
In a recent episode of Ang Pinaka, they listed the top 10 problems of today's youth, and negative body image was number one on the list. This comes as no surprise, given that we are living in a time when we post photos of ourselves on social media for the whole world to see - and scrutinize.
The standards of beauty on social media seem to be so unattainable, that some resort to enhancing their pictures via photo editing apps, while others opt for the more extreme route of having beauty enhancements done. Most of us imitate what so-called influencers do and say. And we feel the need to follow the hottest beauty trend in order to be part of the "in" crowd, even if it means breaking the bank.
As for the celebrities, they feel the simultaneous pressure of looking their best and being a good example to their followers - all while dealing with hundreds, if not thousands of bashers online.
So we checked in on our Kapuso celebs and asked them how they are dealing with body image issues, and what they can advise those who have low self-esteem. If you're not feeling beautiful today, then you should definitely read what they have to say.
“Bilang artista, I take criticism in a positive way. If you really have to lose weight, then do something about it. Sa mga hindi artista, hindi sila dapat nape-pressure. 'Yung mga taong 'yon nakaka-hurt sila ng feelings pero dapat 'di ka nagpapaapekto sa kanila. Just think of all the positive things that are happening in your life... 'yung mga blessing na dumarating sa'yo. I know that for others it causes depression so dapat maging sensitive tayo sa feelings ng ibang tao. Everyone is beautiful…kahit ano pa man ang itsura mo…mataba ka, payat ka, maitim ka, or maputi ka. 'Yung basehan naman ng pagiging maganda, iba-iba siya para sa bawat tao; iba-iba sa bawat bansa. So huwag ka mag-worry sa looks mo. Just be happy with what you have. Just be proud. May boobs ka man o wala, be proud. Ipakita mo sa mundo na this is me.”
“Sa Philippines may stereotype ang tao na kapag artista ka kailangan payat ka, maliit braso mo, and so on. Pero na-realize ko na dapat iisipin mo na you're beautiful…you don't have to change for anything or anyone. Hindi importante na i-reach mo 'yung mga ine-expect nila sa'yo. Basta importante masaya ka. Kung magpapapayat ka man, hindi dahil sinabihan ka ng iba, but because you want to be fit.”
“You need to love yourself first before idolizing others. Accept who you are.”
“Para sa'kin kasi, hindi ko na lang pinapansin. 'Di ba kapag sa social media may mga comments, so 'pag may nabasa akong ganun. Hinahayaan ko lang kasi opinyon nila 'yon eh. Hindi ko hawak 'yon.”
“Sa aming mga artista, may stereotype na dapat payat. So nape-pressure din ako. Actually, ang daming body shamers eh. Automatic na kapag nakakakita sila ng hindi perfect na body, automatic na naiisip nila na ganun. Pero sana nasa isip na lang nila 'yon, 'wag na nilang ilabas. (laughs) 'Di ba? Kasi it's not gonna help anyone naman. Or if you do want to help someone, you can say it honestly, but sana in a way na it's sincere. At saka sana 'yung sasabihan mo gusto rin ng tulong. Kasi baka okay lang naman sa kanya na ganun siya. (laughs) So ayun. Sana magtulungan na lang lahat to build one another's confidence.”
Hopefully, those words of encouragement from Kapuso celebrities banished any negative feelings you have about your body or looks. Just remember everyone has flaws, and you don't need to be too hard on yourself if you don't look a certain way. You are born beautiful and nobody can tell you otherwise. So the next time you read comments on social media, take the good, leave the bad, and carry on with your day with a beautiful smile.