Morena Spotlight: The Cebuana Weaving Filipino Pride Into Every Thread
For Anthill Fabric Gallery’s Anya Lim, her morena skin isn’t just beautiful—it’s a living reminder of where she comes from, and who she fights for.
Morena Spotlight is a digital series from Allure Philippines that highlights the stories of morenas from all over the country and the Filipino diaspora. Know a morena who deserves the spotlight? Send us an email at [email protected].
Anya Lim, 41, is a social entrepreneur from Cebu City, and the co-founder and managing and creative director of Anthill Fabric Gallery.
Courtesy of subject
As a social entrepreneur and an advocate for Philippine weaving, Anya Lim’s life’s work has been to expand ANTHILL (or Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Indigenous Little Livelihood Seekers), a social and cultural enterprise dedicated to preserving Philippine weaving and craft traditions that sustain livelihoods.
Interestingly, she shares with Allure Philippines that being morena, as she herself puts it, “has always been at the heart of what makes me proud to be Filipino.”
Lim talks about growing up spending her time outdoors, either out in the streets playing with the neighborhood kids, or enjoying nature, being outside swimming, trekking, or exploring. “My kayumangging balat, like the bark of a tree, carries those memories,” she shares. “I feel like it is a huge part of what makes me feel rooted to who I am.”
But even as Lim embraced her skin as something that intrinsically tied her to her homeland, she wasn’t spared from taunts, teasing, and many a hurtful remark about her “kayumangging balat”—many of which came from members of her own family who were of a different ethnicity. “My uncles would tease me for being too dark, pointing out my thick lips and saying I looked like an Aeta,” she shares.
But for Lim, the jabs fell short of the mark, as her mother had already previously done work with the indigenous Aeta community, and had regaled her with beautiful stories of her time with them. “Because of that, I never saw those comments as insults. Instead, I understood them as reminders of my ancestry and wore them as a badge of pride,” Lim says, adding, “but the discrimination I felt from that side of my family made me feel like I didn’t belong.”
Today, Lim most certainly belongs—in the circles she moves in as a social entrepreneur whose brand has fans across the archipelago, and as a community development worker forging ties with partner artisan communities. It’s an entire web of connection, of bonds, and of kinship, all built upon the love, pride, and undying faith she has in her Filipino identity—and in effect, her beautiful “kayumangging balat” that she wears so proudly.
Courtesy of subject
Below, Lim shares more about her morena skin—what she does for it, how she cares for it, and how much she loves it.
What’s your skin-care routine like as a morena?
In the morning, I keep it simple—I just wash my face, apply moisturizer, a vitamin C serum, and sunscreen. In the evening, I follow up with toner, moisturizer, retinol, and rosehip oil. On slower days, I turn it into more of a ritual. In the morning, I use cryosticks to depuff my face, and in the evening, I incorporate lymphatic drainage with a gua sha to unwind.
Any preferred techniques, hacks, or products?
Growing up, I struggled with acne, and tea tree oil was the one product that really worked for me. Over the years, though, I’ve realized that, no matter what skin-care routine or product I try, the simplest things like getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, are still the best skin-care hacks. Now that I’m in my perimenopause years, I’ve noticed that hormonal changes have also affected my skin, especially its texture. These days, I make sure to moisturize more to keep my skin balanced and nourished.
How about your beauty or makeup routine? Are there particular shades or tricks you apply?
On days when I wear makeup, I always start by hydrating my skin with a serum or moisturizer. I use QV Face Oil-Free Moisturizer, followed by Anessa Sunscreen and the Elf Vegan Primer.
For my base, I mix Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation in 3W1.5 Fawn, with NARS Concealer for a seamless finish. Right now, I’ve been loving the Pixi Stick in Bronze for contouring, the Rare Beauty Liquid Blush in Joy for a fresh pop of soft pink, and the Maybelline Teddy Tint in Current Mood on my lips.
I find that soft pink shades complement my morena skin beautifully. When I’m tired, it always shows on my skin. But when I get enough rest and fill my days with the things I love, it reflects in a natural glow. It’s true what they say, your outer world is a reflection of your inner world.
What do you love about being a morena?
I love how my morena skin always gives me that sun-kissed glow. In many Western countries, our skin tone is admired. Everyone wants that “olive” complexion. But for me, it’s more than just a beauty standard; it represents our cultural pride and the spirit of our tropical islands. It reflects the warmth of our people and the brightness of our personalities.
Courtesy of subject
Being morena also works to my advantage in my line of work, especially when I’m in rural and indigenous communities. My skin colour makes me more relatable, more approachable, and helps me build connections as if saying— I’m one of you. We belong together.
