By Ruben V. Nepales
Inquirer
LOS ANGELES, California–The network and producers of “Desperate Housewives” have issued a statement apologizing for a remark made by actress Teri Hatcher’s character in a recent episode of the television series.
The following is the network’s statement: “The producers of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines. As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs.”
The remark, made by Hatcher’s character in a scene with a doctor, was, “Okay, before we go any further, can I check those diplomas? Because I would just like to make sure they are not from some med school in the Philippines.”
Filipinos, especially healthcare professionals in the US and the Philippines, were outraged by the remark. E-mails expressing outrage circulated among Filipinos all over the world. Blogs and websites denounced the remark.
The Philippines’ Consul General in Los Angeles, Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon, sent a letter of complaint to Mark Pedowitz, president of ABC Studios, which has the domestic and international franchise rights to the show.
The remarks “served to create racial stereotypes, thereby tainting unnecessarily the excellent record of Filipino health care professionals all over the world,” she said in her letter.
The Philippine presidential palace, Malacanang, also said it would seek an apology from the TV network.
Alec Mapa, a Filipino-American actor who has a recurring role in the series, told this reporter via e-mail: “It’s unfortunate that the Philippines was used as a punch line. My family is filled with doctors and medical professionals. I know first hand from them, that the medical schools in the Philippines are top notch.”
The actor’s full statement appears in this reporter’s column, “Only in Hollywood,” Friday (October 6).
When asked by if ABC would release a lengthier statement, Charissa Gilmore, ABC Studios vice president for media relations, said this is “the only statement planned.” With a report from Nimfa Rueda, Philippine Daily Inquirer
30 Feedbacks on "ABC Studios sorry for racial slur on ‘Desperate Housewives’"
cuteme610
they should never had included that line! did anyone even thought that THAT was funny?
lulu
wasnt pres clinton’s doctor a pinoy? just because we recently had the nursing leak controversy, pa-controversial na rin ang desperate show na ito.
maXXari
The desperate housewives deserve a BIG SLAP for every Pinoy she encounter.
Vince
ABC “planned statement” is not good enough. The damage was great, they have irresponsible script writters and shame on Terry! She should not have agreed to say that!
themarsian
Hey Filos, stop being such ‘pusong mamon’.
Loosen up and sharpen up.
You should all learn how to laugh at yourself. It was just a joke
des
That was some apology (smirk). It sounds like it was issued simply to appease the enraged Filipino community, not to apologize.
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christian Allarde
I have lived in America for quite sometime and have been called many things in my days. But when I was little I never understood what they meant but when I grew older it made sense. I went to American schools an and studied American History. And we should know that even women were considered minorities in the early 1900’s they were not given the right to vote until Elenanor Roosevelt. So we shouldn’t make what a tv show said be the one to bring us down. I encourage people read Slave Dancer and Roots then you’ll what racist really means.
Francis
It is a common knowledge that for a few thousand pesos one can buy a degree in Philippines. I believe that Filipinos should take it easy on this one least of course you want that issue to bomeerang in your face. Just look at the present occupant of the Malacanang Palace. Illegal President equals illegal diploma equals corrupt society equals immorallity. Add to that is the Catholic institutions evil ways.
Filipinos should clean their acts first and clean their own backyard of illegals and do start with Arroyo if you guys want respect from the world if not from your own.
It is so easy for us to re-act to such comedic script when the evidence is their in our face.
I always believe that the Filipinos deserve the kind of government they have for allowing of course such things to happen and for allowing their religion and the media for controlling their minds.
Time to clean our backyard now….
P.S.
Mga Kababayan,
Nag-sorry na daw!
Kaya lang ginamit daw ang speech ni Gloria Arroyo…the infamous “I AM SORRY”.
In fact, they hired Nora Aunor daw in the states to deliver the I am Sorry speech..
Oh di ba pag may “Hello Garci” may ginhawa
JSA
ABC should put their money where their mouth is. Words are cheap. A lot of book writers, and other media venue has been stereotyping Filipinos for the longest type, either as maids, cooks, drivers, etc., and in this case, Philippine medical schools being diploma mills. We have to stop being understanding and nice. We are a nation that has shown the world examples of faith, bravery, dedication, and excellence in whichever they are, in so many ways. The only way to stop these unscrupulous people from using us, and taking us for granted is to exact financial consideration every time they take pot shots at us. Let them donate big amounts to charities in the U.S. or our country, to benefit the underprivileged as penance, that way they will learn a lesson. Apologies are not enough anymore. Financial penalty is the only way the uncouths will learn that it doesn’t pay to disparage anyone. Filipinos have to be united all over and boycott products they put out and endorsed, unless they retract publicly and pay out for every stupid stunt they pull against our people and nation.
ENOUGH!!!! BASTA!!!!
Cybill
The joke was not cool and ABC has already issued an apology. However, some of our senators refuse to accept the statement by ABC and want a public announcement on television for the damage done by the remark by Teri Hatcher’s character.
Hay, I don’t know about us Pinoys. I remember seeing the American Adobo and was offended for the American guys who were portrayed as jerks…like we Pinoys are wont to do. Yet no Americans went all crazy about that.
Miriam Santiago refuses to accept ABCs apology. Goodness, of all people to act so high and mighty. She blurted a racial comment against the Chinese recently and China and all the other Chinese speaking countries didn’t go berserk about it like we Pinoys are doing right now.
ABC apologized…Filipinos should just accept it…then drop it. At my job where I work with hundreds of people everyday, many of whom saw the show did not say a thing about the damaged reputation of Filipino medical professionals. So we get offended, but get a life…masyado tayong OA about it. It didn’t even stick in the minds of most people. So, is there anyone out there who stopped seeing a Pinoy doctor because of what was said on the show?
Ben
Guys, this is serious!
Joke or not, this incident is not funny and needs to be rectified via a formal apology on TV from the president of ABC, the producers and directors of that program.
I remember too well a few years back when a crime was committed and the (white) policeman was absolutely sure that the suspect was a “filipino”. I am a filipino and I can’t tell other filipinos just by their looks. This other incident also created turmoil amongst the filipino community even politicians got involved. It turned out later that he was a “latino”.
archangel
This people behind the production should watch out first what they write. Anyway I don’t watch to this kind of lousy show..nonsense
Francis
Dear Bloggers,
04th October 2007
Will anyone kindly please verify or assist me on this matter.
I have received a text message from a certain Atty. Mariano M. Chavez of the PGMA Foundation whose cell number is 09286917450 claiming that my mobile number has been randomly selected. I have apparently won 1 million pesos from the foundation.
Below is the text message.
“Congratulations! Your cell # had won 1M pesos during the anniversary of the PGMA foundation raffle draw. DTI permit # 2578 Series 2007 Please Contact Atty Mariano M. Chavez at 09286917450 for details and on how to claim it. Thank you.”
I wonder if this got anything to do with my criticism of the illegitimate regime of Mrs. Arroyo. Not to mention the evil the religion it represents.
Well, my paintings are for sale but not my vote.
If this text message is true, will any representative from Philippine General Hospital claim this in my behalf as my donation to your institution?
Thank you.
Francis Tanseco
www.francistanseco.com
09286746052
P.S. Should I fear for my life now?
LarryESP
I hope this serves as lesson to be learned by all govt. officials and nurses exam takers involved in that scam, that the gravity of their offense is gargantuan and will haunt them forever.
Sonny Vergara
It appears like a big class action suit is coming. We should learn from Jesse Jackson. Have ABC not just retract, but ABC must be made to show the real diversity of their hospital settings.
Carmi
Ban showing of Desperate Housewives in the Philippines!
libby
This issue is an insult to the Filipino people in the entire world.Some people said, “it’s not a big deal”. IT IS A BIG DEAL!!!
wonton
Well I’ve always had the hots for Teri Hatcher because she was the sexiest Lois Lane in Superman, she has the nicest ones. Although I am not a fan of the Desperate Housewives, I did listen to what was said and I didn’t find it at all offensive or racist. Not because I’m not in the medical field, because I do agree that our medical professionals are the finest in the world. But I didn’t find it to be racist at all. I have live in America for most of my life went to American schools. And have been called much worst then what was mentioned on the tv show. Also I know when it sounds racist or not, you know it’s not like saying nigger to a black person or showing a swastika to a Jew or saying,dot guy to an Indian person, or human burrito to a Mexican. Many minorities have gone through worse than what was said on a tv show. You know I find that Filipino’s some Filipino’s can be very sensitive to words said either positive or negative to them. And let me ask this let us be honest I know who among us has never ever cracked a racist remark or joke, maybe not in english maybe in Tagalog or in your native dialect. If you say you don’t then we are all hypocrites I admit I do sometimes. Like we never say intchik or Arabo.And then laugh at it
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oscar
What goes around comes around. Does anybody still wonder why so many hate the americans?
marcus kulit
the fact that they accepted Filipino doctors in their country means that our doctors had passed their standards…..ibalik natin yan sa kanila…..
Rick
This is in responsefor FRANCIS’ comment…. siguro ikaw namili ka ng diploma! i think you went overboard when you included the “evil ways” the catholic institutions in your comment. Bakit, may terorista bang katoliko??? So if you despise Arroyo that much, sino ang gusto mo, si ERAP na huli na eh todo deny pa??? At least si Gloria, she had apologized eh si ERAP, ni ayaw nya ngang tanggapin ang pagkakamali nya kahit sandamukal na ang ebidensya laban sa kanya. Before you post a comment here, please lang, may SPELL CHECK ang microsoft word, can you please check the difference between THEIR and THERE???
.tetchi
People before you react, look at your face in the mirror first and throw that bastard Erap the plunderer in the garbage bilibid, then you can look at other backyard around you! Blame yourself for your stupidity!
MARIA CORAZON MALAPIT
buti pa ang mga doctors naipagtanggol nyo. Ang mga nurses na nakapasa ng 2006, pinaulit ng exam at paano ang mga hindi nakapasa?? inabala nyo sila ng napakatagal, wala man lANG NAKAALA-ALA KUNG GAANO ANG HIRAP NG MGA NAKAPASA PAULITIN PAG EXAMIN.GAANO KARAMING PERA ANG UUBUSIN NG MGA NURSES BAGO MAKARATING SA aMERICA?BAYAD SA REVIEW NG CGFNS, BAYAD SA EXAM NG CGFNS? BAYAD SA REVIEW NG NCLEX? BAYAD SA PROCESSING NG NCLEX AT CGFNS? PAGHIHINTAY NG LIMANG TAON BAGO MAKAPUNTA NG AMERICA?? AT ILANG ULIT MAG EXAM BAGO NILA IPASA?? MAGKANO PAMASAHE PAG EXAM SA AMERICA NG NCLEX YEARS AGO??ILAN ANG IPINASA?? ILAN ANG BAGSAK?? HOW MUCH MONEY NURSES ARE WASTING ??PUNTA SA WALA?? WALANG MAG TANGGOL?? 20 YEARS PAGHIHINTAY NG PETITION APPROVAL NG KAPAMILYA PARA SA FAMILY REUNIFICATION NG MARAMING FILIPINO? COMMENT LANG SA DOCTORS, OVERWHELMING ANG REACTION PATI SENADO….SA MGA NURSES NA BAYAD NG BAYAD AT HINTAY NG HINTAY…MONEY AND TIME WASTED…WALA BANG REACTION ANG GOBYERNO?? BAKIT KAILANGAN PA NA MAY CGFNS, NCLEX STATE BOARD?? PARUSA SA MGA NURSES NA PUPUNTA AT MAG WORK SA AMERICA?? WALA BANG SOLUSYON ANG GOBYERNO SA PAHIRAP NA ITO??PLS. HELP NURSES ,TOO!!!! DOCTORS LANG ANG NAKITA NYO..PROBLEMA NG NURSES, MALALA, PERA AT ORAS, ALL WASTED. PAANO MATUTULUNGAN NG GOBYERNO NG PINAS?? PLS!PLS!PLS! CGFNS SINCE 1979….PWEDE BA BURAHIN NA ANG CGFNS??PLS…
Anie
Gosh! I just couldn’t believe this Nadal’s statement, read “On the other hand, Nadal suggested that the show’s producers and ABC executives could make a more substantial gesture than an apology, through scholarships or donations for Filipino and Filipino-Americans and community groups. Sure is another corruption in the making! Ignor! Ignor Ignor it! What a shame on us Filipinos! Disgusting!
tylerdurden
As usual Pinoys are so “Over Acting” about this matter. It’s just one stupid line on one stupid tv show! Balat sibuyas kayo masyado! It just shows how Pinoys don’t get american film, tv and culture. That is no biggie! Chinese, Koreans, Arabs, British and the French are portrayed way way worst than this and we dont even hear a single flak from them. Too much political correctness S*Cks!
phild
Lighten up. Movies and tv shows from all countries at one time or another make stupid slips like this and most people with any intelligence don’t even think twice about it.
I lived in the Philippines for almost 2 years and have the utmost respect for the people there. The reason they dislike the americans in different places in the islands is because the Americans that live there are basically assholes that think they are better than the locals, not from stupid remarks made. Besides, how many of you Filipinos have made remarks about us white boys? I can easily bet almost every one of you. So grow up and act intelligent like you are if you’re educated and get over it.
NHave you ever been in a Filipino hospital? I have a few times and the condition some of them are in would scare the hell out of a dead rat. Protest you should, but why not put the protest to some good use? Try protesting against the way the government runs things over there and protest the fact that if you ain’t got money, you ain’t gonna get very much done - GRAFT? Try to change it so that the people say what gets done by the government, not what you WILL do as dictated by the government and church. By the way, I am religious and belive in and love my God, so don’t think this is someone who doesn’t get the picture. It’s time you stood up for your selves and country instead of bowing down to a government that says it is democratic, but not really.
Ruth
In my opinion the degrading comment on medical schools in the Philippines even though it is fictional is plain ignorant ,immature and stupid on the part of the script writer and whoever approves/edit the script. For the doctors that are products of the PHILIPPINE MEDICAL SCHOOLS that are serving USA you know who you are and know how/ why you are where you are now. Don’t let a stupid and ignorant dialogue stops you from doing an excellent work. If some people are not appreciative of what you give , there is Someone up there who is keeping tab.
Raul
The slur offended many of us Filipinos alright. Its just appropriate for ABC to apologize and correct the slip. Its also not proper for other commentators to get back at Filipinos by riding on other local issues even with valid basis. We all should stick to the issue at hand. No society is perfect and all of us should strive to correct the wrong done. Accepting the apology from ABC and moving on is the best thing for all of us.
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