Inka Magnaye (right) with her mother, Lindy Pellicer. ARCHIVE

Content creator and voice artist Inka Magnaye recently called out a netizen for labeling her as "ugly," sparking a conversation about beauty standards in the Philippines. In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Magnaye recounted the hurtful message she received: "The anonymous person told me how ugly I was, how terrifying I was to look at with my big eyes, my nose, and my big teeth and gums. He asked if I actually found myself beautiful and wondered why I looked like this because my mom is so beautiful." Magnaye, who has often faced criticism for her looks, reflected on how such comments mirror insecurities she has battled throughout her life as the morena daughter of a tisay (fair-skinned) mother. Magnaye, daughter of Lindy Pellicer—the voice behind Philippine Airlines' in-flight announcements in the 90s—has shared in previous posts that she inherited strong features from her mother's sister. On August 23, she expressed dismay over the negative perception some Filipinos have toward traditional Filipino features, revealing that she was even bullied as a child for not fitting the preferred beauty mold. "I was often told, ‘Sayang hindi ka nag-mana sa mommy mo!’ (Too bad you didn't take after your mom!)," she recalled, adding, "Who in their right mind says that to a kid HAHA." The fixation on lighter skin tones and more Eurocentric features like noses with a narrow bridge among some Filipinos stems from historical influences, particularly the colonial period under Spanish and American rule. These ideals were often portrayed as superior and became deeply ingrained in the Filipino consciousness. The preference for a lighter complexion, often associated with wealth, status, and beauty, still influences societal standards today. This colonial mentality continues to affect how many Filipinos view their natural features, often leading to a lack of appreciation for the diversity and uniqueness of Filipino beauty. Magnaye touched on this, stating, "Even after so long, colonialism’s effects run deep. But that will change one day, I hope." She emphasized the importance of respecting and admiring Filipino features, celebrating the natural diversity that makes Filipino beauty unique. “Yes, I find myself quite beautiful,” she declared in response to the netizen’s question, urging her followers to challenge these outdated beauty standards and embrace their natural looks. Inka Magnaye’s stance highlights the need to move past colonial ideals of beauty and foster a culture of acceptance and self-love in the Philippines, where all features are celebrated and admired. ICA/Expat Media
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