I remember someone says it's a “blessing to have a fair skin” and “a person with fair skin colour is blessed”. Sigh. Lol. I can't hide my amusement.
White people, don't get offended, please.
I want to emphasize that it's not only a Filipino thing wanting to be fair skinned but to some South East Asians as well. Same as white people wanting to be tan.
Two factors influenced why Filipinos highly regarded fair skin colour. It's a symbol of beauty and higher social class. The Tagalog phrase “Maganda sana, maitim lang” ( She's beautiful if only fairer) describes how most Filipinos considers fairer skin (and other western facial features) as more attractive compare to natural Filipino features.
I'm not surprised though, it's been ingrained (since history of colonization) that having a lighter skin symbolizes a higher social status, dark skin colour classifies someone of lower class status (slaves, farm workers, bandits). The mentality evolved from generation to generation until having a fair skin is a pre requisite for someone to be called beautiful. Aside from that, because Filipinos mostly can understand English, they look at Hollywood movies, fashion shows and even beauty magazines.
Below are images of indigenous people with “traditional dark skin”. Pure native Filipinos is rare I guess nowadays.
Mangyan people
Agta (Aeta)
Igorot
Isnag
However, take note, this is just a skin colour preferences for most Filipinos due to some influences (history, media). Filipinos still proud of being a Filipino regardless of what tribe they belong to.
