Top 5 Reasons Why Women Like to Date an ‘Afam’
DISCLAIMER: The goal of this blog is not to discriminate against Filipino men, but simply to explain the 'afam' culture.
What is ‘Afam’? AFAM is a Filipino acronym that means "A Foreigner Assigned in Manila." It is used as a term of endearment for ex-pats who come to the Philippines.
The term also has a second meaning, which is "a tourist. Not only limited to North Americans but can also include Europeans, Middle Eastern, and Asians.
A recent study by a dating app revealed that Filipinas prefer Afams over Filipino men based on statistics they have gathered through online dating profiles. The study found that women are drawn particularly to them because they are taller, worldly, and financially stable.
The preference for ‘afam bae’ has led to the emergence of many dating apps specifically for this group of people. One of these apps is Filipino Cupid which was launched in 2001 with the intention of making it easier for Filipinas and Afam men to find love online.
#1 They are Taller
Height is a factor that plays a large role in how attractive someone is. In the Philippines, most women prefer tall Afam men. This is because they find height to be an attractive feature. They see it as a sign of power and authority, which they want in their partners. Some Filipino women are attracted to North American or European guys because they are taller than most Filipino men. The average height of a Filipino man is 5'4", which falls under the "average" height range. On the other hand, the average height for a Filipino woman is 4'10", which falls in the "short" range for height.
#2 They Have Financial Stability
Afams are becoming more and more popular in the Philippines and at the height of social media and travel, more women are attracted to their lifestyle and the money they have. Not necessarily a ‘rich afam’ but money which means the value of the dollar is higher in comparison to the Philippine Peso, which means there is a financial advantage in the country.
The Afam is seen as a source of stability and wealth, which is why many Filipinas are looking for a husband from this demographic. Stability means higher social status and the capacity to support the extended family in some cases.
#3 Filipinas Love Mixed-Race Children
In the Philippines, mixed-race children are seen as beautiful. The Filipino culture is one of the most accepting of mixed-race relationships and mixed-race children. This culture has led to a society where foreigners are seen as desirable and becoming an actress or a beauty queen in the Philippines is a viable career option for many women like Anne Curtis-Smith, an Australian-Filipino actress who is widely popular in the country, and Pia Wurtzbach, German-Filipino crowned Miss Universe 2015.
#4 Afams are an Exception to Filipino Traditional Norms
Afams have a different culture, they are free-spirited and they travel to see the world which a lot of Filipino women find very attractive.
The excitement of exploring the Afam’s culture is what fuels this desire to prefer a guy outside of society's norm. They do not have to conform to family traditions and religion as expected from a Filipino man and his family. For example, ‘pamamanhikan’, the tradition of asking permission from the family of the Filipina and is a gathering of both parties’ families over food and music for parental blessing. It is basically combining the families together based on catholic practices.
#5 Because We Can't Resist the ‘Afam Charm’
The world is changing and so are the ideals of romance. In the past, people would never have thought that an Afam could be considered charming. But now, with a more globalized world, people have become more open-minded and accepting. With this change in perspective comes new ideas about what is considered to be attractive and desirable traits.
This can be seen in movies where Afams are often seen as the ideal love interest. They are often depicted as being handsome, charming, and charismatic with sometimes tantalizing ‘ocean blue eyes’ which have led to them being desired by Filipinas. This has also led to them being portrayed as romantic ideals in Hollywood movies or Kdrama which have had an influence on how romance is viewed today.
