Not that I’m naïve, but it was a shock when I saw what results come out on Google when you do an image search for “Filipina”. I’ve been encouraging my friends to join Janette Toral’s “Filipina” Writing Project, and one of them showed me the current Google image search results. To put it very lightly, I was utterly dismayed. I don’t even want to describe it here, for fear of adding to the already negative connotation of the keyword.
The “Filipina” Writing Project aims to debunk the current search results associated with the keyword “Filipina” coming out of major Internet search engines. By generating more positive content related to this keyword, and via the pervasive effects of good SEO techniques, the Project hopes to spread an improved — and true — image of the Filipino woman.
It is disgusting how pornography websites have dishonored the Filipina and have attached lewd, dirty connotations to the term. Do we just sit on our hands and let this remain unchanged? unchallenged? This is a terrible blight on our name and on our nationhood! Let’s use our powerful voices as one and tell the world who and what the Filipina truly is!
I’m calling on all Filipino bloggers and SEO practitioners — as well as those of other nationalities who’d like to positively contribute to this worthy effort — to join the “Filipina” Writing Project. Do you part now!
Just as I published this post, I came across FilipinaImages.com via Janette’s W30 blog. Here’s another way of helping to improve the Filipna image worldwide!
