In the Desperate Housewives pilot, Teri Hatcher's character demanded to see her doctor's diploma to make sure its not from some med school in the Philippines. This has caused an uproar against the show and even Teri Hatcher herself. Now the Phil. government demands for an apology from the show and Ms. Hatcher herself. On whom should we really place the blame? Was it a creative decision not meant to disparage anyone? Was the line misinterpreted? Are the Filipinos over-reacting or is this fairly justified?
2007-10-04 09:30:02 · 8 answers · asked by john_doe_jr25 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television ➔ Other - Television
I think it was just a joke. I think it could have easily been "univ. of Arizona" or somewhere else you can get a "degree" online...
Its weird i just came up if its the pilot... Did they just get the show there? Or do you mean the 1st eppy of this season?
2007-10-04 09:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by amh19805 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Filipino residing in the Philippines. (I think it's pretty common among people answering questions on this subject matter to state what race they are, Filipino or non, so I'm following the trend.) A Filipino, I'd like to note first, who was saved as a child from Kawasaki's Disease (look it up) by an EXCELLENT Filipina Doctor.
I learned about the 'Teri Hatcher' comment pretty late (this is what I get for spending most of my days in a hermit-like writing fit interspersed with anime watching and obsessing over the Discovery Channel...), but my reaction to it isn't as adverse as the Filipinos as a whole are taking it. Sure, I find the comment extremely 'in bad taste', but it's not serious enough to PNG (persona non grate) someone over, as I heard one Filipino TV Personality comment on a morning variety show.
From my personal knowledge, Filipino doctors are some of the better trained doctors...simply because they have had to learn to make up for the lack of better equipment in Philippine hospitals compared to those in the U.S. Just as PAL (Philippine Airlines) pilots are some of the best because they have had to make up for the quality of their OLD planes.
The fact that most Filipinos in the American medical field are nurses is not an indicator of our medical prowess. In fact, some of those nurses are actually DOCTORS who received training as nurses so they could go to the States and earn MONEY. (I know a few people within my circle who have done this.)
Which is a comforting word to the Red Cross. Ever need to send people for relief operations? Send a bunch of Pinoy nurses...chances are a few of them will also be trained doctors. Hehehe...:D
It is my belief that we are overreacting just a SMIDGE. Let's face it, Desperate Housewives is just a TV show and Teri Hatcher was just a CHARACTER at that point in time. Now, if she was on Oprah or Tyra or something...o-kay, let's get it on. But this was just a soap opera, nothing TOO major.
Boycotting 'Housewives' will not do much good, as will writing petitions calling for Teri Hatcher's ultimate showbiz demise. The best we (the Filipinos) can do is accept the apology, laugh at the show's stupidity, and realize that we are bigger than this comment.
After all, instead of expending energy into this hullabaloo, why not spend it proving those producers wrong and churning out some great doctors of our own?
2007-10-07 22:24:01 · answer #2 · answered by CagedSongbird 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless she has some defect that prevents her from understanding the words that are coming out of her mouth, then, Hatcher was racist in agreeing to say that line. So were the writers who wrote it and the studio that filmed it. If she had said something like "Let me check to see if your diplomas are from the Bronx or if they were signed by some gay doctor," there would be hell to pay.
It's an insulting, terrible joke to make fun of Filipino doctors. You're destroying their credibility and their livelihood. Just because we are a third world country, it doesn't necessarily follow that we have substandard schools. Your schools are only ranked higher than ours because of their equipment, ie because they have more money.
The Medical industry in America is propped up by Filipinos. I dare you to show me one hospital who does not have a Filipino medical practitioner. And these Filipino practictioners have to pass the same test as any WHITE practitioner.
It's completely unfair to generalize. Our country has a history of renowned doctors, and a wealth of good schools. A quick trip down memory lane reminds me that a Filipino, Dr. Aguilar, discovered the antibiotic called Erythromycin. This is the antibiotic used by people who are allergic to pennicilin. In 1966, Dr Del Mundo won the Elizabeth Blackwell award for her service to mankind. Why? Because she invented the improved incubator and a jaundice relieving device.
Fast forward to this very year and the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION gave the Sasakawa award to Dr. Jose Socrates of the Philippines. The WHO Sasakawa Health Prize recognizes individuals and organizations who are making contributions to the healthcare of people around the world. Though the prize money is given by a Japanese foundation, no individual or organization from Japan has even won the prize.
These are just the Filipinos who are Filipino in race and citizenship. Filipino migrants who have come to America have gone far. Heck, Former President BILL CLINTON's personal physician was a Filipina immigrant- Eleanor Mariano. She was also the first woman, of whatever race, to be head of the White House's medical unit.
This racist comment made fun of the abilities of Filipinos and the reputation of our Medical Practitioners. When you damage their reputation, you damage the livelihoods of so many hardworking, intelligent people. Hatcher would only be so lucky as to be treated by a Filipino doctor or cared for by a Filipino nurse.
2007-10-05 20:25:06 · answer #3 · answered by eleven 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im a doctor in Davao City. I made a great software that will eventually computerize the unreadable prescriptions of doctors. Americans havent perfected theirs yet but I do believe I got it! All my prescriptions now are computerized. I was even invited at UP-PGH last Sept 28 to talk about it. I am aiming to make the Philippines the first to eradicate illegible handwritten Rx way ahead of America. Lets see what Hatcher will say once this happens. Check my website is www.databasefordoctors.com . I wasn't mad of what she said but surely it got me even more DESPERATE to succeed. I need your help to make this happen. Rather than getting angry lets work on something great and lets prove them wrong.
Richard Mata, MD,DPPS
2007-10-06 11:36:56 · answer #4 · answered by RICHARD M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The video is fairly thoroughly incorrect! How ought to a nicely civilized county like the USA of a even have adequate money to have writers having a instruct with racist statements and discrimination against different worldwide places? For me, that's no longer awesome. It purely shows that with their great potential and authority they might ignore that we, Filipinos even have rights. They belittle Filipino docs and nurses. I fairly disagree to this via fact so some distance as i understand, Filipinos in the sector of drugs are reading with the exposition of the latest technologies. Examples of stable docs are ones from St. Luke's scientific middle.... that is in order that rude even with the undeniable fact that it fairly is in straightforward terms a fact. in spite of the fact that in the event that they suggested it became in straightforward terms a humorous tale or sarcasm etc.. it would fairly impression Filipinos........ The writers could desire to ask for forgiveness to the Filipinos. this could nicely be an astonishing discrimination relatively to our docs..... individuals have a intense sort of education yet they condone this? they must renowned extra appropriate via fact it is going to ruin the popularity of our docs right here! they must no longer tolerate such outrageous acts! What an insane episode! undesirable Judgement!
2016-10-10 07:44:26 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why the Philippines was singled out for that particular joke. There are countries with much worse medical practices. Maybe the scriptwriter was just upset at seeing so many Filipinos in U.S. medical professions? Don't know.
Anyways, there are much bigger things to be upset about and much better TV shows to watch. DH? I still can't believe that show is still on the air. It's like waiting and watching a wounded deer to die. Die already...sheesh.
2007-10-04 10:50:59 · answer #6 · answered by tangledwwweb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the filipinos are over reacting it was meant to be a joke because teri hatchers charecter was supposed to be upset . I think that all this racial stuff is starting to get on my nerves . I say get over it and move on .
2007-10-04 09:49:45 · answer #7 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What was said just perpetuates racism. It was just hateful and cruel. I don't think the Filipino people are overreacting. I think racism is just too prevalent in the media today and many of us are getting sick of it.
Here is a link to the petition.
http://www.petitiononline.com/FilABC/
2007-10-04 09:38:58 · answer #8 · answered by Q4U 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋