GROUP TASK 1:

EVALUATING
MESSAGES
Group 5 (GE-PC TTH 9:00am-10:00am Grp 23)
Sanchez, Nicola
Sevilla, Lovelyn
Singuran, Johanna
Suarez, Karl Anthony
Talens, John Rafael
Tan, Nenia Tillor
Tangcay, Rianne Marie
Uy, Giselle
Uy, Marielle
CONTROVERSIAL
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Q1: WHO CREATED THE TEXT? WHAT SIGNS TELL
YOU ABOUT ITS CREATOR/MAKER?
The PETA Files (PETA's blog) published this
advertisement on August 17, 2009, and it was placed in
Jacksonville, FL. It was quickly pulled down and replaced
due to numerous negative phone calls. The thing that
the sign is saying about its creator is the name that is
written on the right side of the woman's body,
highlighted in red.
Due to several prank calls from PETA regarding
"beached whales," the advertisement was dubbed "Save
the Whales." The advertisement is a metaphor comparing
overweight individuals to beached whales and it may
show that the makers of this are quite insensitive
towards overweight people.
.
UY, GISELLE
CONTROVERSIAL
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Q2: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TEXT? IS THE
PURPOSE CLEAR? WHAT SIGNS POINT TO THIS
PURPOSE?
The purpose of this advertisement is to inform overweight
people to lose weight by being a vegetarian. The message
on this billboard suggests that switching to a vegetarian
diet will not only save animals' lives but also help you lose
weight. The purpose of this advertisement is clear, even
though this billboard has the potential to send a positive
message, the way it is presented is degrading and
humiliating to overweight people.
One of the signs that helped point to the purpose was the
picture of an overweight woman who represents people
with obesity.

SUAREZ, KARL ANTHONY

CONTROVERSIAL
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Q3: WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE? WHAT SIGNS
POINT TO THE AUDIENCE? HOW WILL THEY
RESPOND?
People who are trying to reduce weight are the target audience
for this advertisement. The advertising encourages those who are
trying to lose weight to "lose the blubber" by becoming
vegetarian, in the hopes that they will quit eating meat. It is
undeniably directed towards overweight individuals, with
potentially serious consequences and an insult to their part.
On a positive note, others may support the commercial because
turning vegetarian may help them lose weight. They may, however,
disagree with the way it is presented since they might believe their
weight is driven by reasons other than meat eating.

SANCHEZ, NICOLA
CONTROVERSIAL
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Q4: WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE TEXT? WHAT SIGNS
HELP CONVEY THE MESSAGE?
Meyer (2022) explains in her article about the campaign material
posted in line with the World Whale Day on February 20 for PETA's
Save the Whales campaign. PETA implies the negative impact of the
fishing industry, for example, the death of endangered whales
entangled or caught in fishing nets. Moreover, the company
suggests that people reduce their consumption of aquatic animals,
reflecting their motto, "Animals are not ours to eat."
Figuratively, the phrase "Save the Whales" creates a double
meaning in which whales could refer to people with obesity, thus
implying saving the whales and yourself by being vegetarian. The
signs that helped convey the message are the beach background,
which resembles the aquatic animals’ habitat, and the blubbery
figure of a woman at the side that represents people with obesity.

TAN, NENIA TILLOR

CONTROVERSIAL
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Q5: IS THE MESSAGE FAIR AND OBJECTIVE? WHY? ARE
ALL POINTS OF VIEW COVERED?

No, this is far from fair and objective even though it could be.
This is very offensive and rude to many, not just the fat people, if
taken figuratively since the picture on display does not have any
whales on it but instead the body of an overweight woman. It could
be interpreted as being big and fatty is not acceptable so you have
to eat plants as a diet to solve that and save the whales at the same
time.
Not all points are covered because not all overweight people are
the same nor do they all have the same reason for being that way. It
may be due to hereditary traits, clinical issues, mental illnesses,
and/or bad eating habits that lead to obesity and danger.

TALENS, JOHN RAFAEL

CONTROVERSIAL
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Q6: HOW WILL OTHER GROUPS (NOT THE TARGET
AUDIENCE) INTERPRET OR REACT TO THIS TEXT?
WHY?
Some other groups may react differently and interpret the
text in the wrong way. It may seem that the text is offensive to
people who are suffering from obesity, especially to women,
since the picture shown was of a fat woman wearing a bikini.
They may interpret the billboard as an insult to overweight
women or as a kind of body shaming, referring to them as
whales who should rescue themselves by making them adopt a
vegetarian diet, which is somehow inappropriate rather than
encouraging since it indicates that being a vegetarian is the only
method for overweight/obese women to reduce weight.

TANGCAY, RIANNE MARIE

 GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

Q1: WHO CREATED THE TEXT? WHAT SIGNS TELL

YOU ABOUT ITS CREATOR/MAKER?
The Australian Childhood Foundation's outstanding and
thought-provoking billboard campaign from 2009 illustrates
the topic of neglect.
The creator of the billboard effectively conveys this
message by plastering the poster over a child-sized
mannequin clothed in children's attire with only the legs and
feet sticking out of the bottom. The image is a disturbing,
physical representation of the textual message that
"neglected children are made to feel invisible." The campaign
is intentionally unsettling in order to shock viewers into
realizing the message and leaving a lasting impression that
encourages people to act. Furthermore, it is effective because
the message is strongly engraved in people's minds, inspiring
them to take action.
UY, GISELLE
 GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

Q2: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TEXT? IS

THE PURPOSE CLEAR? WHAT SIGNS POINT
TO THIS PURPOSE?

The purpose of this advertisement is to wake people

up from overlooking child abuse. It encourages people
to take action and initiative in this type of occurrence.
The purpose of this text is somewhat clear. The sign
that helped point to this purpose is the child-size
mannequin that represents children suffering neglect.

A “Thank you for seeing me” text becomes visible

after removing the mannequin, which symbolizes that
taking action and being aware can be of huge help not
just to anyone but to the world.

SUAREZ, KARL ANTHONY

 GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

Q3: WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE? WHAT

SIGNS POINT TO THE AUDIENCE? HOW WILL
THEY RESPOND?
Parents and other members of the public are the target
audience. The sign points out the failure of a parent or caregiver
to provide for the child’s fundamental needs that would tend to
make the child to feel neglected, unloved, and unwanted. It also
shows that there is a need for adults to be aware of the children
in their local neighborhood and be prepared to take action to
offer support.

Some parents may have felt guilty over disregarding

"neglected children," and some may have come to a profound
insight about how they are treating their children. Nevertheless,
as pride is a human weakness, some parents may believe that
the sign pointed out their parenting flaws.

SANCHEZ, NICOLA
 GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

Q4: WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE TEXT?

WHAT SIGNS HELP CONVEY THE MESSAGE?
The idea of the commercial is to raise awareness about
child abuse and to depict children's reactions to acts of
neglect. It featured a child-sized mannequin with the
slogan "Neglected children are made to feel invisible." on a
white billposter covered on the upper body. As a result, in
public and crowded places, the projected advertisement
appears unsettling and uncomfortable, which could imply
the issue itself.

Furthermore, when the figure is removed, the text "Thank

you for seeing me." appears, suggesting that being able to
pay attention to these children may create a difference.

TAN, NENIA TILLOR

 GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

Q5: IS THE MESSAGE FAIR AND OBJECTIVE?

WHY? ARE ALL POINTS OF VIEW COVERED?

Yes, the message is fair and objective because looking at

the text of the message,“Neglected children are made to
feel invisible”, they phrased the message in a general way.
It would only be subjective and biased when they specify
what type of children they are referring to.

Aside from the text, we can also see only the legs of the
child mannequin, wearing "maong pants" and rubber shoes.
Therefore it does not indicate what type of neglected child
is being referred to, meaning it is also generalized. All the
points are also covered because of the same reason.

SEVILLA, LOVELYN
 GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

Q6: HOW WILL OTHER GROUPS (NOT THE

TARGET AUDIENCE) INTERPRET OR REACT TO
THIS TEXT? WHY?

Those not belonging to the target audience may see the

poster as something that is too extreme or explicit. They may
think that such forms of advertising which can be seen by
anyone in the public are unsuitable for younger audiences.
For instance, a young woman could see the poster and the
first thing that pops up in her mind is that it is inappropriate
for children to see instead of being brought awareness
regarding the issue.

Additionally, they may think that there are more “discreet”

or “proper” ways of showing awareness and that what is
being shown on the poster is highly inappropriate.

UY, MARIELLE
REFERENCES:
Hosseini, R. (2014). Neglected children are made to feel invisible.
Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140716091323-
139371299-neglected-children-are-made-to-feel-invisible

Kerley, M. (n.d.). "Save the whales". Retrieved from http://www.barren.k1

2.ky.us/userfiles/1537/Classes/1232/Madison%20Kerley.pptx

Meyer, N. (2022). PETA wants Greanpeace to save the whales in a whole

new way. Retrieved from https://www.peta.org/media/news-
releases/peta-wants-greenpeace-to-save-the-whales-in-a-whole-new-
way/

Van Gurp. (2009). Neglected children are made to feel invisible.

Retrieved from https://osocio.org/message/neglected-children-are-
made-to-feel-invisible/