Manny Pacquiao as an Icon of Filipino Nationalism

ABSTRACT

Abrillo, S.B.G. (2012). Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao as an Icon of Filipino Nationalism: A Textual Analysis of National Newspapers’ Coverage on the Pacquiao-Marquez Fight III, Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.

This study analyzed how Philippine national newspapers’ coverage of the Pacquiao-Marquez fight III presented Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao as an icon of Filipino nationalism. It also looked at the potential of newspaper to become a venue for promoting nationalism in the Philippines. The media coverage on every bout of Manny Pacquiao is a big phenomenon. Several portrayals and framing strategies are done to influence and preserve the image of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao as a global Pinoy symbol. To analyze how newspapers cover the Pacquiao-Marquez fight III, textual analysis was used to deconstruct the images of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao being portrayed in the national newspapers. Codes of Television by John Fiske were adapted to guide the analysis of the study. Language, wording, title, placement, word frequency, images, narrative, conflict, character, action, dialogue, setting and tone were the codes that contributed to the analysis of Pacquiao’s portrayal in newspapers. The study revealed six images of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao; the pacifist, instrument of good and evil, the learner, no superman, the easy money-maker, and the prayerful fighter. In the process, newspapers helped promote nationalism but the extent of its influence is still subject to further studies.

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