Assoc. Prof. Joselito D. De Los Reyes, Ph.D., BA Creative Writing program coordinator and research associate at UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities, served as a speaker at the Second International Conference on Culture and Performing Arts (ICCPA) held from November 10 to 12, 2023, hosted by Universitas Padjadjaran in Bandung, Indonesia.
In his plenary session talk titled “MEME-JUSTICE: Meme and Satire as Counter-Narratives”, De Los Reyes explored the potential of new media platforms, particularly that of viral memes, as tools for social critique.
He delved into the rhetorical and political factors of popular and organic memes in the Philippines, analyzing their political and cultural implications for local meme personalities and Filipino netizens.
Technological advancements and prolonged internet and social media consumption characterize the Philippines’ media landscape. Despite being the world’s top social media consumer, the country also faces challenges with the weaponization of social media, mainly through click farms, fake news, and troll armies. De Los Reyes’ presentation shed light on the complex dynamics of new media in the Philippines, highlighting its potential for creative expression and social criticism.
The ICCPA provides a platform for scholars and artists worldwide to share their research and creative work on the intersections of culture, performing arts, and media.
