Colorism has long been a part of Filipino

culture, dating back to colonial times. Filipinos

discriminate based on skin tone rather than
race. Three centuries of colonialism have
solidified and exacerbated colorism in
Philippine society. This colonial mentality
further leads the Filipinos to prefer lighter
skin because dark skin is seen as poorer,
inferior, and lower in the social hierarchy.
In the Philippines, there is an ingrained belief that individuals
who have a light complexion embody the ideal citizens as light
skin is often conflated with beauty, power, and high social
status. Our country was colonized by Spaniards, Americans,
and Japanese, which led some Filipinos to believe that they
have not been allowed to understand and accept what it
means to have dark skin and to incorporate that into their
identity; this is known as the "Filipino Inferiority Complex".
During Spanish colonialism, the elite was considered to have
fair skin because they had the luxury of staying indoors,
shielded from the sun, while manual laborers would become
dark from being out in the sun all day. As a result, skin color
became a predictor of socioeconomic status.
• According to a media outlet Filipiknow, “more than
three centuries of colonization had given Spaniards
enough time to inculcate in our ancestors that they’re
second-class citizens in our own country.” Doctor Jose
Rizal's Noli Me Tangere, which was influenced by
Spanish Colonialism, also contains elements of colorism.
Dark-skinned native Indios are frequently mocked in the
novel, even those with mixed Spanish and Filipino
ancestry. Meanwhile, fair-skinned Spanish natives,
regardless of background, are regarded as respectable.
• Colorism became even more prevalent
during the American occupation of the
Philippines. With the Philippines under
American rule, the administrators and
soldiers prefer mestiza concubines over
darker-skinned Filipinas, marking this
intensified preference for a physical feature
rooted in one’s genes.
• Today, the skin lightening industry continues to profit from these
oppressive standards, as evidenced by popular advertisements
promoting papaya soap as a skin lightening agent. And this has a
very negative impact, particularly on teenagers and millennials. For
an adult like me, it is difficult to judge based on skin color, so it is
critical that the government, not just the Philippine government,
but also the global government, strengthen anti-discrimination
laws. The Philippines has an anti-discrimination law, which is very
reassuring to us as young citizens of this country. Strengthening
anti-discrimination laws can help every Filipino understand that
skin color does not determine beauty. Every skin tone is distinct
and beautiful in its way.