Monday, August 20, 2007

The Malu Fernandez controversy

I'm technically busy at the moment, watching endlessly episodes of NBN'4's Primetime Teledyaryo and surfing the Net on the side. Meanwhile, the latest issue to hit the blogosphere continues to rage -- in fact, I'm probably quite late in posting this.

Here's a comprehensive post on the whole Malu Fernandez controversy:

Malu Fernandez, Manila Standard Today, Bigotry In The Media
Source: Tingog.com

With the recent irresponsible, elitist, bigoted, and discriminating comments made by Manila Standard Today columnist Malu Fernandez in her People Asia magazine article “From Boracay to Greece” in which she makes many belittling comments about Overseas Filipino Workers and Filipinos in general, the response from Filipino bloggers have been overwhelming, and have not been light on the criticism. When do we say enough is enough and that we will no longer stand for the bigotry and discrimination that takes place, not only in this country but all around the world?

For her part, in her “apology”, Malu Fernandez addressed the emails responding to her article. However, the apology, was nothing more than another attempt to take a jab at Filipinos and to once again assert that she’s an elite that those in lower socioeconomic classes just fail to understand or comprehend her “wit”.

Read more here. One quick note: I think the last time a columnist got flak from readers was Isagani Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who stirred public criticism for a piece he wrote about homosexuals.

Will Standard Today follow the massive public outcry to fire Fernandez, or will the paper keep her to boost circulation (Striking while the iron is hot)?

10 comments:

Unknown said...

bryant,

It was former Justice Isagani Cruz's column, not Neal Cruz's.

Good day!

Hector Bryant L. Macale said...

Sir Robert,

Ayayay! Jeers jeers.

Already corrected. Thanks sir!

Bryant

Anonymous said...

hi! read that you're watching primetime teledyaryo. snoozefest na ba?

anyhoo, was wondering if you've reviewed teledyaryo sports? 4-5:30? what can u say about it?

Hector Bryant L. Macale said...

Hi rina,

No, I haven't had the chance to monitor or watch Teledyaryo sports. Sorry.

How about you?

Anonymous said...

omg! wtf is malu fernandez thinking? go slash your wrist, bitch! grabeh. sobrang pasosyal ni she doesn't ring a bell naman sa kahit anong circles. if she's so sosyal, why is she in economy class? probably junket trip lang din sa kanya yun. kapal ng mukha nya.

ahehehe. di dapat ako dito mag-rant. pero ang sarap nya kalbuhin. mga kolumnista/periodista ang yayabang talaga...oops!

i've said too much,

btw, have you received/read the white paper on broadsheet editors/management? grabe. totoo kaya yun? although...shut up na ako *wink wink* feeling ko mga taga-tabloid nagkalat nun kasi yung email add ng pinanggalingan nung sa akin galing dun eh.

Hector Bryant L. Macale said...

"if she's so sosyal, why is she in economy class? probably junket trip lang din sa kanya yun. kapal ng mukha nya."

haha. natawa naman ako dito sa comment mong ito.

"have you received/read the white paper on broadsheet editors/management? grabe. totoo kaya yun? although...shut up na ako *wink wink*"

hehehe. yes. naaliw nga ako eh. even some of the respectable professionals andon. ewan ko lang kung totoo. hehe. ikaw? palagay mo? haha.

Anonymous said...

Sir brye, Good Day!
I'm consolidating the massive public outcry of many hurt overseas-based Filipinos who read Malu Fernandez's article.

Frankly, as an individual who has respect and even to a point, envy for our OFWs who keep our economy afloat, malu is just downright STUPID.

Okay lang siya? Ang arte, antipatika! to malu: Hoy babae, nasa Pilipinas ka hindi nasa Milan! Gaga ka, eh ikaw 'tong ng economy flight kung hindi ka ba naman dayukdok?

Yun lang po sir. Ayan na-release ko na din. Thank you po, magsusulat na ako. Visit gmanews.tv!

Hector Bryant L. Macale said...

Seph,

Uy. na-bisita ka. Nag-labas ka lang ng rant? Hahaha. Anyway, thanks!

Hope to see you soon. :)


Brye

Anonymous said...

THIS IS ONLY THE START OF OUR ULTIMATE PLAN TO RULE THE WORLD!!!

OUR SPECIAL AGENT, MALUSOG (MALU FOR SHORT) WILL BE PUBLISHING MORE ARTICLES TO HUMILIATE PUNY HUMANS TO DESTROY PEACE AND ORDER TO CREATE HAVOC TO MANKIND.

PIGS RULE!!! MABUHAY ANG PUGAD BABOY!!!

Anonymous said...

Read lots of blogs on the Malu Fernandez controversy... one lesson learned: never ever underestimate the bayanihan of pinoys (lalo na ng mga OFWs). Kahit sa cyberspace, people power works! Nakaka-aliw ang mga pinoy - very eloquent kapag nagalit. Sorry to say but I actually enjoyed reading the blogs about the controversy. Readers' reactions were really vicious pero bang on (bulls-eye!). I'm sorry for Ms. Fernandez. I'm sure she'll be hounded whereever she'll go. Naging stigma tuloy sya ng society. Can't help but also react: aba, mas mabango ang pinoy kesa sa ibang lahi! I dare Ms. Fernandez to get on any african airline and travel to or anywhere in africa. She'll wish that she was back in the midst of Axe- or Charlie Cologne-smelling pinoys. Kahit magbusiness class or first class pa sya, sasabihin din nyang: ibalik nyo ako sa emirates airlines at sa dubai duty free!!! har har har...

 
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