It's so silly actually, Filipinos still find time to worry about their looks when in fact our country is facing a much bigger dilemma compared to having a huge pimple on the face. Women save money for a whitening soap but ignore the poor beggar girl on the street. A mother goes gaga over a new line of mineral make up and forgets to buy food for her children back at home. Ok I think the last one is a bit exaggerated but you get the point.

So is it really wrong to try to look good? I never said no, right? I even think it's appropriate to take care of yourself, including your looks. It's the very first thing people judge if they see you, so why not make a good first impression? You must practice good hygiene and posture. Wear clean clothes and make sure you brush your teeth at least twice everyday. But we get very envious of that girl we saw at the mall. She has a very fair complexion and she looks like a model in an ad! And now we look at ourselves, and suddenly we feel down for not having the same complexion. Insecurity sinks in and we are drowned by sorrow and self pity. Eventually we find ourselves saying, "I'm not pretty enough."

Personally, I have stopped buying magazines. First, because whatever tips those magazines can give, I can find them in the web. Second, I'd prefer to buy myself some food than a copy of a magazine. And third, I don't like their models. Just like any other form of media, the magazine also imposes an impossible standard. In other words, I get insecure when I get myself a magazine. It makes me feel bad and sorry for myself.

So instead of joining along the bandwagon, I chose to go my own path. I rarely watch television and as much as possible, I avoid advertisements during breaks. I ignore what people say about me (i.e. too thin, dark skin, etc.) and I try not to compare myself with others. The whole avoiding thing gets easier actually, only if you surround yourself with the things you like and do the things you love doing and you are good at.

Sadly, some people couldn't get away from it easily. I know I'm not alone when I wanted to change my views pertaining to this topic, but there are factors that affect everything. Fortunately, I'm not in a private school (Everything is easy when you are not rich enough, you are forced to accept things the way they are.), I'm not surrounded with overly superficial people and I know that if I joined the trend, I will of course look better, but I know I will never be contented and I would keep on wanting for more, thus will lead me to have a miserable life.

Blame it all on the media and the stupid beauty industry. They are in it for our money that's why they have to try to hit us hard.