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Not funny, Philippines says of BBC comedy show
The Philippine Embassy in London has sent a protest letter to the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC), demanding an apology for "racist and humiliating" portrayal of a Filipina in its comedy show.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:04 October 7, 2008
Manila: The Philippine Embassy in London has sent a protest letter to the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC), demanding an apology for "racist and humiliating" portrayal of a Filipina in its comedy show.
Filipinos in the UK are also set to launch "concerted efforts" against the BBC, Foreign Affairs spokesman Claro Cristobal said on Tuesday. There was no immediate comment from the BBC.
Cristobal said the Philippine Embassy also sent protest letters to the Secretary of State for Women and the Press Complaints Commission.
The controversial skit, aired in the September 26 episode of Harry and Paul, showed a Filipino maid being told by her employer to have sex with another man.
Lawmaker Risa Hontiveros has described the episode as "revolting and disgusting" and calls it an "insensitive and racist attempt to satirize a scene of exploitation."
"He kept ordering the girl to gyrate and dance in front of Paul and even instructed her to hump him," Hontiveros said.
This is the second case after US television network ABC apologised for its Desperate Housewives show, where actress Terry Hatcher questioned the competence of Filipino doctors since Philippine medical schools were allegedly dubious.
The Philippines is sensitive to the plight of its overseas workers, many of whom work as maids.
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