TV host Bianca Gonzalez is a proud advocate for morena beauty, a value she wishes to pass on to her daughters, Carmen, 8, and Lucia, 5.
While many Filipinas face get teased or bullied for having morena skin, Bianca is grateful that her daughters have friends and are surrounded by people who view morena beauty positively.
"Thankfully, yung best friend nila ng mga anak ko, morena din so it's a match sila," she says.
During an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at Ceelin's 50th anniversary celebration at the Unilab Bayanihan Center in Pasig City, Bianca offered insights on parenting and fostering confidence in her daughters about their own skin.
BIANCA SHATTERS SKIN COLOR STEREOTYPES
Bianca recognizes that children are naturally unbiased regarding skin color, with external influences often shaping their perceptions.
She elaborates, "I think kasi when you're a kid... ito yung na-notice ko sa kids ko, when you're a kid, wala ka naman concept na mas maganda ang maputi sa mga maitim. Wala talaga.
'It's like when you grow up and people say things na na-instill sa 'yo na parang, 'Bakit, may masama ba sa maitim,' di ba? When people say comments."
Bianca stresses that whenever she hears negative remarks about being morena, she promptly addresses them, affirming that there's nothing wrong with it.
"Ako I'm more of like, I correct when someone kunyari, may maririnig nila na parang, 'Hay, baka umitim ka na masyado.'
"'Why? Walang problema sa maitim.'
"It's more of correcting when it's called to their attention na kunyari, nagbabad sila sa araw.
"If someone makes a hirit like that, I'll correct them, 'There's nothing wrong, as long as you know you're protected, you wear sunblock.'"
BIANCA FOCUSES ON POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS
Ultimately, Bianca highlights the importance of positive affirmations from parents in helping children resist the pressures of societal beauty standards.
"I don't think they know it at that age. Wala silang talagang care, if kulot, straight, mataba, maliit, di ba?
"Kids are so pure, e. So, for me, it's more of that, just celebrating them.
"Parang, hindi ako nagfo-focus din masyado sa looks.
"But then, when someone comments on your skin, I actively say, 'Oh, I love your skin.'
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