Is it still a social belief that if you are light skinned, you are more attractive and prestigious?

[LOL]

In the Philippines, yes. But in the US, no.
Colonial mentality is always its reason.

[Parferio Sarajena]

Yes. It's a social anomoly. Bitter hatred towards white people but they all want to be one.

[allsmiles]

Classic example of human nature; wanting things which one does not have.

Filipinos like to have fair skin since we have brown or darker skin whereas those with fair skin like to go to the beach and sunbathe or go to tanning salons to get that tanned look.

[Oscar C]

yes.. but not in north america.. people go to tanning beds and pay hundreds of dollars to get that dark cinnamon-like tan.

[Josey Wales]

Touchy subject, it seems. Somebody got some anger issues up there.

Some of the ladies seem to try for a lighter skin tone while the guys don't much seem to care about it. Personally, I see nothing wrong with the natural skin colors of Filipinos or Filipinas. Some have a creamy smooth texture which I find nice. But that's more about taking care of your skin than what the color tone is.

[Juan C]

colonial mentality and the loss of cultural identity...

[Delauria]

Because many have the notion that light skinned looks cleaner !

[Matt T]

Yes, because of Colonial Mentality:

1. Filipinos think that being white-skinned denotes Spanish and East Asian ancestry.

2. Filipinos think that being white-skinned denotes intelligence and richness.

3. Filipinos think that being white-skinned denotes elegance, finesse, and cleanliness.

4. Filipinos think that being white-skinned is hip and cool.

5. And because most TV actors, actresses, and models are all White-skinned, being Spanish, American, or Chinese descendants.


Conversely, most Spanish Filipinos, American Filipinos, and Chinese Filipinos I know buy tons of spray-on tanning lotion to get tanned skin.

As the Filipinos like to say, "baligtad nga ang mundo!" (the world is opposite)!

[JC]

There are those I've met who believe light skin does all that and there are also those who think otherwise.
I found it surprising at first when I went to study in the Philippines. There, I would discover that every market had a line of whitening products. There's even some kind of tablet taken orally that supposedly lightens ones skin. In the house I stayed in, I found that my aunts and cousins were using a kind of beauty soap on their skin in an attempt to make it lighter. I asked my cousins why and they told me it'll make them better-looking. A girl I met during classes told me it's an "asset." Browsing the shops, I also noticed that the store clerks(mostly women) wear some kind of foundation to make their faces white which is mismatched in color with the rest of their body. Then there are those I've approached who say they found individuals with an exotic brown complexion more appealing.
I think it's the media's influence. I've seen models with fair skin endorsing different products in magazines, advertisements, and television. There's also the fact that a vast number of Filipino celebrities, idolized by many of the Philippine population, have light skin.