An ad for a dating site proudly announces "Marry a USA Man" and "Live your dream life in the USA... Filipina girls Join FREE!!" and displays a photo of an American guy, who, by the way, looks like he should be in a coffin. I won't mention the name of the site anymore. Many would have noticed this or similar ads, which are rampant in the internet, particularly in sites frequented by Filipinos--giving offense to many of my countrymen.

I have no bone against those who view marriage as a way to improve their economic status. But as a Filipino, a woman and a professional, I find this site and similar sites utterly degrading. It goes beyond being a social networking site to portraying Filipino women as eager to grasp at any American guy just for the chance of living in the U.S. It is also degrading to American men who are portrayed as targets for fortune-hunters.