Textual Poachers and Fandom Dynamics: A Study of Filipino College Students

In the realm of contemporary culture, fandom, particularly among the youth, has become a focal point due to its participatory nature, fostering active engagement and creative expression. Coined by Henry Jenkins in 1992, fan culture, or "Textual Poaching," highlights fans' dual roles as consumers and creators within various media landscapes. This research investigates the engagement patterns of Filipino college students within their respective fandoms, employing Jenkins' framework of participatory culture as a theoretical scaffold. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the study scrutinized 175 student artifacts to elucidate how members of fandoms articulate their affiliations and negotiate communal dynamics. Findings suggest students' decisions to affiliate with particular fandoms depend on their immediate needs, interests, and social standing. Fandoms centered around online gaming, entertainment media, and cinematic or televisual narratives are deemed valuable by students, providing inclusive spaces for social interaction, and constructing personal identity.