A Controversy Between 'Desperate Housewives' and Filipino Medical Doctors

In today's news on Philippine television (10/4/07), one of the "juicy" items is the controversial episode of a popular American television show, "Desperate Housewives", which made a derogatory remark on Philippine medical schools.

Later in the day I received an e-mail message from a colleague which contains a letter of the Filipino Consul General based in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Below is the text of the letter contained in the e-mail that my colleague forwarded to me today.


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KONSULADO PANLAHAT NG PILIPINAS
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINES
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA

Mr. MARK PEDOWITZ
President
ABC TelevisionNetwork
500S.Buena Vista street
Burbank CA 91521-4551
Fax # 818-460-5636

2 October 2007

SIR:

The Philippine Consulate General in LosAngeles wishesto express its
strong displeasure over a derogatory remark made against Philippine
medical schools in a recent episode of "Desperate Housewives." In the
September 30, 2007 episode, the character, Susan Mayer Delfino, played
by actress Teri Hatcher, said: "Okay, before we go any further, can I
check those diplomas? Because I would just like to make sure they are
not from some med school in the Philippines. "

We wish to point out that the Philippine medical profession is highly
regarded all over the world, as evidenced by the high demand for
Filipino healthcare professionals in many countries, including this
country. The United States recognizes the academic standards of
Philippine medical and nursing schools, and in general, does not
require additional schooling in this county for Filipino healthcare
professionals who wish to work here. Moreover, the Philippines is
considered a top Medical Tourism destination, with many foreigners,
including US citizens, who choose to undergo surgical and other medical
procedures in the country in recognition of its high quality and
reasonably-priced medical services.

We believe that a popular series such as "Desperate Housewives" need
not resort to making such prejudicial statements in order to generate
humor.

It is most unfortunate that the remarks made at the recent episode only
served to create racial stereotypes, thereby tainting unnecessarily the
excellent record of Filipino healthcare professionals all over the world.

We will therefore appreciate the ABC Network's immediate and concrete
steps to rectify the injustice done against Filipino healthcare
professionals.

Sincerely yours,



MARY JO BERNARDO-ARAGON
Consul General
3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500,
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel. (213) 639-0980;
Fax (213) 639-9990;
E-mail: losangelespc@aol.com;
Website: http://www.pcgenla.org/

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