Desperate Housewives... Hating on Filipinos!

Dear Kababayan and Allies:

I heard through the grapevine about a remark made on an episode of "Desperate Housewives" last night. The scene entailed Teri Hatcher's character (Susan) at a hospital, being told by her
gynecologist that she might be hitting menopause. Susan 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." If you go to abc.com, you watch the full episode and witness the scene at about 18:50 minutes into the episode.
This type of derogatory remark is not only unnecessary and hurtful, but is also unfounded,
considering the presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the health care industry.
Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. and 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 disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant.
As Filipino Americans, we need to band together to ensure that this type of hateful message
is not 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 shows' producers, the shows' actors, and ABC itself. Yet, this isn't the first time that negative remarks have been made about the Philippines or Filipinos in the past.
In recent years, we've heard one too many "dogeater" comments by "comedian" Joan Rivers on the red carpet or in her standup act, and I believe that it is about time that we stand up for ourselves, so that this type of hateful speech never happens again.
Please join me in expressing your concern, disappointment, and/or disgust to the producers of ABC.com. You can sign the petition at
http://www.pet itiononline.com/FilABC/petition.html
or you can reach them directly abc7@abc.com. And please feel free to forward this widely to other Filipinos/ Filipino Americans/ Asian Americans/ and other allies.

Sincerely,

Kevin Nadal,
Filipino Performance Artist/ Activist
knadal@g mail. com

- taken from my Friendster Bulletin as sent by my cousin Dean...

A lazy weekend with Enchong Dee!

I had my laziest weekend last week! Usually, I go out to meet friends at the mall or go to the office to have Conference Calls. Last Saturday, SM Dasma went on sale and as a shopping addict, I was supposed to be there since I had gotten my salary the day before, I could have just gone shopping for more clothes! But my body and brain said, "Hell no!". I just lied in the couch and watched TV. It wasn't a waste of time at all because I learned a lot of stuff from the programs that I watched. When I felt tired of watching, I went to bed and had forty winks!
The next day, I still felt the same. I could not find any reason to go out of the house. Turned the TV on as soon as I got up. Watched programs from one channel to another until I decided to put it on Channel 2 to see what was on ASAP. I had fun watching the SUPAHDANCE Album Launch! And the album is really cool! Such a smart buy! You can't just have dance music but an instructional CD that has videos that will teach you the moves! It's really great!
I got so intrigued by the mall shows after they were announced! Heard that the Full Circle Group, Mikey and Saicy would be at Robinson's Dasma! I suddenly felt different and started telling myself that I should be there to see these people!
The show started at almost 6pm. A DJ from 101. 9FM was there to host and people crowded the entertainment area waiting for the ABS- CBN talents to come out on the stage and perform. I arrived early and made sure that I was able to shop for clothes and groceries and had them left at the counter before I watched the show...
I was thrilled to see the Full Circle talents danced before the screaming crowd! Enchong Dee was the crowd's favorite. He wasn't just an eye candy but he did his thing really well! He smiled a lot while he strut his stuff and he danced really gracefully! I couldn't afford to look at the others for I was too busy staring at Enchong! It was really a day for me! Though he was there on the stage and I was in the middle of the stinking crowd, I was happy... I saw Enchong Dee!
Mikey and Saicy did the finale! It was great and people were screaming for the both of them! Hmmm... they just did my Sunday more than complete!
Next weekend, I definitely won't be lazy again... because I don't wanna miss great things this life has for me!