Hold the Presses. The latest bribery scandal is off the front pages, the next typhoon is still a day away, so the local TV News and all the radio talk shows here are upset about another major issue:
 Desperate Housewives made a joke about Philippine doctors, and the whole country is upset about it.
In one scene Mayer asks for the credentials of the gynecologist who examined her and told her that she was approaching menopause.
Mayer said, “Can I check those diplomas ‘coz I just want to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines.” The premiere episode, which has been posted on YouTube.com, drew criticisms from the Filipino community on the Internet.
This is a major ethnic slur, and given the fact that being a doctor or nurse here is seen as a way to earn a living overseas there is a lot pride in our medical community.
Apparantly, it’s okay to slur certain ethnic groups on TV, such as Filipinos, but not other “protected” groups, such as Blacks or Muslims.
On the other hand, most Filipinos have a sense of humor, so if the show issues a quick apology, all will be forgiven.
And besides, by tomorrow there is another typhoon coming, so the news will go on to more important things.
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Nancy Reyes is a retired physician living in the Philippines. Her husband and several other relatives are graduates from Philippine Medical Schools. She blogs at Finest Kind Clinic and Fishmarket.
7 users commented in " Philippines protest Desperate Housewife Slur "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThe comment in the show was pure evidence of racist and cultural bigotry.
I am not a Filipino and I am deeply concerned. If the show’s producers had maligned those of the Jewish faith, or used the “N” word, there would be national outrage! If it had been about the radical islamist terrorists, there would be international riots.
It is curious that all news venues except ABC have run the AP wire on this story. The show should be shut down.
clearly, these things should not be tolerated at all.. racist slurrs against filipino, chinese, indian, or even black americans are signs of ignorance…
it’s not about being touchy and all that but the point is that we’re all humans, therefore are succeptible to hurts and pains, nobody is perfect hence the insecurities in whatever which is lacking or emphasized in each of our own characteristics…
freedom entails responsibilities and not all the things that you want to say, should be said.. be it verbal or in print…
clearly, these things should not be tolerated at all.. racist slurrs against filipino, chinese, indian, or even black americans are signs of ignorance…
it’s not about being touchy and all that but the point is that we’re all humans, therefore are succeptible to hurts and pains, nobody is perfect hence the insecurities in whatever which is lacking or emphasized in each of our own characteristics…
freedom entails responsibilities and not all the things that you want to say, should be said.. be it verbal or in print…
For everyone’s information there is a Filipina DOctor named Dr. Eleonor Concepcion Mariano who was the first Filipino-American to reach the rank of Admiral in the US NAvy and was WHite House physician for Pres Clinton and Pres Bush. So can u imagine Filipina doctors that takes good care of the US Presidents….if their diplomas were to some med school in Philippines.
Racism is so alive in that channel.. channel ABC Right? Was it ABC Channel too that one of the greys anatomy character said some anti gay slur? what’s going on with that network? seems to me they’re so desperate of trying to gain viewership at the expense of other cultures..
We are urging the Philippine Government to really do something about it.. they have to because i am just a small voice saying this stuff and i bet , no one would even care but if the philippine government will make some serious move against the racist remark , i believe it will be a start to put an end to all these non sense.. I feel like we’re going back to the old days only this time they make it sound funny and okey..
to all filipinos.. pls don’t patronize that dumb show anymore. a show that promotes immorality, stupidity and racism…
long live the Philippines… Mabuhay Filipinos!
Terri hatcher is also dumb to even consider mentioning that dialogue for the show.. how could she be so dumb to think that it will create tension to the whole filipino community. We filipinos are not dummies to just sit here and laugh and let it go..
Terri Hatcher is the dumbest woman alive. She could have said NO in saying those things against Filipinos. Now Filipinos are so upset with her too! Terri Hatcher, I hope this reaches you. You’re such a MORON! Just go to a plastic surgeon to repair your overhauled face.
Lynn: ”
Lynn said,
in October 4th, 2007 at 5:58 am
clearly, these things should not be tolerated at all.. racist slurrs against filipino, chinese, indian, or even black americans are signs of ignorance…
it’s not about being touchy and all that but the point is that we’re all humans, therefore are succeptible to hurts and pains, nobody is perfect hence the insecurities in whatever which is lacking or emphasized in each of our own characteristics…
freedom entails responsibilities and not all the things that you want to say, should be said.. be it verbal or in print…
clearly, these things should not be tolerated at all.. racist slurrs against filipino, chinese, indian, or even black americans are signs of ignorance…
it’s not about being touchy and all that but the point is that we’re all humans, therefore are succeptible to hurts and pains, nobody is perfect hence the insecurities in whatever which is lacking or emphasized in each of our own characteristics…
freedom entails responsibilities and not all the things that you want to say, should be said.. be it verbal or in print…
For everyone’s information there is a Filipina DOctor named Dr. Eleonor Concepcion Mariano who was the first Filipino-American to reach the rank of Admiral in the US NAvy and was WHite House physician for Pres Clinton and Pres Bush. So can u imagine Filipina doctors that takes good care of the US Presidents….if their diplomas were to some med school in Philippines.”
Lynn, I am a proponent of the hard work and education (specifically nursing) that so many undertake in the Philippines. I just want to clear up the biography of Dr. Eleonor Concepcion Mariano. Here is her background according to Wikipedia: “Mariano was born at the Sangley Point Naval Base in Cavite City, Philippines in 1955. Two years later, her parents arrived in the United States. Her father served in the navy as a steward and eventually retired with the rank of Master Chief. Mariano was the valedictorian of her Mar Vista High School, Imperial Beach, California, class of 1973. She is a University of California, San Diego Alumna from Revelle College where she graduated with cum laude honors and received her degree in biology at the University of California, San Diego. After her undergraduate studies, Mariano joined the navy in 1977 where she received her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Medicine in 1981 Bethesda, Maryland.
Mariano was nominated to the rank of Rear Admiral by President Bill Clinton and eventually served as the White House Physician for President Clinton and President George W. Bush.” Her education was in America and I honor her where ever she was educated.
Chrisnjr1
Not to say what was said was right, but how was it any worse then the slam about Swiss doctors made by Bree’s mother in law?
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