This paper proposes the use of a communication approach to decent work measurement, arguing on (1) the interdisciplinary nature of decent work, (2) the mediated aspect of gig work using platforms, and (3) the use of a communicative lens to center the experiences of women in the Global South. As a communication theory, Dutta’s Culture-Centered Approach (CCA) tenets—culture, structure, and agency—were applied to the narratives on working aspirations (i.e., opportunities, social protection, adequate working time and workload, meaningful remuneration, and health and safety) of Filipina gig workers using online platforms. With the goal of empirical saturation, in-depth interviews were conducted among thirty-two informants, including those involved in transactional transfer work in major delivery services, local delivery services, and independent work through social media. The online platforms included applications by major transport and delivery service providers in the Philippines (i.e., Grab, Angkas, Joyride, Lalamove) and those that use social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Facebook Messenger. Findings reveal rich and gendered work experiences on working aspirations. These narratives were then translated into decent work measures.
In the context of the broad historical amnesia and authoritarian nostalgia that attended the rehabilitation of the Marcoses in Philippine politics, the filmic representation of torture has served as a crucial element in constructing the memory of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. This article examines how torture in Martial Law cinema contributes to the cultivation of the public’s historical consciousness about the dictatorship. Touching on significant concerns about the representability of political violence and trauma, sense memory, and the question of sensationalism, the article analyzes the film ML (2018) by Benedict Mique, which graphically portrays Martial Law torture through conventions associated with torture porn. It highlights how the film’s explicit reenactment of political violence engenders reflections about the crisis of historical memory, and the continuities between Marcos Sr.’s dictatorial rule and fascist violence under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. The article explores how such generic adherence to violent cinema can advance our understanding of the complex sensory dynamics of filmic spectacle in shaping political memory and articulating socio-political commentary.
Advances in technology have increased the need for public relations functions in educational institutions to create strategic digital relationships through social media. To ensure effective information dissemination, a strategy and evaluation process is needed to determine social media performance. This research aims to uncover how the social media analytics process is implemented in managing the Instagram account of Telkom University in Indonesia. Using the concept of Social Media Analytics by Fan and Gordon (2014), this study employed a qualitative case study method. Data were obtained from interviews with three key informants, one expert, four supporting informants, participatory observation, and document analysis. The findings reveal that the PR and Analytics unit at Telkom University systematically implemented social media analytics in the evaluative research phase to assess and improve Instagram performance. The analytics process consisted of five main stages: data crawling, analysis, summary, presentation, and content development, with an additional monitoring stage to track the effectiveness of content adjustments. Social media analytics provided actionable insights that enabled the team to identify high-performing content, audience engagement trends, and areas for improvement. For instance, interactive and visually appealing content was found to significantly enhance engagement rates, which informed subsequent content strategies. The data and analysis results were visually presented to stakeholders, facilitating data-driven decision-making. Overall, this research concludes that a structured social media analytics process enables the PR and Analytics unit to develop more targeted and effective Instagram content, thus supporting continuous improvement and a stronger digital presence for Telkom University.
The Pokémon franchise prevails through the utilization of the freemium game model and capitalizing on the theme of wellness. The franchise capitalizes on the theme of wellness by making the games Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sleep free and accessible through its distribution platforms. Using the characteristics of gameness of Jesper Juul, this paper describes how the games gamified wellness geared towards Western conceptualization and the current situation of Philippine public health. Both Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sleep showcase how players invest their time and energy in exchange for free access and play of the games according to features of gameness. At the same time, players have the option to spend money to gain advantage in these games. These investments of time, energy and money were justified by the mechanisms of the game and the theme of wellness was capitalized by the franchise alongside the distribution platforms like Google Play and Apple and other companies.
This paper examines the role of the Food Bank Campaign as civic activism during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on strategic communication through social media by Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia. Using content analysis of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts, along with interviews, the study explores how different communication strategies affected public engagement. In addition, sentiment analysis was conducted using the Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner (VADER) tool to assess the emotional tone of audience responses across platforms. Grounded in Framing Theory, PR Excellence Theory, and Strategic Communication Theory, the study highlights the importance of two-way communication in building lasting relationships with stakeholders. Findings show that engagement levels varied based on message content, visuals, and the parties involved, with grassroots communities and corporate partners playing key roles. However, gaps in responding to underprivileged communities’ inquiries were identified. The paper underscores the importance of interactive, two-way communication in fostering long-term relationships with stakeholders, offering practical insights for NGOs on how to effectively use social media for civic activism both during and after crises.
