The reply to the crap
Since we don’t have a Filipino channel here, I surf the net for local news and update myself atleast twice a week about what’s going on at home. Then there was this issue about an ignorant writer who belittled our OFWs based in Dubai. NO, she wasn’t a famous writer but right after her article got published, (I began to think, does she has any editor at all?) she got all the attention now like she’s an unknown specie placed under a microscope. Her article was entitled "From Boracay to Greece".
Here are some of Malu Fernandez’s key statements published in People Asia Magazine and Manila Standard Today (enclosed is my reply):
"However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai
and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed
there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling
cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the
thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them."
(When an OFW works for his family, sends money to the Philippines, I always think of one thing: "dignity of work". This so-called writer seemed to know nothing about our beloved OFWs’ role in our country. You should have slashed your wrist right there and then! You have no idea how great the sacrifice of these people are in order to provide their family in the Philippines a comfortable life.)
"While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises
on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small
flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh,
popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and
endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga sann ka? Domestic
helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you
a domestic helper as well?” I though I had died and God had send me to
my very own private hell".
(I never expected this would come from a Filipino. This judgmental statement is a plain example of bigotry, discrimination, and disrespect to his own fellowmen. The ignorance of this woman has harshly offended the status of our OFWs trying to survive against the challenges of life they face outside our country. Why would God ever think that being with them is like spending hours in hell? Speaking as a Christian, this woman needs to learn a lot.)
"On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight
once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped
like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and
Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air."
(Jo Malone? If you’re so into signature products, then why do you have to go economy class?! Why don’t you criticize the rich people who shop in Divisioria, 168, and other tiangge in Manila when they can afford to go shopping at Anne Klein, Ferragamo, and Louis Vuitton? Or maybe you just enjoy the scene being with people who uses "cheap" colognes while you have your "expensive" Jo Malone. I understand. I think people who’s loud about the expensive products they use are the ones who just had it the first time. My two cents.)
"All in all, it’s been a pretty good summer. Jetting from the Aegean Sea
to the Pacific may sound a bit pretentious until you wake up in economy
class smelling like air freshener."
(Next time, take a business class instead and see if your Jo Malone has a place in there, moron.)
The latest news said she already replied to a number of complaints she received since this "garbage" went out. This is her response (enclosed is my reply):
"As I type this, I’d like you to know that it’s not about whining,
complaining and bitching but just stating the facts. Just recently, I
wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it
was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I
thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t
get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had
offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people
actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very
funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to
shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and
mediocre. I obviously write for the a certain target audience and if
what I write offends you, just stop reading."
(First of all, IT’S NOT FUNNY. Second, it’s offensive. And third, this is not an issue of socioeconomic class. I’ve been in the writing business for 5 years and if I was your editor, your travel bogus article wouldn’t have any place in my magazine. You simply put shame to a group of people who are making a clean living for their families and who by the way are sending off dollars to the Philippines to help strengthen our economy and pay huge amount of taxes. They probably deserve worthy of praise than you are. If your circle of friends find it hilarious and "witty" then I suggest the next time you write something like this, just keep it to you and your friends. Since none of us here find it entertaining. It’s more like a senseless crap.)
"Although it may sound elitist to you the fact is this country is built
on the foundation of haves, have-nots and wannabes. One group will
never get the culture of the other. Although I could mention that it is
easier to understand someone who has a lower socioeconomic background
that would entail a whole other page and frankly I don’t want to be
someone to bridge the gap between socioeconomic classes. I leave that
to the politicians in my family who believe they can actually help. Now
I seriously ask you, am I being a diva or are people around me just
lacking in common sense? Perhaps it’s a little of both!"
(You are one pathetic psycho. Our politicians and government officials in the Philippines may have issues of corruption, traditional politics, and all but atleast they are trying their best to put our country up and running against other well-developed Asian countries. Same goes to our OFWs, ordinary Filipino employees, and businessmen. We are all distinctively created according to our purpose. Whether you’re a domestic helper, cook, driver, maintenance, or fast food chain crew, the meaning of life makes more sense if you understand the word "respect". The bottom line is, we don’t have to be in a group of "elite" to understand why we belong to different cultures.)
I’ve said so much. I would have easily forgiven the author is she grew up in an environment entirely different from ours but it was not. It was from someone who should be the first one to understand why sacrificing one’s life outside home mean so much. Sad. Well, I guess someone just had to learn the lesson the hard way. It’s just a matter of dealing with it.
