British Comedy Insults Filipinos

In the September 26 episode of the British comedy TV show "Harry and Paul", brainchild of the two biggest comedy names in Britain, Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, a Filipina maid character was ordered by her employer's neighbor to "mate" with his lethargic Northerner neighbor. The sketch portrays the Filipina maid in grey uniform with an apron, dancing in front of the Northerner. Enfield's character shouts at the Northerner, "Come on, Clyde, mount her." When "not much" seems to happen, he then orders the Filipina maid, "present your rear".

Racist? Definitely. Now, how about looking at the details regarding this scandal. The Filipina maid character should have known better than to accept that role. She does look Filipina, and we're hoping she's not or that would fuel a worse brigade that would rebuke her for portraying such a disgraceful character that embarrasses many of our OFW's (Overseas Filipino Workers).

Rep. Risa Hontiveros, a women's right activist, described the sketch as "revolting and disgusting" and calls it an "insensitive and racist attempt to satirize a scene of exploitation."

The producers on the other hand are defiant over the Filipino's demand for a public apology. They say that the show should not be taken seriously. This is also how some people see the current situation.

Should we let it pass just because the show is "absurd"? Whatever happened to cultural sensitivity? Racial prejudice? Or are the Filipinos being too sensitive regarding the matter? Remember the "Desperate Housewives" scene last year with a punch line that used Philippine medical education?

It has to be made clear why insulting OFW's somehow makes the Filipinos tick more than anything else, even more than a corrupt government official. Unlike these corrupt officials, OFW's actually contribute immensely to our economy. Despite the loneliness involved in staying out of the country apart from their loved one, immersed in a whole different culture, they suck it all up to give their families a decent standard of living. As a result, they keep the Philippine economy afloat by sending home billions of dollars in remittances.