Did any Filipinos watch Desperate Housewives on 9/30/07???

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Country lover

That maybe TV but it sounds rude and offending. The producers should have thought about that.

But I know that there are people in the US and here in Canada that really discredits medical and dental graduates from the Philippines. It may have been because of several issues in the past that tarnished the credibility of the medical profession in the Philippines. Like the board exams anomaly some years ago.

Or maybe because of the competition between the US trained and Philippine trained medical professionals.

My wife and I visited a dental clinic here in Calgary once. And the Canadian dentist, while attending to my wife, was so straight in saying that Philippine trained dentist are not good. Little did he know that my wife is herself a dentist in the Philippines, upgrading her credetials towards a Canadian practice. My wife was so upset... she said she almost wanted to bite the dentist! LOL!!!

Filipino MD

It was definitely uncalled for! All physicians here in the US must pass first the US boards exams to practice medicine, which means licensed Filipino MDs in the US are as competent as any other doctor from other countries, including the US. That line from the Teri Hatcher was not funny, and was really inaccurate and discriminating against Filipinos. I hope more people respond to this sort of negative insinuations and black propaganda, even if they excuse it as just a joke. I already wrote to abc to protest!

Kevin Nadal

Attached is a petition to ABC

To the producers of "Desperate Housewives" and ABC:

We are writing to express concern and hurt about a racially-discriminatory comment made in an episode of Desperate Housewives on 9/30/07. In a scene in which Susan was told by her gynecologist that she might be hitting menopause, she replied, "Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines."

As members and allies of the Filipino American community, we are writing to inform know that this type of derogatory remark was discriminatory and hurtful, and such a comment was not necessary to maintain any humor in the show. Additionally, a statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members.

As Filipino Americans and allies, we band together to ensure that this type of hateful message should not be allowed to continue on our television and radio airwaves. Given the recent amounts of media attention that has been given to Michael Richards (against African Americans), Isaiah Washington (against gays), and Rosie O'Donnell (against Asian/ Chinese Americans), it is ridiculous that this type of hateful speech made it through various screenwriters, the show's producers, the show's actors, and ABC itself.

We demand a public apology to the Filipino American community, and we demand the episode be edited to remove the ignorant and racist remark. We will not allow hateful messages against our community (or any other oppressed community) to continue.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

If you want to support a petition against ABC, please click on http://www.petitiononline.com/FilABC/

◘Wench◘

that line was uncalled for and needless to say, culturally insensitive. i guess the filipino community in the U.S. should call the attention of ABC like what the gay community did when isaiah washington made some below-the-belt remarks about his co-star t.r. knight..and guess what, grey's anatomy also happens to be a show on ABC...

i'm proud of our filipino doctors and i'm confident of their capabilties so i'm hoping that teri's line in the show should not in any way destroy the reputation that our fellowmen have tirelessly worked hard for.

ohioan_femme

It maybe just a tv show but that is very offending. I don't know what the cast and directors were thinking. That is not funny and it is very demeaning. It is racist. Somebody needs to be sued so they don't do this again and learn their lesson.

I sent an email to ABC.com telling them that I didn't appreciate what they did and that they should know better. I would encourage Filipinos to do so.

You cannot joke about blacks or any other race here and say it is just a joke and the blacks and those other races would think it is funny. You are still going to be sued. Who are they gonna target next? The Indians? There are a lot of Indian doctors here too.

Plain_Jane_too

Yes, I saw that last night and was insulted. I went to ABC's site and lodged a complaint.

http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=CONTACT

i go loony

It's too bad it was a line from a popular TV show. I felt bad about it either. As you know, people can come up with generalizations so easily and the more discriminationg it is, the more enjoyment it would give to people of rude manners. It would seem that this line from a TV show would start a stereotype about the people getting degrees in the Philippines. It musn't be that way. Well, writers sometimes have to make some researches about what they may include in their punch lines. It's not funny at all anymore. They should have known that America is the top country to hire Filipino graduates to do their work like call center work, transcriptions, nursing, etc. Finding out will make them think we are not nothing or a so-so.

Makisig

The writer is just but so disgusting and ignoramus! And the actor could have responsibly refused the script. It speaks of the show, Desperate!

Thanks, Kevin, I had my reaction and signature. I also emailed my friend to do the same.

CCRO

It's sad that minorities still receive the short end of the stick in mainstream media.

What's even more sad is when priveleged folks, especially those who make comments such as "it's just a tv show" only let such horrible things pass. They will never feel the pain of being prejudged through negative stereotypes portrayed on tv and in movies.

kit

To johnseymour, the smartest are not always necessarily the best doctors. So what if a doctor was rejected several times in US med schools and got his degree instead from another country? What matters is he passed the licensure examinations in the US to practice. And what matters more is that he is compassionate and dedicated to his craft. Filipinos are known for compassion and dedication that is why Filipino healthcare professionals are in demand not just in the US but in a lot of other countries as well.

To those who just dismissed it as just a tv show, remember that television is a very potent mass media tool. Its ok if we can assume that all who watch television are smart and intelligent enough to know what is wrong or right, what is true or false, but we can't assume that. Television executives, producers, script writers, actors should be responsible enough and not just hide behind the idea of freedom of expression because along with whatever freedom we have are social responsibilities that go along with it.

Talking about actors, I was wondering if could Teri Hatcher herself as her own person with her own social responsibility, when she read the script, couldn't she say that "no, this is wrong"? Or actors have no power whatsoever to have the script revised if they find it offensive? Or she just did not care?

Pogiboyland

oh I see

ever wondered why 9-11 was a blessing?

Sirena

yeah i saw it. it was very distasteful on ABC's part. just think if it were hispanic-americans, or african-americans.... there would be a RIOT & the news would be all over it.

i think its time for all Filipinos to take a stand on this one. and Terry Hatcher... you are a DITZ. im not a fan of your character anymore.

cerebro

it is very unfortunate that filipino doctors were in a way was degraded in a popular tv show. it is uncalled for and it only shows that lack of class extends way way up to some of the "D" list stars such as teri hatcher and all of people from ABC who's responsible for that show.

lifedrifter

Very irresponsible & they should’ve known better. For a 3rd world, developing country to produce proficient doctors who are in demand & given high regard in the medical field is something that should be recognized by these people. This is an insult not only to Filipinos but to everyone who’ve been striving hard to prove that a person can excel in his/her chosen field despite social & financial complexities.
If they think us Filipinos are that low then how come these guys think of the dumbest, uncouth, & uncivilized things to say?

“Pagmamahal at pagmamalaki sa mga Pilipino at sa Pilipinas”

cookie

i totally agree... thats why i googled if someone else noticed that..... i dont like that our country is used in a popular tv show in a negative way... no country should be used in a pun, that is not very nice.....

trey_marj

cud not believe such a big show can be full of idiot script writer, not doing well his job. Have u done some little research for that, or just a creation of a racist. It sucks to hear white people saying such thing when in fact most of our talented and skill medical people rendering them service. I totally disagree with this, Filipinos are more talented than those red blood Americans. Know what ur talking first

icebox

i don't watch Desperate housewives. It's a very egoistic show, their lifestyle is only for those who grew up as brats.

The comment against pinoys is just a sign that these people are ignorant and only think that they are the best race in the world. If it weren't for Filipino meds, these people would only end up with non-Filipino meds switching their medicine with tic-tacs.
pathetic.

Sunshine

Seriously?!

I missed that episode. I'll go and check that out.

whale_tinay b

how sad that my fav. tv show did this kind of racism, but i cannot blame them after that 2006 leakage of nursing test in the Philippines; but its not enough to discriminate all those Filipino doctors working in America, Filipino doctors are one of the best doctors, well what the heck I'm still it housewives..Filipinos are great...Americans are just too dumb to realize what they've done..i hate the SCRIP WRITERS OF THIS SHOW but not the show....what they've done is not funny at all

greysanatomy_11

i haven't seen it. but i'm looking it in youtube or something. i don't think they have it. cud anyone tell me where to see it?

but i think that is so racist. i'm a filipino studying a medical profession and that really upsets me. we love the show here in the Philippines but that line was just very disturbing. i think they really need to like apologize for that. this is a huge issue for some people.

btw, could anyone just stop stereotyping?!...it wouldn't get u anywhere.

Maria Victoria L

Upset? Upset is an understatement.

I am married to an American, and I am an ENGLISH teacher. I have been to the US...lived there for a time being even!...and for all I know and I dare anyone to contradict me...Filipinos are not quack doctors from quack medical schools. The ABC people would be surprised.

The US government offered openings for Filipino teachers to teach in the US with packages like tax exemptions. If ABC thinks referring to medical schools in the US, then I am afraid they have not heard of Ateneo, La Salle and Sto. Tomas.

Now who's getting diplomas where?

Really! There is no accounting for sense of humor. No wonder they are desperate!

rogue

I may not be nationalistic and a fan of the filipino culture but that was FOUL and very uncalled for. USMLEs which filipino doctors take before they get to train/practice in US are supposed to assure them they have the good doctors. Coming from a country like the Philippines is no basis to discredit filipino physicians. That's totally a racist remark... something an intellectual person would never do.

chistefiren

yeah! that's reaLLy rude and it's not funny at aLL! its so eviL! .... whoever made it, karma will get you! where's your professionaL vaLues?! damn, i'm so dissapointed on you!

popt

Desperate housewives? Who are they?

Low culture entertainment is what it is. Whatever they blabber about on TV, I don't really care. Not a single antic of theirs deserves my attention or reaction.

Progressive people and intellectuals should instead dissuade the populace from watching trashy pop culture and nonsense TV shows such as desperate housewives.

jiller k

Who is Terri Hatcher by the way. Yeah i watched it in TV Patrol today sa TFC.

Well, USA is a great country so they can say anything...karma will come lol

as48317

Desperate housewives are bitches so who really cares what they say! Im a Filipino myself and I really dont care!

an2rew@sbcglobal.net

i'm filipino. and i'm not pissed off or anything..

there are so many racial slurs that are said on television now a days. Just forget about it.

it's just a show. You don't need to take this so seriously.

and i heard some filipinos are writing to ABC asking for an apology!??? GIVE ME A BREAK. just move on.

auntcookie84

It's just a TV show...don't be so sensitive.

johnseymour

Stop complaining to the writers that you're outraged by the filipino comment. You're taking the entire dialogue out of context. Susan was referring to the weight of his degrees and Filipino Medical School, not Filipino health professionals. And yes, statistically if you compare the competitiveness of US Med Schools vs International Med Schools, US Med Schools on a percent basis accept more well-qualified med students, validating Suasn's comment that Harvard Med School > Med School in Phillipines. She wasn't saying Med School in Phillipines = ****, but its certainly easier to get into.

Here's how it works for many med school applicants: Premed student applies to a handful of US med schools and gets rejected. Tries again a few years later, this time applies to even more. Rejected again by all. NOW he/she applies to the med school in Cuba or the Phillipines, etc and gets accepted. This is how it works for most. It means that applicant wasn't that competitive (and not smart? a correlation for sure) to begin with. Susan was implying that the doctor wasn't as smart, at the top of his class, if he went to an international med school. She wasn't insulting Filipino people. I have no idea where some of you got that idea.

Sheesh, you whiners are worse than the lady who's sued Apple, Steve Jobs, and ATT over the iPhone.

BTW I'm Asian and I probably wouldve said the same thing as a joke ...if it was a female doctor...and she was hot.

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