August 28 update: The Malu Fernandez-OFW controversy/ From the Publisher of PEOPLE Magazine (published in the Philippine Star)

August 27 update: Malu Fernandez vs OFWs

August 24, 2007 update: Base sa mga balita sa Internet, lumalabas na galing nga kay Malu Fernandez ang pahayag na naka-post sa ibaba. Iniulat na rin ng GMANews.tv at abs-cbnNEWS.com– at kanina, ng TV Patrol World–ang pagbibitiw at paghingi ng sorry ni Ms Fernandez.

Sana’y maraming natutunan mula sa usaping ito si Ms Fernandez at gayon din tayo. Ang kontrobersiyang ito’y naghatid ng aral sa paggalang, pagpapakumbaba, pagpapakatao at pakikipagkapwa-tao–at sana–pagpapatawad.

Pagkatapos kong mabasa ang kanyang pahayag, natuwa ako’t sa wakas ay nagpakumbaba siya. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi na ako na-high blood.

Naka-post ang pahayag sa ibaba sa www.geocities.com/fernandez_malu. Ipinagtatanong ko pa kung talagang sa kanya nga ito galing.

Statement from Malu Fernandez on the OFW Controversy

I am humbled by the vehement and heated response provoked by my article entitled ‘From Boracay to Greece!’ which came out in the June 2007 issue of People Asia. To say that this article was not meant to malign, hurt or express prejudice against the OFWs now sounds hollow after reading through all the blogs from Filipinos all over the world. I am deeply apologetic for my insensitivity and the offensive manner in which this article was written, I hear you all and I am properly rebuked. It was truly not my intention to malign hurt or express prejudice against OFWs.

As the recent recipient and target of death threats, hate blogs, and deeply personal insults, I now truly understand the insidiousness of discrimination and prejudice disguised as humor. Our society is bound together by human chains of kindness and decency. I have failed to observe this and I am now reaping the consequences of my actions. It is my fervent hope that the lessons that Ive learned are not lost on all those who through anonymous blogs, engaged in bigotry, discrimination, and hatred ( against overweight individuals , for example )

I take full responsibility for my actions and my friends and family have nothing to do with this. To date I have submitted my resignation letters to both the Manila Standard and People Asia, on that note may this matter be laid to rest.