Name: Micaela Bumanglag Age: 21 Pronouns: she/her Location: San Jose, California Education: San Jose State University Career: Psychology Student, Future Therapist
“The stress from trying to change your body is not worth it.”
What were your expectations before attending the Brown Papaya photoshoot and how did those expectations change? I didn’t really know what to expect because I’ve never participated in or heard of projects like Brown Papaya, so I thought it was just going to be a photoshoot without much interaction with the other girls. But Isabel surprised me with the activities, and it was very interesting to listen to other perspectives about brown skin, Filipina representation, etc. After the activities that engaged in critical thinking and the photoshoots, what did you learn? If I had any doubts about whether Spanish and American influence was still relevant today, especially on Filipinas in diaspora, they’re gone now. Specifically, the preference for white skin over brown. When I grew up, my grandmother would tell me not to stay out in the sun too long and get dark—something that countless Filipinas are told. It never really affected my view on brown skin, but I saw just how much it affects other girls. I’m thankful for this project to celebrate my culture and my brown skin, and I hope it was able to help other girls celebrate theirs too. What would you tell your younger self about beauty expectations? Honestly, don’t stress about it! Beauty expectations are changing all the time. What was attractive ten years ago isn’t the focus today, like being thin versus having curves, or being light-skinned versus tanned. White people will stay out in the sun for hours to get the same brown skin that we Filipinas are blessed with. The stress from trying to change your body is not worth it. What does your self-love journey look like? I have to remind myself everyday that I am loved, cared for, beautiful, wanted. It’s not a journey that happens in a day. It’s ongoing. We have to remember how much we are worth everyday, we shouldn’t forget it for a second. If sometimes we are in doubt, that’s okay. Self-love journeys are not meant to always be positive, that’s why it’s a journey. There are highs and lows but it’s most important to get back up, to not give up. www.brownpapaya.com
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