Joshua P. Rodriguez; Paul Cedric Bernardo; Lyka Natividad; Alexa Octaviano 02/14/19 1-IBio A Regular day at the office Cultural awareness is essential in developing interlocal and international relations. With the changes and improvements in media, it comes no surprise that interrelation deepens, knowledge about one’s culture, habit and environment are accessible from one person to the next and it allowed the rectification of stereotypic views and portrayal of nations that are virtually of lesser knowledge to the ones attempting a sardonic interpretation. This oral-writing presentation examines the portrayal of the importance of today’s media in establishing cultural awareness and pushing solidarity through inclusiveness in the form of a newsroom. It also plays on caricature and how it’s blatantly plaguing the viewers with the real pressing worldwide concerns. The news room aspect of the presentation represents the openness to glimmer variety of cultures and the respective status quo of the nation they represent. From the anchor which is essentially, a typical American stereotype with a virile stature, booming voice, dry wit and an added sleazy and obnoxious attitude to top it off (Saltzman, 2015), that most movies from the 90’s and early 2000’s projects on the big screen to the illustration of the American lifestyle in terms of food and beverage (Fries, shake and burgers) which according to Swartz (2018) represents abundance, accessibility, and dominance and altogether. The prevalence of “The arts” (which refers to the American love for theatre, music video and films) and Superbowl (annual football event) further defines the American culture. *Flash card, title logo appears: “This is Media Break, give us 5 minutes and we’ll give you the world” *
Note: Yuzu in Yuzuki means grapefruit, pomelo, citrus fruit and Ki means hope in Japanese : Loony and Toonie are the official currencies in Canada
Anchorman: Hi I’m Sandy Rivers, our top story for tonight, more and more Americans are taking Goat Cheese as a substitute for their fixation on anything that has fat on it including burgers and shakes. Chips and fries are expected to increase price as potato prices continues to rise (Ruggless, 2019). Particularly concerned are Governors in Tampa and Michigan which decreed this day as the legen…wait for it… dairy day of goat dairies and this had boded well to American homes.
*briefly shows family eating burgers
Anchorman: Now, what do you say for a slice of that Goat Cheese in this year’s Superbowl?
The second segment introduces a Mexican actor and a Japanese director. This is the prime instance of diversity in the age of blockbuster films and web streaming shows, the Academy (a well-known awardgiving body from the states) shows much inclusion particularly with the once maligned sectors – this year, Roma, a film entirely shot in Mexico and Green book about the unlikely friendship of a negro and an Italian is in the lead with 10 and 5 respective Oscar nominations according to Chitwood, Adam (2019) – including “colored folks” or “LGBTQA + folks” and this is touched on this segment with the influence of the chosen nation.
Anchor: Other news, the docuseries of the life of the legendary actor Brunch Howdy is officially in greenlit to be shot at the Toronto Film Production Studio with the new, state of the art, lens-over-lens camera. A broadway adaptation is also expected to come out this year. Joining us on the line is the internationally acclaimed director, Fujiwata Yuyzuki to talk about his take on that infamous nude bull fight in Mexico City and this revolutionary silver screen outing.
Note: Yuzu in Yuzuki means grapefruit, pomelo, citrus fruit and Ki means hope in Japanese : Loony and Toonie are the official currencies in Canada
*Fujiwata speaks Japanese words* Fujiwata: Times are changing and so must we and this includes incorporating the traditional Japanese culture with the current trends of the western to which we've created a harmony with the help of talented actors and actresses and the state-of-the-art technology camera which helped shoot the bull in the most important places *sleazily raises eyebrows*, we've created a masterpiece worth seeing and the late Howdy would surely be proud. Traditional yet modern; Experimental yet powerful and revolutionizing. *Fujiwata speaks Japanese words*
On the third segment and fourth segment, countries other than America are in the spotlight, and we started it off with Philippines, the selection of Philippines is made to coincide with Catriona Gray’s win in the Miss Universe pageant hence, the thematic interview of a pageant winner in the next segment. Although we added a twist, since the issue of LGBTQ+, either marriage or contesting, is hot in the Philippines, instead of Miss Universe, we chose a different pageant, Miss International Queen, a transgender pageant in Vietnam. The fourth segment introduce a relevant news in Thailand and the lifestyle and type of governing power is briefly tackled.
Anchor: Now, that was something, on world news Biko “Becca” Cayabyab, winner of Miss International Queen 2018, an international pageant for transgender folks is prepping for a hero (heroine?). Our own reporter is with him (her?) to talk about her legen… wait for it… dary win: Reporter: Catriona, how are you? Becca: I’m fine.
Note: Yuzu in Yuzuki means grapefruit, pomelo, citrus fruit and Ki means hope in Japanese : Loony and Toonie are the official currencies in Canada
Reporter: Alright, so you won the crown and you’re about to head home do you feel any pressure right now? Becca: No, I don't feel any pressure right now. Reporter: Confident! Alright! So, tell us about how you feel going back to your hometown. Becca: I remember when I was still a little girl and growing up with my pamily… my family…Oh my god…I’m..Ok, im so sorry... I... I told you that I'm so confident... Eto, Ahhmm, Wait... Hahahaha, Ahmmm… I remember when there were nights we didn’t eat because my father- who was a farmer- did not receive his minimum wage salary. Our barrio did not smell that good too because the government was throwing the garbage from urban places to our villages. Still, despite those bad memories, my family and I never gave up. My parents were able to send me off to primary school to college and that’s all because of their hard work. So, I’m very much excited to go home and see my family and I will use my position as Miss Universe to correct the mistakes the local government made to our barrio. Hmmm, so... but I said dot my family is the most important persons in my life. Thank you.
Anchor: Big trouble in little Thailand, as election season draws near and riots are prevalent, it sees the revision of a constitution that withheld decades; The Governing power is expected to change from a monarchic to a democratic system although postponements were called by the military junta. (Petersen H.E, 2019)
Citizen: “We know how to fight for democracy, together we will do it and we will win”
The next segment plays out as a commercial, going once again global with a newsbreak introducing the invention showcased by an Indian to showcase their relevance in the world of Science and Mathematics Note: Yuzu in Yuzuki means grapefruit, pomelo, citrus fruit and Ki means hope in Japanese : Loony and Toonie are the official currencies in Canada
which had been a staple of the country since The Harappans built the sewage system in Mohenjo-Daro in 2500 B.C. and the invention of zero (Carr, 2017). The Indian art, clothing native religion of Hinduism and Buddhism and architecture which includes Taj Mahal (Zimmerman, 2017) is also featured. Anchor: We’ll be back shortly after this break *Commercial plays out with an Indian showcasing a device* Have you ever felt so down that a single brush tickles your scalp and ease your brain? Do you feel like something is missing in the veins of a long-lost love in Taj Mahal as you walk down memory lane? Or have you ever woken up in the middle of the night sulking and moping, because you long for that scrape in your scalp and upper lip? Then look no further, the new comb-moustache produce by top Indians scientist and mathematicians aims to cultivate your growing scalp problems and to show you enlightenment like Buddha it even works for the bald! This state-of the art, one of a kind lip tickling formula facade that bald spot down your nostrils. It even makes Lord Brahma envy. Buy now at a discounted price for a little time only. Numbers at your screen
*Cellphone number flashes on screen*
And with every penny you spent, you are supporting a cause.
Per-DTI number 236481010317292 series of 2019 to the end of your lifetime.
The final segment is a play on the classic slow-burn abduction-terrorism stories and the classic Doctor Who serials and bond films which is in the celebration of the geek culture, however, instead of featuring the stereotypical Mid-Eastern, Bin Laden-ish overlord, a Canadian is shown as the malevolent presence and models to bad habits (CTVNews.ca staff, 2016), contrary to how they are stereotypically known – being nice and polite. The final segment also solidifies the capability of media to influence the viewer and to send a message across cultures.
Note: Yuzu in Yuzuki means grapefruit, pomelo, citrus fruit and Ki means hope in Japanese : Loony and Toonie are the official currencies in Canada
*Anchorman turns and spoke in Canadian accent* Anchorman: Americans, your minutes are numbered eh?, the countries you see lesser are about to make Dollars obsolete and make Loony and Toonie as the official currency approved by the Group of Eggheads Entente Kinship or G.E.E.K.S, you saw the countries participated in making todays segment and we brought you this terrible news, Y’all have exactly 2 minutes to comply and call the number you saw on screen eh? We demanded nothing but fairness and respect, proper portrayal in your shows (How I met your Mother? *ehem and *ehem) or a simple How’s she bootin’er? *Times up, let’s make America great again, let it out* *A nuclear bomb was set-off shown through a phone in class*
As a conclusion, media is one of the most credible sources of first-hand and second-hand information worldwide hence its effectiveness in raising intra and intercultural awareness. Modernism also expanded the definition of culture and now includes terms such as popular culture or 80's culture hence, it rectifies stereotypes. Lastly, Cultural awareness also includes knowing the little things the subtle things ergo learning about one’s culture is progressive.
References:
Carr, K.E (2017). Science and Math in ancient India. Quatr.us Study Guides. Web. Retrieved from: https://quatr.us/india/science-math-ancient-india.htm
Chitwood, Adam (2019). Oscar Beat: Best Picture Predictions – Is It ‘Roma’ vs. ‘Green Book’? Collider. Retrieved from: http://collider.com/oscars-best-picture-predictions-2019/
Note: Yuzu in Yuzuki means grapefruit, pomelo, citrus fruit and Ki means hope in Japanese : Loony and Toonie are the official currencies in Canada
CTVNews. Ca Staff (2016). Unhealthy habits cost Canadians 6 years of life. CTV News. Retrieved from: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/unhealthy-habits-cost-canadians-6-years-of-life1.3031039
Franich, Darren (2016). 'Doctor Who,' James Bond, and the future of pop culture. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved from: https://ew.com/article/2013/11/29/doctor-who-james-bondentertainment-geekly/
Petersen, H.E (2019). Thailand: biggest democracy protests in years held as military junta delays elections. The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/14/thailand-biggest-democracy-protests-in-yearsheld-as-military-junta-delays-elections
Ruggless, Ron (2019). Rising potato prices may pressure fry deals. Nation’s Restaurant News. Retrieved from: https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/rising-potato-prices-may-pressure-fry-deals.
Saltzman, Joe (2015). Heroes or scoundrels: how popular culture portrays journalists and what that means for the 2016 campaign. The Conversation. Retrieved from: https://theconversation.com/heroes-or-scoundrels-how-popular-culture-portrays-journalists-andwhat-that-means-for-the-2016-campaign-52249
Swartz, Suzy (2018). American Nostalgia on a Bun. The Atlantic. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/04/fast-food-nostalgia/558686/
Zimmerman, K.A (2017). Indian Culture: Traditions and Customs of India. Live Science. Retrieved from: https://www.livescience.com/28634-indian-culture.html
Note: Yuzu in Yuzuki means grapefruit, pomelo, citrus fruit and Ki means hope in Japanese : Loony and Toonie are the official currencies in Canada