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Filipino Americans Demand Apology From 'Desperate Housewives' Producers WASHINGTON--(U.S. ASIAN WIRE)-- October 3, 2007-- The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is demanding an apology from the producers of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" over an episode that aired on September 30 disparaging medical practitioners who were trained in the Philippines. In condemning the racially-biased and culturally insensitive remarks, NaFFAA National Chair Alma Kern also points out the need for cultural awareness training among Hollywood writers, producers and actors. "It is outrageous that in this day and age, popular media continue to demean and insult Filipinos in America," Kern says. "For more than one hundred years, we have made valuable contributions to this country, not only as health professionals but as child care providers and home care givers. These dedicated, diligent and competent workers do not deserve to be slandered and stereotyped in such a prejudicial manner if only to evoke laughter." In the ABC-produced episode, Terri Hatcher's character (Susan) was reacting to her gynecologist who suggested that she might be hitting menopause. "Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines," Susan replied. Kern notes that when President Reagan was shot by an assassin in 1981, Filipino surgeon Jorge Garcia was among the doctors who attended to the wounded president. Ret. Admiral Connie Mariano, a proud Filipino American, was former President Bill Clinton's personal physician. "In both cases, the White House was obviously confident in entrusting the care and well being of the most powerful person in the world to Filipino doctors." This is not the first time that popular media have cast negative aspersions on Filipinos. A few years ago, comedienne Joan Rivers made fun of Filipinos by calling them dog-eaters. An episode in a popular sitcom, "Frazier," several years back caricatured Filipino women as mail order brides. In each of these instances, the networks apologized in response to the outpouring of condemnation across the country. "Clearly, these purveyors of popular culture weren't serious about their apologies and think they can get away with these insults," Kern states. She has called on all Filipinos and Filipino Americans to be vigilant by soundly rejecting these racial slurs and stereotypes and take appropriate action promptly: "I encourage you to sign on to petition campaigns, write and call ABC's corporate offices, their local affiliates and advertisers, and let them know that we will not tolerate this despicable practice of stereotyping and racial profiling at its worst." The ABC Corporate Mailing Address: ABC, Inc. 500 S. Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521-4551 (818) 460-7477 Address of the producers of Desperate Housewives: Desperate Housewives Touchstone Television 100 Universal City Plaza Bldg. 2128, Suite G Universal City, CA 91608 East and west coast ABC corporate offices: ABC, Inc. 77 West 66th St., 13th Floor New York, NY 10023 ABC, Inc. 500 Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91521-4391 Directory of local ABC affiliates: http://abc.go.com/ site/ca.html About NaFFAA The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a private, non-profit, non- partisan tax-exempt organization established in 1997 to promote the welfare and well-being of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA's national office is based in Washington, D.C. Its main function is to monitor legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans and work in coalition with other national groups around common issues and concerns. In addition, the national office serves as a communications link between affiliate members as well as an information source on federal and legislative initiatives and policies relevant to Filipino Americans. Contact: Jon Melegrito NaFFAA 202-361-0296 press@naffaa.org

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