pinays.jpgI 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:

  1. Filipina: Isa ring Ina
  2. Filipina Writing Contest and My Favorite Filipina Blogger
  3. Filipina is a Filipino Woman
  4. Filipina Pride
  5. Ang mga Filipina ng Buhay Ko
  6. The Filipina in the Eyes of the World
  7. 3 Things You Possibly Do Not Know about the Filipina
  8. A Topless Filipina in Europe
  9. What is a Filipina?
  10. Ako si Pina.. At ito ang aking kuwento?
  11. Filipina – Boholana, Part 1
  12. Dalawang Anyo ng Pinay
  13. Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion Filipina
  14. Nang Itaas Niya Ang Kanyang Kamay
  15. Hindi lang Filipina Dating, Dating Filipina, Wow Filipina talaga!
  16. A Different Filipina
  17. Filipina: prostitution and exploitation
  18. Ang Pinay sa Buhay ni Pinoy Ambisyoso
  19. They are Filipinas Too
  20. Filipina 2007
  21. The Portrait of a Japayuki as a Filipina
  22. Filipino DH (Die Hard Filipina)
  23. Maria ?Ria? A. Jose is a Filipina
  24. The Ideal Filipina In The Heart And Mind of A Filipina (Not A Mere Dating Or Sex Object)
  25. Filipina
  26. Different Faces of a Filipina
  27. Are you just a Filipina?
  28. Ako po si Elay, Nagbibigay Pugay
  29. Filipina Since Birth
  30. Filipinas are Natural Entrepreneurs
  31. Spotlight: Filipina Bloggers
  32. Looking Beyond the Heart of a Filipina
  33. My Filipina Thoughts
  34. The Filipina Campaign
  35. Pinay Na, Nars Pa!
  36. Biking Moves These Filipinas
  37. Filipinas: Tres Marias
  38. Long live Bb Filipinas
  39. Google Suggested Pinay Scandal
  40. Quest for Search Engine Visibility for the keyword ?Filipina?
  41. Filipina
  42. The Different PERSONAS of a Filipina
  43. A Prayer for a Filipina
  44. A Filipina in Society
  45. Si Aling Epang
  46. Yan ang Filipina
  47. Filipina Nurse
  48. Traits of a Filipina
  49. Mukha ng Dalagang Filipina
  50. Macho I Love Yous
  51. Portrait of the Strong Filipina
  52. Filipina in Perspective
  53. Model Filipinas, modern Gabrielas: Liza Maza and Luz Ilagan
  54. Hot Filipina
  55. Filipina Ako. I am a Filipina
  56. Uber-Proud, Tanned Filipina
  57. Sarado na ang mga Karinderyang Filipina ang Putahe
  58. Sing-Kwenta
  59. Babae sa Pag-unlad at Pagbabago
  60. Ang Nanay ko
  61. Babae
  62. Adobong Pinay
  63. Ina Ko ay Isang Magiting na Filipina
  64. Filipina Entrepreneur
  65. Proudly Pinay: The Filipina Who Strut on Her Heels
  66. A Filipina Women is?
  67. Story of a Young Filipina Woman – The Fighter in Me
  68. Filipina works! Abroad
  69. The Filipina Superwoman
  70. Two Popular and Unique Individuals, Both Filipina
  71. Filipina as Other
  72. Superiority of Women in the Philippine Society
  73. The Funniest Filipina Vloggers
  74. Filipina Power

Dami na no?