Fil-Canadian sisters’ podcast tackles ‘toxic’ views among compatriots

Sisters Archierose and ArchiaNatividad (left and right) host the podcast “Filipino Fridays.” CBC SCREENSHOT

CBC News Canada trained a camera on two Fil-Canadian sisters in Vancouver whose podcast is challenging harmful attitudes among Filipinos, such as “colorism” and body-shaming.

Sisters Archierose and Archia Natividad host the podcast “Filipino Fridays” for a largely millennial audience. The two dive into sensitive cultural issues via panel discussions and guest interviews, tackling subjects familiar to them and fellow millennials.

Archierose was born in Canada but grew up in the Philippines. Her sister, Archia Angeli Natividad, was born and raised in Vancouver. So, the issues can be very personal, having directly experienced them.

Like body shaming. Archia told CBC News that Filipinos tend to frequently greet friends and acquaintances with comments like “Hey, you got fat.”

Another issue they’ve tackled is colorism, or prejudice  against someone of a darker complexion, as the “beauty standard” for Filipinos tends to be Western features of lighter skin color and narrow noses, in contrast to the native features of many Filipinos. Lighter skin color tends to be seen as a sign of higher class status.

The sisters and their peers say they often find it daunting to discuss or confront such issues with Filipino adults. In a culture that gives a premium to respect for elders, especially older relatives, frankness can be taken for disrespect.unpack how

“It’s very, very hard to speak up and say to your tita or your lola [aunt or older relative] … please stop commenting on my weight, it’s really hurtful,” told CBC.

The Natividad sisters believe the best way to start a healthy conversation about these negative attitudes is to first recognize that older Filipinos might still hold them out of habit or the desire to conform to the norm.

They want younger Filipinos to “start the conversation” in their families, and they hope their podcasts can provide solidarity with peers who find it challenging to create healthier attitudes among adults in the Filipino community.