A student-produced magazine from Samar State University exploring the intersection of culture, gender, and social media in the 21st century. The issue features articles on Waray-Waray traditions, the Kuratsa dance, and local livelihoods like banig weaving and fishing. It includes personal stories of bisexual students Kyla and Remark, a photo story on Samar's culture and evolving gender roles,…
This is a student-produced magazine from Samar State University, created by Group 2 for a communication course. It examines how culture, gender, and social media shape effective communication in the 21st century, with a focus on the Waray-Waray people of Samar, Philippines. The magazine is intended for students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the cultural foundations of communication.
The opening section explores the cultural foundations of Samar, describing the Waray-Waray language as melodic yet direct, and the people as brave, straightforward, and resilient. It highlights traditions such as the Kuratsa courtship dance, the whispering of novenas by fisherfolk, and the weaving of century-old banig mats. Core values of respect, courtesy, and strong family ties are presented as the backbone of social interactions, with elders addressed using high honorifics and community…
A feature story titled 'Beyond Labels: The Quiet Courage of Kyla and Remark' profiles two 18-year-old bisexual students at Samar State University. Kyla Nicole Ann L. Bacarra hides her identity from her religious family but finds relief in having a boyfriend that eases her parents' worries, while Remark Grabrino faced childhood bullying for being called 'bakla' despite explaining he is bisexual. Both rely on accepting friends, demonstrating that bravery can be the daily choice to live honestly…
The gender section discusses traditional patriarchal family structures in Samar, where men are primary breadwinners and women are associated with household caregiving. It notes shifting realities: women now drive local initiatives, manage household finances, and lead community work, while modern views increasingly recognize women's economic and social contributions. Gender roles are presented as cultural patterns rather than fixed rules.
The social media and digital communication section warns about algorithmic amplification, where platforms prioritize engagement over truth. It describes how misinformation spreads faster than fact-checked stories, creating echo chambers and filter bubbles that show users only content aligned with their past clicks and likes. The magazine calls for more responsible communication with critical thinking online.
A photo story section depicts Samar's culture through images of the Kuratsa dance, banig making, fishing, the Manaragat festival, and the local delicacy tamalos. A second photo story shows how gender roles change over time, from women as housewives to front-liners, and from men as warriors to caregivers, along with growing openness to diverse genders such as bisexual, gay, and lesbian.