5 Filipinas Who Advocate For Self-Acceptance

Get to know these five women who gracefully counter attack negative scrutiny and physical discrimination amidst the public eye

In an industry where one’s physical features are treated as an investment, it’s still very hard to destroy beauty and body standards established by decades worth of societal norms. Public figures can’t prevent audiences from judging their bodily changes, whether in person or online. These negative and unnecessary comments are rampant on social media platforms until today, giving celebrities immense pressure to conform.

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But instead of pleasing the public or answering back in an aggressive manner, there is a growing movement of empowerment in the entertainment industry. Through preaching how they are confident in their own skin, these five celebrities became graceful advocates of self-acceptance.

Andi Eigenmann

Since Andi Eigenmann chose to live a life on the island, people see her as a very relatable role model. Her YouTube channel, Happy Islanders, shows the actress’ everyday life without pretensions. Despite her being unabashed and content with her current life status, some people still find the time to share negative views about her. In response, Andi Eigenmann has managed to focus on her truth. In fact, she recently trended because of a series of photos shot by a Siargao-based photographer named Wang Borja. A photo of Andi’s body, wherein loose skin and stretchmarks were captured, led her to inspire women to not hide their supposed flaws, but rather be proud of them.    

Iza Calzado

With Iza Calzado enjoying motherhood, especially as a first-time mom, it is even more evident that the actress has nothing but grace and happiness on her face. Apart from sharing the joys that life has been bringing her and her family, her Instagram feed also mirrors how she enjoys the changes of her body, from pregnancy until she gave birth to her beautiful daughter, Deia Amihan. Even if we’re still seeing people post comments about her body, what ultimately matters is that the actress is confidently owning her “mama glow.”

Bianca Gonzalez

Bianca Gonzalez has always been vocal about being unfazed by people’s expectations about how she looks. Despite being a public figure, Bianca is not afraid to pose in front of the camera in nothing but her skin. Her presence is a testament that in the modern era of showbiz, authenticity is valued amidst the pressures of beauty and bodily standards linked to celebrities. 

Ria Atayde

In a recent summer-themed vlog by Star Cinema, Ria Atayde, together with her sister Gela, read and reacted to body shaming comments. “Just let people be happy [because] sexiness is embracing your body and being comfortable in it,” said Ria to people criticizing plus-sized women who like to wear a two piece swimsuit at the beach. The actress also emphasized that it takes enough celebration of your own body for other people to realize that you are unswayed by their toxic comments.   

Lauren Young

Lauren Young has rightfully called out the toxic mindset of her bashers about beauty. She affirms in an Instagram post, “Confident in my own skin.” This GMA actress just finished a makeup course, which made her a certified makeup artist. And because Lauren Young shared bits of her process towards self-acceptance, we can see how the actress slowly developed a glow of confidence from the inside out.