Why Filipinas Are Different From Other Women

Pea sits down with three young Filipinas — Ella (19), Jasmine (22), and Chrish (20) — in Negros Oriental to explore why Western men are increasingly coming to the Philippines to find partners. The conversation covers traditional upbringing, strict parenting, dating culture, beauty preferences, and what these women want in a future husband, painting a picture of femininity and family values that they say sets Filipinas apart from Western women.

Why Western men come to the Philippines ​

• Chrish says Filipinas are raised as "wife material" — they learn household chores from a very young age as a family tradition and cultural expectation
• Chrish learned to cook rice at age seven (grade one)
• The women emphasize inner beauty: kindness, discipline, sweetness, and loyalty as qualities Filipinas are known for
• Ella highlights the "genuine character" of Filipino women — loving, caring, and hospitable
• Pea adds femininity and modesty to the list, noting that all three women showed up in dresses without being told to: "I didn't get the memo — they were all wearing dresses"
• The women agree that Filipinas "embrace femininity" — "We're sweet, we can give you some sugar"

The thick eyebrows trend ​

• Pea shares that her viewers were surprised to learn Filipino men find thick brows attractive
• Chrish and Jasmine confirm thick brows are a beauty trend in the Philippines — "if you have thick brows, you're more attractive"
• They clarify: not a unibrow, just thick, well-shaped brows

Body hair and leg shaving ​

• Pea explains that in the Philippines, women with hairy legs ("balbon" / "mabalbon") are common and it's not stigmatized the way it is in the West
• Chrish, Jasmine, and Ella all confirm most Filipinas don't shave their legs
• Pea poses a scenario: "Your dream man, Mr. Right, asks you to shave your legs — would you do it?"
• Jasmine says yes: "It's all right, I submit myself, I submit my hairy legs to you"
• Chrish says yes, it's a small thing
• Ella says no — but adds "we can talk more," suggesting negotiation is possible
• Pea jokes about the wedding being called off over leg-shaving

What "traditional" means to them ​

• Chrish defines being traditional as being conservative and feminine — "not being a feminist"
• Conservative dressing: not showing too much skin — "hide the goodies for later"
• Discipline through corporal punishment is normal: Filipino moms use chancletas (slippers), hangers, and belts
• Pea notes her Western viewers are shocked by corporal punishment in the Philippines — in the West, someone would call Child Services; in the Philippines, bystanders hand the parent a better implement: "Here, use this one"
• Pea shares her own experience of her mom disapproving of crop tops and short skirts — "Mom, I'm just letting it air out"

Strict parenting and curfews ​

• All three women confirm their parents are "super strict"
• Chrish: parents require pre-screening of anyone she goes out with — they need to know who, where, and why before she's allowed to leave the house; essentially a background check on her friends
• Curfews: as minors, all had 7 PM curfews
• Ella (19): still has a 7 PM curfew, partly because she drives a motorcycle and has poor eyesight, and nighttime in the Philippines isn't considered safe
• Chrish (20): has been upgraded to 9 PM — Pea congratulates her sarcastically: "Congratulations with your adult life"
• Jasmine (22): has worked up to 10 PM — Pea calls it "an achievement"

Views on motherhood and family ​

• All three see themselves as future mothers
• Chrish says she'll only become a mother when she's both financially and emotionally stable — she's seen how hard it is from helping raise her many siblings
• Pea agrees: "Don't bring another mouth to feed if you can't feed yourself"
• Family is defined traditionally: mama, daddy, and babies — same-sex marriage is not legalized in the Philippines
• Chrish says she'd raise her children differently from her strict mother, emphasizing communication over authoritarian control

Why Filipinas finish their education before marriage ​

• The women explain that education is essential for getting a decent job to support both themselves and their families back home
• Even with a college degree, jobs are hard to find — Pea notes she ended up in a call center despite having a degree
• In the Philippines, just getting hired at McDonald's or 7-Eleven requires being at least college-level
• Pea contrasts this with the West, where you can apply, get hired, and start immediately without extensive paperwork
• In the Philippines, job seekers must get NBI clearance, SSS registration, medical certificates, and barangay permits just to apply — spending money they may not have for a minimum-wage job that isn't guaranteed
• Even after being hired, there's a training period (sometimes paid only 100 pesos/day as an allowance), with no guarantee of becoming a regular employee

Fun facts about Filipinas ​

• "Filipinas are good singers" — though Pea pushes back: "Not all Filipinos can sing"
• "Filipinos are good kissers" — all three agree, and Pea confirms she recently did a video on that topic

Advice for Western men visiting the Philippines ​

• Ella: make friends with locals before arriving so you have someone who can guide you and keep you safe
• Ella: "Be yourself — we don't like people who are too good to be true." Filipinas dislike pretentious behavior
• Chrish: learn about Filipino culture and traditions before coming so you won't be overwhelmed by the new environment
• Chrish also plugs her hometown: "Visit Valencia in Negros Oriental" for waterfalls, mountains, and tour spots

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube

🔔 Subscribe to The Filipina Pea