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

[yokam]

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"No, I didn’t find the People Asia article funny. I thought it was insensitive and insulting and bordering on libelous. But neither am I amused nor impressed at some of the reactions in the Philippine blogging community—some are nothing short of libelous either."

Oh well, what you see is what you get. What does she expect ordinary people would do? Sit back and take all the insult? For one, Malu Fernandez is a "writer" and she should've have the professional courtesy on whatever she wrote. She even can't distinguish a simple humor from an insult.

"The sadder truth is that we, migrant workers and non-migrant workers alike, are all part of this twisted culture of cracking jokes at the expense of others. Haven’t you laughed at and disseminated Erap jokes via SMS and e-mail? Don’t you watch Bubble Gang and guffawed at the impersonations of politicians and media personalities? Don’t you giggle at the local version of Candid Camera hosted by Michael V. which victimizes unwary people on the street, subjecting them to embarrassing and humiliating situations all for the sake of entertaining the show’s viewers? See, everything is funny until we find ourselves to be the subject of the jokes. Then, it isn’t so funny anymore. And, often, it is not easy to tell where the humor ends and the insult begins. Then, it becomes an emotional issue."

At the expense of others doesn't mean we'll go too far. Did this Connie Veneracion how Bubble Gang presents their jokes? They're doing it for fun. Stand-up comedian Jon Santos said that prior to impersonating celebrities, they study them and find out what acts they should impersonate or spoof. As one of Vilma Santos' impersonators, Jon Santos even sometimes asks permission from "Ate V." to impersonate her and present it in a humorous way. See there's the respect and high regard to the rights of the object of the fun. Vilma Santos, Manny Pacquiao and even our president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been on the hotseat all the time and being spoofed and have we heard them complain? Did they sue? Did they react violently? Wala. Why? Because it's done with professional and personal courtesy and respect. They even laugh at those persons who impersonate them.

And on the way the present it, they clearly do it in a funny manner, something everybody could understand. I don't find Malu Fernandez's write-ups funny. Is she a frustrated comedian? Or just a plain bad writer who doesn't give any regard or consider other people?

[Velvett]

i think she speaks a lot of truth, kinda hurts, but still the truth

the truth hurts? why, i don't think any of the facts/tuth presented by Ms. Fernandez in her article is hurtful. what's wrong with wearing a cheaper brand of cologne? with talking spiritedly with kababayans on the plane? it was her obvious BIGOTRY and CLASSISM that's offensive, and everywhere you go that's just that--offensive.

[Pinkdimensions]

wala pa gihapon mo mahuman ani hihii..mo sikat ni sya ug samot tungod sa istorya crowd hihi..

[bisaya70]

the truth hurts? why, i don't think any of the facts/tuth presented by Ms. Fernandez in her article is hurtful. what's wrong with wearing a cheaper brand of cologne? with talking spiritedly with kababayans on the plane? it was her obvious BIGOTRY and CLASSISM that's offensive, and everywhere you go that's just that--offensive.

I only read the article posted in this thread, i find it true that it takes a while to do a task sa government, whether it happens selectively or everywhere, i cant tell u. but it does happen. I have no idea what kind of a person or a writer she is, nor do i care. i read what she wrote and found truth based on my experience alone, not anybody else. hurtful? sure, but true? yes!! to all?....probably not. i am not here to pick a fight with anybody. I wrote my comment objectively, peace.

as a reader, i cant look at it and just get angry, coz nothing will happen. if all of us will seek the truth in what she writes, dump the "lies" and better ourselves, then we can be more productive. but if we just flap our jaws and sweat about it, it will just be any other article that hurt us or make us mad. eventually all this sensation will die to make room for new issues.

[baron]

As per the news, she apologized for such tactless article. No matter what her reasons are, it's just appropriate to take all the blame. She has written derogatory statements that really made our OFWs furious. Actually, it's equally annoying even to those who are not OFWs since we know the sacrifices of our OFWs. They should not be treated like that.

At least she learned her lesson. I hope others know now what to consider when they are writing articles.

[SamuraiArcher]

i think she speaks a lot of truth, kinda hurts, but still the truth

murag dili truth iyang gisulat..exagerrated ra kaayo...

[r0mm3L]

she resigned and applied abroad as OFW hehe JK

[d`monyita]

har har rommel. oist baket wala ka bukas?

[TAMB0K]

you're offended means you're hurt.

[SamuraiArcher]

^^unsa man intawn na nga statement oi....mura man kang Malu...