At the moment, Technorati counts 499 blog posts on the racist slur in the season opener of the television show “Desperate Housewives“.
That's an awful lot and is yet another example of the progressive and forward advance of Filipino bloggers, especially after the bigotry of Malu Fernandez which got her pilloried and scorned for — well — her bigotry against her own people.
Read the online petition, now signed by 51,830 individuals, that sums up the protesters' arguments. The specific scene in the popular TV program posted on Youtube has been viewed more than 81,000 times.
Let's listen to Pinoy Blog Machine, a Filipino doctor educated in the Philippines:
I am offended, because I learned my profession in the Philippines, and I refuse to be told that all my hard work and sacrifice amounts to nothing more than mediocre, if not questionable. Specially if these impressions come from those who fail to see from my end, or at least check, and don’t know what they are talking about. My textbooks came from the US of A, if saying so is any help to Teri’s understanding.
I can’t even speak for the millions of Filipino medical workers in America and all over the world, whose professionalism and skill have made them prime catch. And what of the thousands of foreign students who come in droves to train in the Philippines?
Even as she apologized from veering away from her blog's fashionista bent, glamdeal.com took on the insult:
Sure, compared to USA, the American’s educational system may be better if not the best. But our doctors, nurses, and caregivers are among the best in the world; thousands of them serving, treating, and taking care of the US people.
I’m honestly not a fan of the show but I know a lot of Filipinos who are. Some say the show is a hit because of its mature and “intelligent” approach to the audience. Now with that, I guess we should all review what is mature and what is intelligent.
The rude remark was just a sign of irresponsible entertainment. Racism is never a witty and funny way of entertainment. If this is one of the show’s desperate ways to get ratings, then they’re getting one hell of controversy here.
The Broken Bow is also concerned and sees an opportunity for Filipino doctors to prove themselves:
Althought there might be some truth in the statement especially when placed side by side with the nursing exam debacle last year, I still find it offensive because it somehow committed the fallacy of over-generalizing. The fact is that there are a lot of great medical practitioners from the country and they must not be brushed aside especially when they outnumber the few who are otherwise. As for the said few, this might serve as an eye-opener and a signal to prove to those who are unimpressed that they are wrong to be so.
GMANews.tv's Pinoy Abroad surveyed the blogosphere while in uproar. Blog Addicts also covered the burgeoning blog rebellion.
At the other side of the fence is The Sassy Lawyer who says:
Is it a racial slur? It may be a jab at Philippine medical schools, not Filipinos in general. Heck, not even Filipino doctors. And some people are already making it out as an insult against Filipino health workers IN GENERAL. My goodness gracious me…
Its not a racist slur, says The Anti-Niche Blog, but it's still offensive.
The office of the President of the Philippines also expressed displeasure and demanded an apology, even if Mrs. Arroyo herself is embroiled in her own scandals. The secretary of health also chimed in.
“Desperate Housewives” producers from ABC-TV today issued a one-paragraph apology hoping to calm the storm, but others have rejected it and have demanded a more appropriate apology that may be seen by the millions who watched the assailed episode on TV. Says the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, a US-based group that plans to picket the ABC-TV studios:
The simplistic nature of ABC's apology only insults our community even more. It is not proportionate to the damage it has caused. It is basically just a one-paragraph response, not just to the 2nd largest immigrant group in the US, or a third world country, but ALL foreign-trained medical practitioners in this country. This country thrives on the quality skills of foreign-trained doctors and nurses, and Filipino nurses are among the cream of the crop. We all deserve a decent, sincere, and proper apology.
Let's see what happens next.
UPDATES (5 Oct. 2007): The offensive portion of the “Desperate Housewives” that has roiled many will be deleted, according to a news report. This comes at the heels of an announcement from Filipino-American group NAFCON that a top ABC-TV executive has agreed to meet them before a scheduled picket at the ABC-TV studios in Manhattan.
Kowtowing to complaints over what comes out of a fictional character’s mouth is wrong and dangerous. Those complaining who value artistic freedom should think long and hard about what they’re doing.
This is stupid. There are more pressing problems in the Philippines that needs more attention. I saw the clip on youtube. There was nothing offensive about it at all. Rex Navarette does things 100 times more provoking than this. Leave it alone, go home and cry about somethingf else.
get over it. it was a lousy joke. why blow it up even further. why not use the energy to focus on the good filipinos do and write or blog about that!
It was a nice move for ABC 7 to issue an apology but it did not repair the damage done because the apology was aired in the Philippines. Apology accepted, yes, but repair the damage done. The Americans, immigrants and people around the world where the Desperate Housewives shows are being shown will still have the wrong notion that Philippine Medical Schools do not meet the standards required to practice in America and that Filipino Doctors are just second rate physicians in America.
Should we just be satisfied with this after all this uproar? ABC 7 should issue such apology over all American TV networks in America and not just in the Philippines. I did not even know that the apology was issued until a friend emailed me this.
Thank you very much.
BOYTEE
Concerned Filipino in Maplewood, New Jersey, USA
‘Desperate’ apology over Philippines slur
Thu Oct 4, 6:46 AM ET
MANILA (AFP) - Makers of hit US television series “Desperate Housewives” have apologised for a slur against Filipino medical workers that caused an uproar in the Southeast Asian country. The apology was sent to Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN’s bureau in the United States and aired in the Philippines on Thursday following protests by the Manila government.
“The producers of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere,” cable news channnel ANC quoted the statement as saying.”There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines,” it said. The episode showed actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer, asking during a medical consultation to check “those diplomas because I want to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines.”
The apology was made a day after chief aide to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said the line of dialogue appeared to be a “racial slur.” Philippine Senators said the apology was not enough, and urged their Foreign Affairs Department to lodge a formal protest with the US government. “I am mortally offended by the statement because it betrayed the racial prejudice and denigrates the excellent performance of world-class Filipino doctors in the US,” said Senator Miriam Santiago, whose sister a doctor is working in Los Angeles.
You gotta be kidding me. Filipino medical schools aren’t that good, at least not up to US standards, and the line on the program was appropriate.
I think Filipinos have enough real problems… i.e. poverty, corruption.
Stop waisting your time.
I think Filipinos value artistic freedom. We even put the term “free expression” in our Constitution and we are always jealous about it. There is simply a problem about the program’s dialogue that was clearly offensive to Philippine-educated medical professionals.
Racist remarks which disrespects others has no place in it. It belongs to the colonial, Nazi, apartheid, and segregationist eras.
Hey I’m an artist and I feel offended. Behind that fictional character’s mouth is the mind of filthy, bigot, and money-grubbing, hide-behind-the-skirt-of-artistic-freedom writer, director and producer. I’d like to treat them all to free proctology.
Ok. On one side, the degree was gotten from hard work. As a doctor once told me, there’s no differences in professions around the world, its a matter of technological advances and capabilities. Just because a degree is from a developing country doesn’t mean its less than ones gotten from the US. I see why people would get offended though I think only those from the medical profession in the Philippines should go up in arms and really speak out. It’s the only fair thing.
As for every other Filipino–who, I’m sure, will regard me as some sort of traitor–should just carry on and remind ourselves that it was meant to be a joke. A comparison to some dead regime (i.e. Nazi Germany) is much too harsh. If you’d like, boycott the show due to the writers’ “political incorrectness”. Then find a comedy show that offers political correctness!
Taken out of context is the main point. Tell me if I’m wrong to criticize when the Philippines should not in the least divert their attention to bettering the lives of those who cannot even afford to buy a television set. I see the outrage from the Filipino doctors’ views. The other half are just outraged by the fact that Philippines is shown in harsh light.
It’s the Filipino psyche to enjoy being talked about in a US show and be outraged when spoken of in any bad way. It just shows how much work we still need to boost our confidence because as it stands–we have to face it–the Philippines is really not looking good and hope is waning for a better life. We don’t want to say it and hearing criticism (even a joke) from another is scathing.
The only way you stop racist comments is to FIGHT BACK.
The statement was inappropriate and racist. It mentioned DOCTORS OF A PARTICULAR RACE, that is patently RACIST.
If you don’t defend your honor and dignity it will be taken away from you in the form of a JOKE. Then the joke is mentioned so many times that is becomes a “fact”. How in the heck do you think the fictional character would use Filipino doctors in her beratement? It used to be a joke!
Black jokes, Indian Jokes, Jewish Jokes, jokes about everyone except White American. What a joke!
Disregard those who tell you not to stand up and FIGHT BACK. The character is fictional… THE MIND THAT CREATED THE LINE IS REAL!
Racism is a CREEPY LITTLE SNAKE, you have to monitor it and let it know that it can not set up shop in your home. Don’t be SIDETRACKED. Fight the Fight. That’s what Americans of any ethnicity, black, white, jew, filipino, chinese, mexican MUST DO to gain respect.
Maybe we can look at this as a wake up call of how our image; not just the medical community in the Philippines, as the people and as a country in general is going down hill in the eyes of the international community.
The Philippines boasts of its 98% literacy rate. Filipino medical professionals recorded the highest number in the US and in the UK.
I know that we in the Philippines are outraged about this. If we view it at a different perspective, maybe we can assess our own mistakes as well.
In the case of the Desperate Housewives brouhaha, I believe that the US should do something about this. Knowing that the US is a country that promotes equality. It is such a shame for the scriptwriters to be so irresponsible and for the actress to not even consider the consequences resulted by such act.
Oh well…
I can’t believe the smallmindedness. This spreading habit of demanding an apology and reparations everytime some hyper-sensitive nut perceives that his feelings have been hurt is a slippery slope. The rant from ‘artist’ is third rate, retread, faux Marxist babble. Grow up, exercise your mind. Read 1984 again.
And grow a little bit of a sense of proportion.
I am in the medical profession and I felt insulted and belittled with those drop lines made ms. hatcher in the desperate housewives…….for some who thinks that its just a mere joke, for us it’s not as we in the medical field working abroad always makes and keeps the best standard of care to our clients…after all the hard work we offer we dont deserve to be made as a laughing stock…..if they cannot accept the reality that we are if not one of the best when it comes to the medical profession then they should at least give us the RESPECT we need,,,,,,why filipinos of all the race?…..it’s a picture of racial descrimination…..
to: pighter pilot
How can you tell that Philippine Medical schools are not good? Did you take up medicine in the Philippines and re-took it again, the whole course in the USA? Are you a medical practitioner yourself? Contrary to what you’ve said, I met many doctors and nurses and even medical technologists who were actually forced to take more courses in Canada and was told that their education was not enough. All who I spoke to were actually “not too impressed” with the supposedly additional knowledge they were supposed to gain. It was a waste of time and they commented they were just relearning everything again. Nothing new came out of it. In many cases, they’ve even indicated that the education in the Philippines was way more advanced.
In your case, unless you are a medical student back in the Philippines and retook it in USA, I can respect your comment. If not, they you support bigotry yourself and not free speech. The comment in the show reflects the people behind the show (writers, producers, etc) that Philippine Medical schools are not at par or sub-standard and/or support bigotry too and prejudice to any Filipino medical practitioner. How can you make a comment like that in a general way?
People like Kevin Nadel, on Fox last night, just wants his 3 minutes of fame…he needs to lighten up , it was a comment said in jest…if he, and others, don’t like it …get out of my country and go back to the Philippines.
The statement of Susan (Teri Hatcher) regarding doctors completing their medical degree in the Philippines has created quite a stir among the Filipinos as well as other minorities in the US. I would not want to be defensive knowing that many of the best doctors in the US and around the world are produced in the Philippines. While, I understand that the scripted comment was probably meant to elicit some comic reaction about any doctor’s perceived incompetence no matter where they are from (including those who graduated from Harvard Med School), the singling out of “Philippine med schools” was most insensitive, derogatory and very clear prejudice of all minorities in the US as a whole —doctors or any other profession for that matter. I deem the Desperate Housewives’ writers should be more responsible in ensuring that the quality of dialogue in the show is at the highest standards, lest these desperate housewives come out to be “dim-witted” and down right uninformed, instead of portraying them as fun and endearing everyday people despite their eccentricities. The show’s dialogue goes beyond Philippines —– it is a flagrant belittling of not only the Philippines but other nations and minorities as a whole. And however else you want to view it, the statement is TOTALLY CONDEMNABLE. On reflection, this event is even more embarrassing for Americans who could be dragged in a generalization as plain “ignorant” who don’t think ouside of their little box. As a matter of fact, Americans should be protesting more than the minorities on issues like these.
Perhaps, it is time for Desperate Housewise to close shop or maybe to desperately seek audience who will be on board with them in putting down minorities? That is not very funny, isn’t it?
This is a pretty harmless incident and people are really over reacting.
Really……..find something else to worry about!!!! This is a show and it was a joke. If we all take everything personal, everyone would be asking and giving apoligies all the time.
I am so offended by the gesture and the words that Susan Meyer blurted out in the short conversation about the Philippine medical schools and the medical professionals here in the Philippines.
Curse the writer of the episode because it’s no joke and not funny to make a joke out of a decent profession and decent people here in the Philippines.
Will they indeed? How many?
Some will, some won’t. Those that discriminate because of this, avoid them or report them.
Seems simple to me.
Understandable how many people feel about it, though. But hey, ABC finally apologized. :)
Can we all move along now?
In whatever angle I look at it, it is blatant bigotry. Here in the Philippines, I have friends who think that people are over reacting but majority of us felt that it was a malicious script meant to malign filipinos in the medical field. I believe that the actress has an even greater responsibility since she was the one to deliver the line. If Ms. Hatcher knows what is ethical and what is not, she probably wouldn’t have delivered the line.
What what with the speech of peace and equality when all the while you people have never learned the very lesson of 9-11.
In whatever angle I look at it, it is blatant bigotry. Here in the Philippines, I have friends who think that people are over reacting but majority of us felt that it was a malicious script meant to malign filipinos in the medical field. I believe that the actress has an even greater responsibility since she was the one to deliver the line. If Ms. Hatcher knows what is ethical and what is not, she probably wouldn’t have delivered the line.
What with the speeches of peace and equality when all the while you people have never learned the very lesson of 9-11.
to pighter pilot:
Our doctors no need to query their diagnosis, they are precise and good with their treatments and judgements…..have you heard that simple c-section and appendectomy in other countries results to death?….you should be fair and try to know the realities in the hospital or in the medical area….did you know that some of the presidents’ personal physicians are filipinos ?….they graduated in our medical schools….and if they go to other countries to work they pass their exams w/flying colors…..other doctors in other countries did not even have in their curriculum of pharmacology ,physiology , microbiology , anatomy subjects and the like on their pre med schooling….in our country even nurses has this curriculum….just letting you know….our medical people will not be recruited all over the world if we are sub standard…and if we are, how come in your exams for qualification, filipinos are of the top with passing marks?
You cant say that we are over reacting because your not the one whose affected maybe its too childish but this our own way of form keeping you discriminators in stepping down the nation that our heroes defended from molesters and business-addicts that destroyed our country thats why we have poverty….funny but did you still have the dignity within you..
The line on the episode was not a joke! A joke is supposed to be funny that wasn’t.
Some people think that we are over reacting but we’re not. We are just not tolerating this insult to our medical community. For if we are to tolerate this Americans will continue to joke about our medical community.
If our med school is sub standard then why are other countries recruiting them? It’s simply because that doctors and nurses who graduated here in the Philippines can compete to those who graduated in the US.
Regarding the apology it still was not enough. I know that the apology was issued but its still did not repair the damages. People will still have a bad image of our med community.
Ok enough already. Move on.
If they changed the word from Philippines to Puerto Rico, would you still be offended?
Face it, American media makes fun of EVERYBODY… including themselves.
Mabuhay Pilipinas.
just so we can remind ourselves, kindly check if your ancestors where really native americans to call yourself american. maybe we have forgotten how many immigrants from europe and other parts of the world came to the americas. Check if you’re native to actually call yourself american. Remember how so many american indians died on their own lands so long ago.So don’t be so insensitive as to drive away others from the land that you yourself just inherited through your ancestors that were not exactly from america at all!
THE FILIPINOS ARE SENSITIVE PEOPLE AND THEY DO NOT MAKE FUN OF OTHER CULTURES.REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE. CLEARLY, THIS IS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. SOME SAY IT IS JUST A SIMPLE JOKE BUT YOU FORGOT THAT THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A BAD JOKE. YOU DO NOT MAKE FUN OF OTHERS. THIS PLAIN STATEMENT HAS A VERY BAD CONNOTATION. FILIPINO NURSES AND DOCTORS COMPRISES THE LARGEST NUMBER OF FOREIGN SCHOOLED PROFESSIONALS AND HELPED IN THE ECONOMY OF THE US. WE DEMAND A SINCERE APOLOGY. ARCELI,RN
It maybe a racist remark and it was wrong for them to say that on the show.
The Philippines needs to sort out its own house before shouting about this, as a English man living in the Philippines I can honestly say I have never been to such a racist country, try being white in this country it is hell, every time you walk down the street you get Hey Joe and Hey f**k you man, shouted at you not once but over and over again, it is even worse for blacks I know of a black man that has a filipino girlfriend, he came here once and people shouted at him non-stop stared at him and made comments about him being dirty, he has vowed never to set foot in this country again, he now pays for his girlfriend to fly to Hong Kong and meets her there.
The sad thing is the Philippines needs investment and tourists to help it grow, but with so many racists they are stopping both of the above, I have worked out how much this racism is costing the country in lost investment and tourism and it is about $65 billion a year, this works out at over 60,000 peso for every man woman and child, this is enough to provide free schools and even free health care.
A lot of the reaction has been mostly emotional than rational. However, I found an interesting perspective on the subject from another Filipino blog here:
http://asbb-foreignexchange.blogspot.com/2007…
Some food for thought to digest, certainly.
To Englishman Paul. What the heck are you staying in the Philippines for if you are just being maligned and ridiculed always. And why has your black friend insisted on paying for his girlfriend’s plane fare? Maybe he likes the Filipina traits too? I must agree however that we need tourists and investors to spruce up our economy. But make no mistake for we are no mendicants. Never dangle your $65 billion a year story so that you can insult our intelligence and capabilities. I don’t know where you got your figures but if you are an entrepreneur residing here then you must have seen an inviting ROI bottomline to invest with in the first place. And if you are an expat, your company must be drooling over the expected growth in it’s networth because of the investment. In either case let me remind you that the number of our countrymen who has made sacrifices to pursue their own future in other countries have been so far escalating. This result in a turnaround of an unprecendented amount of remittances to their loved ones and in fact remains to be the single most contributing factor to the nation’s coffers. We do not belittle your contribution to this nation but we are not fond of insulting foreigners like you, much like you are fond of degrading people like us. These are no longer the commonwealth and monarchical times where you can claim domain of everything you see and stifle freedom of expression in one’s own defense. If we attribute a slur against our being then by God let us shout about it and let us make the whole world know that we were hurt. This would be distinctly ” ours ” because the slander was against the Philippines and we are FILIPINOS! We might be poor now but we are proud of our heritage because history is on our side and very few races have wished us ill.
Sue ABC, Sue Them. SUE ABC abd Desperate Housewives show. You would be a dumb Foe if you wouldnt.
I’ve read the following comments and some were very hurtful!! I’m hoping that those hurtful comments were not written by filipinos! comments like “Leave my Country and go back to yours” or the english man Paul who is commenting that Philippines is a racisit country!! Come on… These comments make all filipinos look evil… As a filipina I know by experience that we are a kind race… many of my aunties are married to white americans as well as african americans.. This also includes my mother who was remarried to an african american man… We have open minds and we fully respect America…. and I believe the comment made on DHW was not needed and should be edited… having the right to free speech should NOT include or excuse belittleing other races…
Oh and PAUL… Get a life…. If you are so dipleased with living in the Philippines “THEN GET THE HECK OUT”!!! WE FILIPINOS ARE NOT THAT CRUEL!! and Dennis is right, our country may be poor now but we are TRULY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE!! and I would really appriciate it, if you would stop commenting false facts about the philippines… You should get your facts straight before saying such hateful things…
Why do I stay in the Philippines you ask? because I want to and why should I give in to a load of racists.
You Filipinos are not Cruel LOL, why the hell do they shout racist remarks at whites and blacks all the time, why do they try to con whites all the time, both things are racist.
Any of you say it does not happen in your country must go round with your eyes and ears closed, come on none of you can deny that many Filipino shout out Hey Joe, Hey F**k you man or shout where are you going (which comes from the song Hey Joe and means Joe is going to his death)at every white man they see.
How can any of you say that many Filipinos are not racist, that has to be a joke, your Racist to each other I am not blind I know the way you look down on people from Visayas, how you laugh at the way they talk and think of them as stupid, that is Racism and I see that everyday in the Philippines.
I am not Filipino. I was born in New York City to a Puerto Rican mother and an Ecuadorian father. Incidentally, I was delivered by an OB-GYN who was a Filipina, and my wife is a Filipina. She and I both found the scene amusing.
The use of the Philippines in this scene was at most an unfortunate mistake, but neither of us sees this as a racial slur. The Philippines is certainly not the first country to be the butt of this kind of joke. In the 1981 film “Cannonball Run” (admittedly not Oscar material), Jack Elam’s character states that he has a degree in proctology from the University of Rangoon. I don’t remember anyone from Burma–excuse me, Myanmar–demanding an apology and/or reparations from the filmmakers.
If Susan had instead mentioned checking for a medical degree from San Juan or Guayaquil (or Jackson Heights), I would not have been offended.
To Sir Paul. I attempted not to dignify further your comments on the issue but your searing generalizations of the brown or Malay race ( Filipino ) seems to be anchored on the wrong perspective. Not to justify what some of my countrymen may have done to you or to your friends, it is unlikely that this is being repeated everywhere you go. I suggest you take the streets in the middle of Tondo area filled with squatters, toughies, hoodlums and I bet you they’ll never lay a hand on you much less disrespect you. Sir this is my country and for whatever it’s worth I’ll take it anytime of the day much like you will too perhaps. Most of us here are downright courteous specially to foreigners like you if they mean well, maybe more than what should be. If indeed you are an englishman, you should know that Mahatma Gandhi despite your ridicule, racial slur and insults was man enough to walk where he was not allowed to do so by the English when you still ruled India because of the presence of WHITES. Rosa Parks died in the U.S. defending what she believed was right with regards to the American whites hurtful law of segregation in the bus. Like us these two individuals took it upon themselves to fight but were never disrespectful nor bitter. When we call our Visayan countrymen as
” bisaya ” (regional name for people living in the Visayas ) or ” yabis ” ( colloquial term for a visayan )or ” matigas and dila ” ( hard accent ) it is not a racial slur because we are of the same race but with different regions. The Visayans can freely call the Tagalogs ( those coming from the regions 3 to 5 ) as ” mayabang ” ( windbag ) or the Igorots ( people from the mountain province as in Baguio ) as ” mga taong nakabahag ” ( people in G-strings or loincloth ) and vice versa without any problem because that is an internal terms of endearment. You can call perhaps a Scotchman as a Man in Skirt without being racial because you are both an englishman. A black calls his own black friend a NIGGA denoting a ” NEGRO ” which is not a racial slur because they are the same but which is taboo for the white Americans to say.
The issue was the slur committed against the Philippines and this is so because it was vicious, derogatory and was watched by the whole world. We commit those discrimatory acts everyday but within the confines of our own small place.
Lastly don’t try to single yourself out and say that you are being conned out because you are white. In any nation there will always be lawless elements including yours and mine and we will be both affected. How many cellphones has my children lost to snatchers and thieves not to mention some lost investment on scheming deals. These occurs in every place in the world and it would be wrong to attribute it again to Filipinos in the Philippines and say that was so because you were white. We will co-exist no matter what. It’s just for us to watch our own backs.
Incidentally ” hey Joe ” is the greeting we deciphered from our small english vocabulary when we were liberated from the Japanese rule in 1945 when every white soldier we saw was greeted by such and it stucked through the years as I assure you that it meant no disrespect.
You Americans and British need to give due appreciation to the people of color. We are the reason why you enjoy your high standard of living, while by and large we live in poverty. Your privileges are a result of your long history of exploitation and colonization. To the Englishman, your mere presence in the Philippines smacks of exploitation. Unlike you, our presence in America doesn’t make Americans poorer, but in fact makes them richer.
Well, Filipino Doctors are quite competent, its universal that quality care imbued with competency and mastery are guiding principles for filipino doctors, I really love watching DS, but now i really hate the tv show especially eventhough im not a doctor i thought ive been insulted i curse the show
to pighter pilot medical schools in the philippines has a standardized educational system, Philippines is one of the center of excellence with regards to medical profession
As an American of European ancestry who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 25 years, I am very familiar with the thousands of Pinoys who labour away as domestic “helpers” in Hong Kong. They are often treated very badly by their Chinese employers, and have little recourse when their wages are withheld, are forced to work in their employers factories, etc. However, they have proven to me that they are decent, kind and warm people who deserve better. Now I learn that ABC television in the USA has decided to revile Pinoys on its programme “Desperate Housewives.” This is totally unacceptable and the network must give a broadcast apology at once….their written apology is an insult. They must retract their slur by reaching the very audience that heard it in the first place!
Just checking back on this site…and as I suspected this was such a nonissue it has gone away and nobody cares…
Yes, I think I have to agree with what this guy says on his blog:
http://asbb-foreignexchange.blogspot.com/2007/10/final-word-in-desperation.html
———————————————
I will end my commentary on the whole issue by simply asking why we think it is perfectly alright for us to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QusLouQhEfo
and this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDQJGIFzV1Q&mode=related&search=
and even for one of our most respected politicans to say this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBEuhLlNYTY
but when anyone dares to poke fun at a segment of our population like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYB4H0Po0A0
everyone immediately cries racism and discrimination?
[…] reports on Saturday that the Desperate Housewives scandal involving purported racist remarks against Philippine medical school […]
There are two ways to gain equity. One is to develop oneself and force others (the self-proclaimed superior) to accept one as equal. This is the route East Asian have taken and the reason why Japan, Korea, Singapore and China are viewed as competitors to the West.
The other route is to complaint and sues and march down the street demanding something call “right/equality”. The self-proclaimed superior might throw you a bone and let you off thinking you are equal.
Which route to take reflects the culture’s self-respect. If you know you are equal you will develop and match your competitors. If you think you are equal you can sue and hope that the court agree with you. Development takes a long time and lots of resources but you will get true equality and respect. To complaint is much quicker, all you have to do is not go to work and march down the street. The result is short lived and no one will really respect you but for some it is enough.
How about it Filipinos? Are you equal or do you think you are equal.
Hi Pei. Let me ask you the same question. Are you up to it and do you feel that you are equal to or superior to anyone? If you do then I’m pretty sure that you are a foreigner because it is intrinsic for Filipinos to be meek, humble and quiet unless villified. This frenzy over the ABC’s brouhaha is but a natural reaction for people who felt aggrieved and not a question of equality nor superiority. No less than San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom attributed the questionable phrase as ” irresponsible and degrading ” complimenting the fact that these kind of statements are no longer acceptable in this time and age. Such rhetorics run smacks of the olden repressive era which only bred deceit, contempt, revenge and murder.
It would amaze you to know that 20 years ago we stand at a national level of 68% literacy level to ultimately ascend to at least 90% today which more or less tells you why Filipinos of today shout more, picket the streets more and longs for justice more. Learning and understanding the concepts in life and appreciating it more are the very tenets of education. If we choose not to speak up nor stand up for what we believe today, then I would think that whatever education we have earned for ourselves would have gone to naught. We ( Filipinos ) may not agree among ourselves in most occassions specially on subjects like politics, religion, governance etc but it will be entirely a healthy debate for we are now practicing the skills we have learned in school. But for another race to say anything against us will be a slur or casting aspersion which is entirely wrong.
We are working on the eventuality that we may be called an “EQUAL” that is why we are striving our utmost best to learn something from our schools. At best right now if we can’t be called equal, we are trying to get the attention of the world through the high court as there are plans of suing ABC. If the court agrees and the suit wins don’t you think that there will be a lesson learned from this situation? If it loses and the issue ultimately dies wouldn’t you think other people or institutions will have second thoughts on saying disparaging comments again? Either way I see that this is an eye opener for all of us and all of us will emerge as a winner including you. We need not be a China nor a Japan to be heard and we certainly don’t need a bone to make us feel that we are equal after complaining, but we do have that dignity and tradition to fight back when the pride and glory of the Philippines is at stake.
Hi, Dennis Traje, I am a Chinese from Taiwan currently living in New York City. I don’t know much about the Philippines but it seems my previous point is valid. Look at Philippines and Taiwan’s nominal GDP per capita over the past 50 years.
Philippines’ GDP per capita in 1950 $1,293.00
Philippines’ GDP per capita in 2007 $1,815.00
Taiwan’s GDP per capita in 1950 $922.00
Taiwan’s GDP per capita in 2005 $15,153.85
Filipinos are the most bigoted, racist people that I’ve known. Filipinos measure beauty by the color of the skin. The fairer and whiter the more beautiful. So what’s the fuss over Terri Hatcher?
Terri Hatcher, scriptwriters, producers, Hollywood types know whereof their talking about. These people patronize Cedars-Sinai Hospital, Hospital of choice by celebrities in Los Angeles. 85 to 90% of hospital staff are bickering, snickering, squabbling Filipino nurses and support staff that wipe asses, clean kitchens and latrines. This Filipinos compare their Corollas with fellow Filipino Corollas who has the best Corollas. Yeah, no kidding.
Filipinos bash and look down on Mexicans (only good in the farm and mostly mechanic), blacks (lazy), white americans (as don’t know how to write english and bad spellers). So that lives Filipinos the greatest.
They come to the United States and not showing the greatness. Not one Filpinos mentioned in business magazines. According to a Filipino apologist, business magazines is a popularity contest. Very bright, intelligent funny uninformed answer. Shows they don’t read at all.
They come to United States and bash them for loose morality. And they come anyway to reap what the loose moralities has sown.
Filipinos are BIGOTS, RACISTS AND PURE HYPOCRITES AND IGNORANTS.
IF YOU ASK ME WHO I AM? I’M A FILIPINO. BORN AND RAISED IN THE PHILIPPINES, IMMIGRATED TO UNITED STATES. NOW, I’M EMBARASSED BEING A FILIPINO
to pobrengalindahaw:
if you’re embarassed to be a filipino, why would you even say that you’re a Filipino?!?
boohoo, get over it!! it was just a joke, jezus christ! why don’t you whiners stop bitchin’ about something like this and get a life! EVERY religion, nation, and color of skin gets made fun of somethimes,so what!!
michelle: For one I which I did have a high standard of living.
How the hell do me being here make you poorer when I bring money in to your country and if you think I make you poorer ask the kids that live in squats that I give a party to every Xmas and if I have any spare money which I don’t have, your racist view that all white are rich is a load of crap, I pay for them to go to school and things like that it is a pity the rich Filipinos don’t care as much about the poor in your country as I do.