The obsession with white skin in the Philippines is a result of a deep-rooted colonial mentality. Filipinos with lighter skin are more attractive, intelligent, and successful than that Filipino complexion with darker skin tones. Even though this may not be true, it has created an environment where people are willing to do anything to make themselves look whiter!
In the Philippines, skin whitening is a booming industry due to this pre-existing notion that white skin equals more opportunities in life. Permanent skin whitening soap products like Belo whitening soap are everywhere, and there’s no shortage of advertising for them! You’ll see ads on TV, billboards at major intersections, and even posters or signs inside malls. People don’t just want to be white; they want to be as close to pale or translucent as possible.
The history of the Filipino obsession with Whiteness
Whiteness in the Philippines is not something new. It has been around for a long time, dating back to our society’s Spanish colonization and American occupation periods, which introduced European ideas about beauty. Whiteness became an indicator, a measure of beauty and wealth. The more white you were, the higher your social status is, and it’s also attractive to members of the opposite sex.
From colonial times when Filipinos were introduced to Western ideas about what constitutes a beautiful person, these ideas have been deeply entrenched in our society ever since, so much so that most Filipino women are obsessed with being “white.” They want this not only because they want to fit into society but also because these Western standards have been embedded in their consciousness ever since.
This obsession with overachieving white skin is so intense that it has impacted society and culture for many years, including influencing their choice of job or partner outside their own family. Some even go as far as to use toxic products (fake Glutathione injection for skin whitening or fake Glutathione whitening pills) on themselves despite known risks!
Why Filipinos are so thrilled to be white
I have never understood Filipinos’ obsession with being white. White skin is a sign of privilege in so many ways, yet it seems to be the goal that Filipino people strive for.
Many Westerners find themselves puzzled by this phenomenon as well; why would anyone want something they’ll likely never get? The short answer is “colonialism.” It may seem like an offensive term, but I’m sorry if it’s not accurate enough-the truth hurts sometimes! For centuries, Europeans had power over these islands while exploiting them for their gains. As time passed, European colonization led to an evolution in attitudes regarding colour because social status was tied to how light one’s skin tone could appear, which continues today even though the colonial rule has ended since 1946. Nowadays, skin lightening is used to attain a lighter complexion and treat acne and other skin conditions like hyperpigmentation and skin discolouration.
Filipinos also have a history of being discriminated against for having dark skin. It is due to the colonial times when Spaniards occupied the Philippine Islands and considered Filipinos savages because they had darker skin. During WWII, most people tried hard to get rid of their dark Filipino complexion not to be seen as savage anymore.
Filipinos are obsessed with fair and white skin because this means that they’re rich, attractive or classy. Whitening skin was seen as a sign of having high social status because it showed that you could afford expensive lotions and whitening soaps.
Whiteness is often associated with power, success and beauty in the Philippines. It’s also evident for Filipinos to believe that having fair skin makes them more beautiful than those who have darker Filipino complexion because it gives off a “techie” or “cool” look among teenagers.”
The effects of this obsession are seen in the Filipino media. This idea that skin colour determines your social status and gender equality level can be observed through television advertisements (like the Belo whitening soap), commercials, magazines, movies and novelas.
How this obsession has impacted society and culture in the Philippines
This obsessive desire for white skin has had a profound and lasting impact on Filipino society. It’s caused many to be uncomfortable in their Filipino complexion and be able to identify with the culture of one another because we all want something unattainable by our standards.
Filipinos have been raised with the idea that it is a sign of beauty to be pale. It often leads them to try many products such as glutathione injection for skin whitening, permanent skin whitening soap or glutathione whitening pills to achieve their “ideal” look. This obsession is not new but was popularized by colonial powers during colonization- notably Spaniards who portrayed Westerners as more attractive than locals due to fairer skin tones used for photoshoots back then (and even now). Skin colour played an essential part in the class hierarchy, too: lower classes were darker because they had access to only limited resources; upper classes would stay most times indoors since servants did all manual labour outside, like tilling the land.
The people in the Philippines believe that being white is better because it means higher social status, power, privilege and beauty, which is why dark Filipino complexion features such as tanned or brown skin are frowned upon. Filipino nurses seeking jobs at American hospitals will often digitally change their pictures, so they come off looking stronger according to American standards of beauty. These concerns with the obsession with having white skin have led to a cosmetic industry that forces Filipinos to spend their money on expensive products and procedures like glutathione injection for skin whitening or glutathione whitening pills in order for them to look like they have lighter skin colour, instead of investing this money back into education or healthcare.
Another concern would be how society views people if they do not conform and follow these standards- often considered ‘dark’ or ugly. Our culture constantly associates dark features with negative qualities such as ugliness, anger, inferiority, etcetera. In addition, there are also examples where Filipino women who don’t fit the traditional beauty standard can sometimes feel bad about themselves due solely to what others think should represent true femininity even though we all know that these qualities are not exclusive to Filipinas and can be found in any other person.
How are Filipinos transforming themselves into whites through skin-whitening products, bleaching their hair, and even changing their names?
In the Western world, people try to change their appearance to feel more accepted. Filipinos are doing this by changing themselves through permanent skin whitening soap products, bleaching their hair, or even changing their names. When you look at someone’s name, it shows a lot about them. When they lived under colonial rule, all of these cultures were mixed, so now there is no one Filipino identity anymore, making many people want an “American” life.
In societies with greater social mobility like America, few things matter more than what your name says about you–which has led some Americans abroad (particularly on college campuses) to adopt not only new titles but also make dramatic changes in how they dress and present themselves socially–to fit in better and to conform to the American mould.
Whitening in the Philippines is the result of globalization. Filipino culture has long been influenced by European colonialism, American pop culture, Latin America’s telenovelas and other Asian countries such as Japan. Since then, many aspects of modern Filipino society, including what their parents teach at home or show on TV, were dictated by these influences from East Asia and Europe. They also want to be closer to people who look like themselves because it makes them feel less alone, and they are looking for a sense of belonging.
Whitening products and bleaching their hair is closer to Whiteness because they feel it is better than brown or black. Filipinos also want a more Western name that sounds like Madonna, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Lopez, all white Americans.
Most Filipinos who use whitening soap feel like it makes them more attractive, and it will lead them to have better jobs because of the Westernized view of beauty as one with lighter hair and fairer skin. Used by brown people, this kind of “white beauty” ideal becomes synonymous with power and success. White people are seen as having an easier life than those who aren’t white so associating oneself with Whiteness brings prestige and power.
Whitening products can lead to people feeling as if they are less attractive (because of the societal pressure) and also have some risks for health issues like cancer, premature aging, or skin irritation. They may also cause depression because Filipinos feel that they cannot be gorgeous without being white. One study found that Filipino women were willing to spend 25% more on their earnings for cosmetics if it meant a whiter complexion.
The types and cost of these treatments?
The types and cost of these treatments can vary depending on the clinic, but there is a wide range in general. The most basic level will involve compounds such as glutathione soap (Belo whitening soap) or lotion. These usually go from about 200 PHP ($4) per product to around 2000 PHP (around $42). The most popular option for those who want a quick fix is the glutathione soap which has increased popularity since it was introduced on social media by Filipino celebrities.
– Glutathione soap: This type of permanent skin whitening soap product has been used for decades by Filipinos as a way to exfoliate dead skin cells off your skin – resulting in a softer, smoother texture with whiter skin. An example of this product is the Belo whitening soap.
It’s common practice that Filipinos will visit their local pharmacy or drug store when they’re looking for an affordable alternative but be careful as there are many unproven products available! Some fake permanent skin whitening soap is even mixed with hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate the skin.
The best option for those who want a whitening soap should be to buy products that are more well known and recognized by dermatologists, like the Belo whitening soap, as this will ensure its quality.
There are also expensive alternatives from around 3000 PHP (around $63) to 8000 PHP (around $170). These treatments include glutathione injection for skin whitening, glutathione whitening pills, laser skin resurfacing, dermatological treatments, and other surgical procedures for one session but do come with sunburns and discolouration; of the skin etc. – so be careful!
– UV treatment: This type of therapy is often used to heal wounds, but it can also be applied as an exfoliant to make the skin whiter.
– Laser process: This type of treatment has been popular among Filipinas as it helps remove dark and brown spots on your skin, making you lighter in tone. Though expensive, this is a standard option for those looking to be fairer in their looks.
Glutathione whitening pills are one of the most popular treatments for skin lightening. These supplements, which contain a natural antioxidant called glutathione, can help eliminate age spots and hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or acne scars and reduce melanin in the skin.
– Whitening or bleaching cream – this type of treatment includes a lotion that helps make you lighter in tone by reducing melanin content on your skin.
Glutathione injection for skin whitening can be an effective way to whiten your skin. Getting a shot of this powerful antioxidant will help even out discolourations in the epidermis and protect it from sun damage, which is one reason why people turn to glutathione for its lightening effects on their complexion.
But don’t worry, there are also some affordable alternatives like using milk cream instead of face wash! It costs around 100 PHP (around $2), but your skin won’t have any unusual side effects if washed off properly- another Filipino favourite in the market right now! Whitening facemasks may also be an alternative too – you can find them at local beauty shops or grocery stores for about 60 pesos ($1).
What can we do about it now that we know what’s going on?
– We need to make sure the women and girls are empowered with knowledge. (I want you all to learn these things before your friends!) Knowledge is power, so we must educate young people about what’s going on in their communities.
– Demand for products: The government can help encourage natural skincare by investing more into public education campaigns that promote healthy living practices including a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean protein sources”, encouragement of physical activity through community free fitness programs etc.).
– It could also help if there was an increase in high-quality jobs for low-income families so their daughters would see other alternatives outside of getting married or working as domestic helpers (which usually only hire women). Or, create educational programs about how dark skin has positive connotations, too, and it’s not just a Filipina thing; people from many different cultures agree that Filipino complexion darker skin tones are beautiful like a black woman in Africa.
– Investing In Personal Care Products: There needs to be an investment in environmentally friendly personal care products which do not include toxic chemicals such as parabens or other ingredients linked with endocrine disruption or cancer.
– Fight the stigma: It’s no wonder that one out of every six Filipino women has skin whitening products in her medicine cabinet”. The government needs to get more involved, and younger people need to be educated on why their friends are obsessed with white skin!
Future implications for the country if nothing is done to change things around
The Philippines is a country that has it all. The bright lights of the metropolis and the sprawling rice fields and coconut trees on its outskirts are just examples of what makes this place unique. But there’s been an alarming trend in recent years to try out skin whitening methods- even though Filipinos come from diverse ethnic groups with different natural complexions! There can be many consequences if nothing changes soon about our obsession for light skin tones; we’ll lose more individuals who have beautiful dark tans or olive complexion because they’re afraid to go outside without any form of sunscreen protection, which will lead us down a slippery slope where people stop understanding how extraordinary diversity really is when you take into account outer appearance alone.
The obsession with skin whitening in the Philippines will have disastrous consequences for many Filipinos.
The obsession with having a flawless, blemish-free complexion is an unfortunate and dangerous trend that has swept through Asia like wildfire. In some cases, it’s even led to women being hospitalized after using harmful chemicals to bleach their complexions! This rise in popularity can be blamed on factors such as multinational corporations telling people they need to look “perfect” if you want success or mega beauty companies preying on those who are unhappy about themselves physically so they’ll buy products from them, which leads me back into my point: this craze needs serious intervention before things get out of hand; otherwise we’re looking at significant problems when nothing changes around here– imagine a generation of people who feel like they’re not good enough because they can’t look “white.”
It is a well-known fact that skin tone plays a vital role in many places around the world. In countries such as Bolivia and Peru, for example – where sun exposure typically means fairer skin with less risk of cancer – lighter tones are often seen as more attractive than darker ones.
However, it seems that there has been some recent change among Filipinos (due to Western influence) in which they prefer lightening their skins too much so that they can fit into what society deems “beautiful.” This poses problems because this contradicts traditional beauty standards set by Filipino culture and puts them at greater risk for various cancers, including melanoma, due to the increased use of mercury or hydroquinone. With all these risks, is it worth the cost?
Because of the large population, these stigmas will have a massive impact on society. This will also affect children growing up in the Philippines and might think that skin whitening is what beauty is.
Conclusions/takeaways from this article
Whitening has been a rampant problem for Filipino people. The article’s content is not meant to persuade the reader that Filipino complexion should be dark-skinned, but rather questions why are they so obsessed with lightening their skin in the first place? How does this obsession affect them mentally and socially?
The Filipino obsession with Whiteness is not new. Filipinos have been trying to be white for centuries, and the trend doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon. But what does this say about us? How do we reconcile our need to become something that isn’t ours? It may be a difficult question to answer, but there are many things we can do to feel more comfortable in our skin while still respecting each other as individuals. One of these steps would be embracing diversity instead of looking at it as something foreign or “other.” We’re all human, after all!
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Ang kilikili Ray buti nako bayan😁😂😂ky sabon nako man Jud ariel nakakaputi sa kilikili dw🤣🤣. Try gali ni bayan Ang ariel powder baka maputi pod imong kilikili nimo.
Hahaha! di ko anang ariel bayan, akoa natural ra bayan – Bato ra sa suba akoa! hahaha. dili nako anang mga skin whitening pills, glutathione soap og glutathione injection philippines bayan makadaut nah! maayo pa ipalit og bugas kay way bugas sa amoa karon! maayo pa maging proud ta sa atoang filipino complexion jud! hekhekhek….
In Ancient Rome people (mostly women) were obsessed with having with white skin, it was a mark of high society. So this obsession with being white is nothing new. …they also had their own fish sauce similar to your patis in Ancient Rome.
The ancient Romans pursued fair skin with a relentless obsession. In Ancient Rome, people (mostly women) were obsessed with having a white complexion- it was an indicator of high society and wealth. They tried many things to achieve the desired look, including using metal masks that they would wear at night so their faces could soak up the sun’s rays for them to become naturally fairer complexions or use bleaching powders that contained arsenic as well as lead acetate, among other toxic ingredients such as antimony sulphur, zinc oxide, bismuth subnitrate and potassium nitrate – all this just for beauty purposes!
Comment
Beauty is one’s behavior, outlook, etc. Sad for a lot of Filipinos subscribing to whiteness when those whites were even trying to go tan. Colonial mentality and European dominance…the culprit. Whatever it is let us Filipinos “be us” anyway when we all pass this world, there is no qualification about beauty or color to enter heaven or hell.
At first, I was very sad to hear that Filipinos are still subscribing and the following whiteness even when those who were white tried going tan. The colonial mentality has done a lot of damage in our society which causes this problem between two races today-the Hispanics vs Caucasians or black Americans for example; both want what’s best but only see themselves as beautiful because it suits them better than others…let us just “be ourselves” no matter how different people may think about your appearance!