August 27 update: Malu Fernandez vs OFWs

August 24 update: Pakibasa rin po ang Public apology ni Malu Fernandez

“Balasubas” dapat ang pamagat ng entry na ito. Kaya lang, nang hinahanap ko na ang tiyak na kahulugan ng balasubas, parang mali yata ang naisip kong salita, kaya ginamit ko na lang ang pangalan ng taong paksa ng sulating ito.

Pasakalye muna: Kaninang tanghali, nagpakuha ako ng blood pressure sa clinic ng opisina namin. Okay naman, normal. Natuwa naman ako. Pero ngayong gabi, muntik na yata akong ma-highblood. Kasi naman, si Noemi, nag-twit ng “Boycott Manila Standard. Malu Fernandez reminds me of someone.” Na-curious tuloy ako kaya pinuntahan ko ang link na kasama ng twit niya.

Napadpad ako sa Tingog.com, naintindihan ko ang twit ni Noemi, bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at medyo nanikip ang dibdib ko.

Isang article na isinulat ng isang Malu Fernandez sa People Asia June 2007 issue pala ang pinagsimulan ng kampanyang boykot na ito. Kinopya ko sa Tingog.com ang ini-scan na mga pahina–i-click lamang para mabasa ang buong dalawang pahinang artikulo:

Ikinukuwento ng pasosyal na kolumnista ng Manila Standard Today ang kanyang bakasyon sa Boracay at sa Greece at kung paanong nakasalamuha niya sa pamilihan at sa eroplano ang mga manggagawang Pinoy sa ibayong dagat. Narito ang ilang bahagi ng article:

However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them.

While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga sann ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you a domestic helper as well?” I though I had died and God had sent me to my very own private hell.

On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air.

Nakakapikon, di ba? May followup article pa siya. “Funny” raw ‘yung isinulat niya. Hindi ako natawa.

Pero hindi lang ako na naha-high blood sa mga isinulat ni Malu. Si Selvo ng Nomadic Thoughts ay tumaas din ang presyon ng dugo, at ganoon din siguro sina Schumey, Pedestrian Observer, Sparks, at Jae.

Kung sakaling makasalubong ninyo o makasakay sa economy class si Malu, pakibigyan na lang ng gas mask. Baka mabahuan siya sa mga anakpawis na tulad natin. Kung ayaw tanggapin, bigyan ng blade–yung may kalawang.


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Ederic Eder

Ederic is a Filipino communications worker in the telecom, media, and technology industry. He writes about K-dramas and Korean celebrities for Hallyudorama.

He used to be a social media manager for news at GMA Network, where he also headed YouScoop, GMA News and Public Affairs’ citizen journalism arm.

He was with Yahoo! Philippines for more than three years before returning to GMA Network, where he was also previously part of the News Research section.

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