The Taong Grasa Chronicles

Mari Chua

Yvezza Gumapac

Raynan Lagasca Jr.  

Wilbert Liao   

Bianca Roxas  

Danielle Viovicente  

 Before Transformation   

 "It hurts." 

"I feel beautiful."   

 Transformation Phase

1. What norm did you violate?

           

            We violated the norm of proper appearance in shopping malls or establishments.

           

            Normally, people control their appearance to look presentable when going to shopping malls or  establishments because malls or establishments only allow people who look presentable and clean inside their premises. The reason for this is shopping malls or establishments operate to entertain people who look like they are capable to spend money inside the shopping malls or establishments. The assumption is when one does not fit the profile of a customer then the person would not receive good treatment inside the mall or establishment.

 "Scrub harder, Yvezza"   

    2.) Describe the breaching experiment in detail. What was the activity? Where did you do it?

            The breaching experiment took place in Eastwood Mall. We had one of our groupmates act as a taong grasa complete with make-up and costume.

The actor wore:

1. A white shirt

2. Baggy shorts

3. Slippers

            The garments he wore were then smeared with charcoal mixed with baby oil so that it would stay on the clothing. His skin from head to toe was also covered in charcoal to get that taong grasa effect. But instead of covering everything in charcoal, there were patches instead because some of the charcoal would come off so the group had to reapply the charcoal again until it made the actor look like a taong grasa. His hair was also messed up and tied with hair tie.

 The experiment involved our group mate walking alone within the mall while the rest of the group observed the reactions of the people from a distance.

          One of the limitations of the activity was the actor was good-looking, and our group did not have the make-up skills to make the actor look like the typical taong grasa close up.

  A picture where Raynan was held back by the security guard.   

    3.) What were the different reactions of the people? List all the possible reactions you observed. Why do you think they reacted this way? What caused these reactions? Did the deviant act reaffirm or reinforce the existing norms based on these reactions?

            The first reaction our group got came from the security guards at the entrance of the mall. Since they got to see our actor close up, they were doubtful whether the actor was a real taong grasa or not because on one hand his appearance was dirty, but on the other hand, his God-given features: fair and clear skin, healthy body, and handsome features suggested otherwise. We had to reveal that he was indeed in costume, so we could conduct the breaching experiment. The male guards were noticeably friendlier and more relieved. One of them quipped, “Masyado pong pogi si kuya para maging taong grasa eh”.

The general reaction our actor received from others were second-looks and avoidance from people he would meet along the mall corridors. A mother who was not close enough to notice the good looks of the actor even pulled her child away from his direction. Our group thinks these reactions came from the association that people who looked the way our actor did had mental illness. People in their right mind would have recognized and attempted to follow the norm to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

Another interesting reaction was that the marketing people who gave fliers away to everybody generally avoided handing out fliers to our actor even when our actor asked for the flier. He was also disallowed from entering any of the boutiques. The reason they gave was a dismissive “Bawal po kaya dito.”. This is probably based on the premise that the fliers and entrance were for potential customers. If one did not fit the profile of a potential customer then the person would not be given a flier.

Lastly, two adolescents who passed by him had been heard to say, “Sayang. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng gwapong taong grasa.” Our group thinks this reaction is linked to the first reaction we received from the guards. There are certain expectations given to how a taong grasa looks and acts.

Ultimately, the deviant act reaffirmed the existing norms that people who do not follow the norm are marginalized or ostracized as a form of punishment from society. Furthermore, our deviant act reaffirmed the value our society places on physical appearances. As proven by the activity, good looks are not associated with negative social positions such as taong grasa.

4.) Aside from the norms, what sociological themes are at play for people to react in a certain way? Is it a function of gender, social class, values/ beliefs of institutions?

            Aside from the norms, the sociological themes that was at play were the social classes of the people in the mall. Naturally, people that belong to a higher social class tend to avoid the taong grasa since it may be new to them or they may already have a stereotype of what taong grasas do or how taong grasas act. People that belong to higher social class usually give the taong grasas second look or they act as if they are going to be harmed by the taong grasa. Further, people that belong in higher social class are more defensive and more alarmed with the taong grasa around them.

            However for the people that belong in a lower social class, they tend to act normal around the taong grasa. Kids that are familiar within the area (usually beggars) tend to examine whether or not the taong grasa was real and that the taong grasa was familiar to them. It was very different compared to the reactions of the people in the higher class since people in the lower class seemed to be familiarized with that kind of setting.

            Another sociological theme that was at play was the gender of the people in the mall. Since our taong grasa was male, there were different views on both genders.

For Females:

1. They tend to give second looks at the taong grasa.

2. Some of them even said that the taong grasa was handsome and that it would be better if he was not a taong grasa.

3. They give off looks of judgement.

For Males:

1. They tend to be more brisk in passing by.

2. They give off a mean and tough look.

3. Most of them don't even bother looking at the taong grasa.

            It may be because of their instincts as men and women. Women are usually more curious about their surroundings while men don't really mind their surroundings that often.

5.) How did you feel when you did this experiment? How does it feel to deviate the norms? Were you hesitant to do the activity?

            Our group felt that it was a bit hard to do the activity since we already expected to receive much attention while doing the activity. The activity felt the need for courage and confidence since there is a need to break a norm. We were hesitant to do the activity but the activity made us realize the different effects of breaking a norm and the social benefit of learning the reactions of people.   

 We were very hesitant in doing the breaching experiment but at the end of the day, we had fun.   

6.) Other observations and analysis that you may have on the activity and on deviance in general.

Deviance is something that needs confidence, eagerness and courage. Breaking a norm is not easy and it will always involve the different reactions of people that may be affected or backed-up by the different sociological themes. Also, a deviant act is considered when the act is not accepted in the society or the environment that a person is into so in order to perform a deviant act the person always need to consider the environment where he would do it.   

   ~