Selina Woo Bhang has been a professional model since 2019. Born to a Korean father and a Filipina mother, the Nueva Ecija native has grappled with the complexities of her mixed heritage and identity growing up.
In this opinion piece, Selina candidly delves into the challenges of navigating a media culture fixated on Eurocentric ideals. She sheds light on her experiences of being typecast, amid prevailing biases and systemic discrimination within the industry.
READ: Selina Woo Bhang on the Filipino Modeling Industry
All my life I was made to believe that a magical formula of Western and Filipino genetics was the “ideal” Filipino mix. A testament to the coveted standard of beauty. But what could you mean by that, really?
I recently finished the book Old Manila by Ramón Zaragoza from my late appa’s book pile in my province, and it surprisingly didn’t sit so well with me.
A product of its time and published in the early 20th century, I understood the caste system reinforced during the 18th to 19th centuries. Then, the mestizos with Spanish blood were ranked highest in the subgroup. They looked, talked, and behaved like the Spaniards. The Sangleyes, or the Chinese, were considered by the Spaniards as a lower class from the indios or native Filipinos.
I was pensive after closing the book.
As a kid, I’ve always wanted to see someone who looked like me. I grew up seeing Eurocentric features splashed across billboards, magazines, teleseryes, department stores, and even in my school. I was confused with my own identity. Was there something wrong with the way I looked?
When I was starting out, I took on any job to get myself out there. Among the most uncomfortable roles were those that required me to wear a kimono with fake sakura in the background for added “atmosphere.” I've worn a bright red cheomsang with lanterns peeking out in the background, or thick black eyeliner on my eyes for added “emphasis.” There'd be an unnecessary backhanded comment of “Your eyes are difficult to work with,” and the clip-on bangs for an added touch of “Asian-ness.”
At such a young age, all I could think of at that time was “But these are normal right? These are what my features can only do, right?”
I’ve been in jobs where I still get called “Mukha kang oriental. Exotic noh? Ang Asian mo,” while the model beside me would get “Wow, gandang mestiza! Pang Miss Universe!” Isn’t the slur “oriental” equivalent to the word “Chinaman”? I am greeted with “Ni hao ma, wo ai ni, xie xie” in my own country, even if I fluently speak purong-Tagalog, even if I grew up in Nueva Ecija and studied all my life here. Even if I was an everyday commuter who uses the jeepney and MRT.
I’ve gotten casting requirements that plainly said “Asian-looking.” “Japanese-looking. Will wear a kimono.” “Must be Chinese-looking. Dapat chinita. For Chinese New Year.” I’ve gotten requirements for “Korean-looking,” but I wouldn’t even get those jobs because I didn’t fit the mold of looking like a Korean pop star.
But what does “Asian” looking even mean in a country such as the Philippines, and geographically speaking, located in Southeast Asia?
Perhaps I’m just tired of seeing casting requirements that are disheartening and exotifying. The characters I can emulate for roles must not be limited to “[Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean] looking.” We can go beyond that. There are adjectives of character that speak of their refinement, their dignity, and being the “embodiment of elegance.” Those can be expounded on instead of focusing on someone not being “too beautiful or mestiza,” but still having to be “alluring.”
Looking like a “Filipino” is so arbitrary now. How is it so easy to reduce people to simplistic categories of having “smaller eyes” as a homogenized pool of “Chinese-looking” people? Aren’t we perpetuating and reforming the systemic racism ingrained from over 400 years of colonization and oppression from Western countries?
I refuse to be typecasted for jobs that won’t be conducive to everything I’ve fought for in this industry.
And maybe I’m just getting old. Maybe my patience for these things isn’t justifiable anymore. Maybe my persistent questioning and outspoken nature might catch up with me one day.
But I like it.
We have to try harder.
Because if not me, then who will speak up on these things?
About the author
Selina Woo Bhang is a 27-year-old professional model and graphic designer. In 2019, she was one of the 10 girls to win the Preview model search. Since then, she has fronted countless magazine editorials, brand campaigns, and video commercials. Apart from pursuing a modeling career, Selina works as a graphic designer at Plus63, an independent design studio based in Manila.
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