The problem was identified over a month ago, the solution has been found, and redefined. The BBN was one of the first participants in the project to redefine Filipina online, and our own Jonas Diego applied his creativity years before this network was formed.

The word Filipina should mean more than what the linking tells us. I mean, there are Filipina mail-order brides, porn stars, prostitutes, sensual pen pals. But they make up a small percentage. It would be a bit idiotic to ignore websites like the Filipina’s Women Network, the intelligent women we have on this blog network alone (You Had Me at Hello, My Filipino Wedding, Style Manila, Kikay Kits, and the recently launched Style Cebu), and the articulate people over at the Pinoy Mom’s Network.

To those who take such a narrow-minded view of the Filipina, I really can’t blame you. Ok, I guess I can. You focus only on their natural beauty (a perfect mix of Malay and foreign influences), and their supposed submissiveness as “Asian women”, letting your selfishly superficial outlook control your impressions.

And to those who know better, I’ll play like a broken record. There’s more to the Filipina than meets the eye, and you should tell everyone about it. Link liberally to examples to make your point. Let’s make the Filipina’s reputation a more balanced one, not necessarily focusing on only the good things, but providing a more accurate picture.

It’s an uphill battle, no doubt about it. Those currently enjoying high rankings on Google’s SERPs (Search Engine Ranking pages) have a lot going for them. Their domains have been around longer, and they obviously have the money and SEO experts to ensure their place on the top.

Yet the cracks are starting to show. Already, websites that go beyond the stereotype are appearing on the first page when you search for Filipina. Redefining Filipina will surely take weeks, months, even years. But everything has to start somewhere, right?