Filipina/o self esteem in regards to their appearance.?

In a nutshell, I have been dating a wonderfull %26amp; beautifull woman from the philippines, for 1 year and a half. Looking back to our first phone conversations, I can recall that she views herself as"ugly", because she is dark-skinned(filipino standards) and has a flat %26amp; broad nose. I used to think that this was some sort of personal peculiarity or hers, but I have met many filipinas, who feel similarly about what's sometimes refered to as the"native" filipino look. Basicly, the more racially mixed(caucasian looking) filipinpos are deemed more attractive etc.. and the darker-skinned filipinos are thought of as less attractive.





What's the origin of color preference in the philippines? Do dark-skinned filipinos in the u.s. and europe develop a more positive self-image?





Oddly enough, I have blonde hair and green eyes, but I find dark-skinned filipinas quite attracive and the broad noses are cute, in my opinion.

Filipina/o self esteem in regards to their appearance.?
Hiya! I think that the origin of color preference in the philippines is from the time when the Philippines was under different light-skinned races. Namely, the spaniards, americans, japanese. Basically, the light-skinned people were always the 'rich, powerful and beautiful' ever since 400 years ago when the Spaniards first came to the Philippines. They made Filipinos slaves, and the rich native Filipinos were still not AS RICH as the light-skinned Spaniards. Therefore, anyone who's similar to the Spaniards would be seen as somehow rich, powerful and beautiful even if they're just native Filipinos. it also came from the Philippines being a catholic nation.. worshipping light -skinned statues. Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary (alot of filipinas have "maria" as their first name), saints etc.





Then the americans came when the spaniards left... AGAIN a symbol that if you're white skinned you're powerful and rich.





then the japanese.. then the americans. Basically, filipinos have been independent for just 100+ years so we still got alot of learning to do :)





----%26gt; Do dark-skinned filipinos in the u.s. and europe develop a more positive self-image?





I'm from new zealand and I love my skin tone. I'm a morena as filipinas would say it, in english, medium dark brown :)





And yes unfortunately alot of filipinos are still ignorant about the fact that our skin is being envied upon by alot of races! :)





as per my picture below... i am very filipina brown and i love it!!! :)
Reply:The indigenous or 'aboriginal' Filipinos are the Ayeta. Dark skinned and with slightly wider, flatter noses.





The average, 'modern' Filipino is of mixed chinese/malay/spanish stock, and therefore lighter skinned and a little more caucasian in appearance.





Add that to the 'American dream' vs Filipino poverty, and suddenly........ "white = good"





Im in exactly the same situation, but my main problems are the age difference, and societys' perception of the 'Thai mail-order bride' - yes I know the Philippinnes are not Thailand, but most of the UK does not know anything further East than Germany.





And yes, the darker skin is more attractive.
Reply:Insecurities, plain and simple. It kind of makes me sick. How they hell can you look in the mirror and say, "damn, I am ugly"? That is just unheard of. I am Filipino and think everyone should have their own distinct look.
Reply:Yes... tis true... but I think its a native thing. I know that the guys in my family who are actually FROM the Philippines, really go for the lighter skinned filipinas.





I think the stereostype there is that most everyone has the all-american dream and actually admires the blond hair and light skin and blue eyes.. the majority of filipinos are dark anyway, so the lighter skinned folks stand out. its a little ignorant, but hey...





I know that here in the states, being born and bred here, I LOVE being dark. I lay out every chance I get. I think its hot as hell.





But then again, I'm American. A Filipina, but American nonetheless.