ABC’s apology amid the outrage
- ABC Network, Desperate Housewives, Disney, Jean Garcia, Teri Hatcher, television -
U.S. television network ABC, owned by Disney, released a statement apologizing for the “brief reference” to Filipino medical professionals in a line delivered by actress Teri Hatcher as part of the “Desperate Housewives’” latest season premiere.
Part of the statement read: “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.”
According to reports ABC will consider re-editing the episode for future telecasts. However, Filipino-American physicians stressed that an apology or even a possible re-editing was not enough for ABC and “Desperate Housewives” to correct its obvious mistake. such as making an on-air retraction and acknowledge the contribution of Filipino medical practitioners and health professionals to the U.S. Another demand was for ABC to provide training in cultural diversity among its creative staff to prevent such slurs from happening again.
A protest action is planned in New York on Friday (US time) to pressure ABC and “Desperate Housewives” to make such amends.
The problem is deeply rooted. Unless such insensitive creative professionals change their view of the world, these offensive attacks would most certainly persist.
Such mobilization against the tide of hatred is very much welcome. It sends a stern message to these ignorant, callous, and insensitive individuals that Filipinos, most especially, won’t take this sitting down.
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Jean Garcia was in tears after showbiz reporters asked her about the alleged “advice” she gave daughter Jennica on the use of condoms amid the latter’s rumored affair with GMA-7 teen heartthrob Mart Escudero.
Jean pleaded to the showbiz press and her colleagues in the industry not to “corrupt” Jennica, who has since been affected by the news.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanya, ‘Huwag kang magpapaapekto and you pray.’ Kasi, ‘pag sinabi ko na ganyan talaga ang show business. Hindi dapat ganu’n ang show business, di ba?,” Jean said in a press conference of the upcoming horror movie Hide and Seek, which launches Jennica. Jean plays Jennica’s mom in the movie.
“Huwag naman. Buti kung totoo. Pero ‘pag hindi kasi totoo, ‘yun po ‘yung hurting, eh! So, nasasaktan ang bata, kasi hindi naman totoo,” Jean added.
