Kapuso starlet Bela Padilla graces FHM Philippines March 2012 Issue.
This also coincides with FHM Philippines’ 12th Anniversary and serves as the men’s magazine’s Bikini Issue.
The sexy behind-the-scene footage of Bela Padilla’s first FHM shoot was shown on Follow That Star yesterday (February 25) in GMA News TV.
The new cover however, received mixed reactions. Some view it as rather ‘racist’ with the inclusion of darker-skinned models which makes Bela Padilla stand out even more as the fairest of them all.
Although this is merely a fashion statement, I wonder how the general buyer will see it and the people who thinks this cover is rather sensitive for their taste.
BLOG UPDATE!
After an online furor over the now controversial March 2012 cover of Bela Padilla, FHM issued an official statement and decided to replace the cover when FHM hits the stands this coming March.
Here’s FHM’s Official statement on the Bela Padilla cover:
On Saturday, February 25, we uploaded the March issue with Bela Padilla on the cover on our Facebook page. Just hours later, a slew of comments on the supposed “racism” of the cover image and cover line flooded the magazine page, prompting the editorial team to re-examine the cover so that we could put into context its execution and assuage the concerns of our readers and non-readers as well who’ve weighed in on the issue.
We took all the points into consideration and have decided to take the side of sensitivity.
When FHM hits the stands in March it will have a different cover. We deem this to be the most prudent move in the light of the confusion over the previous cover execution.
We apologize and thank those who have raised their points. We apologize to Bela Padilla for any distress this may have caused her. In our pursuit to come up with edgier covers, we will strive to be more sensitive next time.
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Nothing racist about this cover. What does this say, that one cannot put black women abd ‘white’ women in one picture.
The cover was meant to be on Bela and yes the 3 black girls are ‘background’ so what? I don’t see them being dragged there chained up. They are paid professionals and I am sure they were treated just as good as any other during the shoot.
In fact, the criticism ‘racism’ is racist in itself: as if these 3 girls could not decide for themselves how they accept to be photographed.
What’s next? A white popstar no longer allowed to have black backing vocalists.
Bela has nothing to apologize for. She got a gig, she showed up for work and did her best.
And what’s the best part… everybody is yelling about this picture, but have the 3 black girls said anything? Have they been complaining how degraded they were?? I thought not.
Maybe a good advice to FHM or any magzin for that matter: “Just never photograph a black girl anymore then you cant go wrong” Is that now what we want??
Got your point there. But I guess the word “shadow” referring to the “black models” are the one being referred to as “racist”. The models, I presume, may not have an idea what the photo will turn out. And no, it’s not an issue of 2 colors in one picture. It’s the execution. Anyways, I have nothing against the picture itself. But I respect other’s opinion about this issue. At least it shows we’re concern on other’s race.
… swabe. nice sHot!
RACIST or NOT everyone is entitled. so don’t convince each other. okay? okay? do you get it know? huh?! got my point? are you convinced? … WEH?!
let the sue – ers sue the sue – ee. lol. ü
racist! no doubt about that!
How did that happen? As you can see, those dark-skinned girls from the background are paid professionals, they give their undoubtedly best for the cover. I can’t find any reason for this cover to be called as a racist. Its the mind of any individual who give racism a conclusion for this.
paid or not paid, it is still racist. :)
Chinky, putting people of different color in one picture is not racist. Are you saying they should not That is what they tried in South Africa: dont mix black and white. Now THAT was racist
Ed,
I never said that putting people of different ethnicities in one photo is racist. I say that HOW you put these two ethnicities in one photo matter.
Case in point: this magazine cover. You see a girl centered, feeling beautiful and you see the dark-skinned models wearing the same bikini, with unkempt hair, looking longingly to the “white” girl hoping that they were her.
And to add insult to injury, they called these girls “shadows”. Just to make sure that they send their message across that yeah, you focus on the girl in the middle. The girl that symbolizes success, superiority.
Hell, not even one of the models are looking at the camera. no glamour pose for these girls at all, made to look vulnerable and second class. Made to look captivated of that white, ethereal girl.
The message is clear: white vs black, a crowd vs. a standout, center vs. well, the shadows.
Sure, let us use the artisan’s classic excuse that “this.is.art”. However, let us not forget that we live in a world full of symbols. Symbols that show power, etc. Our world leaders have their own symbols, we have flags, if you look closely at the artists/musicians of today, you will see symbols in their music videos, photos, cd covers. Everywhere. This magazine cover did just that, with utter distaste may I say.
Anyway, FHM decided to not release this cover due to the negative publicity it caused. So my argument is not valid anymore.
Just my two cents. Thanks! :)
The cover does not hurt anyone except for those who are overly-sensitive to any perceived insult and could spend your time more wisely by making your OWN photographic art, if you can. Are you concerned because her skin is lighter than her co-models? Get a life. Are you concerned because use of the word ‘shadows’ means she is leaving her co-models in darkness? Get a life. Are you concerned because the word ‘shadows’ refers to darkness which relates to ignorance? Get a life.
racist…
RACIST. no doubt this shouldnt be allowed. shame on you, FHM.
definitely RACIST…
Racism is a matter of perspective. What may appear very racist to one person may not be considered racist at all to another .
i am ashamed to say I learnt from this picture. I did not know that there were black women in the Phillipines. They appear to be unrepresented in alot of photos and FMH are aware of this!
May be FHM should give the women there own front cover slot in the future.