After successfully pushing a Senate investigation on alleged cheating in ABS-CBN’s “Wowowee,” veteran comedian and TV host Joey de Leon is now himself subject of a Congressional inquiry. Together with “Eat Bulaga!” co-mainstay Michael V. or known by his showbiz nickname, “Bitoy,” a bill has been filed in the House of Representatives to check reality-based practical joke shows, which it said had exposed its victims to public humiliation.

These shows–Joey’s “Wow Mali!” on ABC-5 and Bitoy’s “Bitoy’s Funniest Videos” on GMA-7–allegedly subject their victims to ridicule, forcing them to situations they would not choose to get involved in full view of millions of televiewers.

While we all know that this format has long been a popular fare in television worldwide, I can understand why this measure has taken its legislative course. Personally, I could not imagine being the victim of a practical joke by friends, much more by a top-rating television show. The feeling of being led to a false situation or incident, then caused me to react passionately or violently, and in the end told that it was just a joke and part of a television prank would be something I would definitely abhor. Yes, I would call the attention of the producers, network executives, or worse file a court case.

But then again, people take such things differently. Some enjoy the TV exposure, the instant celebrity tag from such pranks.  Others appreciate the joke as even a “friendly gesture.”

Going back to Joey and Bitoy, yes they could shed some light on the allegations. But they are not fully at fault for any harm done on the show’s “victims.”  The probe should instead focus more on the TV executives and producers behind the shows.  They are in a better position to explain the relevance, necessity, and significance of these practical jokes shows in their programming.

Being the faces on the frontline, however, these two well-respected and multi-awarded comics could not take this with just a mischievous grin. The bill has a valid point.

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Now that ABC Studios and “Desperate Housewives” producers have decided to delete the controversial “slur” against Filipino medical doctors in its season premier for its future broadcasts and packaging (such as in DVDs) and have apologized, I think the Filipino-American community has proved its point.

It’s rare for such a highly-rated show to give in to a staggering show of dissent over the fracas. Well, considering how Filipinos were united in their protest, I think US television scriptwriters would definitely think twice before taking Filipinos lightly or making them the butt of jokes. And, the main lesson: consider facts, research well, and not depend on years of cultural biases to earn a living.

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.

FILIPINOS, especially our kababayan physicians, in the US were insulted when an episode of the hit series “Desperate Housewives” depicted Philippine medical schools as producing substandard, inferior and worse inept medical practicioners.

Actress Teri Hatcher delivered a line reacting to a diagnosis of an OB-Gyne specialist which her character disputed and mocked: “Did you go to a medical school in the Philippines?”

I can’t blame Teri for that controversial line, since she was just following the script. The producers and scriptwriters of the show should apologize for something they obviously don’t know as fact. Philippine medical schools produce well-respected, world-renowned and even internationally-awarded doctors. While I can’t describe doctors who finished medical school in the Philippines as really the best in the world, they are definitely not the bungling, looney, or inefficient professionals these Hollywood employees falsely perceive.

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