Filipinos are known for being humorous. We can find light-hearted solace in the most depressing of situations. It's how most of our brethren, the impoverished and down-trodden, get by to survive life's daily travails. Despite this, we are also the most thin-skinned when anything remotely Filipino related is made fun of or criticized.The latest incredulous example is the Alec Baldwin's supposed "slur" on our nation. According to this report, he has, "joined the ranks of internationally recognized celebrities who have maligned Filipinos."
Baldwin said in an interview on the "Late Show with David Letterman"last May 12 how he thought of getting, or buying, himself a Filipina bride.
"I think about getting a Filipino mail-order bride at this point or a Russian one, I don't care, I'm 51," Baldwin told host David Letterman
.
Oh, the outrage! Wait 'til the Russian consulate sends its complaints over the slurring of their people as well!
The report goes on to cite several other examples of how our national dignity has been tainted by other foreigners, such as Teri Hatcher's line on Desperate Housewives, and Chip Tsao's failed satire on his column about Filipino housemaids in Hong Kong.
I will admit that I was incensed by Chip Tsao's article, but I felt it was because his attempt at satire was too vague, or perhaps too exclusive of the nuances he was trying to convey.
But to include Ms. Hatcher and other Hollywood celebrities/stars who have made jokes at our expense, as people who step on our Nationhood is preposterous. Countless jokes have been made about other countries and the stereotypes they are associated with. Does that make them derogatory? Hell no. These same people make countless jokes about their own country as well. Does that make them treacherous? Same answer.
Whoever is trying to stir up these waters by inciting National pride and anger have their agendas. The Philippine media wants ratings. The politicians and organizations who inflame these accusations want to increase their constituents. But in the end we are just making ourselves look like insensitive fools.
On Roger Ebert's blog,
I made an apology for a Filipino film which he found bad. And as
expected, I received a few comments accusing me of being unpatriotic
and envious. Roger Ebert was also accused by a few of marring our
image.
Archie Del Mundo: I am outraged by two things here...or probably two people...You and compatriot Michael Mirasol...first, Mr. Mirasol, who are you to apologize in behalf of Mendoza and as a Filipino? You are a disgrace! Either you are a Filipino who is based somewhere and is not sure anymore what he is talking about (the Philippines and its film industry). Mr. Ebert, this review is so unfair and I almost want to cry...don't ever think of coming here for you are not welcome.
Roger's reply was of course, right on the dot.
Ebert: I was not reviewing the Philippines, but a movie. There is a big difference. My opinion of your nation could not be higher. When I attack an American film, does that mean I dislike America?
Thankfully, there were a few well-meaning Filipinos whose comments say it best.
For those Pinoys reading this, and you know who you are... lighten up.Bianca: ...The thing with Filipinos (being one), yes, as the others who commented here, we are VERY thin-skinned individuals and citizens (I will not try to explain why because i will sound redundant already). **at this point, i will separate myself from them** they tend to take EVERYTHING personally (which is annoying) without giving any chance of comprehending whatever criticism they heard. Basically, criticism/comment = INSULT for them.
i heard this news first from troy. i wanted to write about it pero you said it here already.
it's good to be patriotic but coupled with being thin-skinned will just make us look like idiots. we have MUCH MORE things to solve and to gripe about than something that is obviously a joke that is aimed at us.
sometimes i wonder if these pinoy posters are just so dense, or perhaps this is their unique way of trolling.
Pinoys swim in their idiocy.