Jejemon vs. Anti-Jejemon Debate in Mel and Joey - Does Jejenese Make You Dumb?

How can we possibly pass judgment on Jejemons without first listening to what they have to say?


Credit: GMA, Mel and Joey

Last May 16, GMA7's Mel and Joey hosted a debate between representatives from the Jejemon and Anti-Jejemon parties, three from each. The topic: "Nakakabobo ba ang pagiging Jejemon?" [Does being a Jejemon make you dumb?] Note to future and wanna-be sociologists: The exchange of views proved to be very insightful, so don't pass on the vid. Here are the main points:

Jejemon:

• Jejenese is an original Filipino work of Art.
• Jejenese gives life to otherwise boring conversations.
• Jejemons can actually compartmentalize -- "Inilulugar namin ang pagiging Jejemon."
• Jejemon culture is a practice of free will. "Hindi naman nakakamatay ang pagiging Jejemon, bakit nyo kami pakikialaman?"
• Jejemon culture is a passing trend. Let it be.

Anti-Jejemon:

• Jejenese posts on Facebook give the world an impression that Pinoys can't speak straight English.
• Jejenese is hard to understand and as such any conversation that uses the language, no matter how creative it is, is a waste of time.
• Some Jejemons actually can't compartmentalize -- "Dinadala nila ang pagiging Jejemon sa eskwelahan."

Watch the full Jejemon debate video here (video courtesy of GMA7 and Mel & Joey -- TP disclaimer on online videos applies.):



This statement by the legendary Mel Tiangco pretty much mirrors TechPinas' sentiment on the issue:

"Kalayaan nila yun. Ibigay natin. Subalit, datapwa't, kailangan hindi dadalhin sa eskwelahan [at] kailangan hindi gagamitin sa masamang paraan. [...] If it is an expresssion of your creativity and art, dito ako pards!"

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