I could get shot for writing this, ahahaha. Not really. Its just that I still don’t understand why there are so many beautiful brown-skinned Filipinas wishing, praying and hoping to be a whole lot whiter.

Well, for one, I could blame 300 or so years of spanish colonialism for making our ancestors believe that if your skintone is lighter or if you have that mestiza looks, you can be mistaken for an illustrado or someone from the upperclass. Or even hold accountable the 4-year japanese invasion or the 10 years or so american administration.

I could also blame the advertising industry for creating and showing those decieving commercials implying that if you’re not white enough, you’re not beautiful, nor desirable, nor glowing. Heck, they probably haven’t seen a tanned or dark-skinned glowing woman.

I don’t blame them. The skin-whitening industry is making a lot of money. According to market research company AC Neilsen, the personal-care industry poured P23.4 billion in advertisements in 2004, a quarter higher than in 2003. (1) And its a craze all over Asia.

But get real, people! Our country’s climate is hot, humid, and tropical. The sun is out for almost 12 hours in some parts of the year. Its either you enjoy where you live, bask in all the sun’s glory or hide from it, scared that too much exposure will make your skin masa-dark.

I admire those beautiful, dark filipina models and actors more - Angel Aquino, Angel Locsin, Miriam Quiambao, Alessandra and Assunta de Rossi, Tweetie de Leon, Wilma Doesnt and the latest Bb. Pilipinas-World, Maggie Wilson. Why, you ask? They actually stand out amongst the hoardes of fair-skinned actresses because of their color and their classic filipina beauty.

Let me leave you with a nice message which I read from the Inquirer website a few months ago… In the long run, a healthy acceptance of one’s body outlasts all the good effects of the skin whitening and weight loss products that the market offers.

I couldn’t agree more.

I’m Aiza, a mom, a wife and an uber-proud Filipina. I’m beautiful, tanned and loving it.

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This is my 2nd entry to the Filipina Writing Project and Yan ang Filipina campaign. Come join us too!

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Here are some of the entries to the cause:

• Filipina Nurse
• Traits of a Filipina
• Mukha ng Dalagang Filipina
• Macho I Love Yous
• Portrait of the Strong Filipina
• Filipina in Perspective
• Model Filipinas, modern Gabrielas: Liza Maza and Luz Ilagan
• A Prayer for a Filipina
• A Filipina in Society
• Si Aling Epang
• Yan ang Filipina
• Filipina
• The Different PERSONAS of a Filipina
• Google Suggested Pinay Scandal
• Quest for Search Engine Visibility for the keyword “Filipina”
• The Portrait of a Japayuki as a Filipina
• Google Suggested Pinay Scandal
• Filipina Pride
• 3 Things You Possibly Do Not Know about the Filipina
• What is a Filipina?
• Long live Bb Filipinas
• Biking Moves These Filipinas
• Filipinas: Tres Marias
• Pinay Na, Nars Pa!
• Looking Beyond the Heart of a Filipina
• My Filipina Thoughts
• The Filipina Campaign
• Filipina Since Birth
• Filipinas are Natural Entrepreneurs
• Spotlight: Filipina Bloggers
• Filipina 2007
• The Portrait of a Japayuki as a Filipina
• Filipino DH (Die Hard Filipina)
• Maria “Ria” A. Jose is a Filipina
• The Ideal Filipina In The Heart And Mind of A Filipina (Not A Mere Dating Or Sex Object)
• Filipina
• Different Faces of a Filipina
• Are you just a Filipina?
• Ako po si Elay, Nagbibigay Pugay
• Nang Itaas Niya Ang Kanyang Kamay
• Hindi lang Filipina Dating, Dating Filipina, Wow Filipina talaga!
• A Different Filipina
• Filipina: prostitution and exploitation
• Ang Pinay sa Buhay ni Pinoy Ambisyoso
• They are Filipinas Too
• Ako si Pina.. At ito ang aking kuwento…
• Filipina - Boholana, Part 1
• Dalawang Anyo ng Pinay
• Filipina’s You Shouldn’t Be Messin With
• Filipina: Isa ring Ina
• Filipina Writing Contest and My Favorite Filipina Blogger
• Filipina is a Filipino Woman
• Filipina Pride
• Ang mga Filipina ng Buhay Ko
• The Filipina in the Eyes of the World
• 3 Things You Possibly Do Not Know about the Filipina
• A Topless Filipina in Europe
• What is a Filipina?

Dami na no?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 at 11:32 am and is filed under Filipina Writing Project. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.