Date of Publication

4-2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Communication Major in Applied Media Studies

Subject Categories

Communication | Film and Media Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Communication

Thesis Advisor

Katrina Paola Alvarez-Garcia

Defense Panel Chair

Ruepert Jiel D. Cao

Defense Panel Member

Shirley O. Lua
Kristian Jeff C. Agustin

Abstract (English)

Live streamed videos on game playthroughs or Let’s Plays (LPs) are among the most significant game-related media emerging in the 21st century. While there are previous studies on the digital labor aspect of live streaming, there seems to be scant literature on analyzing the meaning-making potential of LPs to expose patterns that signify postcolonial struggle under Western hegemony. The study addressed this gap by examining the performance of masculinity in selected LPs by three renowned Filipino male live streamers: GLOCO, ChooxTV, and AkosiDogie. A critical discourse analysis method was used to understand how streamer utterances, spectator comments, and other video elements on each LP influenced performance of masculinity. The analysis revealed that hypermasculine bravado and humor—either uttered by the streamer or stated as a spectator comment—functioned as a symbolic form of coping mechanism to survive under the Western hegemony in the gaming industry, and that the structural affordances of these online platforms caused certain masculinities to be portrayed as subordinated, marginalized, or complicit to hegemonic masculinity. Further research is needed to verify if similar patterns of marginalization and pursuit of emancipation can be observed in other dimensions like creator experience and audience reception of LPs.

Keywords: toxic masculinity, marginalization, structural affordances, gender performativity, emancipation

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Ang live streamed videos na nagpapakita ng game playthroughs o Let’s Plays (LPs) ay isa sa mahahalagang anyo ng umuusbong na game-related media sa ika-21 siglo. Bagama’t may mga umiiral nang pag-aaral tungkol sa live streaming bilang isang digital na paggawa, mistulang may kakulangan sa pagsusuri ng LPs pagdating sa kakayahan ng mga ito na isiwalat ang postkolonyal na pakikibaka sa Kanluraning pangingibabaw. Tinugunan ito ng kasalukuyang pag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuri ng pagganap ng pagkalalake sa LPs ng tatlong kilalang Pilipinong lalaking streamer na sina GLOCO, ChooxTV, at AkosiDogie. Ang kritikal na diskursong pagsusuri ay ang pangunahing pamamaraan sa pag-unawa kung paano naapektuhan ng pananalita ng streamer, mga komento ng manonood, at iba pang elemento ng bidyo ang pagganap ng pagkalalake. Natuklasan na ang pagtatapang-tapangan pati pagbiro—sinabi man ng streamer o nakasulat bilang komento ng manonood—ay sumisimbolo sa pagdepensa ng sarili sa Kanluraning pangingibabaw sa industriya ng paglalaro, at ang structural affordances ng sinuring online platforms ay nag-udyok sa pagganap ng pagkalalake na magmukhang napapasailalim sa, naisasantabi ng, o kinukunsinte ang nangingibabaw na pagkalalake. Kailangan ng karagdagang pananaliksik upang mapatunayan kung ang nasabing pakikibaka ay mahihinuha rin sa ibang aspekto gaya ng karanasan ng mga gumagawa at nanonood ng LPs.         

Mga susing salita: toxic masculinity, pagsasantabi, structural affordances, pagganap ng kasarian, paglaya  

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Masculinity in mass media; Sex role in mass media; Streaming video--Philippines; Discourse analysis

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Embargo Period

4-21-2027

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Available for download on Wednesday, April 21, 2027

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