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Humorous memes for Covid-19 communications and carnivalesque functions

Author

Listed:
  • Mydah Kabingue

    (Cebu Technological University, Cebu)

  • Christian Ray Licen

    (Cebu Technological University, Cebu)

  • Rowanne Marie Mangompit

    (Cebu Technological University, Cebu)

  • Sunliegh Gador

    (Cebu Technological University, Cebu)

Abstract

This study described the types and functions of humor in memes during the Covid-19 pandemic to have a better understanding of the content and the role of humor during a crisis. This study identified the general ideas that emerged from the Bisaya memes including the types and functions of Bisaya humor. Using the qualitative and research methods, the results revealed the general ideas which included health practices, security, and health behavior. Comparison, pun, and exaggeration predominated which could be attributed to the Filipinos’ creativity and fondness of vivid images and by virtue of its repressive colonial history. For carnivalesque functionality, the exposition of social inequities, therapy, and subversion of social order prevailed. These imply the Filipinos’ dissatisfaction with the government’s programs, fight against information disorders, and parodying hierarchic authority in a comical manner. Consequently, memes cannot reflect Filipinos’ knowledge of the pandemic because this is a new experience for us. Memes can express the basic needs of the people/platform to express our experiences brought by the pandemic. Lastly, humorous memes serve a dualistic function in the study: they both delight and criticize.

Suggested Citation

  • Mydah Kabingue & Christian Ray Licen & Rowanne Marie Mangompit & Sunliegh Gador, 2023. "Humorous memes for Covid-19 communications and carnivalesque functions," HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE - SOCIAL SCIENCES, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY, vol. 13(1), pages 18-35.
    • Handle: RePEc:bjw:socien:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:18-35
    DOI: 10.46223/HCMCOUJS.soci.en.13.1.2562.2023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter Leal Filho & Luciana Londero Brandli & Amanda Lange Salvia & Lez Rayman-Bacchus & Johannes Platje, 2020. "COVID-19 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Threat to Solidarity or an Opportunity?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Piotr Skórka & Beata Grzywacz & Dawid Moroń & Magdalena Lenda, 2022. "COVID-19 in Memes: The Adaptive Response of Societies to the Pandemic?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-24, October.
    3. François Gerard & Clément Imbert & Kate Orkin, 2020. "Social protection response to the COVID-19 crisis: options for developing countries," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 36(Supplemen), pages 281-296.
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    Cited by:

    1. Advincula, Jirvin Syrus M & Dela Cruz, Louie Anne L & Elic, Hazel Joy S & Lipata, Lalaine Charisma E & Nuguid, Mark Andrei S & Espiritu, John Robert Y & Ochoa, Josefina C, 2026. "Ginhawa Sa Tawanan?: Filipino Humor in Flood-Prone Area," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 10(3), pages 4908-4934, March.

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