HISTORY

TOPIC: Fixation of the Filipinos with Beauty Pageants

 Filipinos are fixated on beauty pageants as it is not only embedded in our culture, but also
provides the Filipino people opportunities society-wise and economy-wise. The country’s
obsession on physical beauty as well as on pageants can be pointed out as we stretch along the
timeline of the country’s history. Colonization of different Western and Asian countries in the
Philippines contributed a level of beauty that the global world has standardized in the modern era.
Being colonized for more than hundreds of years, most Filipinos are not only seen as ethnically
beautiful, but most of them are well-mixed with different races such as US and Spanish blood
genes, making physical beauty an art for fame in the Philippines.

The Filipinos started obsessing about beauty pageants in the year 1969 when Ms. Gloria
Diaz, an 18-year old, became the most beautiful woman in the world. For others, this was the year
when the very first man set foot on the moon--truly, one of the most historical moments in history.
However, us Filipinos were more focused on Ms. Gloria Diaz's coronation--a more enticing feat for
our nation. Ever since then, the beauty pageants have been an important event in the lives of the
Filipinos. Seeing these beautiful women represent our country makes us proud to be one. Thus,
our sense of oneness is strengthened, and the Filipino is more dignified--chin up, chest out,
confidence spot on. The prevalence of beauty pageants in the Philippines can be attributed to 2
factors: the beauty pageantry’s lucrative industry and its inclusivity. The former is evident through
the contributions made by beauty pageants to the country’s tourism. For instance, the beauty
queens’ broadcasted visit here in the Philippines serves as a way to promote the country in a
positive light by highlighting its strengths. Beauty pageants are also seen as profitable by investors’
willingness to sponsor such events. The latter, on the other hand, is manifested through the
different pageants hosted in the country that cater to diverse people such as straight and gay men
and women, transgenders, housewives, and grandmothers. Allowing them to take part in beauty
pageants enables them to express themselves and be given the opportunities provided by said
events.

There is no doubt about the Filipinos’ obsession in beauty pageants where it could be
traced back to the Spanish times. Intensified when the Gloria Diaz was crowned as the most
beautiful woman for 1969, it was when beauty pageants have truly become a huge part of our
culture. Not only are beauty pageants a way to prove how lovely Filipino women can be, but it is
also an industry that attracts a lot of sponsors and further promotes our own designers and
makeup artists. Moreover, beauty pageants have provided inclusivity, providing the same
opportunities to men, members of LGBT, and many more. All in all, many factors affect our
behavior towards beauty pageants and we could only expect more enthusiasm from Filipinos in
the upcoming pageants.
SOURCES:
 Lowe, A. (2017, January 30). In Philippines, an obsession with beauty pageants. Retrieved
from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/in-Philippines-an-obsession-with-
beauty-pageants-7550960
 Dancel, R. (2016, January 19). Understanding the Philippines' unhealthy obsession with
beauty. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/understanding-the-
philippines-unhealthy-obsession-with-beauty
 GUTIERREZ, N. (2018, January 27). The Philippines' beauty pageant obsession: Who
benefits?. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/190522-
filipinos-beauty-pageants-series-part-1