Human Rights Online Philippines

In Defense of Love and Humanity: Down with Racism, Sexism and all forms of Discrimination
By Jose Mario De Vega

I am writing to highlight two seemingly apparent different stories which in my view in a closer introspection are connected by the same cause of love and humanity.

The first one is with regard to the racist, discriminatory and utterly preposterous comments of a certain Divina DeDiva with regard to her unjust and undeniably distasteful attack on Megan Young, the recently crowned Ms. World.

As reported by PDI’s Bayani San Diego Jr., “Beauties take up cudgel for Megan Young”, October 2:

“On Sunday, a certain Facebook user (Devina DeDiva) criticized Young’s Miss World victory, dismissing the Philippines as a country of maids.

“The Facebook user said: “Miss Philippines is Miss World? What a joke? I didn’t know those maids have anything else in them. Hahaha.””

Immediately, Filipinos rushed to the defense of their local beauty. Here’s what a fellow Beauty Queen, Precious Lara Quigaman, former Miss International 2005 said:

“We should just dismiss her and not give her the fame that she craves.” Thereupon, she also lavishly praised the sacrifices and contribution to the country of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs):

“We are a country of beautiful, smart and loving maids, nurses, teachers, doctors and beauty queens… No one can take that away from us.”

It is also heartening to see that a “self confessed Pinoy-at-heart, British native Malcolm Conlan could not help but defend his Filipino family and friends against this Facebook basher. The 42-year old Conlan is married to a Filipina and runs a small UK-based charity that provides books to poor Filipino communities around Batangas and Laguna.”

Here’s Mr. Nolan’s letter in full:

Dear Ma’am

Please look around you and wake up. Who do you see working in hospitals in your country as nurses, health care assistants, pilots, drivers, working in banks, customer service, restaurants, shops etc? Filipinos.

Exactly the same kind of jobs that everyone is employed in, oh and yes even in houses as house helpers and nannies. Yes Filipino’s. The Philippines has always been a big exporter of labour overseas and what’s wrong with that?

Filipinos work in all kinds of industries, I can say one thing, they all want to work hard to support their families and do not enjoy claiming benefits or help from the Government. They do the noble thing and work very for a living, contributing to taxes and the Economy. I hate the word ‘maid’ it’s old fashioned and not necessary, but actually ‘maid’ as you call it, yes many Filipino’s do work as domestic helpers in the Middle East as well as across the world, they do so to help their families and their country.

They should all be very proud. I am married to a Filipina and we have two wonderful children who are also Filipino. I am honoured and consider myself very privileged indeed to be part of a British/Filipino family

Finally don’t know what your issue is with the winner of Miss World is?

Megan Young is Filipino, she is also very proud, as I am sure many millions of Filipino’s are across the entire world, so before you really do upset many millions, please think very carefully and apologise. Thanks so much.

MALCOLM CONLAN

Though I am happy that people are united in condemning this undeniable racist and discriminatory comment of an undeniably sick creature, bastard bigot and pathetic freak, this event also made me a bit sad.

I am sad to think that at these modern times, still some fiendish and detestable individuals are still practicing racism and discrimination!

Needless to state, I join the world in condemning the unjust, unfair and indisputably barbaric comment of that bloody idiota. She does not deserve to live in a civilized society, because she is not a human being, but a mere human form in an animalistic character! Shame on her!

It is my view that Ms. Megan Young won the said competition not because of her nationality or her beauty alone. She got the nod and approval of the judges by virtue of her wit, intelligence and true, natural beauty.

This is what she said, which in my view bag the bacon, so to speak:

“I treasure a core value of humanity and that guides her into understanding people, why they act the way they do, how they’re living their lives. And I will use these core values and understanding not only in helping others but to show other people how they can understand others, to help others.… So that as one, together, we shall help society. Thank you!”

Indeed, she is beauty and brains in one…

As I’ve stated in my own FaceBook account dated, September 30th:

I don’t care whether she is a Filipina or an American or both, in my view, what is more important is the fact that she personifies both beauty and brains! In the end, what defines her is not her nationality but her Humanity! Mabuhay ka, Bb. Young! Yehey! Yabaduwap to the max!!!! 🙂

Moving on to the next issue, this refers to the moving letter of an unnamed grandfather who heavily criticized her own daughter because the latter has booted out of the house her own son when he revealed that he is gay.

Here’s what that great grandfather stated:

“Kicking Chad out of your home simply because he told you he was gay is the real “abomination” here. A parent disowning her child is what goes “against nature”. The only intelligent thing I head you saying in all this was that “you didn’t raise your son to be gay.” Of course you didn’t. He was born this way and didn’t choose it anymore than he being left-handed… If you find your heart, give us a call.”

While the first issue that I’ve tackled deals with racism and discrimination, this one deals with sexism and discrimination.

I was so moved by the letter of that grandfather and he has shown the world that his duty as a father to his daughter does not end, even if the same has already have her own family.

That kind and great grandfather has also shown us all that his duty is not only for her child, but extends to that of the child of his child.

The grandfather is blasting his own daughter has shown that he will not stop in his duty as a father and he will continue correcting her daughter, no matter what.

I like it most when grandpa stated in no uncertain terms that: “I am disappointed with you as a daughter.”

This single line alone has restored my faith in humanity and made me respect more said old man.
In the same letter he also defended the status or situation of his grandson to his daughter:

“The only intelligent thing I head you saying in all this was that “you didn’t raise your son to be gay.” Of course you didn’t. He was born this way and didn’t choose it anymore than he being left-handed”.

Clearly the old man is saying that it is not the fault of Chad that he is now what he is now and the duty of his parent is not to abandon or discriminate or curse or kick him out, bit to accept and respect him for what he is.

As grandpa categorically stated: “A parent disowning her child is what goes “against nature””.

Of course, even if the old man is disappointed with her daughter, still the love is there and the hope that her daughter will apologize to the family and do the right thing.

That is why the letter ended in an admonishment:

“If you find your heart, give us a call.”

In relation to that racist and discriminative creature, Devina DeDiva:

Ms. Idiota: if ever you find your reason, love and humanity, do apologize not only to the Filipinos but to the whole people of the world that were offended and hurt by your backwardness, ignorance, idiocy, arrogance, racism and discrimination!

It is only in doing so that you will restore your humanity and self-respect!

Jose Mario Dolor De Vega

Philosophy lecturer
College of Arts and Letters
Polytechnic University of the Philippines

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