During Lauren’s early internet years , I often checked her website stats to see where her visitors came from. One keyword caught my eye . It seemed patriotic and innocent at first glance so I decided to check the “Filipina” link. The link led to a list of dating sites including Lauren’s domain name. I was horrifed to see my 14 year old daughter’s website associated with these dating/mail order bride sites. I immediately emailed a cease and desist letter to the website owner to remove the link from the site. The website owner eventually removed the link after a few more strongly worded emails.

The word “Filipina” is so popular among the internet populace that it even has a special spot in those nasty porn websites. Probably next to Russian ladies. A keyword search of “Filipina” continues to list down websites dealing with mail order brides. It is terribly demeaning to our beautiful and intelligent Filipino women. I do not want to be perceived as the Filipina in these search engine queries: Filipino Asian Mail Order Bride, Pilipino, Asian Filipino girls, Asian Filipina Ladies .

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Expert , Marc Macalua started a Filipina and Philippines campaign as far back as 2004.

I am starting a campaign among Filipino bloggers, more like a crusade, to “take back” these keywords. There’s a way, and it’s so simple. It’s called Google bombing.

My sister , Lorna is a member of the committee of the US-based Filipina Women’s Network that seeks to find better ways to elevate the Filipina woman’s image and help them go the next level of leadership in their chosen field of endeavor. Another site Fabulous Filipina Presence aims to interlink with as many other Filipina sites and also to use the devices of the Internet such as search engines to achieve online a higher quality and more complete picture of who Filipinas are.

Perhaps this “Filipina” campaign went overboard because an anonymous comment landed on Dine aka Sexy Mom blog.

Your mom is a disgrace to the Filipino women. We have been trying to change the image of the Filipino women in the internet. Foreigners type “filipina” to search for women to have sex. The same kind of people (pedophiles and perverts) type “sexy mom” and it points to your mother . Your mom is an embarassment to our country. Tell her to stop using that name . I know of other mommy bloggers who laugh behind her back because of her pseudonym.

The anonymous writer might have good intentions but the delivery came out threatening to Dine’s family.

I view myself as a sexy filipino woman because I am a smart, gorgeous, fabulous, witty, charming, intelligent, confident and a nurturing woman. Even if it means all that, it doesn’t mean I want everyone to call me sexy. The word is still associated with the person as an sex object. For example, I wouldn’t want to be called “sexy mom” in a workplace by male co-workers. It seems like a sexist remark. Or if a male friend says “oooy…you look sexy”, I would find it plain creepy. If female friends call me sexy, it would tickle me pink. Same goes when my husband calls me “sexy wife”. I am flattered even if I know he’s just making me feel good about my oversized waistline. hehe

The question is :How do we reshape the Sexy Filipina Image? Based on a talk with my sister , Lorna, I have listed down ways to reshape the Sexy Filipina Image so the search engine results appear wholesome

What are the changes to the campaign?

1. Let’s continue to showcase, through our blogs, the stories about the loving Filipina wives and mothers, the professionals, and outstanding bloggers. The Pinoy Moms Network is gaining ground among Filipina mothers around the world.

How?

Men and Women!!

Write at least one entry with the word “Filipina” somewhere in the title of your entry and discuss anything about the Filipina — whether it is about you or some outstanding Filipina Woman you know. Use words like “Filipina, Sexy Filipina, Filipina woman, Filipina sexy woman, sexy Filipina mom, Filipina Mom or Smart and Sexy Filipina” in our blog entries. Chances are a few more enlightened women warriors may want to help reshape the Filipina woman’s image by using the same words to capitalize on the wholesomeness of the same words

If you don’t have a blog, start one easily at blogspot.com.

2. Continue with the Google Bombing Campaign but let’s all link to just one site .

Why?

The Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) is on page 1 of the Philippines Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP) so there is a strong possibility to rank this site as number 1 for the “Filipina” keyword.

Note: “The Filipina Women’s Network is dedicated to advancing Filipina women across all sectors, enhancing public perceptions of Filipina women’s ability to lead and fostering the entry of Filipina women into leadership positions.” FWN is a virtual organization based in the United States, perceived by many decision makers in government, corporations, business enterprises, professions, non-profit organizations, and other sectors as having consistently and continuously grown in leadership and influence since 1996. Collaboration with other organizations worldwide? Plans are brewing as FWN members work on their game plan for “Filipina Power 2012.”

How?

In your sidebar or footer, place this link. [Don't just write the word, "Filipina." Instead, insert the link. The highlighted, linkable keyword, "Filipina," will be the published result. ]

Copy and Paste on your sidebar

<a href="http://www.ffwn.org/">Filipina</a>

If you have a large community of readers in your site, start a similar sitewide links campaign and use this alternate Filipina link:

<a href="http://filipinaimages.com">Filipina</a>

3. Brand it! Use this “Yan ang Filipina” badge (originally designed as “Yan ang Pinay”), created and lovingly donated by Jonas Diego, that links to Filipina Women’s Network.
(Right-click on the image to save it in your hard drive. Then, upload and display in your blog. Don’t forget to point the link to the FWN site!)

Download Large version of “Yan ang Filipina” logo

It’s that simple. The men can also blog about this . Spread the word.

We have the power to shape the future of The Filipina Woman’s Image Online.

Please post the url of your blog entry in the comment section and I will add the links below.

Credits for the SEO Campaign

Filipina campaign initiated by Search Engine Optimization Expert (SEO), Marc Macalua; The Filipina and “Yan ang Pinay”, Fabulous Filipina Presence and lastly, SEO advice from Rhiza, an SEO Expert in the Philippines.

Technorati Tags: Filipina, sexy mom, Sexy Filipina

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 at 1:04 pm and is filed under The Filipina. 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.