THE HOMOSEXUAL NORMALIZATION: A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS ON THE TV PROGRAM MY HUSBAND’S LOVER PDF

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UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication H. Crescens Mae M. Tadili The Homosexual Normalization: A Textual Analysis on the TV Program My Husband’s Lover Thesis Adviser: Prof. Perlita G. Manalili, Ph.D. College of Mass Communication University of the Philippines Dilim...

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THE HOMOSEXUAL NORMALIZATION: A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS ON THE TV PROGRAM MY HUSBAND’S LOVER H. Crescens Mae Tadili

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UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication H. Crescens Mae M. Tadili

The Homosexual Normalization: A Textual Analysis on the TV Program My Husband’s Lover

Thesis Adviser: Prof. Perlita G. Manalili, Ph.D. College of Mass Communication University of the Philippines Diliman Date of Submission December 2014

Permission is given for the following people to access this thesis Available to the general public

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Available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser

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Available only to those bound by confidentiality agreement

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Student’s signature: Signature of thesis adviser:

UNIVERSITY PERMISSION I hereby grant the University of the Philippines non-exclusive worldwide, royalty-free license to reproduce, publish and publicly distribute copies of this thesis in whatever form subject to the provisions of applicable laws, the provision of the UP IPR Policy and any contractual obligations, as well as more specific permission marking on the Title Page. Specifically, I grant the following rights to the University: a) to upload a copy of the work in the database of the college/school/institute/department and in any other databases available on the public internet; b) to publish the work in a college/school/institute/department journal, both in print and electronic or digital format and online; and c) to give access to the above-mentioned work, thus allowing 'fair use' of the work in accordance with the provisions of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293), especially for teaching, scholarly and research purposes.

___________________ H. Crescens Mae M. Tadili

December 2014

THE HOMOSEXUAL NORMALIZATION: A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS ON THE TV PROGRAM MY HUSBAND’S LOVER

H. CRESCENS MAE M. TADILI

Submitted to the COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION University of the Philippines Diliman In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BROADCAST COMMUNICATION

December 2014

THE HOMOSEXUAL NORMALIZATION: A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS ON THE TV PROGRAM MY HUSBAND’S LOVER

by

H. CRESCENS MAE M. TADILI

has been approved for Department of Broadcast Communication University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication by

Professor Perlita G. Manalili, Ph.D. and approved for the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication by

Professor Rolando B. Tolentino, Ph.D. Dean, College of Mass Communication

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

PERSONAL DATA Name

H. Crescens Mae M. Tadili

Permanent Address

05 Princess Caroline Chateau Lakandula St. Marikina Heights, Marikina City

Cellphone Number

0915-734-3641

Email Address

[email protected]

Date & Place of Birth

May 10, 1993, Quezon City

EDUCATION Secondary Level

St. Scholastica’s Academy of Marikina, Marikina Heights

Primary Level

St. Bridget School, Quezon City

Tertiary Level:

University of the Philippines-Diliman

ORGANIZATION UP Broadcasting Association Project Management Officer, AY 2012-2013

UP Broadcasting Association Marketing Officer for External Affairs, AY 2014-2015 WORK EXPERIENCE Accounts Management Intern at Leo-Burnett Manila, A.Y. 2014-2015 (1st Semester

Online Services Unit Intern at DZUP, A.Y.2014-2015 (1st Semester)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are a lot of people I am grateful for, believe me, no amount of words will be able to express how grateful I am and how much you all have blessed my life. I thank God for constantly giving me strength to weather all the hardships I have gone and will still unknowingly face in life. My deepest gratitude goes out to my family for their unwavering support and love. To my Dad, I will always miss you and love you. This is for you. A thank you wouldn’t be enough. I hope I made you proud. I thank my Mom for putting up with all the stress I’ve given her in my undergraduate years. This is just a step towards the bright future ahead. This is for you. I am especially indebted to my sister, Nikkei, thank you for giving me your constant support in my endeavors. You have made the right investment. I also thank my sister Tiffany for constantly inspiring me to push myself harder to be a better sister. To my thesis adviser, Ma’am Pearl, I sincerely thank you for making this thesis possible. I also thank Prof. Fernan Talamayan and Prof. Jun Austria for guiding me in the best of their abilities. My sincerest admiration goes out to my Advertising professors, Prof. Irma Mutuc and Prof. Eugene Manalo for inspiring me to follow their footsteps as advertisers. To Chichay, Onik, and Andy, you have touched my life in ways you would have never thought of. Thank you for being good mentors. To my UP family, my home-org UP BroadAss, and to my friends: Dave, Lyka, Bea, Venus, Sherbie, Yanno, Clar, Apes, Roxie, Telle, and my BC-104 classmates, thank you for making my UP life colorful.

DEDICATION For my Dad, You are always loved. To my Mom, Ate Nikkei, and Tiffany, All these and beyond are for you. For Tita Lety, I thank thee. To David, For whom this thesis will not be possible. To Mr. Andrew and Timothy Ong, I offer this as my token of gratitude. And to the LGBTQ community, May there come a time when being queer won’t be hidden anymore.

ABSTRACT Tadili, H.C.M. (2014). The Homosexual Normalization: A Textual Analysis on the Program My Husband’s Lover. Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis. University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.

My Husband’s Lover views itself as the first-ever Philippine drama to boldly talk about issues on homosexuality in primetime television, seeking to provide an understanding of gays for them not to be discriminated upon. In portraying a gay’s life in a heteronormative society like the Philippines, the program gives an idea of how the heterosexual characters’ perceive homosexuality through their acceptance of the relationship between the two homosexual men in the story. Textual analysis was used to analyze the message that My Husband’s Lover creates about homosexuality. The researcher would like to find out how homosexuality is normalized in the show through the viewpoints of the heterosexual characters. The study seeks to examine the perception of the heterosexual characters towards homosexuality as portrayed in the program and their reception towards the relationship of the two gay men in the story. Two grounded theories were used as the framework of the study. Queer Theory as forwarded by Foucault, stated the oppressive discourse on homosexuality, the patriarchal system, and the heteronormative dynamics of the society, and Judith Butler’s Compulsory Heterosexuality placed emphasis on the society’s preference for heterosexuals over homosexuals. Keywords: Queer Theory, Compulsory Heterosexuality, Homosexuality, My Husband’s Lover

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Title INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Research Objectives Significance of the Study Scope and Limitations

2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE The Discourse on Homosexuality Gay Representation in American Broadcast Media Growing Acceptance of Homosexuality in the Media The Gay Narrative

3

STUDY FRAMEWORK Theoretical Framework Operational Framework

4

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

5

Page 1 2 3 4 5 7 9 9 10 10 12 16 16 20 23

Research Design Concepts and Indicators Determinants Units of Analysis

23 24 27 28

Sampling Research Instrument Data Gathering Data Analysis

29 29 30

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

33

My Husband’s Lover The Sample The Summary of the Plot

33 33 36

The Characters

38

Homosexual Character Profiles

38

Vincent Soriano Eric del Mundo Zandro Soriano Danny

38 39 39 40

Heterosexual Character Profiles

41

Lally Agatep-Soriano Elaine Soriano Armando Soriano Soledad del Mundo Vicky Araneta Manuel Soriano Luz The Dialogue

6

46

Perception

47

Rejection

54

Acceptance

62

Synthesis of the Results

69

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

74

Summary Conclusions 7

41 42 43 44 44 45 46

IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Implications Recommendations

74 77 78 78 81

ENDNOTES

82

BIBLIOGRAPHY

88

APPENDICES

95

A. Textual Analysis Form B. The Homosexual Characters C. The Heterosexual Characters

95 98 101

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

Most people consider the Philippines a homosexual-friendly country. The Global Divide on Homosexuality, a global survey1, conducted by the US-based Pew Research Center ranked Philippines as one of few countries with positive reception to homosexual behavior despite its Roman Catholic background. Such tolerant behavior is not unfounded since gay icons amass the country’s popular culture. The exposure of Vice Ganda2, including other gay personalities, contributes to the positive reception of homosexuals. Rustom Padilla’s3 continued success in media amidst his coming out of the closet in the reality show Pinoy Big Brother 2006 marked the society’s forbearance with homosexuals. On the contrary, an article published last June 2013 titled “Is the Philippines really gay-friendly?”4 written by Buena Bernal, said that the survey’s claim of placing the Philippines as the most gay-friendly country and most accepting towards homosexuality is a misnomer. The Pew Research Center’s survey showed that out of 804 Filipino respondents, 73 percent were in favor of accepting homosexuality in the society. 5The problem with this, however, is that the respondents might have said that homosexuals “should” be accepted in society but are not necessarily already accepted by society. The current situation of homosexuals in the country also tells a different story especially that most of prominent homosexuals are in the entertainment industry. Ron de Vera of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHO) Manila Network said that “Majority of Philippine society has typified LGBT people as creative,

2

talented, [and] loud entertainers.”6 What happens when they step out of that heteronormative expectation is a different story.

Background of the study Over the years, discussion of male homosexuality is repressed and alienated due to society’s sensitivity against gay culture. Media takes the initiative to provide awareness by the creation of cultural products such as films, songs, etc. to enhance discourse and to eradicate prejudice on homosexuality. From the late 1960s to the early 1990s, Filipino gay films largely centered on portraying thematic representations ranging from sex-trip to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Recent years showed empowering gay representations as seen in films like Zsa Zsa Zaturnah ZeMoveeh (2006), In my Life (2009), Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington (2011), Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (2011), and Praybeyt Benjamin (2011). There was an effort to represent a positive image of male homosexuality into its featured niche (e.g. film depictions of men who have sex with men and men-to-men relationships; and songs about homosexuality). Gay subjects have always been found in broadcast media but there has been a lack of gay representation in Philippine television. Being the first of a Philippine television drama focused on gay relationship, My Husband’s Lover (MHL) tested the waters in Philippine primetime. It is the first of its kind to acknowledge and represent male homosexuals and their relationships in Philippine primetime Television.

3

It introduced male homosexuality and the relationships they form in the Philippine society. The program gave a new perspective by showing how the relationship between the two homosexual main characters were perceived and gradually accepted by other heterosexual characters in the program.

Statement of the Problem MHL was the first Philippine drama series to boldly talk about issues on homosexuality. Its central theme focused on the enhancement of discourse on gay representations by giving viewers an idea of how it felt to be gay in a heteronormative society. It sought to provide heterosexuals an understanding towards gay men to help stop discrimination on homosexuals. The prejudice of heterosexual characters to homosexuality and homosexual relationships constructed the backbone of the show. MHL shed light to gay acceptance by touching issues that were avoided in soap operas such as HIV, homosexuality and mento-men relationships. Prominent and controversial, the show’s message was explicit. It revolved around the family setting which showed the different ways a gay family member was accepted by the family. Its wide array of emotion-evoking scenes ranged from accepting to despising the gay. In the words of Suzette Doctolero, the head writer of MHL, “The biggest LGBT discrimination happens in the family.” 7 In a forum held at the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Mass Communication on August 29, 2013, Doctolero said she wanted the audience to view MHL as an avenue for understanding

4

gays who struggle in integrating to a judgmental society. In contrast, religious gay leader Pastor Jason Masaganda8 argued that the show was a double-edged sword because of the inclusion of infidelity in the relationships of the gay protagonist. With these issues at hand, this thesis aimed to answer the question: (1) How did MHL present different aspects of homosexuality and homosexual relationships?

Research Objectives The researcher would like to find out how MHL presented homosexuality and homosexual relationships in the Philippine setting being the first of its kind to boldly talk about aspects of homosexuality and homosexual relationships.The study focused on the extent of heterosexual acceptance of homosexuality. The representation of heterosexuals’ view on homosexuality and homosexual relationships in the mainstream media is important in analyzing how media constructs the image of homosexuality in the show. The data gathered and the analysis of findings shed light on the viewpoints about gays in a heteronormative society like the Philippines. The researcher sought to understand MHL’s role in providing gay enlightenment that may have opened an avenue in promoting the emancipation of homosexuality. Using Butler’s and Foucault’s concepts on how Power, Homophobia, and Compulsory Heterosexuality affect heterosexuals’ perception, rejection, and acceptance on homosexuality and homosexual relationships, the researcher made use of these concepts to find out how homosexual normalization is achieved by the program.

5

Delving deeper into the heterosexual characters’ developments, these characters played a central role in showing their reception of gay homosexual relationships through accepting and/or rejecting altogether homosexual normalization as seen in Eric’s and Vincent’s relationship. Specifically, the study aims: 1.

To describe the characterization of the homosexual characters and the

heterosexual characters; 2.

To reveal the perceptions of the heterosexual characters on homosexuality

and homosexual relationships through their characterization; and 3.

To examine the dialogues exemplified in the program by looking at

conversations which present the heterosexual characters’ views on homosexual relationships and homosexuality by determining their (1) perception on homosexuality and homosexual relationships; (2) rejection of homosexuality and homosexual relationships; and (3) acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual relationships.

Significance of the Study The portrayal of homosexuality and homosexual relationships is becoming more common on screen. MHL’s plight to provide an understanding on homosexual characters and the issues that they face in everyday life provides the program’s construction of a broader acceptance of the male homosexual community within its story. With the program’s depiction of multi-faceted homosexuals no longer different from their heterosexual counterparts, it is important to note how the program shifted from portraying biased pre-conceived notions on homosexuality and homosexual relationships

6

to its gradual acceptance which may lead to achieving homosexual normalization in a heteronormative society. The program addressed the typical dilemma of homosexuals all throughout the world in that it depicted how a closeted-homosexual as portrayed by Vincent’s character comes to terms with accepting himself from self-denial and loathing to his wholehearted acceptance on his identity. The researcher found the program‘s theme on acceptance pivotal and timely for the Philippine society as it takes on the path for acceptance of homosexuality. It is therefore important to examine how the program’s construction of its heterosexual characters’ reception and acceptance of homosexuals and their relationships mirror the current status quo. The portrayal of the heterosexual characters’ rejection and acceptance around Vincent’s identity and his relationship with Eric mirror the truth that Filipinos are all facing now- the challenge for homosexual enlightenment. The study is significant because it enlightens readers on how media construct messages about homosexuality and homosexual relationships. This serves as a critique to deconstructing the patriarchal norms of the society and its bias towards heterosexual relationships as was seen on the program. The study sought to give an understanding on how Filipino heterosexuals interact with homosexuals and how heterosexuals impose their subjectivities on homosexual relationships. The study is relevant because the program deviated from representing comedic and cross-dressing homosexuals to depicting homosexual relationships. It is therefore

7

timely to look at how heterosexual characters’ viewpoints on homosexuality shifted from despising to accepting homosexuals in the story. The study opens a venue for further research to find out if MHL’s heterosexual characters’ perceptions on homosexuality and homosexual relationships are the mirroring agents of the current Philippine society as constructed by mainstream media. The researcher finds the need for future researchers to conduct audience identification studies which could determine whether the construction of these heterosexual characters really paves the way for changing viewpoints on homosexuality and homosexual relationships.

Scope and Limitations The researcher watched all the episodes of MHL. The researcher used a textual analysis approach in determining how mainstream media constructs viewpoints of heterosexuals on homosexuals and homosexual relati...