MERGED: Manila Standard's Malu Fernandez unpleasant article of OFW's

[mango]

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According to Ms. Malu Fernandez- the article From Boracay to Greece in the Manila Standard is funny- whether it is funny or not - you decide !

Malu Fernandez wrote this article in her column Fierce and Fabulous - The Manila Standard

Here's the complete article :

BY MALU FERNANDEZ - Summer comes and goes. Most of the time I am out if the country for work. But I’m stuck here, I ignore the heat and stay in a temperature-controlled room of 18 degrees – cold enough to make the windows sweat. This year I decided to go off tangent and pick places I have never been to before.

Much to my chagrin, I had never been to the beach. You see, I hate the sand, the bugs and the mosquitoes, but I figured it would be fun with everyone around. As we reached the villa I was spraying Baygon everywhere. I thought I had nearly killed myself with all the insect repellant and Lysol disinfectant I kept on spraying. I am so not into roughing it up. For me, the minimum requirement for traveling is a Holiday Inn.

A couple of days later saw us walking down to Station 2 where D’mall was and I was trying my best not to freak out as the beach was filled with algae, which were collecting on my Adidas all-terrain. (I refuse to wear Havaianas and scratch my pedicure.) Finally as we walked back , I was dazzled by a beautiful white structure, so white it glistened under the sun. This brilliant apparition was Discovery Shores, an oasis in the middle of the island. Not only do the staff headed by Jun Parreno make you feel at home, the food by chef David Pardo de Ayala is fabulous as well. And after seeing the whole poolside and the fabulous rooms done by Budgi Layug, I wanted to move there. But I was too ashamed to ditch my friends and forego the huge amount I already paid for my share of the villa. So I promised to go back another time in order to luxuriate in their fabulous surroundings.

Meanwhile, when all of this was going on, I was on the cell phone with my jet set buddy Ron Sato planning an impromptu trip. You see, Ron is my travel buddy who lives in Los Angeles, so between his schedule and mine, the logistics are a nightmare. The week of Easter, however, was open for both of us so I said: “Pick a country!” We decided on Greece and off we went. But getting there was a bloddy nightmare. To save on my ticket, I bravely took an economy class seat on Emirates as recommended by my travel agent. Ron excitedly told me to go for it – Emirates had won best economy class and some award. However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them. Of course, everyone in economy class was yelled at for having overweight hand-carries. Mine was 17kg (ssshhhh!). That was all my makeup and accessories I would never risk losing if my luggage ended in the middle of the Sahara desert.

While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga sann ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you a domestic helper as well?” I though I had died and God had sent me to my very own private hell.

After a nine-hour flight, I finally landed and made my way around Athens to the Ledra Marriott hotel, washed the plane off me and got a text from my other editor Gianna Maniego. She told me my weekly deadline was moved up due to the holidays. In a state of panic, I was about to have a major meltdown because I hadn’t slept for 48 hours, the Louis Vuittons under my eyes were enormous and all I wanted was a hot shower and a bed. At that point, I didn’t know where to go as there wasn’t enough time to plan a sight-seeing trip and take in the sights in order to meet my deadline so I decided to go off on a train and head to the Athens Mall.

As they say – when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping. My buddy Ron and I were laughing so hard because we flew all the way to Greece to go to a mall and eat in Ruby Tuesdays (an American chain like Chili’s). After covering my deadline, we planned to soak in the sites for the next day and headed off to the Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, climbing every step in my gold, open-toed sandals. You see, I followed the weather report on CNN but apparently the forecast was wrong because it was still winter. So I bravely went about in a lightweight sweater and a throw, climbing the Acropolis and driving to the edge of the Aegean sea by the Temple of Poseidon.

After a whole day of sight seeing I decided I have had enough of the historical sites. I adamantly wanted to go to Santorini to see the Caldero houses but due to time constraints, we were unable to go. I guess God was watching out for us because the ferry we were supposed to take sank in the middle of the Aegean Sea. I could already see myself screaming “SAVE MY ACCESSORIES!!!!” And swimming with head above water so I don’t mess up my makeup… See, I told you I hate the beach! For the rest of the stay we ended up going around the shopping district in Monasteriki and the garment district in Ermou. Old habits indeed never die!

On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air. However, for the first time in my natural life I was elated to go back to the Philippines so I could go back to Discovery Shores in Boracay and sip a tropical drink under the fabulous hat I bought in Greece. There I was sending MMS pictures to my buddy Ron trying to entice him to come over, but I didn’t succeed. Instead, I got two other friends join me in sipping cocktails with a fabulous sunset and ocean view while planting my feet firmly on the bug-free cement flooring by the poolside of Discovery Shores.

All in all, it’s been a pretty good summer. Jetting from the Aegean Sea to the Pacific may sound a bit pretentious until you wake up in economy class smelling like air freshener.


(Editor note: After netizens threw up their arms in protests with some of what she wrote in her articles about OFWs, the writer wrote this reply)

As I type this, I’d like you to know that it’s not about whining, complaining and bitching but just stating the facts. Just recently, I wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and mediocre. I obviously write for the a certain target audience and if what I write offends you, just stop reading.

Although it may sound elitist to you the fact is this country is built on the foundation of haves, have-nots and wannabes. One group will never get the culture of the other. Although I could mention that it is easier to understand someone who has a lower socioeconomic background that would entail a whole other page and frankly I don’t want to be someone to bridge the gap between socioeconomic classes. I leave that to the politicians in my family who believe they can actually help. Now I seriously ask you, am I being a diva or are people around me just lacking in common sense? Perhaps it’s a little of both!

[mango]

Comments from other readers-
Nakakapikon, di ba? May followup article pa siya. “Funny” raw ‘yung isinulat niya. Hindi ako natawa.

Pero hindi lang ako na naha-high blood sa mga isinulat ni Malu. Si Selvo ng Nomadic Thoughts ay tumaas din ang presyon ng dugo, at ganoon din siguro sina Schumey, Pedestrian Observer, Sparks, at Jae.

Kung sakaling makasalubong ninyo o makasakay saa economy class si Malu, pakibigyan na lang ng gas mask. Baka mabahuan siya sa mga anakpawis na tulad natin. Kung ayaw tanggapin, bigyan ng blade–yung may kalawan


Sa totoo lang….

Nasira araw ko dahil sa kanya.

Witty, my arse



Ian Says:
“While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs)…”

Maybe because she was too huge to fit in the seat? Ad hominem, sorry

madaf@#$@34 Says:
kung ako ke malu fernandez,,, nagpakalunod na lang sana ako sa boracay beach or nung nasa airplane sya tumalon na lang sana sya…

aba’y nakikita dito sa tabatsyoy na to na panget na nga sya, panget pa ang ugali!

TSEHHHH!

andrea Says:
the nerve talaga! grabe naman yang malung yan!!! saang planeta ba sya galing?

pancho Says:
Nakakatawa, kasi nagpapakasosyal sha, pero yung mga brands na gamit niya (like Adidas, for one; NO OFFENSE) is not really that high end. I mean, ang dami niyang choices to choose from, like Prada, Tod’s, Gucci, LV, etc..

17KGs full of ACCESSORIES? Dapat mga pills at pampapayat effects nalang nilagay niya dun. SAYANG ANG SPACE!

And, I think that a real socialite does not mention/think of money. (read the last statement/s).n.

the way u delivered ur speech at ur column awed allot. so the saying goes “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NEGATIVE PUBLICITY”, the fat bitch rode it all the way. but hey, dont be a SOCIAL CLIMBER. fat ass bitch!

ur just an freakin FAT EMPLOYEE of that newspaper who EARNS IN PESO DENOMINATIONS not dollars and owns a little or too few asests and in credit card debt.. so u know.

bitch!
markus Says:
mukhang siyang mongoloid
aajao Says:
sino yang Malou na yan? sikat ba yan?.
bebang Says:

sus kayabang naman ng taong ito. e baka dapat diyan e manirahan na lang sa ibang bansa.

ano kayang masasabi ng mga foreigner kapag na trap sa isang eroplano kasama ang sandamakmak na malu fernandez?

the plane became so small because of her! we had bruises on our legs because her thighs were all over us.

(diyos ko, patnubayan nyo ang pag iingles ko!)

amen.

Nawala tuloy ang ginaw kahit malamig, gusto kong sunugin ang Manila Standard sa kabilang bahay ng tiyahin ko!

baray Says:
hmmm. OFW ako pero di ako nainis. natawa lang ako sa kanya na may halong konting awa. ganito ang tingin ko: columnist sya, nginarag siguro sya ng boss nya to come up with something witty. easiest solution: make fun of others. it was a failed attempt to come up with something witty and funny at the expense of the OFWs.

Di man lang ako naapektuhan ng sinulat nya. Kakaawa lang kasi she sees the world that way. Must be hell for her when she realizes that there’s a very different world outside her bubble.
aray, biglang naginit ang dugo ko.

kurokuroko Says:
ay bad trip ito. makakatikim ito sa akin. humanda siya. swerte niya at maintenance mode ang wordpress. maghintay siya.

gamergirl Says:
OFW rin ako at nakaka-badtrip ngang basahin ang kanyang isinulat. Even if I read her explanation a lot of times, I still don’t feel why it is necessary to make fun of her countrymen. Ang pamumuhay sa ibang bansa upang kumita ng pera ay isang sakripisyo di lamang para sa mga pamilya namin kundi para na rin sa ating bayan. Sa katunayan, karamihan sa mga OFW ay walang intensyong mangibang bayan pero dahil na rin sa pangangailangan ay napilitan sila.

Maraming mga taong nasaktan at iyun ay hindi masosolusyonan ng isa pang artikulo na kumukuestyon lamang sa kaisipan ng mga taong ito, ang kanilang katalinuhan o pagbabasa ng mga mamahalin at dayuhang aklat.

Si Malu ay isa sa mga kaawa-awang Pilipino na may galit at diri sa kanyang sariling mga kababayan sa kagustuhan na ipangalandakan sa lahat kung gaano sya nakaka-angat sa iba. Kaawa-awa.

Kung tutuusin, sa kanyang estado ay mas marami sana syang maaring gawin para makakatulong sa ating bansa at mga kababayan ngunit mas napili nya na matahin ang kanyang mga kalahi dahil ito ay nakakatawa para sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Nakapanghihinayang.

tintin Says:
ha-hunting-in ko ang ale na yan…
siya ang nakakahiya. tsk.

yermo Says:
tsk2! kala mo kung sinong maganda! hahahahaha!!! haayyyy, bat may mga ganyang tao ano?


gutom Says:
huwag nyo apihin yan.. MODEL yan kaya naging pa-sosyal.. pagbigyan nyo na na kahit man lang sa kanyang panulat e sya ang nag-aapi.. lagi kasi sya kinukurot… lagi sinasaksak.. at iginigisa sa sariling atay at mantika…

under contract yan sa Lydia’s tsaka sa Mila’s… LECHON!

nagutom ako ah…

noemi Says:
I am also appalled. I couldn’t believe a kababayan will look down on a kababayan. We should apprecaiate the OFW for saving our economy. I’ve contacted some journalists with the help of my friend in the media. I hope more pressure is exerted on them.

raspberry Says:
Maraming Pinoy na ganyan. Ang nakakatawa, hindi nila na-re-realize na kahit na kuskusin nya ang balat nya, hindi nya mababago ang katotohanan sa pagkatao nya. Sure ba sya na hindi iniisip ng ibang tao na hindi sya “domestic helper”? Pag nasa abroad ka, ibahin mo dapat ang pananaw mo. Hindi ibig sabihin na amoy pawis ang tao ay “mahirap” na. Kasi lalo na sa first world countries, ang magsasaka ay mayayaman at land owners. Ang mga cashier sa gasoline station ay may ari ng gasolin station. Ang mga nagsisilbi sa restaurant ay enterpreneurs at business managers. Hindi mo dapat dalhin ang mentalidad ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa. In fact, ang domestic helpers ay mga taong pinag kakatiwalaan sa mga mahal nila sa buhay. Maraming Filipino domestic helpers, ang tingin nila sa sarili nila ay mataas, dahil pinagkakatiwalaan sila at kumikita ng salapi, na minsan mas higit pa sa office workers. Kaya wag natin silang husgahan.

Si Malu ay “pseudo-rich”, pseudo-intellectual. Kung titingnan ang sinusulat nya, wala kang mapupulot kundi makita ang hidden desire nya na makakuha ng pag hanga ng kapwa nya, na sya ay makilala bilang “mataas” at kakaiba sa lahat. Yan ang mensahe ng sinusulat nya - “mataas ako sa inyo”. May problema sya sa kaisipan kaya kailangan nya ng tulong.

Kung sa abroad sya susulat nyan, sa tingin ko ire-recommend sa kanya na mag attend ng counselling sessions. Wag din natin syang kamuhian, kasi kulang ang exposure nya at kaalaman. Kung di nya kayang magbayad ng isang psychiatrist, dito sa Canada, the land of domestic helpers, etc. , ay baka malibre sya. Tsk tsk tsk. Kailangan nya ng tulong….. kawawa naman.

raspberry Says:
Another comment…. Aba, di bale na mag amoy AXE at Charlie cologne ako wag lang mag amoy malansang isda na tulad nya. Di bale na na mag domestic helper ako kung mabubuhay ang ilang tao sa Pilipinas dahil sa kasipagan ko, kesa naman sa magpaka baboy ako at mag sulat ng basura.

Ang tunay na mayaman ay edukada, at ang tunay na edukasyon ay yung tinuturuan kang magpakumbaba at magmahal ng kapwa, yung mauunawaan mo at mararamdaman ang paghihirap ng iba, at malalaman mo na ikaw pala ay marami pang dapat matutunan.

Kung titingnan mong maigi ang mga sitwasyong binaggit nya - sa Dubai kung saan nagbebenta ang mga Pinoy OFWs ng pabango at cell phone, hindi ba napakagandang pangitain? Hindi ba ibig sabiohin nito ay business minded ang mga Pinoy at dapat lang na matuwa sya dahil nakakita sya ng masisipag na Pilipino? O baka naman mas gusto pa nyang makita ang mga di-pormang tao sa airport na kung tumingin sa kapwa ay mula ulo hanggang paa? Payo ko lang kay Malu, don’t be so full of yourself hija. Napakaliit ng mundo mo.

karl Says:
paki sabi kay malu fernandez na yung amoy air freshener na yan ay mas malaki pa ang silbi kaysa sa kanya at sa kung ano man ang nagawa niya dito sa mundo kung meron man.

gingmaganda Says:
sana nga naglalaslas na lang siya ng pulso! although di tayo makakaganti sa kanya personally pag nagsuicide siya (ala hitler.) dapat paupuin siya sa gitna ng isang Ever Gotesco mall, tapos pipila ang sambayanan para kutusan siya. hinayupak na babaeng yan. hindi ganyan maging diva!

and why the hell was she in economy class anyway? a person of that girth has special needs! dapat sa floor na lang siya so she will not get bruises on her fat legs.


Jheng Says:
Pagkabasa ko ng article, kumulo talaga ang dugo ko sa kanya. Palibhasa, ang father ko ay OFW kaya sobra na lang ang naramdaman kong lungkot at awa para sa lahat ng OFW. Nagtitiis silang magtrabaho sa malayo tapos lalaitin na lang ng kung sinong mahaderang sosyalistang dabyana na si Malu…

Rose Says:
First time na nabasa ko ang article ni Malu Fernandez, i was not upset, rather, na-awa ako kasi she looks like “special child”, para bang may genetics deficiency, pero when I read further, hindi pala, so I posted a comment to nick’s site, it goes like:

Malu Fernandez should have brought her PIG PEN when she boarded the plane, para nagkaroon siya ng sarili niyang lugar sa loob ng eroplano! para sana nakaiwas siya sa mga OFWs!



Jake The Miserable Says:
Ah, so ito pala ‘yung “tababoy” na binabanggit nu’ng kelan lang. Nakanangbaka. Anlakas niyang manlait, ni hindi ba niya alam na maraming OFW ang nagtitiis sa ibang bansa para lang maitaguyod ang kanilang mga pamilya? Na ang kayamanang kanyang tinatamasa dito sa bansa natin ay iniambag din ng mga OFW? Na ang iba sa kanila ay minsang iniuuwi nang naka-kahon nang dahil sa pagtupad ng pangarap?

sylv3rblade Says:
She’s an insecure bitch who needs a brain transplant.
God mga elitista nga naman. Feeling nya hinde pa xa elitista sa lagay na yan?
FAIL!

Jio Says:
Parang mas akma yata sa titulo ng kaniyang artikulo ang “fat and flabs” dahil na rin sa mga walang kwenta niyang mga pinagsusulat. Mapanlait sa iba at sa kapaligiran niya (Boracay) kaya dapat parusa sa kaniya eh lipo sa bibig.

Hindi ba nya alam ang malaking tulong ng OFW (tulad ko, kaya ako’y napikon na rin) sa ekonomiya ng bansa? Ang kapal talaga…


coder Says:
HINDI SHA ELITISTA. WANNABE LANG, LAGPAK PA.

WALA NGA PAMBAYAD NG HIGHER THAN COACH, EH MAGPA LIPO PA KAYA?

JKF Says:
While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs

ah, sa taba niyang yan, buti nagkasya pa siya sa upuan ng eroplano?








eddy Says:
there is a lot of us. haven’t been living in the philippines for a long time. but we are so proud of our country. for better or for worse. that’s why when I read a comment like this. it’s very sad she just probably talking trash about philippines
because she was born ugly and very unintelligent. she taking all her hate about
herself turn to philippines and her fellow pilipino . specially when I met alot of domestic helper better looking and far more intelligent than her. I’m not suprise how many pilipino acts just like her. towards our history from spaniards to japanese we’re always have a pilipino snake who will turn against us a reason only this dum asses would know


juan dela cruz
nice article Malu Fernandez patay ka kay san pedro…
malelechon ka rin..

Fire Malu Fernandez, Boycott Manila Standard, and People Asia Magazine

what the heck is wrong with that bitch! I’m sorry to say but she’s using her damn talent in the O so wrong way…Why even give her a chance to write in a Philippine magazine if she despises her own raise.What a fool! and look at your self first, tsk tsk…no matter how much make over you make you are such a big mess!fat ass crap journalist!

mh3lx Says:
feeling mayaman pero naka econo! tapos kung makapang lait ganun ganun na lang eh! kung ikaw kaya laitin namin miss malu fernandez baka di mo malunok yung sasabihin namin! kala nitong baboy na ito tignan mo muna sarili mo bago ka manglait letse ka!

jeff dela kruz Says:
no comment…. I’m an OFW btw and I’m DAMN proud of what I do for my family and my country…… Di man ako sumikat, di man kilalanin ng mundo kung gaano ako kahalaga, para sa mga mahal ko sa buhay superhero ako… para sa lahat ng mga OFW/OCW/DH dyan…… tayo ang ELITE…… di lahat ng Pinoy binigyan ng opportunity na kagaya ng binigay sa atin para baguhin ang takbo ng buhay natin…… at isa pa….. mas madami yata akong kilalang mga importanteng tao… at kasama ko sila araw araw dito sa disyerto… nagsasakripisyo na kagaya ko…..

noypi Says:
“While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs)”

sa lapad ng katawan nya malamang kahit 2 seats i-occupy nya masikip pa rin.

kawawa naman to. Panget na itsura, panget na katawan, bulok pa ugali.

Wag mong mamaliitin ang kapwa mo kasi hindi mo alam ang buhay nila. Hindi mo sila kilala. At lalong hindi mo nakikita ang pamilya nila. Mas disente pa sila kesa sayo. teka nga at masabi ko to, isa kang BRUHA.

eggs_jr Says:
Adidas all-terrain? Lahat ng adidas meron dito. kung sabagay dami dito sa pier nyan, dito sa gate 4 malapit sa amin. “I hate the sand, the bugs and the mosquitos” malamang maubos ang taba mo. nde dugo masisipsip sayo kundi cholesterol for sure. Sana nung nagspray ka ng baygon sinama mo na kaluluwa mo ng mamatay na rin yan.

Nag-iisip ako ng maganda para sa iyo eh, ano kaya kung tanggalin ko talukap ng mata mo, makatulog ka kaya sa mga pinagsasabi mo at pinag-gagawa mo? pansin ko sa galing mong magsulat ng artikulo, nde mo kayang bumahing na dilat ang mata mo, at pansin ko rin sa taba mong yan, hindi mo abot ang paa mo na tuwid ang tuhod mo.

From Gate1 Pier South, Likod ng Manila Hotel

[YJOB]

the way i see it, based from the style of her writing i believe she hates to be a filipino.

i haven't seen her face but i can sense bati na siya ug nawong.
most ugly people talk like that.

[mango]

Pls. click on the link below to see Malu Fernandez's face -


http://ederic.tinig.com/malu-fernandez/

[YJOB]

daan pa ko, bantog ra hilas kaayo sinultian kay apeke man pud diay ug dating.

ang uban tawo man gud, bawion na lang sa istorya ang ilang kahiubos sa ilang dagway.

[Chrysley]

Using the word fabulous to describe food? Hehe yeah, she's a fatass wannabe alright. Her article isn't even the least bit witty. It was a poorly written, wide-eyed school girl's diary, desperately wishing for the finer things in life and bitching about the insignificance of her existence.

My mom works as head chef in an Italian restaurant and she flies first class, but she loves her country and doesn't belittle other people to feel better about herself.

My mom is fabulous. Malu Fernandez, (who is she?) well she's just awful.

[mr.suavi]

wishing to be famous

XD

[d`monyita]

yikes. the really old cultured rich....they dont have to mention brands because they know that people in the know will recognize it.

i am not rich...but i was blessed to go to school with pretty well-off kids. MY GOODNESS....they were never like this oi.... though some were just absolutely mean to others (especially those who were in school but were really really hard-up).... most were really good and showed breeding. and the meanies in school....they pale in comparison to this malu.

maybe she grew up na yumaman kc OFW ang magulang nya? noveau rich... SOCIAL CLIMBER.... di ba mas MAS MAHIRAP kumuha ng economy kaysa first class? what with all the OFWs flying out? just my thoughts...

or maybe.... kaya "yumaman" si malou kc maraming politicians in her family ..... catch my drift? hehehehe
(no offense to mango ha..... nibotar bya ko ha... hehehehe. i have politicians in my family too...shhhh)

grabe jud.... if the magazine had any class at all....they should not have printed that oi. maybe there should be a protest lodged against the editors and the owners in behalf of the Filpino people at.... MASESANTE yan si malou.

[YJOB]

all in all, this is a shame for us filipinos.

i hope the foreigners would not think that we are all as dumb as malu.

she's an outcast.

[kazuya]

what a poorly written blog... the fat ugly bitch just keeps on whining like a pig...