Social Issues

BBC Show Insults Filipina Domestic Helpers

There are many OFW in United Kingdom, some are working as domestic helper to make like easier for their family. Working away to your family, relatives, friends and your country is a noble thing to do, a sacrifice. But how come there are these racists that are having fun insulting filipino domestic helpers.

There’s these comedy show in United Kingdom titled “Harry and Paul” who makes Pinoys in UK outraged for their comedy episode last September 26, 2008.

Please watch the video. They called that comedy? Its not funny and done in bad taste. I find it an insult to filipina, to our culture, to our race. Here in the Philippines, we consider OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) as bagong bayani (means new heroes). The said show promotes sexual exploitation and demeans the image of Filipino domestic helpers to the eyes of their televiewers. Is it hard to make your televiewers laugh and make it at our expense. We deserve a public apology.

Filipino organizations have started mapping out plans for a protest action against BBC. Loline Adelina Reed is leading an e-mail brigade to create awareness among Filipinos worldwide regarding the impact of the program to Filipino domestic workers. As a blogger, we should also do our part. Let our voice be heard.

Update (Oct. 7, 2008):
Online petition launched against BBC (British Broadcasting Company). Please sign the Dignity and Respect For Filipino Workers Petition here.

OFW Pinoy

New PNP Dir. Gen. Jesus Versoza On Human Rights

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa issued a memorandum today to warned all 125,000 police force to avoid presentation of suspects to media. He called it “firing squad presentation”. According to the memorandum, violators will be meted with administrative sanctions.

The memorandum answered the request of Human Rights Commission to stop presenting a suspect before the media since it constitutes a violation of the person’s constitutional rights.

Its a common scene in TV news, suspects are wearing prison shirt when presented to media. When it was started, I didn’t recall. As far as I know, its pogi points to “somebody” who caught the suspect and/or who lead the capture of the suspects. Its sort of a “medal” of their sort of “accomplishment”.
Read more…

Battle Of The Band, Gangster?

Does being a member of a band gives you the impression of being a gangster to others? What do you mean by gangster? As far as I know, a gangster is a member of an organized group of criminals and and/or delinquents.

This is the reason why the head of a reputable catholic school removed “Battle of the Bands” event on celebrating their yearly mission fair. FYI, battle of the band is a competition of performing live band. In this case, they are high school students enrolled to the school. I may say that not all schools have the same competition. The students and parents (some are alumni) believed that the event is considered to be a yearly much awaited school tradition during mission fair.

These days, teenagers are more musically inclined, and music is part of how they expressed their feelings. Its like freedom of speech in a democratic country. Parents may be busy on managing their daily lives (including finances) but I’m sure they encourage their children to whatever they want that best suits them.

If the school celebrating their mission fair which includes “battle of the band” for many years and will be stop this year without asking for majority’s opinion, what would they feel? Is it enough reason to stop the tradition because of her sole opinion or from few narrative survey?

I thought, the school authorities shouldn’t be narrow minded considering that they are also molding the characters of these students to adulthood. If you’ve been deprived, what will happen if I may I ask? No normal parent will allow his/her children to be interested in gang stuff as the student’s co-curricular activities. Even running politician promising a basketball court etc for extra activities to less fortunate teenagers to make them busy and lose their interest in joining a gang.

If all band members, band followers and music enthusiasts are gangsters, no normal person will patronize such musical events… life will be dull without music… no more concerts… music industry will be gone to thin air. To those who considered event like “battle of the band” as the root of gangsters, I considered that as narrow minded. I hope their mom, played music when they were still in their mother’s tummy or when they were still a baby.

I remember a colleague few months back, he’s in college now. He’s having a hard time looking for band members to join in. He said, in his experience, the band that stays together through thick and thin are the ones founded during their high school days. They have mutual understanding on many things especially on music because they have the same foundation, same school, shared experiences in high school days. This is his opinion and I believe him because we heard that there are pinoy disbanded groups for minor reasons.

Well, I hope these teenagers can make it big in the future and lets see if they will be proud of their school. Share me some thoughts on this issue.

Juday's Meralco Infomercial

Wordless Wednesday: Ces Drilon Free After 9 Days