Thursday, October 04, 2007

Housewives joke = Filipino fury

US network ABC has apologised for a scene in the new series of Desperate Housewives which pokes fun at medical education in the Philippines. In Sunday's US episode, Susan, played by Teri Hatcher, went for a check-up and was shocked when the doctor said she may be going through menopause.

She asked to see his diplomas, "just to make sure they aren't from some school in the Philippines".

The apology came after the country's health minister said he would complain.

Nearly 53,000 names have been attached to an online petition calling for an apology.

"A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field," the petition read.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he would write to the producers, noting the country's "vehement protest".

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Was still a funny episode.

Getta grip. :)