“A Real Man Cries”: A Scoping of Filipino Masculinities Construction in Tweets

Abstract

Online content can be a rich source of information on current constructions of masculinities and much can be explored on the digital’s role in masculinities construction (Light, 2013). This study compares and contrasts our current literature on masculinities with empirical qualitative data – that is, Filipino tweets. To do this, I analyzed tweets containing the phrase “ang tunay na lalake” (the real man) and the hashtag “#angtunaynalalake”. Using qualitative content analysis, the following themes were generated: 1) Romance and Masculinities which highlights heteronormativity of romantic context and the concept of “more deserving real man” – a construct produced through networked masculinity and within the context of fandom and bigotry; 2) Masculine Capital – highlights how rites of passage, specifically circumcision, can be overshadowed by masculine capital to the point that failing to meet the required masculine capital would render one as ‘de-circumcised’; and lastly, 3) Online Resistance to Hegemonic Masculinity – shows the use of jokes, sarcasm, and confrontation in questioning hegemonic masculinity. The results show both concern and hope for gender advocacy.