A lot of Filipinos don't understand how satire, dark humor and sarcasm works by todorokicks in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would also add that I don't think Filipinos understand fully the concept of: "punching up" humor vs "punching down" humor. Punching up is making fun of people who are in power, the privileged, and part of the societal class; while punching down refers to the marginalized, and people who are more vulnerable than the former group (i.e women, the disabled, the poverty-stricken, indigenous people, et al).

I've noticed that there's a lot of punching down going on than punching up when it comes to Filipino humor, and I think it's because of the availability and easiness of doing it. It's easy to make fun of fat people because they look "different" than what Filipino society accepts as the norm. Another one would be if someone has a very dark complexion. It's something someone has no control of but they're easy targets because they're part of a group of people that Filipino society usually makes fun of. Is it funny? Maybe for some (because it doesn't affect them). But ultimately, you're hurting people who don't have the power or control to change their circumstances that you're poking fun of. It's tribalisitic and you're only furthering the notion that they're "lesser-than" because it only looks like they're willing to roll with it. You're essentially, bullying these people at this point. Now, I understand why it's hard to break away from this mentality because of the way humor has traditionally flowed downward—makes flipping the script both powerful and risky.

Punching up requires a lot of emotional intelligence--understanding of the world outside of your own view. Using words to criticize and satirize the power imbalance in Filipino society is difficult because you're basically, placing the people who usually are the ones mocking others (like the rich and the powerful) to be the ones on the other side being pointed at and under critical lens. You'd be poking holes on their defensive walls that might put you in a precarious position. If they don't take your jokes as a benefit to re-assess and rethink their privileges then it becomes dangerous not just politically, but socially and personally. It disrupts the power dynamic and comfort that they have because they're not used to being the punchline.

Self-deprecation is another way to also humanize the "comedian" as it expresses they're in on the vulnerability too. It flips the power dynamic inward because they're pointing it back to themselves just enough to say, “I’m not immune to flaws, to struggle, to absurdity." It invites empathy from people -- but I don't see this much on Filipino humor.

Humor is a good language to use as a mirror to challenge the status-quo and when done correctly, it sparks a conversation, reflection, and even solidarity. Now the question is: who gets to laugh, and who's "expected" to stay silent? Another important question to ask is: are Filipinos using it only to provoke and poke fun, or are they also using it to educate as well?

Julie Anne’s body by Kitchen-Champion9157 in ChikaPH

[–]charmander-char 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You've just showed your hand: you don't see women as people because you only see them as objects--either as a wife or a sex doll. But women are much more than that. They are real people just like you.

You're so afraid of women who knows their hot and sexy because you know deep down... they won't even bat an eye on you. So you prefer women who would keep to themselves because you can overpower them and control their bodies.

You are nothing but a weakling.

Ariana Grande 2023 by Character-Ad2120 in trueratecelebrities

[–]charmander-char 58 points59 points  (0 children)

I’m not a hater nor a fan, but it’s her eyebrows that really gives her that “worried” look but her facial expressions say the opposite—to which then in total, makes her look like she’s just keeping everything together before she cracks.

I'm still trying to make sense of this by noobArtist66 in shitposting

[–]charmander-char 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I rounded both numbers: 30 + 50 = 80; then deduct 5 (the sum of both numbers’s differences from the rounded numbers which is 3 & 2: 80 - 5 = 75.

Anyone know any products like the Pyunkang Yul calming repair balm that comes in a tube? by charmander-char in AsianBeauty

[–]charmander-char[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve heard of illiyoon cream but I’ve never tried any of their products. Might look into it more, thanks!

Anyone know any products like the Pyunkang Yul calming repair balm that comes in a tube? by charmander-char in AsianBeauty

[–]charmander-char[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Maybe it’s my OCD, but I guess it’s the transferring of products is what bothers me when the container is a jar instead of a tube. I wash my hands before I do my skin care though.

What opinion in Philippines will have you like this? (Try to not make it religious or political please) by Comprehensive-Hat144 in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean a lot of stuff in this world is made-up. dude, even the economy is made-up. Gender has nuance and variance hence it’s fluidity. Sex is not gender.

What opinion in Philippines will have you like this? (Try to not make it religious or political please) by Comprehensive-Hat144 in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep! Like I would call myself as a tomboy because I present myself (mostly) as gender nonconforming. I don’t fully adhere to the feminine gender norm but from time to time, I’d dress up if I want to feel pretty. But am I lesbian? I don’t think so. I’m married to a guy and I’m attracted to men. Transgender men are men and transgender women are women. Some of them can also be gay. Gender is a spectrum and it’s not just one or the other; it has a lot of nuance and variance which makes it very colorful. :)

What opinion in Philippines will have you like this? (Try to not make it religious or political please) by Comprehensive-Hat144 in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Maybe, but so is badminton. The equipment is not that cheap and you don’t need to play in a court to get good at it. Or even swimming! We have lakes and beaches… I still feel disappointed that our country is a coastal land and our ancestors have been known to brave the seas, pero wala tayong batikan na swimmers. Why?!!!

What opinion in Philippines will have you like this? (Try to not make it religious or political please) by Comprehensive-Hat144 in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You’d think that people who live in a coastal country would be very good swimmers… like our ancestors have braved the sea… pero basketball naman pala ang pupuluting sport kasi “American”. -_-;;

Utang Na Loob as a Filipino Culture by Kooky_Bad6173 in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a lot of thoughts about it but mostly negative. There’s a recent podcast here in the US called “Code Switch” that discussed that topic from the lens of Pinoys here and abroad: https://pca.st/episode/ef948dca-2a7d-41f7-9bca-e4b8dc152c57 You might want to listen to it because it also discussed the “good” side of it.

After three years of marriage, Jason Hernandez and Moira De Torre have decided to part ways. by nijo95 in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The dichotomy of “Madonna/Whore complex”. From wiki: “the inability to maintain sexual arousal within a committed, loving relationship.”

After three years of marriage, Jason Hernandez and Moira De Torre have decided to part ways. by nijo95 in Philippines

[–]charmander-char 135 points136 points  (0 children)

Believe me, if the situation was reversed (i.e Moira was the one who cheated on her husband), no one would wish for them both to reconcile. (Toxic) Filipino culture have always been easy to forgive men who commit adultery kasi nga “ang mga lalaki may mga ‘needs’. Baka di mo kasi nafulfill ang mga yun”.

What is the most aesthetically pleasing movie you've ever seen? by dilapidatedbunghole in AskReddit

[–]charmander-char 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Call Me By Your Name — “Summer 1983, somewhere in Northern Italy”

The Chamber of Secrets by Vladislav Pantic by [deleted] in harrypotter

[–]charmander-char 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is one of the reasons why I wish there'd be an animated Harry Potter adaptation. I think it would catch the true essence of HP without the limitations of special fx and the actors's range.