ABC apologizes for comment against Filipino doctors but...
According to an ABS-CBN report, the show's producer has issued an apology for the comment made.
However, this was not enough. Many are still demanding a public apology. As to the manner of apology needed to placate the anger of Filipinos?
The Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA) has a solution - offer the apology in an episode just like the one shown. Here's an excerpt of the letter sent by Dr. Virgilio R. Pilapil, president of APPA:
As they say back home - Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!
"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."
However, this was not enough. Many are still demanding a public apology. As to the manner of apology needed to placate the anger of Filipinos?
The Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA) has a solution - offer the apology in an episode just like the one shown. Here's an excerpt of the letter sent by Dr. Virgilio R. Pilapil, president of APPA:
"An apology to them publicized in the same manner that the ‘one sentence episode’ was received by the American public would be the only way to repair the damage that has been done. We hope that you would strongly consider this and we hope that there should be more thoughts in future shows of your company of not using disparaging words against well educated, respectable and hard working physicians in this country no matter what their ethnicities maybe. Thank you for your consideration and it is my wish that you would become a leader in setting a good example in our TV and movie industry."
As they say back home - Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!
As the lawyer who represented the examinees and nursing leaders who exposed the 2006 Philippine nursing exam leakage, I say that the unfortunate comment uttered by the character of Susan Hatcher was inspired by the government's mishandling of the leakage. Initially, the government tried to cover up the cheating by announcing, "There was no fraud!" even when it was in possession of very strong evidence to the contrary. When the complainants pursued their crusade to restore the credibility of the licensure exam and the nursing profession, the government was reluctant to investigate. When it did investigate, it was inept. Then GMA flip-flopped on the issue of retake (First she shouted, "No retake!" then she took it back and said, "Retake!" then she took it back and said, "Let the court decide." Aysus talaga.)
ReplyDeleteI feel bad that there are still many who believe that it was the complainants who sullied the nursing profession with their expose.' Nothing could be farther from the truth. It was the government's mishandling of a legitimate concern that caused the transformation of the leakage from a problem, to a national issue, to an international scandal. Thanks to GMA's administration, a cloud of doubt plagues the competence of the medical and other health profession produced by Philippine schools. It is easy to trace the source of "Desperate Housewives"' inspiration for the derogatory comment.
Let us accept ABC's apology. But let us also put things in their proper perspective and ask the Philippine government to sanitize the image of the professions it helped destroy.
Long live the Filipino doctors who are among the best qualified and dedicated in the world!
very interesting, but I don't agree with you
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