A legend: An analysis on the media’s portrayal on Whang-od’s persona and contribution in the recognition and preservation of Philippine culture (a tri-media research)

Abstract

A Content Analysis of the articles (print media), documentaries (broadcast media) and blogs (new media) was done to explore how media portrayed Whang-Od and pambabatok and how these portrayals helped in the recognition and preservation of Philippine culture. These media entities presented batok as a sacred tradition and discussed Whang-Od’s resources in performing the art — highlighting the traditional method of the practice. Analyses revealed that Whang-Od is the sole person who have kept the tradition alive all these years and that pambabatok, because of her age and of her lack of a son or daughter, might be extinct. Although there was a mention of a possible heir, Whang-od’s granddaughter Grace, the samples still presented the constant fear of losing the batok tradition because of modernization and commercialism. The portrayals, therefore, reiterated the need to consider Whang-Od as a candidate to be a National Artist as such recognition may help in the preservation of the culture. All these findings are consistent on the observation that the media served as a powerful force for maintaining social cohesion for Filipinos and for constructing or reproducing social consciousness about a certain culture. Furthermore, the findings illustrated that media is a mediator of values and beliefs to preserve traditions, and is the major source of information and means of information control within modem societies.