CULTURE
The Ugly Truth of Being a Stereotyped Filipina
Love transcends age and distance, but can it transcend negative public opinion?
Filipinas dating foreigners has become a familiar scene in the Philippines. It’s like seeing jeepneys on the street — almost a normal part of life.
But even if Filipino society seems okay with it, it’s not surprising that there are still whispers and side glances fueled by old-fashioned beliefs and assumptions.
These whispers can take the form of stereotypes, and they can make things difficult for Filipinas dating foreign men.
When a Filipina dates an older white guy, for example, you might hear snide comments from the public about how she’s just in it for the money. That’s usually the first impression of Filipinos, except maybe if she’s from alta sociedad (high society).
This is the ugly truth about a Filipina dating, let alone marrying a foreigner — she will constantly receive harsh comments from the public, even from her own people.
The Ugly Stereotypes of Filipinas Dating Foreigners
There is nothing new about Filipinas dating foreigners being labeled as gold diggers, users, and the like. Because the ugly truth is that we can’t control how other people perceive relationships — in this case, Filipinas dating foreign men.
To better grasp the situation, let’s have a peek at some of the most common stereotypes these couples have to deal with regularly.
1.She is labeled as a gold digger.
This happens every time, especially when you’re in the Philippines. This is the usual story: She’s from a poor family, and her life drastically improved when she started dating a white guy. Blindly looking at the situation, people often think that she’s only after the money!
Then again, those are probably the words of a jealous and nosey neighbor, which is also a pretty common thing in the country. Just because a Filipina fell in love with a foreigner doesn’t mean she’s not an independent and capable woman herself.
2. Her “exotic beauty” is why foreigners are drawn to her.
This stereotype paints a Filipina woman as an exotic beauty who is simply an object of desire for foreign men. It disregards her intelligence, personality, and all the amazing things that make her who she is.
She’s so much more than just her looks. She could be an artist, entrepreneur, or an amazing mother, daughter, and friend. She’s strong, funny, and intelligent. And so, it’s not her fault foreigners are drawn to her.
3. She’s only after the foreign citizenship.
This one whispers suspicions of hidden agendas and ulterior motives. It is assumed that Filipinas dating foreigners are using the latter to get a foreign citizenship or a fiancée visa.
This not only undermines the genuine love and connection that can blossom between individuals from different backgrounds, but it also reinforces harmful stereotypes about immigrants and their motivations.
How to Challenge the Stereotypes
So, what can we do? Well, the first step is awareness. By openly talking about these stereotypes, we can start to challenge them and break them down.
We can educate ourselves and others about different cultures and relationships, and help people see beyond the labels and assumptions.
Second, let’s celebrate diversity. Instead of focusing on the differences, let’s embrace the beauty of two cultures coming together. We can learn from each other, share our traditions, and build bridges of understanding.
Love doesn’t require a passport nor does it discriminate a skin color. It’s all about two people connecting, respecting, and supporting each other.
So, let’s ditch the stereotypes and maybe turn the ugly truth into something beautiful. Let’s spread some love and acceptance, Filipino style!
