Angry Pinoys

October 19, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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ABCs Desperate HousewivesBy Mr. Tismoso
The angry reaction of tens of thousands of Filipino Americans to the racial slur in the popular ABC TV series Desperate Housewives surprises even the cynics in the community. That includes yours truly, Mr. Tsismoso. Now, like Ninoy, I say to the world… there is hope for the Filipino Americans to run for the White House, oops, I mean, to survive in this, their adopted land.
The disparagement of Filipino doctors was made in a segment of Desperate Housewives which was premiered nationwide on the evening of Sept. 30. By the morning of Oct. 1, the daughter of a Filipino doctor in California started sending out emails calling on all Filipino Americans to condemn the racial slur. She included the offending dialogue which denigrated the graduates of Philippine medical schools. Then emails and phone calls started pouring into the ABC offices in the US. Thousands of viewers who saw the episode and those who have not, went to the ABC site to view the episode themselves. Then, they too, joined in the protest. On Oct. 2. the avalanches continued to inundate ABC.
Incredibly, the Philippine government, already buffeted by the NBN-ZTE scandal, took time out to react. Because President Arroyo was abroad, Malacanangs executive secretary issued a statement demanding an official apology. The embassy and consulates followed suit. Members of Congress joined the fray and threatened to ban the series from Philippine television. Ambassador Willy C. Gaa and the consuls general around the US also issued condemnations and sought an apology. On Oct. 3, ABC officially issued an apology. This was accepted by the Philippine government.

But not the Filipino Americans. They said the apology was not enough and demanded more concrete action. The emails and faxes continued and demonstrations were held in key offices of ABC around the US. So ABC decided to send its vice president for minority relations to meet with Filipino American leaders in New York. Not only that, ABC said it has decided to remove the offending dialogue from all tapes of that episode.
Curiously enough, while the slur was directed at Filipino doctors, Tsismosos noted the silence of the more prominent doctors groups in the US. (The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) came out with a statement condemning the slur only six days later.) Throughout this hullabaloo, as far as is known, no statements were issued by the leaders of these groups denouncing the show. Tsismosos think they prefer to let the hoi poloi do the fighting for them. And many of the Filipino American organizations which have been very active in upholding the dignity of Pinoys and promoting Filipino culture, remained silent. Maybe some of the desperate Filipina housewives, those whose husbands are going astray, are more than willing to let ABC run amuck, commented one Tsismoso.
And the despicable crabs are rearing their ugly heads again. Some of those involved in the protest are now beating their breasts, like the gorillas of Africa, claiming they have been responsible for the spontaneous reaction from the masses. Many are clamoring to be in the limelight.
Another observation by some Tsismosos. While Filipino Americans have joined in the protest of other ethnic groups who became victims of racial discrimination, none among the Asian American groups has issued statements of support.
***
The controversial National Broadband Network (NTN)-ZTE scandal in the Philippines is assuming the level of the Hello Garci tapes controversy. The smell is going up to the level of Malacanang as the investigation continues. The opposition claims Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos is simply the fall guy. Some Tsismoso oracles say the Comelec chief, who is head of an independent constitutional body, should not have participated in the smelly deal. The secretary of transportation and communications should have done the dirty work of trying to bribe and lobby for the approval of the contract, not Abalos. These Tsismosos surmise that Abalos, who is retiring in February next year, was probably promised the huge commission as a going away present from those who have benefited from his reign in the election body. That way, Tsismosos add, a satisfied Abalos will not later blow the lid on the Hello Garci tapes which is still being investigated by the Senate. In particular, these Tsismosos point to Abalos plea to businessman Joey de Venecia III at the Wack Wack golf club: Pagbigyan mo naman ako. (Please give in to me.) When this failed, Joey said First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, in a commanding voice and a finger pointed at his face, said, back off!” Mike denies saying this. Early on, President Arroyo said the contract will be pushed through despite the controversy. Then Malacanang said it will investigate the charges raised by Joey de Venecia. As the controversy intensified, Arroyo flew to China where it was announced that the NBN deal was cancelled. But Malacanang said later that a similar contract will be revived because the country needs it. And the Senate is in no mood to stop the investigation. They obviously want to go to the roots of the controversy, just as the Senate at the time of President Estrada probed into the jueteng scandal. That probe led to People Power II that ousted Estrada as president.
***
President Fidel V. Ramos When former President Ramos was in Washington early this month, he hinted that a repeat of People Power II was not possible because there is no one to succeed Arroyo. Vice President Noli de Castro is not an acceptable substitute. This was the same line he used at the height of the Hello Garci controversy two years ago.

Now, like the Desperate Housewives, the Filipinos are just content to creating another jingle that may again be a hit among cellphone users just like the Hello Garci ringtone. Consumer organization TXTPower launched recently the AB-ZTE-FG ring tone to emphasize the current controversy over the National Broadband Network (NBN) project of the government with telecommunications firm ZTE Corp. of China. The activist group launched the protest ring tone as it called on the public to remain vigilant over the $329-million scam. The AB-ZTE-FG ring tone is posted at www.txtpower. org, and free for anyone to download. The ring tone was patterned after the alphabet song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRmHHo0aFlQ

Here is the latest joke in Manila over the broad band scandal:
Q: Ano ang nagpasikat kay Erap?
A: Wrist-band.
Q: Ano ang pagkakasala ni Abalos?
A: Broad-band.
Q: Ano ang sakit ng ulo ni GMA?
A: Hus-band.
***

Tsismoso is red faced! Ashamed. Several issues ago, he announced, based on reports from his usually reliable embassy mole, that Philippine embassy Agriculture Attache Vic Leviste, alias The Rock, so-called because of his long stint in the embassy, was being recalled by Manila. Some friends had already made preparations to give Vic a despedida party. The despedida did not materialize and Vic is having the last laugh. The reason is that Vic the Rock remains in the embassy and that his term has been extended. Welcome Back, Rock. Philippine Presidents and ambassadors may come and go, but the Rock will stay on forever. After all he is doing a great job, says his supporters, including Tsismoso.
***
While recalls are being made, new faces are coming to replace them. There are many new faces in the embassy! exclaims one community leader. And there is no attempt on the part of Ambassador Willy C. Gaa to probably introduce them to the community. Another leader has suggested that the ambassador should start a Karaoke club or something, train his staff to sing and hold frequent contests.
Many are missing the services of Consul Patty Paez who as press attache was able to write intelligent press releases and knew how to rub shoulders with the few members of the Filipino American media. And many are wondering why the ambassador picked Consul Rico Fos, or is he a minister now, as cultural affairs officer. He doesnt even know how to dance the tinikling exclaimed one Tsismoso. And some are wondering whether the labor attach_ is mixing with the Filipino American groups, particularly the Migrant Heritage Commission which seems to be in the forefront of helping Overseas Filipino Workers and Filipino workers in need.
***
Many former officers of the Philippine embassy had a get-together, thanks to Ambassador Gaa. Gaa and his wife invited them on Oct. 12 for a party at their residence in MacLean, Virginia to relive old times and establish a bond with the ambassador. After all, the ambassador was once the second in command of the Philippine consulate in New York for many years. He was the workhorse who ably assisted the late Consul General Ernesto Pineda in running the consulate during the difficult martial law years.
The get-together provided the venue for the aging corps of ex-embassy officers who had for years wanted to hold a reunion of sorts. It afforded them a chance to exchange experiences with their arthritis, back pains, wrinkles and gray hairs.
***
Filipino Americans are hoping that the writers and producers of Desperate Housewives could see Anding Roces zarzuela, Something to Crow About. The musical play, in English, is creating waves in cities in the United States where it has been shown. The zarzuela is about cocks!
Those who have seen it are reportedly still rolling in laughter when they recall how American and foreign audiences reacted to the introduction to the show, Reports are that wherever the zarzuela was shown in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and elsewhere, the staid audiences would avidly listen to a pretty Filipina give a brief background of the zarzuela before the curtain rises. Those who heard her says she expertly begins by explaining what Roces Something to Crow About is about. According to them, this is how the pretty Filipina would introduce the play, trying to recall her exact words: The zarzuela, in English, is about Filipino mens fascination for their cocks! After a pause, probably to let the line sink in, she continues to describe how Filipino men like to play with their cocks, fondling and massaging them so that they will be prepared for their impending encounters!” As the shocked audience begins to fidget in their seats, whisper at each other and wonder if the show was about porn, the Filipina proceeds to explain that Something to Crow About is based on a collection of short stories written by Roces about cocks, FIGHTING cocks! The audience reacts with subdued laughter. The introduction itself reflects Roces wit, humor and satire. It highlights the traditional sport of cockfighting as a vehicle to unfold the colorful panorama of customs, heritage, values, religions, and even relationships on the social, political and economic life of a typical Filipino town. Lets give Teri Hatcher (Susan in Desperate Housewives) a free ticket to the zarzuela. She will probably like it.

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Posted by News Team | Filed Under Tsismis 

Comments

One Response to “Angry Pinoys”

  1. Maru C. Arellano on October 22nd, 2007 11:20 pm

    Please do not do it again. The world is small, one day your life will depend on the filipino doctor, who knows? Regardless of race, nationality, belief, respect is very important, words spoken should be very careful. And you might swallow your spoken words later. We, as filipinos were insulted. Your sorry is not enough, just promise not to do it again. Manila, Philippines

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