Date of Publication

12-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Communication Major in Applied Media Studies

Subject Categories

Film and Media Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Communication

Thesis Advisor

Ma. Angela S. Labador

Defense Panel Chair

Jan Michael Alexandre C. Bernadas

Defense Panel Member

Katrina Alvarez-Garcia
Bruno Lovrić

Abstract (English)

This study examines how Filipino brides use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok not merely to document their weddings, but to author them—sequencing, pacing, and regulating content to preserve emotional meaning, sustain kinship connection, and maintain cultural propriety. Through a qualitative multiple-case study using semi-structured interviews, photo elicitation, and wedding-related social media posts, the research explores how digital engagement unfolds across preparation, performance, and remembrance.

Grounded in Nick Couldry’s media-as-practice framework and informed by mediatization perspectives, the findings show that wedding media engagement is not spontaneous or expressive but rhythmic, reflexive, and culturally moderated. Brides exercised emotional calibration, tone management, restraint, and selective withholding—treating visibility not as self-promotion but as relational responsibility.

The study proposes four theoretical refinements: Bounded Practice (pacing, restraint, and closure), Relational Reflexivity (emotionally and relationally attuned calibration of timing and tone), Gendered Situatedness (how femininity, duty, and delicadeza shape authorship), and Platformed Authorship (a synthesized concept showing how digital participation in rituals becomes emotionally moderated, culturally grounded, and relationally accountable).

By centering the Filipino bride as a reflexive media practitioner, the study contributes a Southeast Asian perspective to media practice scholarship and demonstrates that digital wedding engagement is not merely representational, but moral, relational, and culturally situated authorship.

Keywords: Filipino brides, wedding ritual, media as practice, platformed authorship, bounded practice, relational reflexivity, gendered situatedness

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Sinusuri ng pag-aaral na ito kung paano ginagamit ng mga Filipinong bride ang Instagram, Facebook, at TikTok hindi lamang bilang plataporma ng pagdodokumento, kundi bilang espasyong pangkultura kung saan sila ay nagiging may-akda ng kanilang kasal—pinapanday ang naratibo sa pamamagitan ng pagtiyempo, pagriritmo, at regulasyon ng nilalaman upang mapanatili ang emosyonal na kahulugan, ugnayang-pangkamag-anak, at kultural na propriyedad. Sa pamamagitan ng kwalitatibong multiple-case study na ginamitan ng semi-structured interviews, photo elicitation, at pagsusuri ng wedding-related social media posts, lumitaw na ang digital na paglahok ng mga bride ay hindi kusang-loob o simpleng pagpapahayag, kundi ritmik, reflexive, at kultural na pinamamahalaan.

Nagpanukala ang pag-aaral ng apat na teoretikal na pagpapalinaw: Bounded Practice (tiyempo, pagpipigil, at pagsasara ng naratibo), Relational Reflexivity (relasyonal at emosyonal na kalibrasyon sa timing, tono, at antas ng pagbabahagi), Gendered Situatedness (pag-impluwensya ng pagkakakilanlan bilang babae, tungkulin, at delicadeza sa pagbuo ng naratibo), at Platformed Authorship (isang sintetis na nagpapaliwanag kung paano nagiging moral, kultural, at relasyonal na may-akda ang bride sa digital na ritwal). Sa paglalagay sa Filipinong bride bilang reflexive media practitioner, nag-aambag ang pag-aaral ng Timog- Silangang Asyanong perspektiba sa larangan ng media-as-practice at ipinapakitang ang wedding media engagement ay hindi lamang representasyonal, kundi moral, relasyonal, at kultural na anyo ng digital na paglikha at pag-aangkin ng kahulugan.

Mga Susing Salita: Filipinong bride, ritwal ng kasal, media bilang praktis, platformed authorship, bounded practice, relational reflexivity, gendered situatedness

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Brides--Philippines; Marriage service--Philippines; Weddings--Philippines; Identity (Psychology)

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Embargo Period

12-14-2028

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Available for download on Thursday, December 14, 2028

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