Internet memes may be particularly relevant to such boundary work, as they are, in many cases, public in nature. Choosing to post a particular meme version in a particular digital arena co-constructs individuals and collectives. Internet memes-combining pictures, videos, hashtags, and texts, often from different environments, adapted and redesigned in a way to fit an identity (e.g., Hentges, 2018). Online memes can be dessiminated by liking, commenting, and sharing. Ergo, they flow from person to person, for instance, through copying or imitation.
Memes can be defined as “an information pattern, held in an individual’s memory, which is capable of being copied to another individual’s memory” (Downes, 1999). It is also defined as “an idea considered as a replicator, with the connotation that memes parasitise people into propagating them as viruses do” (Downes, 1999).
Memes that criticise how the society works or the political state of a country often subtly affect the way people think about subjects without being offensive or aggressive. Numerous kinds of mediums like newspapers, television and social media utilise memes in order to express and spread ideas and perspectives from one culture to another.
The meme depicts how PNP, that is supposed to be a unit for justice and safety-keeping, takes interest in silencing youth activists than arresting drug lords and corrupt politicians. This meme also wants to inform that a rally can make a change on what is happening and useful to express their stands on what is right, therefore, it is not a thing that should be silenced. People who liked and reposted this meme share the same collective identity with those people who make sense with what the meme wants to tell and those who knew our history and the importance of rally.
Showcases the Filipino characteristic of wanting to kill each other off for the reason that is usually about power and superiority.
Depicts the most effective, all-around, medicine for Filipino mothers. They believe it can heal almost every diseases, they might believe it is effective for combating the Novel Corona virus.
This meme depicts the struggle of Heneral Luna convincing then President Aguinaldo that Americans are not trustworthy, but Aguinaldo did not give him any heed thus submitting our country to a whole lot years of colonization. This meme also wants to remind the audiences about something that happened in the past in a funny but witty way. People who made this meme position themselves as people who are knowledgeable about Philippine history and issues. This meme has also a funny scene from a short video in order to catch the attention of a large group of people and to appreciate it at the same time.
This particular meme shows the nationalism of Filipino fan girls still being above their undying support and love for the chinese actor. The identity which this meme is trying to tell is for those who find the notion of this meme as laughable and entertainment specifically those who can really relate with this. The happy culture of Filipinos can also be observed where Filipinos tend to posses optimism despite of serious situation.
The people who were behind these posts wanted to remind their audiences about something that is still evident and is still an issue in the country up until now. It is also a mixed of politics in a witty manner. They also wanted to get the attention and sympathy of many audiences by using a famous scene from movies and such. People who created and reacted to these memes are those who were aware of what issues and happenings surround our society. Moreover, the social representation for those people who understand what the memes want to tell are Filipino cultures and sharing the same collective identity of being Filipinos.
Blackpen Writes 