Friday, October 05, 2007 ‘Housewives’ producer says sorry
THE producers of “Desperate Housewives” apologized to the Philippine Government for questioning the training of Filipino doctors in the season premiere of the ABC television series.
“The producers of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere,” they said in a statement.
“There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines,” they said.
The offending comment was made when Teri Hatcher’s character, Susan Mayer, asked to see a consulting physician’s diplomas “because I want to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines.”
The comment was interpreted as a racial slur and caused outrage in Manila, eliciting complaints from the highest government circles. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita demanded an apology “on behalf of our Filipino professionals.”
Philippine Consul in Los Angeles Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon wrote a letter of complaint to ABC saying that Filipino medical workers were in demand all over the world.
Aragon also said many Americans go to the Philippines for medical services that they cannot afford at home, the foreign department said in a statement.
But for US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, there is no sense reacting to a “fictional character” in a television show even if it criticizes the capability of Filipino medical practitioners.
She understands why many Filipinos were offended, though.
Kenney, who was in Cebu yesterday to open the American Showcase at the Marco Polo Plaza, said she believes the statement does not deserve her comment.
“I can understand why so many Filipinos have taken offense. However, I don’t think it (statement) will have any effect on the reputation of Filipino medical professionals,” she said, adding that Filipino doctors and nurses have been providing good services in the US for a long time.
“It was not something discriminating because it was a fictional show,” agreed nurse Chulou Penales, a 2006 board topnotcher.
“It is not enough to degrade the quality of health care professionals the country is producing. The fact is, maayo gyud ta,” Penales also said.
New nurse and board fifth placer Jundell Castardo, though, was disappointed.
“I was disappointed especially since I am a fan of Desperate Housewives. I think it was below the belt,” said Castardo.
Castardo was one of those who demanded for an apology.
“Obviously, they don’t have any idea of how medical practitioners are trained in the Philippines, they have no proof. We condemn the statement, which should merit a public apology,” he said.
Kenney said she has not seen the episode as she does not watch US television shows except for the news.
“But the incident should serve as a wakeup call for the studio and show producers,” she said.
TV show writers, and anyone for that matter, should conduct research and exercise care when referring to any racial group, Kenney also said.
The incident, though, will not stop Penales and Castardo from applying for jobs in the US. They believe that discrimination will always be there.
“But in the long run, it won’t be an issue anymore once they get to know the work ethic of Filipinos,” Penales said.
The “Desperate Housewives” episode was also a hot topic when thousands of new nurses packed the Redemptorist Church yesterday afternoon.
Dressed in their gala uniform, the new nurses, among them Castardo, gathered for a thanksgiving mass and oath-taking.
Nine Cebuano topnot-chers were also awarded. (AFP)/LAP/JGA)
