Duterte’s populism.

For further reading on this faction:  https://theguidon.com/1112/main/2020/04/a-tale-of-two-wars/

Why are neither sides right nor wrong, then?

In “Politicians and New Media,” it was mentioned that the relationship between politics and new media is polarized. They are separated into oppositions - the extent to which opinions on an issue are opposed.

Social media is likely to be the most popular venue for expressing political objectives. Netizens can force traditional media to explore and feature specific topics enforced or influenced by netizens. The web is a public forum where people can express their political views and beliefs. While it can be used to report and discuss current events, the authenticity of those who use it may be questioned because they are ordinary people. People may find it simpler to form ideas with the support of their own experiences paired with communicating them in a public setting. This gives people the impression that there are more perspectives on a topic than those offered in the mainstream media. (Siapera, 2018)

Many decent people might identify with one of the two camps. I respectfully disagree, however, that any of the two camps have a stronghold on good citizenship and public service. I realized that some individuals resent being labeled a DDS when someone has at least one positive thing in mind about Duterte. I was also confronted with the same concern just because they are willing to speak out when a critic of Duterte makes a false statement or argument. On the other hand, some people prefer not to be tagged as “Dilawan” because they are willing to condemn the Duterte government despite being rationally or morally opposed to the LP. Both political identities have become disparaging to those who are critical of political worship.

Many people may find it offensive to be referred to as a DDS when praising the President or a “dilawan” when criticizing him. Excessive loyalty to any political faction may be associated with blind idolatry. However, the latter does not apply to everyone who expresses support or criticism.

So, where should we side with?

Controlling how people regard each political party is unavoidable, according to Stephen and Coleman (2009). Political tagging is not a new notion in politics. It has always been a convenient tool for categorizing individuals to be easily controlled, as the morality of a political tag is determined by the position it holds. In the domain of competitive politics, it may be a healthy exercise of free speech as long as the labeling does not become a tool for political persecution and marginalization. It becomes acceptable for as long as it doesn’t infringe on people’s rights.

Therefore, it would be better if we side with no particular group. We must remember that political parties are just a means to an end, namely, realizing democratic national interests. Furthermore, belonging to the DDS or the “dilawan” side does not entail failing to fulfill one’s civic obligations.

In the coming elections, it is high time we put our political identities aside. We should work together for the more significant benefit of our country instead of the advantage of specific factions. It is also time to refer to Filipino citizens as the "Republic of the Philippines," rather than DDS and "dilawan."

Register to vote, everyone!

References:

Bassig, P.B.; Gabrillo, D.M.; Kho, G.D. (2020, April 24). A tale of two wars. The Guidon. Retrieved from https://theguidon.com/1112/main/2020/04/a-tale-of-two-wars/

Contreras, A. (2020, February 1). Labels and political tagging. The Manila Times. Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/01/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/labels-and-political-tagging/678791

Gutierrez, N. (2017, August 18). State sponsored hate: The rise of the pro-Duterte bloggers. Rappler. Retrieved from https://r3.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/178709-duterte-die-hard-supporters-bloggers-propaganda-pcoo

Heydarian, R. (2018, September 4). Neither DDS nor ‘dilaw’. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https://opinion.inquirer.net/115837/neither-dds-dilaw

Ressa, M.A. (2016, October 8). How Facebook algorithms impact democracy. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/facebook-algorithms-impact-democracy

Siapera, E. (2018) Understanding New Media. 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications Ltd.

[renzzfuentes]

Writescapade: New Beginnings

Life in college is never easy, but the experience that you’ll be getting from it will help you grow and mold you into the person that is prepared to conquer the wonders of reality. It is a phase in your life where you’ll be meeting new people, and have the opportunity to know yourself better.

Be the witness of my growth as a writer. As I write about my experiences, learnings, and personal reflections about my course. Allow me to share some events and activities which I think is helping me grow as a writer, and as a student.

Becoming a Communication student, I am exposed to the wide array of mediums that are used in conveying messages. It could be through television, cellphone, radio, newspaper, and a lot more. Aside from those, we are also taught on how to maximize or use the aforesaid mediums. Writing in New Media is one of my major subjects right now and with this subject, we, students are being taught on how we navigate our way, write and deliver our message with the help of the new media. This course aims to expose the students with the techniques that are used in writing for new media.

What is New Media?

You might be wondering what “new media” is. Let’s cut to the chase and go directly to the point. New media is the digital technology around us that helps us get in touch or connected with one another regardless of the distance between the sender and receiver. It is a diverse medium composed of diverse audience that are being connected with the help of the internet. Therefore, the audiences in the new media doesn’t have to be located within a specific geographical location.

With the help of new media, it became easier for us to connect and continue with our work and academics during this pandemic. The new media made it possible for us to have our classes at the comfort of our own home. Aside from that, it gave businesses a chance to continue their works or even market their products or services with the help of the online platform. Based on an article by the Carrier Clinic (2019), there are three positive sides when it comes to our exposure to the new media: (1) anonymity, (2) 24/7 availability, and (3) No geographical limitations.

With the help of anonymity, people are able to share their personal problems and vent it to the public. I, myself, can relate to this and I, to be honest, find it therapeutic. Back in 2016, Tumblr became my diary. It is the platform that I use to vent or even rant about whatever that have happened to me. It is also the first thing that I update whenever there’s something good that happened to me. It was a phase where almost everyone was using Tumblr to share their personal dramas and curate a ‘blog’ that has a playlist on it. It was a time where people can confess their deep darkest secrets without getting canceled.

Knowing that people are 24/7 available, is both a blessing and a curse that we’ve been living by since this pandemic started. When the idea of having online classes and work-from-home set-up came, a lot of people forgot to set boundaries. They forgot to have their own personal space. All of a sudden, it was a chaos of events. You no longer have a sleeping pattern, you tend to focus more on your socials non-stop, you began sending emails or even work-related messages in the middle of the night. All of the happened because we thought that the availability of a person is now 24/7 since he/she is just at home.

I actually admire how times have changed and allowed us to communicate with no geographical limitations. As a daughter of someone who is always away from his family, having this limitless access is making it easier for me to connect with my father who is working abroad. Sending a life update or a simple how my day went allows him to witness and feel that he’s with us while we’re growing. We may not see each other physically, but the internet is making it possible for us to connect with each other. Having all these being said, we can say that the internet is making it possible for us to have a network society.

What is Network Society?

In simple terms, it is the process of sharing information within a social network that is made possible with the help of the internet and/or mobile devices. According to Castell, these social networks are efficient for us, humans, because it allows us to be complex, dynamic, and innovative. The evolution of this Network society allowed us to change social dynamics.

An example that I could think of where network society allowed us to change the dynamics of our society is the #BlackLivesMatter movement. This movement wasn’t just a street movement or rally that are composed of African Americans. It was a movement which first started on Twitter due to the death of George Floyd. It was known as a movement which first started as a worldwide trending hashtag. The death of Floyd was then followed by a series of racist acts among these law enforcers which therefore, triggered the majority to rally and use their voices to fight for the rights and lives of the black Americans.

The opportunity that the network society have opened for us shall be used meaningfully. At the end of the day, our simple words, posts, or even hashtags could save or even change the lives of other people. As they say, use your platform to serve as a voice to those who are unheard.

For now, this would be the end of my first blog post. I am hoping that these basics will make it easier for you guys to understand my future writescapades. Get to know more about writing for new media and, of course, myself as I unravel more of my learnings, insights, and personal experiences with my next blog posts. Ciao!

Sources:

BBC News. (2020, November 30). Black Lives Matter founders: We fought to change history and we won. Retrieved September 7, 2021, from BBC News website: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55106268

Black Lives Matter: From Hashtag to Movement. (2020). Retrieved September 7, 2021, from Anti-Defamation League website: https://www.adl.org/education/educator-resources/lesson-plans/black-lives-matter-from-hashtag-to-movement

The Good, Bad, and In-between of Social Media - Carrier Clinic. (2019, August 8). Retrieved September 7, 2021, from Carrier Clinic website: https://carrierclinic.org/2019/08/08/the-good-bad-and-in-between-of-social-media/

Introduction to Sociology. (2016). Castells and the Network Society [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLF5J8Y5zyg

BBC News. (2020, November 30). Black Lives Matter founders: We fought to change history and we won. Retrieved September 7, 2021, from BBC News website: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55106268

[renzzfuentes]

Masks

Social media has given its wide scope and reach. It has changed not only our livelihood but our lives in general. The media consumes so much time of individuals because of different news, updates, photos, videos, trends, and other entertainment that they see and are available from the internet. As we venture into the world of art, media is so much related to everything that people do in the modern days.

On the artistic side, colorful theatrical masks are often used on performances, that really do entertain the audiences. A mask that will change and reflect on the character’s role. Know that these masks do not just change the personality of the character that is visible to the eye of the crowd, they also change the image as a whole just like some of what we see in the online media. Realize that these covers don’t simply change the persona of the character, they change the picture in general. Be that as it may, what is its significance? How does this apply in our genuine lives?

I would perceive these masks as being worn by everyone, every day. The masks that these people wear the whole time help them show that they are totally fine, that everything is doing great. “Fine”, that’s what everyone thinks because that’s what’s visible, yet the darkness inside themselves is slowly killing them at the same time. People may sometimes look like a rotten golden apple, they say. Seems excellent, appearing to be great, fine, and magnificent, still at whatever point when a person gets the opportunity to cut it piece by piece, get the chance to understand that the brilliant apple that she’s gazing at is actually dying inside. In relation to media, I would say that not everything that appears online is like 100% factual as it looks.

There were times that this present reality is dim, unfilled, and empty yet the individuals around a person perceive that what he/she sees is a vivid and euphoric world, a superb magical world undoubtedly. Feelings are incredible such that they can really change the atmosphere of a certain environment. It is consistently up to him/her which side and form of himself/herself decide to show in media and online most particularly when mingling or communicating with others.

It was mentioned from the book How the World Changed Social Media by Miller et al. (2016) that people imagine bliss in generally differing ways, frequently lined up with more extensive social beliefs and worth frameworks related to class, religion, sexual orientation, age, philosophical point of view, instructive level, and quite a few aggregate qualities. 

The mask that the people wear in their daily life can serve as a cover, alternative personality, or as a protection for themselves. A cover to the shattered version of themselves that they never wanted to show other people because that person tries his/her best to show that he/her is doing good.

Who would have thought that masks are also indeed evident online? According to Maili (2020), while faking a smile can here and there support your spirits for a brief period, long haul, genuine satisfaction comes from genuine changes. Additionally, compelling an excessive amount of inspiration on yourself when you’re feeling down can have the contrary impact and you might wind up feeling far and away more terrible. All things considered, you can manage with a little phony joy after all other options have been exhausted.

Maybe this is just one of the escapes with the dark reality behind the masks that the people are probably using. Media has indeed helped them to at least give comfort and distract themselves from all the insanity going around.

The question is, how do we actually present ourselves virtually?

Months ago, people are supposedly be sharing their smiles and laughter with each other especially with their loved ones but unfortunately, these months of deep distress occurred. The stressful and unproductive months made people think again about their true purpose in life. The situation that everyone is going through at that time has truly affected a lot of people in all aspects that could be a factor why they would want to appear that they are totally okay as they present themselves in the virtual world. 

People need to take a break from everything, especially from the online world. Some might perceive that this is a big platform of entertainment but some also take this as a really consuming and draining medium. 

Who would have imagined that social media could also be consuming?

The media sometimes becomes an escape where audiences would just want to be away from the negative things since there are so much unfortunate things happening around which makes it harder to deal with the situation. Most of the usual things that people do have transitioned to online. What they felt was very heavy and very stressful since we are used to living a different lifestyle before the pandemic.

At the end of the day, we still consume media since this plays a huge role, especially with the current pandemic. But despite everything, never stop pushing yourself to keep going even if it’s hard to find the reason. There are changes happening in life that we need to accept in order for us to not stop from facing another day. Some of our experiences and joyful moments that we truly appreciated before, just turned into memories. Despite the darkness, there will still be light and we should not lose hope and just think that everything will normalize again. At the end of the day, when people’s masks are taken off, who do they choose to become? Who is the real person behind the virtual appearance?

References:

Does social media make people happier? from How the World Changed Social Media on JSTOR. (2016). Retrieved September 10, 2021, from Jstor.org website: https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1g69z35.20?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

Can You Fake Happiness? And Should You? (Social Media Or Real Life). (2020, April 5). Retrieved September 10, 2021, from Tracking Happiness website: https://www.trackinghappiness.com/can-you-fake-happiness/

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[renzzfuentes]

DETOX’ed: Social media vs. the netizens

In recent years, social media and technology have become more integrated into users' daily lives – especially in this timeline where everything is online. Its users are projected to be at roughly 3.78 billion users across the globe, increasing by 5% from 2020. Per day, 144 minutes get spent on social media and messaging applications. The said media also provides work and is a source of e-commerce. Its usage is rising as time passes, and so is technology – but too much of these may be toxic. This manner is where social media detoxifying comes in; the latter is self-detachment towards the said channel. The situation is where users may virtually disappear for a day, three, a week, months – or even for good. The detoxifying act may also come in posting less or not at all and reducing lists of friends and followers. Mainly, what drives individuals into social media detox sessions is they see the platforms become "horrible."

Social media isn't toxic - many users are.

Marshall McLuhan believed that humanity, with the help of media, will be more involved and engaged within the electronic media world. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow us to stay in touch with friends and family, catch up on the latest news, and discover new places and people. With the information exchange, the socials become a more recent source of knowledge coming from user-generated content. Through socialization, individuals may find themselves making social media as means to cope. With the platforms being several outlets, it primarily entertains the user – not noticing how much time has passed.

However, social media has its downsides.

1. Influencer Culture

First thing in the morning, how many times did you have to reach for your phone to check Instagram notifications? Several netizens love to associate themselves in the fantasy or ideal world they live in – where everything is perfect. Social media interactions are becoming the source of external validation and "self-worth." It started because of influencer culture, where they project themselves having the perfect appearance and life. They get adored by their hundred-thousand or million fans for it. This culture has been imposing insecurity on individuals – to a point where some have to resort to rigorous editing of their faces and bodies. It also got to a point where everything needed "𝒶𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓉𝒾𝒸." Some are being in debt to show their viewers how "well-off" they are.

Kudos to the influencers who have been using their platforms well, especially in addressing societal issues and providing the voiceless a voice.

See also: How we're all being changed by influencer culture (BBC News)

2. Tea Time! #CANCELLEDT

“Oop, normalize spilling the tea! #receipts”

Tea (according to Urban Dictionary) denotes gossip. Many topics may be of discussion over a cup of tea. People often use it to refer to someone who has "spilled the tea."

In how many instances did you find yourself caught up in an online argument on Twitter? McLuhan also said that media is an extension of the human senses. With that, the rising user-generated content comes the individuals' sharing fractions of their personal life, including stories, images, and videos of life events and encounters. Some of them may end up being rants, innuendos, argument comebacks, or whatnot.

Another "tea" source is from cancel-culture content. The latter aims to call out individuals who've done wrong – to hold them accountable and stop the support of these people. Eventually, it evolved into allowing everyone to have a voice against mistreatment. However, there are instances that it is overused or even misused – just because specific individuals want revenge rather than justice. Certain netizens misuse the act of canceling to gain clout or simply be the center of attention. It gets pretty ridiculous that this generation cancels many public figures because of a tweet they made 10+ years ago. It is a time back when they had no background education on specific matters they have discussed. For instance, this tweet by Filipino celebrity Maine Mendoza, famously known as "Yaya Dub":

Translation: If you have nothing nice to say, it’s better that you keep your mouth shut. F*g. 

She acknowledged her mistake and made an apology. She mentioned being more aware, especially in terms of the discourse regarding the LGBTQIA+ community.

See also:  Why we can’t stop fighting about cancel culture (Vox)

I used to be a "cancel culture stan" myself. I had my keyboard warrior era – which led me into series of conflicts back in high school. I wanted to "cancel" every single person who did me wrong. Growing up, I wish I could've addressed my issues directly and called them out for their acts without thinking of vendetta. I should've tried communicating and educating, even if I'd only get "humiliated" in the end, as dumping everything online will solve nothing. I stopped being Twitter-active in 2018 as means to help myself devise healthier ways of conflict resolution. I also felt like I annoyed half of my Twitter followers at the time – being the bearer of "bad news."

Speaking of bad news…

3. The News

Image Credits: Rappler

With the daily consumption of media, people get influenced by it. If one watches or listens to the news regularly, most of the heard material is probably about the pandemic. The reports are an odd way to interact in a society with few people to talk to. On a personal note - even if the information is terrible, I feel more socially connected to individuals when reading the news. But, how much bad news will you still have to take while scrolling past the socials?

What you hear has an impact on your mood. According to Logan Jones, Ph.D. in psychology, "Consuming too much of this type of news, whether actively or passively, can be very toxic." Additionally, according to a study by Johnston and Davey, those watching bad news felt more anxious and depressed than those watching positive or neutral material after only 14 minutes.

The bad news isn't the only thing that's "bad" - there's also fake news. Have you ever seen Tito/Tita send news in your Viber/WhatsApp group chat, saying that “COVID-19 vaccines will turn you into zombies in few years?” Oops. #antivaxxer #karen

Misinformation pertains to data that was presented incorrectly. On the other hand, disinformation is a willful attempt to mislead people. Propaganda is an excellent example of this. For political purposes, disinformation has the potential to distort real-world events.  It may only be a letter, but the difference between misinformation and disinformation comes down to intent.

Of course, misinformation and disinformation have their relevance to mental health. Psychotherapist Cynthia V. Catchings said that "They can worsen the mental health issues certain individuals have, and increase the symptoms, making it more difficult for them to heal or cope better." She also stated, "They can also cause new mental health issues because of the inability to cope with both."

There are many lessons people can learn from the pandemic, but perhaps the most important is how important accurate information is to our safety and well-being. Guidelines shared by public health officials gave direction when coping with the many unknowns of the potentially fatal COVID-19 virus. People's lives and the number of cases were significantly impacted by their simple instructions to mask up, wash hands often, and stay away from people.

Although the news is an essential part of our lives – we cannot simply get rid of it.

Why are most of the netizens at fault for the “toxicity?”

Image Courtesy: When in Manila

Since socials are solely media, people tend to ignore how technology has shaped our lives. Per Darin Barney's "Classification of Theories of Technology" (2004), good technology is efficient. Due to their neutrality, technology and social media cannot be judged on moral and political grounds. As a result of appropriate or inappropriate use of these devices, outcomes are either positive or negative. The platforms should not be blamed if social media is used for immoral purposes. Instead, the social media users in this way should be held accountable. In the opinion of the author Catherine Price, spending time on social media is not necessarily harmful. The most important thing, she says, is using it with intention.

Is social media detox a valid move?

YES. After scrolling through social media feeds for hours - many users feel drained, anxious, or dissatisfied. Per an article from HelpGuide, who spend too much time on social media are at risk of mental illness. People feel inferior when they see distorted images of reality on social media. It's easy to be convinced that it isn't true when it comes to green grass on another side of the fence.

To conclude...

Any amount of time spent away from the internet and social media can benefit one’s mental health. Taking small steps away from it is certainly recommended if you're not ready to take significant action away. Ultimately, we all cope and manage our emotions in different ways. It's hard for some people to deal with being upset almost every day because of what they see online, so some choose to filter what they see.

Technological advancements are essential, according to Bernard Stiegler. The use of social media is, therefore unquestionably a must. What we spend on our phones, particularly on social media, could be put to better use. When social media was first introduced, it was a harmless game. As a result, it has become a part of our everyday lives; everything, from elections to public discourse, is influenced by it. Social media, on the other hand, is not a substitute for reality. Although it has immense influence, or at least appears to - it is a curated and selective sample of what's happening in the world.

References:

Chantim, A. (2020, January 31.) “Here’s how to do a social media detox the right way.” Good Housekeeping. Retrieved from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g30681374/social-media-detox-tips/

Chavez, H. (2020, December 4.) “9 Reasons Why a Social Media Detox is Good for You.” Lifehack. Retrieved from https://www.lifehack.org/483829/9-positive-benefits-of-a-social-media-detox

Chen, J. (2021, February 3.) “36 Essential social media marketing statistics to know for 2021.” Sprout Social. Retrieved from https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-statistics/

Collins, D. (2020, June 25.) How The News is Impacting Your Mental Health. One Medical. Retrieved from https://onemedical.com/blog/healthy-living/news-impacting-your-mental-health/ Ignite Teen. (n.d.) “The importance of social media detox.” Retrieved from https://igniteteentreatment.com/the-importance-of-social-media-detox/

Johnston, W.; Davey, G. (1997, March) “The psychological impact of negative TV news bulletins: The catastrophizing of personal worries.” British Journal of Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/14149927_The_psychological_impact_of_negative_TV_news_bulletins_The_catastrophizing_of_personal_worries

Lindberg, S. (2020, May 18.) “Is Watching the News Bad for Mental Health?” Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/is-watching-the-news-bad-for-mental-health-4802320

Monde, J. (2021, April 17.) “Maine Mendoza tweet about “bading”, is this the controversial deleted post?” Philippine News. Retrieved from https://philnews.ph/2021/04/17/maine-mendoza-tweet-about-bading-is-this-the-controversial-deleted-post/

Murphy, A. (2020, February 19.) “How to take a social media detox and improve your mental health.” Declutter The Mind. Retrieved from https://declutterthemind.com/blog/social-media-detox/

Oberlo. (2021). “How many people use social media in 2021?” Retrieved from https://www.oberlo.com.ph/statistics/how-many-people-use-social-media

Parenta. (2017, May 5.) “7 amazing benefits of doing a social media detox.” Retrieved from https://www.parenta.com/2017/05/05/7-amazing-benefits-of-doing-a-social-media-detox/

Siapera, E. (2018) Understanding New Media. 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Statista Research Department. “Number of global social network users 2017-2025” Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/

Urban Dictionary. (n.d.) “Tea.” Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=tea