Thread by @rapplerdotcom

#FactsFirstPH: As we approach the elections, we find an unlikely ally in combating disinformation online and encouraging civic participation – celebrity fan groups. Let’s take a look at how these fandoms mobilize. #PHVote

LIVE

#KPop fan ka ba, o #Kathniel fan?

Today’s #FactsFirstPH research briefing highlights how fans turned to social media to criticize and demand action from celebrities based on the findings of Cherish Aileen A. Brillon and Gerard Martin C. Suarez. | via @rochelbernido

Brillon: Fans tayong lahat ng celebrities, ng pelikula, ng sports team, ng mga musikero o banda. Interesting for us to look at them in a different light. | via @rochelbernido

#FactsFirstPH LIVE:

The series of articles in the presentation explores how fan behavior affected celebrities like Toni Gonzaga and Karla Estrada, and public officials such as Vice President Leni Robredo and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH

The data for this article covers the following keywords and hashtags: #ToniGonzaga, #BBEToni, #UnbotheredQueenToniG, #ABSCBNShutdown, #bothered, #BBM, Karla Estrada, Queen Mother, Tingog Partylist, #KathnielGising. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

Starting with the issue of non-renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, Toni G. became a polarizing figure in the eyes of the fans and netizens, especially to those who are for and against Duterte. This continued to the time that she showed support for BBM. | via @rochelbernido

@rochelbernido Kapamilya fans applauded celebrities like Angel Locsin, Enchong Dee, Anne Curtis, Janine Gutierrez, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla for taking a stand against the non-renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, but other celebrities were also called out on social media for not speaking up.

The celebrities who were called out for not speaking about the non-renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise included Sarah Geronimo, sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga, and husband and wife Robin and Mariel Padilla. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

@rochelbernido Kapamilya fans and celebrities condemned the NTC order. In ABS-CBN's official FB page, a curated post, which includes Toni G's Instagram post about the closure, was able to garner 7,919 like reactions, 2,562 comments, 1794 sad reactions, and 2149 care reactions. | @rochelbernido

The positive framing of ABS-CBN re the support of their stars was trumped by an article from PEP.ph.

The caption on PEP.ph's FB post: "Tinawag silang 'enabler,' 'plastic,' 'hypocrite,' at 'DDS.'" | via @rochelbernido

@rochelbernido FB pages associated with President Duterte and other political figures shared a YouTube video entitled, 'Plastic: Netizen binatikos sina Alex at Toni Gonzaga, Robin Padilla, matapos suportahan ang ABS-CBN.' This highlights that Kapamilya fans are the source of criticism.

@rochelbernido When the House of Representatives finally denied the franchise of ABS-CBN in 2020, there was a YouTube video entitled, "Netizen, MINURA sina SARAH GERONIMO, TONI GONZAGA at ALEX GONZAGA!!" that was shared by various Facebook pages. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH

@rochelbernido The video, which contains screenshots of various tweets showing the anger of Kapamilya fans regarding the closure of ABS-CBN and Toni G’s silence, might be the reason why the celebrity released a statement sympathetic to the 11,000 employees of the network. #FactsFirstPH

@rochelbernido Karla Estrada also incurred the ire of fans, notably Kathniels, for supporting the candidacy of BBM and Duterte. She also allied herself with Tingog Sinirangan party-list whose current representative, Yedda Romualdez voted against the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.

RELATED STORY: Current Tingog Sinirangan representative Yedda Romualdez, wife of the House Majority Leader, is one of the 70 lawmakers who voted to reject ABS-CBN's franchise in July 2020. #FactsFirstPH rappler.com/nation/electio…

Brillon: The assertiveness of Kathniels re Karla Estrada's issue of supporting BBM-Duterte and allying with Tingog Sinirangan has more to do with their concern on how this can tarnish the reputation of Daniel Padilla more than Karla Estrada herself. | via @rochelbernido

The important role of fans in criticizing particular celebrities on specific issues is also getting recognized by journalists and media outlets, as the framing of news stories emphasizes the fans who are calling out or criticizing these celebrities.

Brillon: Hindi na lang sila (fans) nanatili bilang tagasuporta ng celebrities, lumalabas na rin sila sa bubble na 'yon. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

Suarez: Bakit ang galing-galing natin kapag pinupuna natin ang Q&A ni Pia [Wurtzbach] o ibang contestant as Miss Philippines, kumpara kapag pinupuna natin ang ating mga presidente? | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH

Suarez: Bakit sobrang daming gustong makilahok ngayon? Not just celebrities, but also their fans. Bakit parang ang daming openly political in this campaign period? | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH

The Duterte administration’s pandemic response, the spread of community pantries, and the shutdown of ABS-CBN are the three events which led to the vigorous participation of citizens in the 2022 elections. | via @rochelbernido
#FactsFirstPH

More than just a ‘noble instrument to help others,’ community pantries also served as a political message to the administration, criticizing their failure and presenting an example of an active alternative. | via @rochelbernido

Suarez read one comment of a netizen directed to the government: "To hide their incompetence, they resort to red-tagging." | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

RELATED STORY: Where platforms are plagued with disinformation, propaganda, and trolls, freedom-loving Filipinos find an unlikely ally: celebrity fan groups. | via @rochelbernido rappler.com/newsbreak/in-d…

@rochelbernido While Uniteam candidates are framed as heroes and inheritors of a legacy, Kakampink candidates are framed as civil servants working to uplift their supporters. This, in turn, shapes how their celebrity endorsers and supporters conduct political practice. | via @rochelbernido

'Citizen supporters'

@lawyersforleni, a group of citizen supporters, offers legal aid to those harassed for supporting pink; while rallies are sites of citizens giving free things to fellow citizens. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

'Ina-assume nating walang alam ang mga tao'

Suarez says, we expect the best out of the next Ms. Philippines, but when it comes to politics, we don’t often extend the same grace, assuming the worst in others in the process. | via @rochelbernido

'The Passion of Fans'

Suarez: Especially ngayong [2022] elections, we've shown that there is a need to rethink our views on disinformation and incorporate ways to involve more citizens in the fight against it. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

Suarez: Participating in fandoms can be the start [of being more involved in politics]. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

Suarez: For people that see na hindi nila (mga politiko) nagagawa [ang mga pinangako], there is an appeal na "kung kaya ko namang makipag-usap sa aking kapitbahay, I'd rather do that." | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

On Leni's celebrity endorsements

Brillon: This is a game changer, in a sense na, celebrities are voluntarily doing the campaigning for the public officials. Kasi previously, they endorse for a fee. Kaya hindi naman masyadong usapin dati kung naga-align ang values [nila].

Brillon: After Kim Chiu's appearance sa Cebu, pumitik talaga ang data kay Leni. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

On influencers' political participation

Suarez: Celebrities and fandoms can provide a good starting avenue to have people look at things more closely. Pero pinaka-importante pa rin talaga na more citizens are empowered. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH

Brillon: I think importante 'yung na-create na espasyo sa kasalukuyan, na hindi puwedeng tahimik lang ang mga paborito [naming] artista sa mga bagay na nakaapekto sa amin bilang tao, hindi lang bilang fans. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

Brillon: Mas nauna talaga ang micro-influencers na maging instrument ng disinformation, pero right now, I think, dahil sa kampanyang ito, bumabawi na ang mga celebrities at nakikiisa na rin despite being bashed and being given warnings by their managers. | via @rochelbernido

Suarez: Whenever you say na, "hindi na ako fan" [ng isang celebrity na may ibang sinusuportahang politiko], it can only be effective depending on how strong our values are. | via @rochelbernido #FactsFirstPH LIVE:

Brillon: Ang "cancel culture," nagsimula iyan sa marginalized communities. Nakahanap sila (ang mga biktima ng pang-aabuso) ng boses to call out their perpetrators online. Ang culmination nito ay ang #MeToo Movement

Importante ang nuanced view on what we mean by "cancel culture."

That's a wRap! Watch the full episode of today's #FactsFirstPH research briefing here: