Hong Kong writer regrets racial slur against Filipinos

Agencies: A Hong Kong writer said he regrets his column that labelled the Philippines "a nation of servants", but said that it was misunderstood.

Chip Tsao's article, published in HK Magazine on Friday, sparked protests from Filipinos around the world.

In his column Tsao wrote that he was so outraged by the Philippines' claim on the disputed Spratlys Islands, which China claims, that he summoned his Filipino maid and gave her a lecture.

He wrote, "As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter."

Tsao told The Associated Press on Tuesday that if people were offended, "I very much regret it."

The Philippines has banned Tsao from entering the country. Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan on Monday issued an order placing Tsao in the immigration blacklist for being an undesirable alien.

"This is our manifestation of disgust against the racial slur and insult committed by Mr. Tsao against us as a people," Libanan said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the publisher of HK Magazine, Asia City Publishing Group (ACPG), issued a statement on Monday to "apologise unreservedly for any offence that may have been caused by Chip Tsao's column."

"HK Magazine has long championed the rights of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. We note that Filipinos have often been unfairly treated in Hong Kong, and that they make an important contribution to this community," ACPG said.

"As a magazine, we would never want to say anything that would negate that belief," ACPG said. "We wish to assure our readers that we have nothing but respect for Filipinos, both living in Hong Kong and abroad," it added.

The HK Magazine management should at least make drastic action against the writer if indeed they regretted and found the article offensive.
Wheng
Davao,Philippines
Posted: March 31, 2009, 14:32

Thanks for the best action taken by immigration commissioner Marcelino Libanan in placing Tsao in the blacklist.
Cristino
Khafji,Saudi Arabia
Posted: March 31, 2009, 14:12

I agree with Fonbuena. Tsao's comments are despicable and should not be condoned under any circumstances. Working in any capacity in the service industry is an honourable job. This issue should be a wake up call to a government that thrives on OFW remittances.
Patricia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 14:12

Why did Chip Tsao take it on somebody who is not involved about the Spratyls Islands issue?
Edwin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 14:12

I am working in Dubai and I can feel the humiliation. The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency should look into this matter.
Ces
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 13:58

The writer manifests a classic flaw of journalism that is associated with a very poor judgement.
Ronald
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 13:57

Having press freedom is not an excuse for anyone to be unethical and unprofessional on saying things that should rather be discussed in an open forum between affecting nations.
Leng
Cagayan de Oro City,Philippines
Posted: March 31, 2009, 13:49

His sorry is not enough. He should research more about Spratlys Islands before making comments about it.
Marissa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 12:57

Obviously, neither prestige nor fortune can truly make a man. In the end, when one will be stripped of the tinsel trimmings of these worldly chattels, everything boils down to sense of decency and decorum, which to my humble opinion, the writer Mr. Chip Tsao does not have.
Evergrace
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 12:40

I agree with Rey. This guy is far less professional than the helper.
Pranab
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 12:17

Freedom of speech is okay, but not to the point of degrading somebody who is working so hard to earn enough money to support love ones.
Julie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 12:15

It saddens me that some individuals look at the Philippines as a "nation of servants" when in fact we are far more than that. Our compatriots who work abroad only show they are willing to sacrifice to make the lives of their family better.
Derek
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 12:14

To add insult to the injury, Mr. Chip Tsao now tells us we just misunderstood his statement?
Vickoy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:59

Tsao has no right to discriminate against anyone. He is a writer so he must have a wider view of understanding.
Alma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:53

People who criticise other nationalities fail to realise that all of us share the same air and the same rain. I have planned to visit Hong Kong during my vacation but now I will cancel it.
Lyn
Davao,Philippines
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:52

We should not stoop to Mr. Tsao's level. Filipinos' professionalism and competitiveness in various fields have already been proven. Though we are a poor nation, we are forever proud of our contribution to the world.
Erwin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:45

I am totally outraged by what Tsao called Filipinos. I hope he meant it when he said that he regrets what he wrote.
Ed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:37

This could be a reality check for our government to do something about the high poverty rate in the country. However, Chip Tsao does not have the right to look down on us like that. What he did was cheap.
Fonbuena
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:30

The damage has been done. These people should have thought a million times if the article was worth publishing in the first place.
Mirz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:23

I am a Filipino living in Dubai and I feel bad about the article that branded us as a nation of servants. It only shows that the writer is less professional compared to his Filipino helper.
Rey
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:19