Constructing the Image of Manila through the Perspective of Manilans and Cebuanos

Constructing the Image of Manila through the Perspective of Manilans and Cebuanos

ABSTRACT

Manila is a place of modernity, commercialization and progress, a place sought by a lot of people from different parts of the Philippines because of all the benefits that it caters. Various interpretations and associations on the image of Manila and its people have already been known to all. Utilizing Boulding‘s Theory of Image, Rogers and Kincaid‘s Convergence model and Jesse Delia‘s Constructivism, the researchers identified the constructed, variance and shared image of Manila and its people through the perspective of both Manilans and Cebuanos.

Through self-administered and aided surveys, supported by focus interviews, the researchers came up with the image of Manila as a place in terms of its safety, opportunities, resources, and living condition. The researchers also determined the image of the people of Manila in terms of their personality and values. Furthermore, the researchers explored what factors contributed to the formation of these images through looking at the media usage, culture and environment of the units of Manilans and Cebuanos.

Manila is still perceived as the leading city in the country. However, it is not considered as an ideal place for residence. The culture one has and the environment one lives in affects one‘s image of something. Cebuanos had a more positive or negative view about Manila due to the contrast between the ambiance and culture in Manila and Cebu.

Biare, J. J. and Hermora, P. J. (2011). Constructing the Image of Manila through the Perspective of Manilans and Cebuanos, Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.