#MAGANDANGMORENX
Celebrating the diversity of Filipino beauty.
What is #MagandangMorenx?
#MagandangMorenx, which translates to "beautiful brown skin," is a powerful movement that confronts the deeply ingrained beauty standards perpetuated by mainstream Filipino media and combats colorism within the culture. From the influence of whitening creams to an entertainment industry saturated with mestizas, the enduring legacy of Spanish colonization has left its mark with the prevalent desire for lighter skin.
Despite being indigenous to a cluster of tropical islands in the southeast Pacific, where tan and brown skin is the norm, tan and brown-skinned Filipinos are often made to feel insecure, ashamed, and embarrassed about their natural complexion.
Created in 2016, #MagandangMorenx is a movement that empowers, reclaims, and seeks to redefine what it truly means to be Filipino. By celebrating and embracing the diversity of color within the Filipino community, the movement aims to challenge societal norms and promote a positive self-image for all. Through empowering messages, inclusive representation, and a celebration of cultural identity, #MagandangMorenx encourages Filipinos to embrace their beautiful brown skin, fostering a sense of pride, confidence, and unity among individuals who have long felt marginalized and overlooked.
Who & Why
Asia Jackson, a Black and Indigenous Filipino actress & content creator, created the powerful movement #MagandangMorenx with a heartfelt mission stemming from personal experiences. Having lived and attended school in the Philippines, Asia faced bullying and discrimination due to her darker skin tone. Determined to create a more inclusive and accepting society, she launched #MagandangMorenx to combat colorism within Filipino communities and to ensure that nobody else would have to endure the same shame and low self-esteem.
Driven by a deep desire to celebrate the diversity of Filipino beauty, #MagandangMorenx became a platform for empowering individuals and challenging the beauty standards that perpetuate discrimination. By fostering a sense of unity and pride, Asia aims to inspire a shift in societal norms and promote the appreciation of all skin tones within the Filipino community. Through this movement, Asia's vision is to create a more inclusive and accepting society where everyone can embrace their unique beauty and feel confident in their own skin.
“My name is Asia Jackson and I believe that colorism is an archaic system that must be dismantled.”
Spreading Awareness
Since 2018, Asia has been invited to speak at universities worldwide, captivating audiences with her inspiring talks on colorism and the importance of embracing diversity. Drawing from personal experiences and the profound impact of #MagandangMorenx, Asia shares her insights on challenging societal beauty standards and cultivating a culture of inclusivity.
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Berkeley
Seattle University
California State University, Northridge
University of Southern California
Syracuse University
Boston University
California State University, Fullerton
With her powerful voice and unwavering advocacy, Asia sparks meaningful conversations about the harmful effects of colorism within Filipino communities and beyond. Through engaging dialogues and thought-provoking discussions, she encourages individuals to celebrate their unique beauty and embrace the richness of diversity. Asia's university speaking engagements provide an opportunity for students and faculty to delve into the transformative power of #MagandangMorenx and join the movement towards a more inclusive society.
Asia has also been invited to speak at events such as the It’s A Girl Thing Festival in Manila, Philippines as well as the Garage Talks series in collaboration with HYPEBAE in Montréal, Québec.
“Colorism in the Filipino community has always been something I’m passionate about because it affected me so much. I was like, I can’t be the only one affected by this,” Jackson said. “It took me a very long time for me to love my color as it is, and I never want anyone to feel alone like I did. I created #MagandangMorenx to help open dialogue for an issue that, for some reason, everyone likes to ignore.”
— NBC News
Impact & Recognition
The impact of #MagandangMorenx has been nothing short of remarkable, resonating with Filipinos globally and sparking conversations that challenge colorism and redefine Filipino beauty. With its immense reach, the movement has trended worldwide on Twitter four times since its inception, demonstrating the powerful engagement it has generated.
Through the #MagandangMorenx hashtag on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, Filipinos from all corners of the world have found a platform to share their personal experiences with colorism, fostering solidarity and promoting awareness of this pervasive issue.
Asia Jackson's tireless advocacy has garnered recognition and accolades, further amplifying the movement's impact. Her commitment to empowering individuals through #MagandangMorenx earned her the prestigious Lakas (Strength) Award at the SIPA 46th Annual Fundraising Gala, solidifying her role as a champion for change. Additionally, Asia's inspiring work was celebrated in the groundbreaking book Fearless Filipinas: 12 Women Who Dared to be Different, cementing her status as a modern Pinay Hero.
Asia was acknowledged for her work at the SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino-Americans) 46th Annual Fundraising Gala and was awarded the Lakas (Strength) Award.
In March 2021, Asia Jackson was celebrated in a new book about modern Pinay heroes, Fearless Filipinas: 12 Women Who Dared to be Different. read more
In 2019, Asia Jackson joined forces with Los Angeles-based streetwear brand We Are Uprisers to launch the highly anticipated limited capsule collection, MORENX. Inspired by the viral movement that Asia spearheaded, each carefully crafted piece showcased empowering messages that resonated deeply with individuals seeking to challenge societal beauty norms.
The MORENX collection made a bold statement with powerful phrases like "you can't tell me who I am" and "warning: to be proud in your own skin is extremely powerful and menacing at the same time." The response was overwhelming, with the collection selling out not once, not twice, but an astonishing four times. This effectively demonstrated the profound impact of the movement and the collective desire to celebrate and embrace diverse beauty.
By blending fashion with powerful messaging, Asia and Uprisers created a tangible representation of the movement's core values, igniting conversations and inspiring individuals to be unapologetically proud of their unique identities.