Axioms of Communication

📝Analyzing a Local Movie Using an Axiom of Communication

Four Sisters and a Wedding

        The story of the movie “Four Sisters and a Wedding” revolves around the four Salazar sisters (Teddie, Bobbie, Alex, and Gabbie) attempting to stop the wedding of their younger brother (CJ). Aside from this issue, they also have insecurities among one another that were revealed along the process of stopping and preparing for the wedding. One of the famous scenes from the movie was when Bobbie told her mother (Grace) that her favorite children were Teddie and CJ and she felt less loved among her siblings. Although the issue of favoritism was only explicitly revealed by Bobbie at the near end of the movie, there were some scenes that supported Bobbie’s claim. Those scenes would be discussed and analyzed below using an axiom of communication. The dominant axiom of communication observed in the movie is the first axiom, which states that one cannot not communicate. These are some of the following scenes in the movie where the first axiom is evident: 

Bobbie and Teddie’s Arrival at Their House 

        The first one to arrive at the Salazar’s house was Bobbie. Rushing out of the house to see who had arrived, Gabbie and their mother, Grace, saw Tristan, a handsome and neat guy. Right away, Grace praises Teddie for having a really good taste in men, although she hasn’t confirmed yet if it was Teddie or Bobbie who arrived and whose boyfriend Tristan is. She was then corrected by Gabbie that Tristan is Bobbie’s boyfriend. That scene showed that Teddie is first in her mother’s mind. Although she didn’t verbally express it, the act of concluding that it was Teddie who arrived communicates that Teddie was really at the front of her mind and that she was really excited to see Teddie. Moving on to the next scene, Gabbie and Grace went outside of the gate to see Bobbie. Grace and Bobbie haven’t caught up yet, but when Teddie arrived, Grace quickly rushed with her arms open wide, ready to hug Teddie. Grace was all smiles to see Teddie, while Bobbie was left behind with Gabbie and their housemaid. After getting out of the taxi, Bobbie stares at how her mom welcomed Teddie. In this scene, the action of Grace somehow makes Bobbie sad because the intensity of happiness when Grace saw Teddie was different when she saw Bobbie. It seemed like she was happier the moment she saw Teddie. 

Grace Scolding Three of her Daughters Except for Teddie 

        The Salazar sisters (Teddie, Bobbie, Alex, and Gabbie) were enraged and frustrated when they returned home after meeting with the Bayag Family to discuss the plans for CJ and Princess' wedding. They were offended that the Bayag Family had indirectly belittled them by allowing CJ to sign a prenuptial agreement. Although all of the daughters were rude during the family dinner, only Gabbie, Bobbie, and Alex received a reprimand from their mother (Grace). She even emphasized Bobbie and Alex’s behavior as if they were the only ones who acted rudely. This action of Grace implies that Teddie is indeed her favorite child, even without verbally declaring it. Moreover, Bobbie too was hurt when her mother pointed out and emphasized her behavior but not Teddie’s. She communicated her emotions just by having a look of shock, disbelief, and by sighing loudly.

Analysis by: Abugan, Queenie & Burgos, Jonina Ria

Kita-Kita

Summary
        Kita Kita (I See You) is the story of two Filipinos, Lea and Tonyo, who live in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Lea works as a tour guide for Velo taxis. She is involved in a collision, which causes her to become temporarily blind. Her blindness could become permanent if she is not cured within a few weeks. As the letter concludes, Tonyo reveals that he has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart and that he may be dying as a result. For this, and because he is frustrated that Lea is deeply saddened, Tonyo is motivated to nurse Lea's heart back to health, as well as to express his undying gratitude to Lea. Bernardo (the author) stated that she would want Kita Kita to concentrate on the notion of "falling in love even if you don't see the person," and that the story also concentrating on the lives of Overseas Filipino Workers, specifically on their experiences of entering into romantic relationships while on leave from the Philippines. The film basically teaches watchers that love is a choice and that it is extremely important. We choose to be happy regardless of who we love. 

Axiom
            The movie mainly revolves around the two main characters. From the time they met for the first time, until they became friends and realized each other’s worth. Lea who is burdened by a disability refuses to acknowledge that there is still hope despite being blind. She often wants to be alone. Slowly losing the capacity of finding happiness. And then there came Tonyo, who gave light in the darkness. The dominant axiom used in the film is Axiom 3 which is “Communication is punctuated”, this means that The nature of a relationship is dependent on the punctuation of the partners’ communication procedures. There are scenes in the movie where the characters prefer to keep their true feelings about a matter hidden rather than expressing it. Tonyo, who is diagnosed with an enlarged heart chose to put his real condition aside in order to tend to Lea’s situation. Despite his illness he put Lea’s happiness on top priority. He skillfully hid the truth from her in the beginning to lessen the gravity of the situation. Oftentimes he would be cheerful covering the underlying emotion, I think Lea’s blindness made his scheme easier to act because she can’t see him but what he didn’t know is that Lea can still feel emotions despite her condition.

Analysis by: Malbas, Mark Xander et. al

 

The How's of Us

           The How’s of Us is one of the top-grossing and record-breaking Rom-Com (Romantic Comedy) movies directed by Cathy Garcia Molina, starred by leading actress and actor Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. The film itself is based on portraying the story of a long-term relationship’s struggles, issues, and the harsh reality behind it. Kathryn Bernardo plays the role of Georgina 'George' Reyes, a pre-medical student who dated Primo for seven long years however, she later on felt that she wasted her life living with him due to his unexpected change. On the other hand, Daniel Padilla played the role of Primo, a passionate musician who longed to fulfill their dream of living a happy life as a couple. But, his selfishness, irresponsibility, and arrogant nature grew from a failed break. 

       In context to the topic, most of the film’s scenes correlated to Watzlawick's 2nd Axiom of Communication. George and Primo's relationship level as both high school friends and long-term couple can help viewers identify how they act, communicate, and perceive each other. The film progressively showed an upcoming conflict; the longer they have been together, the more their differences in personalities, attitudes, and experiences began to show. One of the scenes in the film that highlighted this was when George finally reached her breaking point and yelled at Primo about how she felt like giving up from the problems pilling up in their relationship, especially on Primo’s putrid behavior. If your loved one were to say that they felt like giving up in a relationship, it could be interpreted and received differently depending on your partner’s personal understanding and experience. In this situation, Primo interpreted her words and action as signs that she no longer loves him and wants to end their relationship. He became aware and dejected that the cause of George's miserable and disappointing notion was because of him.

 However, the truth was revealed when Primo came back as a changed man. During their one-to-one confrontation under the rain, George expressed how during that breaking point, she still loved him despite how critical it was at that time & how ruined her life was from the sacrifices she have made. She further criticized how Primo gave up on their love so easily even though that was the first time she felt expressed that time.

Analysis by: Normandia, Arman et. al