FILIPINO blog Tingog.com, which previously called for the resignation of Filipino lifestyle columnist Malu Fernandez, has renewed calls to boycott the newspaper she writes for.
“Here it is, our stand, because Manila Standard Today has chosen to hide behind their term ‘protocol’ and issue a pardon to their most beloved columnist for all The Filipinos to see. This is a call to boycott, for the irresponsible behavior of Manila Standard Today, they have chosen to pass up the option of doing the right thing, and essentially show their true colors and the standards they are upholding,” the blog said.
INQUIRER.net called the Manila Standard Today for a reaction to the boycott call but was told the paper was not issuing any statement.
Tingog was one of the more vocal blogs against Fernandez for a travel article she wrote for People Asia magazine and the newspaper that sparked outrage among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Her earlier travel piece, which appeared in the June edition of the magazine and later in newspaper, recounted her encounter with some Filipino overseas workers while flying economy class.
“I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them,” Fernandez wrote in the article.
In quick time, the blogosphere was filled with posts denouncing the article as bigoted, hateful, and discriminatory.
Although she published a letter of apology that also announced her resignation because of what she called threats, hate blogs, and personal insults.
However, Fernandez resumed her Manila Standard Today column last Monday.
“This is also to Malu Fernandez, which from the very beginning was obviously insincere, has indeed showed her insincerity by having Manila Standard Today make the decision for her to stay. As you know, Manila Standard did not accept her resignation. But why doesn’t she just step down? As is the case with individuals who are truly never repentant, they see no need for any accountability,” Tingog.com wrote.
“We are not to blame for this escalation. All we wanted in the first place was a fair shake for this story to get some coverage, for the involved parties to issue apologies, and for Malu Fernandez to be made accountable by being fired from both publications. But Manila Standard, was given a chance, and they blew it. They not only blew it, but they did harm to the many individuals who were hurt by the article of Malu Fernandez and her response in her Manila Standard Today column,” Tingog.com added.
Meanwhile, Anton De Leon, a former journalist and blogger who lives in Dubai, said the recent move to still allow Fernandez to resume writing her column has weakened some people’s “faith in our institutions.”
Calling himself a blogspot humorist, De Leon lamented, “as if nothing happened, here she is in her acerbic wit writing style talking about ugly things on your dresser.”
“I guess all this concerted effort to clamor has gotten us nowhere close to a whimper. Yep, we have achieved nothing except the fact that we have made her a byword. Well, it all goes downhill from here,” he said in his recent Slap Happy blog entry.
De Leon is a senior communications executive for a media conglomerate.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Guys, let’s not mention the name of “THAT GIRL FROM MANILA STANDARD, at baka magka-career na totoo nga.
PLEASE JOIN ME NOT TO EVER MENTION HER NAME AGAIN PARA MAWALA NA SA SIRKULASYON ANG BABAENG ITO.
Anyway she was an unknown before, so she must be left as an UNKNOWN.
Hayaan mo na ang nanay nya kumastigo sa kanya dahil sa masama nyang ugali at ipinahiya nya ang angkan nya. Okay?
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:35 am
I dread the thought that Malu Fernandez may actually be enjoying her notoriety right now. Where before she was completely unknown, now she gained fame - even of the malevolent kind. Tsk! Tsk!
Yes…we are all righteously correct to feel indignant. But let’s leave her alone already because otherwise Manila Standard would feel that the more we talk about her, the popular they become.
Malu Fernandez must first read Jessica Zafra, Kitty Go, Dr. Holmes, or listen to Mo Twister so that she will understand what is “acerbic wit”.
Or, I hope she will focus on improving her physical appearance instead, like what Ethel Booba did. You know, she can do so many things to make her life a bit happier without insulting others.
September 13th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I find it really funny that 499,000 OFW’s and expats could possibly get so riled up over a statement about their cheap perfume, just shows how self sentered they are, mention their cheap perfume, color of their socks, make/model of the car they drive, brand of their clothing, grrrrrr thats personal and they will not stand for that!
compare that to extra judicial killings, corruption in politics, crumbleing infrastructure you could hear a mouse whiper its so quiet, why? not personal enough!
another case is there are 500,000 OVA’s out of that less than 60,000 decided to vote in the last election, why? not personal enough, lets find some excuses, any will do.
But really there are none because, like in the USA, they do the same thing, don’t vote, got more important things to do, this is why politicians there don’t even canvas the second largest immigrant population in the USA for votes, it is a waste of time and money.
Now out of those same 500,000 OVA’s talk about their cheap perfume like Malu did and 499,000 cram the web and the newspapers in protest, got that? less than 50,000 care to vote 499,000 care to raise holy cain about someone talking about their cheap perfume, why? its personal!
September 11th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Yes spawnofsatan Malu has a right to air her opinion and as such the rest of those who find her article insulting has a right to air their opinions regarding Malu themselves - which is quite a lot indeed.
September 11th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Just read about the Malu F. brohaha. I’ve never felt a sudden deluge of different emotions all at the same time after reading what Ms. Malu F. thinks about her kababayans. Indeed it is very sad when people have nothing in left in their heart but hatred. It makes them unable to love and respect others. It really must be lonely for her. If there are people around her now, they are not her friends. No one in his right faculties would even be 5 meters near that woman. I am angry but i feel more pity for her. Sad, truly sad….