


The rest of the crowd cheer, chanting names and carrying banners plastered with photos of the women’s faces. In their sparkling gowns and fancy suits, the audience – actors, singers, and some politicians including a former president – all lap it up. Their long hair bounce on their shoulders, smiles big and wide, as they sway along, raise their arms and shake their hips – all on their sky-high heels. They dance together to “Manila Girl”, like they’re in a noontime show. MANILA, Philippines – On a vast stage with flashing lights and blaring music, 30 women in haltered gold lamé dresses twirl and prance in choreographed unison. Feminists say the country’s fixation with these contests is harmful to women because it sets unrealistic standards of beauty and promotes gender inequality.National pageants are a multi-million peso lucrative industry, attracting hordes of sponsors and promoting Philippine designers and make-up artists.

In the Philippines, the obsession with beauty pageants is culturally entrenched.
