Viral Protester Nathalie Geralde Speaks Up on Body-Shaming and Misogyny

At 21, Nathalie “Nath” Geralde is juggling her Sociology studies with a part-time job as a barista in her neighborhood café. But beyond work and school, she is also an artist and a member of Sining Lila, a women’s rights organization that uses art to spotlight the struggles of the Filipino masses. For Nath, performing at the Baha sa Luneta rally wasn’t just about joining a protest—it was about creating space for dialogue on corruption, gender, and the realities faced by marginalized sectors.

“I am an artist who is passionate about writing and music. It is my dream to translate what I witnessed happening in our society [into] the pages of my notebook,” Nath shared. “I believe that art and having empathy for the suffering of Filipinos go hand in hand to fight a system that perpetuates a culture of oppression and apathy within its masses. An artist, first and foremost, is a human being who's fueled by anger at the current happenings and uses it as a motivation to create meaningful art.”

But while Nath channels her art and activism toward fighting systemic injustices, she found herself confronted with a more personal battle after the rally. Instead of focusing on the issues she spoke about, many zeroed in on her underarms—turning her body into the subject of public scrutiny.

“Human as I am, I felt hurt and dismayed that body hair and discoloration are still not accepted in our society.“ The backlash made it clear to Nathalie how deeply ingrained these beauty standards remain. It was a moment that revealed not only society’s misplaced focus, but also the double standards women continue to face when they dare to take up space.

“I was surrounded by peers that normalized body hair and I was even influenced by them to let it naturally grow! Seeing the people I look up to have armpit hair, forgo wearing a bra and liberate themselves from the unrealistic beauty norms was empowering, especially as a growing young lady. You can imagine how my bubble got bursted after seeing people’s comments on the video.”

Have you been conscious about body hair and pigmentation prior to the event, or were they always normal in your eyes?

“Body hair and pigmentation were already normal to me when I mass led and raised my fist on the stage. But do I still get shy sometimes when I raise my arms? Of course. I am still a woman shackled by the very same system that dictates us a one-ruler measure of physical beauty and manipulates us into not loving our own Filipina features. This is why it becomes more necessary that we embrace our skin.“

“In a society that capitalizes on women’s insecurities and propagates a culture of body shaming, loving yourself is equivalent to saying NO to that very system.”

Undeniably, many Filipinas have internalized misogyny that contributes to their personal insecurities and their views on their fellow women. In your opinion, how can we unlearn this?

“The journey to body positivity is not a process that a Filipino woman must carry alone. As much as it is easier to point our fingers to women who ridicule other women, we have to realize that we are all just victims of colonialistic, misogynistic, and patriarchal society. As women, we have to trace back to our colonial history that shifted the definition of a beautiful Pinay to highly unachievable Westernized standards such as porcelain complexion, high bridge nose, and smooth skin. We have been liberated from the hands of imperialist countries decades ago yet their chokehold on how we perceive beauty remains evident. This makes my blood boil for my fellow Pinays struggling to see themselves as beautiful and so should you too!

“There is still a lot to unpack. From studying how capitalism earned billions profiting off of women’s insecurities to how their marketing strategy perpetuates a concerning beauty standard to make women buy more—this is all just the tip of an iceberg.”

“We, as individuals, need to reach out to our community to share our mutual struggles under a patriarchal society. Mass-oriented organizations like Sining Lila aim to unite Filipino women from all sectors: workers, marginalized, youth, students and everyone who are just as passionate and aggressive in creating a safer world for women.”

“We have the power to smash the patriarchy and demand justice just as we demand accountability from the government’s blatant corruption.”

What’s your message for girls who have also been subject to body-shaming?

“I know how hurtful it is to be subjected to body shaming. I am as angry as you are for their harsh words. We both know no woman deserves to be put in unfair scrutiny and to be unsolicitedly dictated on what to do with their body.

“It is not your responsibility to box yourself into an unrealistic beauty standard just to please them. However, you have the power to influence and inspire women around you when you choose to be yourself and love your body for what it is.”