FUN Exacts Historical Documentary for Slur


Fredericksburg, Virginia- The Filipino United Network (USA) is asking Disney/ABC media network to produce a historical documentary about the Filipino physicians in the United States as part of the Fil-Am retribution demands as a consequence of the Teri Hatcher slur in the premiere episode of Desperate Housewives aired Sunday, September 30, 2007.

In the infamous scene in that episode, character Susan, played by Teri Hatcher, was diagnosed by her gynecologist to be "hitting menopause," to which Susan made this controversial statement, "Before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure that they aren't, like, from some med school in the Philippines," which drew the indignation of Filipinos around the world.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy C. Gaa, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, M.D., some members of the Philippine congress, Filipino leaders in America, including all Fil-Am alumni medical associations, Overseas Workers group, NaFFAA, APPA, FUN-USA, SPSA, NAPFON, Migrant Heritage Commission and dozen others, have all vehemently condemned the debasing slur that disparaged the integrity and honor of the Filipinos, and filed protests with management of Disney/ABC Network.

American Medical Association President Ronald M. Davis, M.D., in a strongly-worded protest letter to the president of ABC Entertainment in Burbank, decried the racial slur as appalling, and re-affirmed that “the Filipino physicians are equally qualified as their American peers, and to suggest otherwise is offensive, unfair and discriminatory.”

"A Historical Documentary about the Filipino physicians in America will bring out and highlight the facts, the truth about these medical professionals who have played a vital role in teaching American medical student and training American interns and residents, besides their significant contributions to the healthcare of the United States," commented Philip S. Chua, M.D., FACS, FPCS, Chairman of the Filipino United Network (USA),

Producing this documentary will lend more credence and substance to the apology released by Disney/ABC network, and positively help in educating the American public about the Filipino medical professionals, Chua added.

A Summit conference of all Fil-Am leaders has been scheduled for November 10, 2007 at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, to be hosted by the UST medical alumni under the leadership of Primo Andres, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, president of the USTMAA Foundation and F C Dante Gapultos, Jr., M.D., president of the UST Medical Alumni Association.

The united federation of these various organizations is set to deliberate on the actions it will take and vote on the law suit against the Disney/ABC media group that many association leaders are strongly pushing for. - RGL

 



Copyright 1998 Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS
All Rights Reserved for FEU-DNR-SM-AF