There Are 22 Responses So Far. »

1. 

   Comment by §Þ♠Ðε§ on 7 May 2009:

   Because usually white=clean. I think that’s the meaning of the white area in the philippine flag.
2. 

   Comment by Doctor J on 7 May 2009:

   I will not question the premise because you are talking in the general sense. yes, even if NOT all Filipinos think white is beautiful.
   Yes, why? The reason for this is Hollywood. Movies and television are major influencers, not just to Filipinos, but to peoples of all races. And the biggest producers of movies and TV programs are in the USA. (Even if India is a prolific producer, the market for Indian fare is limited). And quite naturally, the stars are whites. The biggest and most beautiful stars are white skinned.
   Even beauty products are endorsed mostly by white-skinned beauties.
   Doesn’t it follow then, that with such conditioning, the norms for beauty would be generally WHITE skin?
   Even if BLACK or tanned is actually the wished-for skin of some fair maidens. But yes, generally Filipinos desire fair white skin.
3. 

   Comment by Phoenix on 7 May 2009:

   Xenocentrism (adj: xenocentric) is the preference for the products, styles, or ideas of someone else’s culture rather than of one’s own. See also Terracentrism
   Xenocentrism has recently been used in social philosophy to describe a particular ethical disposition. Ethnocentrism, as coined by Professor William Graham Sumner of Yale University, describes the natural tendencies of an individual to place disproportionate worth upon the values and beliefs of one’s own culture relative to others. Expanding upon this idea, John D. Fullmer of Brigham Young University offered that Xenocentrism results from an attempt on the part on an individual to correct his or her own ethnocentrism. He argued that as an individual reacts to his own perceived ethnocentrism, he or she will often overcompensate and instead begin to place undue consideration upon the ideas and needs of social groups that are far removed.
4. 

   Comment by Perpetua on 7 May 2009:

   Why is that unique of Filipinos?
   Whiter in most people’s minds means clean/rich, darker means dirty/poorer. That is the way most of the world operates.
   It is not necessarily colonial; it is the same in Thailand, a country without a colonial past. Darker means they are peasants tilling in the fields, lighter means they are noblemen- rich and prosperous.
   White people like to be ***tanned*** so they do not look pale; but they do not want to be black or really dark. A tanned white man still looks different from a brown or black man and society knows how to distinguish those.
   As far as so many Filipinos wanting to marry Caucasians, keep in mind that Filipinos ( unlike Chinese/Japanese/Koreans) usually have Caucasian blood already from the Spaniards, the Indians and the Arabs. So, it is no big deal to add a bit more and the kids look gorgeous.
   And Finally, the Filipino ideal of beauty is not really lily white as in Leonardo DiCaprio- it is, instead, that of a Spanish mestizo- and these are the ones with money, so sure everybody wants to look like them.
5. 

   Comment by Andrea on 7 May 2009:

   Filipino’s perception of what is beautiful is greatly affected by our colonial mentality. We need to take note that many countries ruled Philippines before we finally achieved independence. Therefore, native Filipinos have been exposed to different physical of different people from different countries.
   Because of this, the stereotype Pinoy (dark, curly hair, flat nose, brown skin) began to think that they are not good looking. This is mainly because those foreigners who looks opposite them (high, perfect nose, straight hair and fair skin) were high in the society. And media doesn’t help either.
6. 

   Comment by xer0blas on 7 May 2009:

   since the time of spaniards came to the country… people think of foreign people with white skin are superior coz spaniards says so. generations to generations people were taught that white are superior.
   if i could turn back time, i’ll spaniards kill all spanish who says that they are superior. and never plant into the brains of the filipinos that whites re superior.
   i prefer asian than caucasian. when i see pretty asians in a mall, i get excited while pretty caucasians aren’t.
7. 

   Comment by steph :) on 7 May 2009:

   because that’s what their parents wanted so they that thats what beauty was. some self conscious filipino like 100 years ago probably looked at some blonde hair and blue eyed barbie doll and then suddenly thought everybody was suppose to look like that. i personally think that all races can be beautiful and all can be ugly. nicole scherzinger is filipino and she is so much prettier then rosie o’donnell who is white. it’s funny how asians use soap to get paler and white people use the sun to get tanner.
8. 

   Comment by Brian F on 7 May 2009:

   In many Asian cultures dark skin signifies peasant/ farm worker class. Lighter skin is associated more towards upper class. Doesn’t matter to me I like my polynesian caramel a little darker anyway. As for people wanting caucasians I think your being a little stereotypical. Each person has their preferences on who they find attractive. For me I prefer Asian woman, some people like blonds or red heads. Live and let live.
9. 

   Comment by Funny Paintball Videos on 7 May 2009:

   its colonial mentality and the effect of the media. if you’ve noticed almost all of the models and actors are white. the only famous people who have dark skin are either half african or a comedian.
   but i think that this doesn’t really apply to all filipinos.
   im a filipino and im not really into white guys, i like them as friends but i don’t get attracted to them that much
10. 

    Comment by A.W. on 7 May 2009:

    It’s human nature to want what you do not have. It’s not the dark or the light that makes pretty. Smooth, clear complexion of any shade is pleasing to the eye. Real beauty is found within a person and you can’t just see it displayed, although a good smile is the best indicator of what lies within.
11. 

    Comment by tesneem z on 7 May 2009:

    Not just in the Filipino culture beauty is based on the color of your skin. My father is from Sudan and my mother is american and I turned out pretty faired skined.My family in Sudan admires my skin color so much its really sad. I feel bad for them because they arent comfortable in their own skin.
12. 

    Comment by Kent on 7 May 2009:

    Basically white is the Filipino’s ideal beauty because it is out of the norm.
    There are more dark colored people than white.
    It is somewhat like Chinese people who have round eyes.
    Those people somewhat look more attractive.
13. 

    Comment by smartche on 7 May 2009:

    Are these people white?
    I think it might be like a luxury thing, people used to want to be fat because it meant you were rich.
    In America peoples idea of beauty is tanned. I don´t think its anything personal. No reason to flip out.
14. 

    Comment by don't funk with my heart on 7 May 2009:

    The same way why “most” Americans ideal beauty is tanned.
    The same way why “most” caucasians wanting exotic beauty (or dark to moderately dark-skinned) as spouses.
15. 

    Comment by Box Monkey on 7 May 2009:

    Because there is money to be made in making people feel dissatisfied with their appearance. Just like in the west with all the tanning salons, diet programs and exercise machines.
    We’d all be much happier without seeing all these products advertised all the time.
16. 

    Comment by El fagguito on 7 May 2009:

    Low self-esteem. It is pretty common of undeveloped countries. They all want to be rich americans.
    Like smartcheerleader said, they just try to imitate the rich, whom usually are white.
17. 

    Comment by crispy pata on 7 May 2009:

    some think white is beautiful some think black is beautiful. both are beautiful.
18. 

    Comment by Juan C on 7 May 2009:

    colonial mentality in the Philippines…
    tan insecurity in the US…
19. 

    Comment by My avatar has a mullet! on 7 May 2009:

    Ever notice how a lot of white people go tanning to make their skin look darker? Just goes to show that people are never really satisfied. haha. =)
20. 

    Comment by Kids Party Supplies on 7 May 2009:

    That’s incorrect.
    Where did you get that info that people want white caucasians ?
21. 

    Comment by BBN on 7 May 2009:

    don’t single out. every race has its own likes and dislikes. live and let live bro!
22. 

    Comment by heartbur on 7 May 2009:

    why do have to ask us,ask michael jackson instead.

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