#Pinoypride: A Qualitative Study on Journalists Publishing News on the Filipino Descent of Famous Foreigners

Abstract

Filipinos feel pride from the victories of people of similar ethnic identity, especially those who attract and gain international or global attention. Such pride, also commonly known as Pinoy Pride, can be observed in many social media wherein news and articles about these famous individuals with Filipino blood spread. It has become a manner of the question whether this gratification is an exhibit of authentic nationalism or hubristic pride, what role do journalists play in delivering this information to the mass and, how they influence the mass' perspective upon it. This phenomenological research explores the different factors that pave the way for the better understanding of the phenomena, #PinoyPride, and its overall impact for Filipinos. This qualitative research was done through phenomenology with the primary objective of making sense of events or a trend, Pinoy Pride. There were a total of five interviewees. Purposive sampling was the sampling technique used. Four questions were also asked before the interview to guarantee that the interviewees were fit. News articles were also used to validate and fully support the data and the study itself. The researchers then conducted a note-taking, unstructured interview with recordings and transcriptions, then the analysis pre-existing material documents public files. It has undergone the process of triangulation, particularly data triangulation and method triangulation. The entire study was purely unbiased as it may tamper with the results. The respondents deem that the Filipino descent of famous foreigners is newsworthy because of: the news value of relevance and proximity; fame and prominence; the intensity of achievement/action; claiming their success as their own; and activities for the Philippines/Filipinos. They said that the audience reacts to this kind of news by relating themselves to and being inspired by their success; feeling pride grounded on shared ethnicity and nationalism; feeling entertained or right, and feeling indifferent or finding the topic insignificant. They added that the audience would react depending on: the impact of the event to them; and how the news is written. News articles that highlight the Filipino descent of prominent foreigners were gathered and examined by the researchers. These articles have been discovered to exhibit reoccurring themes which are: regard for subject focusing on Filipino connection, especially in headlines and titles; elaborations on Filipino interactions, affiliations, and constructs; and mentions of giving honor and pride through skills and achievements. #PinoyPride among Filipinos is rooted in connection of heritage and taking courage on certain achievements, while Filipino journalists deliver this information to the mass for the sole intention of catering their interests. The findings greatly supported the role that news values play in journalism. Although the study was limited due to time and resources constraint, it's suggested to widen the scope of resources for deeper understanding.