Philippine Film Industry's Blackface and Whitewashing Problem

Specific issue: Blackface and Whitewashing in the Philippine Film and Media Industry

Background: Racism has started since the master and slave set up, and even having so many protests and claims for equality rights, we cannot deny that it is still evident in our society. And finally, racism has ended up in film and entertainment too. Whitewashing is a kind of casting where film studios would placed white actors in lead roles under the assumption that the majority of the peple would rather see a white face than a non-white one despite what the role calls for.

And while some studios may not resort to putting actors in blackface anymore, the practice of just bending the race of a character is not an uncommon one.

Explanation: Studying this issue will hopefully provide proper understanding, exploration and to disseminate information to people about their awareness on some of the film makers racist manner in casting characters in films, television shows and entertainment.

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That will hopefully bring about the people's appreciation and respect for diversity and love for their own cultures. It is also the hope of studying this topic to raise the consciousness of publishers, writers, film makers and other people in the entertainment industry to inculcate nationalism and diversity in their published stories, films and other forms of entertainment.

Thesis statement: Film is considered to be an important art form, a source of popular entertainment and a powerful method for educating the citizen. Thus, whitewashing should not be tolerated in this industry.

We can start by education the people of the this racism way of people in the industry in casting actors.

Counterargument: There is no "white washing" in Filipino showbiz. This just reflects the public's taste. Filipinos have been molded, by centuries of Spanish colonialisation, to admire fair complexions and European facial features (namely the high-bridged, straight nose). The public thus avidly follows entertainers who fit this concept of beauty. Actors are chosen because of the public's preferences, not because the media intend to promote any agenda.

Some mocha-skinned artists, like Nora Aunor, do become popular because of sheer talent and likability. Still, people prefer a lighter skin tone. Rumor has it that when Regine Velasquez (aka Asia's songbird) was starting out, she underwent skin lightening as her manager thought she looked too brown.

But even with mixed blood, mestizos and mestizas are still considered Filipino. In that regard, Filipinos are still ethnocentric. They prefer a middle ground (mixed Caucasian and Asian features), rather than people who look outright Caucasian. Thus, Filipinos have no concept of white washing, as the mixed-blood citizen is an ideal Filipino look to aspire to, and is not thought of as being a different race.

List of references:

Mainstream:

Brook, T. (2015, October 06). Culture - When white actors play other races. Retrieved August 21, 2017, from D. (2015, August 29). Whitewashing and Stereotyping in Film: The Real Effects. Retrieved August 21, 2017, from D. (2018, April 2). Blackface, whitewashing and the grey areas in the skin color debate. Retrieved July 19, 2019, from