Desperate Housewives Producers and ABC Network Apologize

Many Filipinos have expressed outrage over a dialogue in the hit TV show Desperate Housewives. The remark has drawn a lot of attention from the Filipino community, tagging it as “racist” and “offensive.”

Now, ABC and the producers of the show have issued an apology to the Filipino people amid the complaints they got.

“The producers of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines.”

“As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs,” it concluded.

I find this one a bit…how do I say this?…makapal though (for clarity’s sake, I’m referring to what Nadal said about the “more substantial gesture,” not the apology itself nor the demand for a public apology). I honestly think this is taking it too far. Given that we’ve also thrown far more insulting remarks their way (even if sometimes, they haven’t done anything to seriously offend us, and they’re not even complaining), I’d say quits na tayo.

Nadal also suggested that the show’s producers and ABC executives could make a more substantial gesture than an apology, through scholarships or donations for Filipino and Filipino-Americans and community groups.

Filipinos and other minorities also should be depicted on TV as “prominent, positive role models,” Nadal said.

Hey, Nadal, I suggest we show them that we are “prominent, positive role models” first before making such a bold “request,” don’t you think?

Well, can we get on our lives and prove them wrong with action now? Like, say, fight for something with a cause? Like, say, the Free Burma campaign?