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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Letter from a Reader: Cofradia is Racist


Dear Fashion PULIS:

I have been recently introduced to your blog and enjoy your fun way of writing immensely, especially the quotes at the end of every article. Anyways, I am furnishing you a copy of a letter I sent to MTRCB regarding my gripe about ABS-CBN's sorry excuse for a new soap 'Cofradia', hoping that you might perhaps help me proliferate it by publishing it on your blog and help start a healthy dialogue.

This is the letter I sent to MTRCB to lodge my complaint against the planned made-for-TV revival of the movie Cofradia. Please share.


Mabuhay!

My name is Noa Herrera, a Filipino citizen currently residing in Honolulu, HI. I am writing you this letter to express my concern and strong indignation over ABS-CBN’s plan to revive the movie ‘Cofradia’ for television as has been widely reported and discussed in social media. Now as I recall, the original movie and its subsequent revivals’ plot centered around a girl who was heavily frowned upon and lived a recluse all her life because of her ‘black skin’. She then becomes ‘beautiful’ upon the discovery of a magical candle that transforms her black skin into white when it is lit. This line of thinking is awfully Neandarthal, outdated and racist beyond salvation. I cannot even begin to describe how much it offends me. Not only will it not be sending the greatest of messages to Filipino children and to the Filipino population at large, but it will also only rub salt to the wound in a culture that already suffers from a senseless but widespread obsession with whiteness and fair skin. ABS-CBN is the country’s largest network and will most likely air this abominable piece of ‘work’ on their global arm TFC. It will be an embarrassment for Filipinos the world over. I am incensed by this prospect and so should every Filipino who is capable of thought. I am vehement in my indignation and will do everything I can to bring as much attention to this matter until it is rectified. But for now, I am leaving it to your noble office and the capable heads that occupy it to discuss, decide and hopefully take the appropriate action.

Yours Very Respectfully,
Noa Herrera

271 comments:

  1. I think i agree with this writer

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    Replies
    1. kawawa ang mga negra!

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    2. I agree with you Ms. Herrera I really don't know why filipinos are so obsessed with white complexion, we have to be proud to our own brown skin, it looks health and radiant. being white it looks like you're a ghost and sickly.

      Delete
    3. Negra is also an offensive word to black people. Please refrain from using it

      Delete
    4. To answer your question, gusto ng mga Pilipino maging maputi kasi nung spanish colonial period, alila yung maiitim at yung mga foreigner na mapuputi ang mga amo at mataas ang antas sa lipunan. Nadala naten hanggang ngayon, na kapag maputi=mukang mayaman, mukang maganda.

      -Pinay Informer (tatapatan ko si Lonely Pinay)

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    5. Ms/Mr Herrera, matanong ko lang: si beyonce ba ay white or black? Kasi yung loreal ad nya, she has blonde hair, aquiline nose, and oh-so-fair skin. Anyare?

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    6. Not familiar with Cofradia, but I think ABS has writers to do tge script and make it more timely. Hindi nmn porque same name same story or same plot na rin.
      Tailoring every soap is essential nowadays.

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    7. Nita negrita, kirara, and a lot more.. why this??? Why now Noah Herrera??? Please dont watch if u feel being degraded... lets see how the story goes before judging...

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    8. I think I agree... bekuz she's from Hawayi.

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    9. before i was also addicted to whitening products almost lahat yata natry ko para lang pumuti kasi nga di ba sa pilipinas pag maputi maganda. kaso wala ng natitira sa salary ko kakapatusok at kakabili ng pampaputi tapos di mo pa maenjoy ang pag gala kasi bawal maarawan kaya ayun napagod ako. inembrace ko na lang at minahal ang tunay kong kulay at sa panahon ngayon it makes me unique at prettier sa mga kasamahan ko dahil sa confidence at positive aura na nakikita nila. Love your own color kasi kahit anong tago mo jan, lalabas at lalabas din yan. :)

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    10. inaapi ako sa kulay ko :'( sabi nila black is beautiful :'( huhu

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    11. tama, kawawa kami :( may discrimination na nga sa society mas lalo pang palalalain nito :( so sad :(

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    12. ayoko na pumasok s school, sigurado 'cofradia' na ang itatawag sakin :'( ang saklap.. -babygirl

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    13. just to debunk that myth, the obsession with white skin did not start during the Spanish colonial era, but before that. princesses/maharlikas were kept out of the sun. If you read some epics or old Filipino tales, they would describe beautiful fairies and princesses as having luminous skin. when the Spanish dudes arrived, you know what happens. it's not exactly "colonial mentality" which our elementary history books misinform us.

      it's true most people still look down on dark skin, which is what this movie/soap should ridicule BUT they should not redeem the character's situation by granting her white skin like it's the ultimate answer to poverty.

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    14. To Anon 7:37

      That ad of Beyonce was widely criticized because her skin was exaggeratedly rendered that it became too light to be true.

      Delete
    15. to anon 8:18 pm

      salamat teh sa explanation. sana mag focus na lang si noa herrera sa backyard nya. mukhang mas malaking problema nila sa racism, mismong mga celebs nila eh di matanggap na maitim sila.

      Delete
  2. I totally agree with u black is beatiful

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  3. There are movies and tv series with that kind of storyline. So why this program?

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    Replies
    1. maawa ka naman sa amin!! - negra girl

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    2. Smells scripted from miles away. Pang-promo ang peg.

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    3. kikita kaya ang ABS sa mga negra? abangan..

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    4. oo nga maawa ka naman - nita negrita

      Delete
    5. AnonymousMay 25, 2013 at 1:26 AM

      Ikaw na1 hehe natawa ako sa comment mo.. hehe oo nga naman maawa kayo sa amin ^_^

      Delete
    6. Nakakadismaya na yung ganyang storyline, pault ulit na, revive ng revive, wala na bang original? Babaeng nagttansform? ilang beses na nating napanuod yan. Ano, may nawawalang anak na naman ba sa palabas na yan? Tapos malamang ang ending niyan, may makikidnap at may barilan. Enebeyen.

      Delete
  4. you're over reacting... ano magagawa mo eh realidad naman na may mga tao talaga na insecurity nila yung kulay ng balat nila, na offend ka dahil??!!! racist dahil?-dahil maitim at ayaw niya mag mahal? e its one desisyon un hindi pagiging racist yun... I guess ikaw ang nagigging racist para tawagin ang mga pilipino na "a culture that already suffers from a senseless but widespread obsession with whiteness and fair skin" kaya ms.herrera,wag mo lahatin pwede!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. chill... oa ka masyado!

      Delete
    2. Dito sa Tate issue talaga yan, pero sa atin parang normal lang na ayaw natin maitim.

      Depende cguro kung nasan ka na lugar

      Cruella

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    3. Agree! OA masyado!!! bakit ba kasi masyadong ina-attach ang sarili sa mga fictional stories na ganito. I mean pwede ba??? Kwento nga lang eh. Gawa2x lang ng malikot at creative na kaisipan. Hindi naman ito brigada or anything. For entertainment lang naman and cguro to serve as an eye-opener na rin kasi realidad naman yan eh. The more you deny kung ano ang totoo, the more na makakasama sayo. Haaayyyy mga ibang pinoy nga naman lahat2x na lang pinupuna.

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    4. I disagree na OA to. Just because it's fictional doesn't mean it has no effect on the populace. Wouldn't you get mad if there was a US TV series about filipino stereotypes ( filipinos are household help as an example, filipinos are sensitive/onion skinned, filipinos as mail-order brides/ foreigner chasers )? It would be offensive right?

      Right now being dark or brown means ur ugly. But Filipinos are born with that color, so why should we be ashamed of that? Creating a series based on that insecurity just fosters more of the whitening trend, and making people feel that they're not good enough because of their color.

      Judging a person by the color of their skin is BS.

      Delete
    5. ANON 1:15 AM and 2:03 AM, so if ever may kwento ng, let's say, pang-aabuso sa mga bakla or kahit na sinong marginalized member ng society tapos ang portrayal sa kwento eh acceptable behavior ang ganung discrimination at, let's say, may mahika rin involved at ung bakla eh ginawang straight at saka lang sya naging katanggap-tanggap sa society, hindi ba kayo magagalit? Ang punto ng writer is: even though these things are fictional, they should not portray such biases as acceptable.

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    6. Susme! kung ayaw mo, e di wag ka manuod. Mga pinoy lage nega ang pag iisip. Mas may malala pang sitwasyon mas dapat kelangan bigyan pansin. Wag OA ateng!

      - Nyumbit!

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    7. Being racist is a big crime ... Hindi OA yan sa abroad...sana mag abroad muna po kayu... Para makarelate kau sa sinasabi nia... Ksi mga pinoy pag nakakita ng africans or blacks iba na naiisip... Pangungutya na sa isipan kasi dahil sa media sa pinas pinakikitid ang isipan sa pagtanggap sa anong meron tayo kaya lalong nayaman si Belo... Pag asa europe ka mayaman ang tingin sa mga tanned-colored skin ... Kaya pls open ur minds people..ang coverage ng TFC worlwide kaya they need to be careful din sa mga issues ng tulad ng ganito

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    8. hindi siya OA. She is just merely concerned on its possible outcome. This letter only shows that there are still Filipinos who care. Di pwedeng basta basta na lang kasi tayo kakain ng kung anong ihahain satin. At kung tunay nga that they are in the service of the Filipino, papakinggan nila ang ganitong klaseng opinyon. Hindi lang yung mga nonsense na opinyon tulad ng panglalait at paninira ng mga artista.

      Delete
    9. It's not OA as media is very influential in terms of shaping consciousness of its consumers. Cofradia, based on its original storyline, indeed conveys the message that dark skin is abhorrent and benchmark of ugliness. If ABSCBN will pursue a similar plot, the teleserye might negatively affect the values of an impressionable audience.

      Delete
  5. never ka pa po ba nagpapoootttii i dnt think sooo

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  6. yes, the concept of 'black-is-ugly white-is-beautiful' is not appropriate in this day and age anymore. it's been over a century since the spanish rule, let's not get stuck in the dark ages (no pun intended).

    ito pa yata ang gagawing vehicle ni julia barreto as her first teleserye, huwag naman sana, kawawa yung bata. it will just draw too many negative fallouts. unless that's their intention, to sabotage her very promising young career.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People seem to have forgotten the circus over Bela Padilla's FHM cover photo oh too quickly. Unless you are outside looking in, you wouldn't really be able to fully appreciate the gravity of the situation and how embarrassing it was for the Philippines and us Filipinos.

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    2. Do not speak in behalf on the Filipinos to just prove your point.

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    3. you're preaching to the choir, sister, pareho lang tayong wala doon...

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    4. Kerekt Noa Herrera (if that really is you). Kaya super defensive din ang mga Pinoy over dun sa issue ng "gates of hell" ng isang author kasi hindi objective ang approach eh, laging namemersonal. Yan ang nagagawa ng impluwensya ng certain giddy horse sa kabataan ngayon, lahat bi**hesa kahit walang katuturan.

      Delete
    5. Tumuh! 1:27 am. Dapat talaga maging indignant tayo sa mga ganyang racist na palabas dahil kung hahayaan natin hindi tayo magmamature and will always see white skin as the ideal type.

      Delete
  7. well, this is reality! you're just being oa! first! i am sure!

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  8. Ok lng nmn cgro kaso mhrp lang mpanood ng mga bata kc mgkkrn sla ng maling pnnwla about being black.But with parents proper guidance while watching the said remake,bka mas maintndhn ng mga batang manonood at di nla mbgyn ng di mgndang kahulugan ang pggig maitim na maaring mdla nla pglki.most likely lalo kun maitim ung bata, hbng pnapnood nya un eh bka bumaba self-eestem or worst is,the other way around n xa namn ang mang bully.malalinkc ang unfluence ng tv sa mga bata in particular

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eh karamihan naman sa mga magulang dito, pag rated PG or SPG yung palabas, di naman pinapaliwanag o gina-guide yung anak nila

      Delete
  9. Its her opinion vs your opinion. Its either we agree or we dont agree. I say she made her point but thats all to it. This program will continue as planned just like all the other stories in the world with similar flow.

    ReplyDelete
  10. kung yan nga ang realidad, which i do not agree dhil marami pa rin namang taong deadma kung kayumanggi or maitim ka man, hindi ba may social responsibility ang media para icorrect ito?

    or way lang ito ng abs mapuno ng air time slots ng mga tvc ng sabong caucasian at chinese na ang nageendorse :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Point taken. Though, you cannot change the world in just the fold of a letter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a start. And it's all I could do right now from where I am. :)

      Delete
    2. Its a start. But you won't even reach three glides from the start line with this. At least you tried. You're not as apathetic as others could be. Goodluck then. :)
      -anon 1:48am

      Delete
    3. Thank you. We all try to do our parts so we could be at peace with ourselves. Even if it doesn't go anywhere, at least I could lay my head at night and know that I did all that I could to correct a perceived injustice. However the rest of the world takes it is their discretion and theirs alone. We all have to live with ourselves at the end of the day. :)

      Delete
    4. hoy 2:28am mgnda nah sna cnabi mo ee,lakas maka english kaso anong pathetic pathetic pa? So yer saying nah pathetic ung ibng readers d2 kc di cla nag agree sa noa na yan? duh.isa ka dng racist!!

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    5. Anonymous 2:58 know your vocabularies dear, it's apathetic not pathetic.

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    6. apathetic ang sinabi hindi nmn pathetic

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    7. To anon 2:58 basa basa din para lumawak ang talasalitaan. Halatang makapag comment lang di ka siguro ngbabasa mabuti

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    8. @anon 258: kindly reread the sentence. Pathetic is different from Apathetic. think before you click.

      Delete
  12. hindi nman ipapalabas ng Abs yan kung wlang moral lesson eh!!..O-A ka lng msyado!

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    Replies
    1. so lahat ng palabas ng abs may moral lesson? duh. wag ka masyado fantard. open ur eyes. most of their teleserye sa ending mo nlng makikita ang sinasabi mong "moral lesson".

      Delete
  13. I totally agree! Lalo lang lalakas mga glutha na yan, and la na bang ibang storyline/plot? Puro nalang panget then gaganda, mahirap bilang yaman tapos magpaparetoke, sana makapag isip nman mga writers na kaka iba story..

    ReplyDelete
  14. eh di dapat pala i-ban na lang natin lahat ng ganitong type na teleserye. let's start with Rosalka, a girl with disabilities and her obsession para gumanda. how about Ako si Kim Sam Soon, how people treated her horribly dahil mataba and may edad na sya.. Blusang Itim, Kampanerang Kuba, Blusang Itim, Darna, etc etc etc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So you're saying having dark skin or being black is a form of disfigurement or disability?

      Delete
    2. ms.noa your defending your issues here by taking the comment out of context...

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    3. Oo na. nasa hawaii ka at naka tfc ka. nakuha namin ang point mo. lol.

      Delete
    4. NOA=OA.dont put words into other's mouth.maka reason ka lang kung sa reply sayo kahit alam mo na hindi un ang tinutumbok sasabihin mo pa rin.TAGALOG YAN PARA MAINTINDIHAN KO.lol

      Delete
    5. I agree to 2:09, we haven't seen Cofradia yet. She might be an extremely ugly girl who happens to have very dark skin. Even the ugliest woman who lived on earth before, check Julia Pastrana of Mexico, was dark. And I think globally the perception naman talaga of people on "extremely dark skin" regardless of race is that it is sort of associated with apes or monkeys. Maybe the reason why they chose Cofradia to be extremely dark is because the features are not easily seen and therefore can be easily assumed as ugly. And using beautiful actresses, of course easier to hide their beauty with black skin than with lighter skin coz the features will pop out.

      And please hindi lahat ng maputi ay maganda and we all know that naman. A woman can't be a head turner with white skin alone.

      Delete
  15. Dahil ba reality e tama na? Hindi na puedeng ayusin? Tanggapin na lang? Realidad eh maraming mahihirap sa kalsada, maraming snatchers sa Quiapo, maraming rapists sa kanto. Ano? Hayaan na lang?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Again, it is the parent's responsibility to guide their children not the network or tv show. You have a problem with the show, don't allow your kids to watch it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pag wala ang parents mo sa bahay dahil nagttrabaho para may pang-aral at pangkain ka, napipigilan ka ba nila noon manood ng kung ano mang show? Hindi.

      At hindi lahat ng bata ay may magulang na matino na maggguide sa kanila ng tama. Kay kung ano2 na lang ginagawa ng mga kabataan ngayon dahil sa kung ano-anong napupulot sa tv...

      Delete
  17. OA lang maxado tong writer na to. This is just for the sake of the show. Pera pera lang yan teh. PAg kumita eh di boom! pag hindi di madaliin ang ending.

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  18. baka iibahin naman ang storyline dahil mashado ng politically correct ang mga tao ngayon esp may social media na.

    ReplyDelete
  19. OMG! Get a life! you're the racist and not ABS CBN for remaking this movie. Do you really have to let everyone know that you're residing in Honolulu? who cares????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I said it so I can annoy you. That's the only reason and I obviously succeeded. And I'm going to say it again just for kicks. I live in Honolulu. I live in Honolulu. Calm down before you burst a blood vessel, buddy. :)

      Delete
    2. I love living here. It's an amazing place. You should come visit one day. :)

      Delete
    3. I love honolulu! It's indeed a very nice place. Parang pinas din pero mas malinis nga lng. :)

      Delete
    4. Hahaha! I love your reply Noel. Bading Capiznon

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    5. Love your comment Ms Noa there's so many people here who are very shallow.

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    6. Anon 2:29 Why do you focus on her residing in Honolulu? Maybe she worked hard to get there or was lucky to be petitioned by someone. It's perfectly normal to say your name and where you`re from when you introduce yourself so I can't understand your annoyance. It wasn't meant to make you green with envy so I suggest you chill out and stick to the issue. Yun lang and tengkyu =)

      Delete
    7. Living in Honolulu doesn't translate to affluence, so I don't think the letter sender was bragging.

      Delete
    8. to Anon 6:30

      the letter reads like this: "hey filipinos there in pinas, i live in honolulu while ur all stuck there!"

      pinatulan pa nga ang isang nag comment at inulit ulit pa nya na taga honolulu sya. so di pa sya nagmamayabang sa lagay na yun?

      in a way, she's racist. cuz she's highlighting the fact that she's better off than filipinos living in pinas.

      Delete
  20. OA ang pagrereact ng reader na ito. i agree kay AnonymousMay 25, 2013 at 2:09 AM
    bakit ang kampanerang kuba hindi ka naoffend? na yung panget gumaganda. Yung Nita negrita at kirara, di ka naoffend? sa betty la fea? di ka na offend? Mag isip ka muna Noa Herrera bago kumuda. Kuda ng kuda eh. Masabi lang na nasa hawaii at naka tfc. Sure naman ako na pag ikaw, Noa Herrera ang inoffer na maging bida sa cofradia eh tatanggapin mo. so bakit umaarte?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Una sa lahat, malay mo kung na-offend sya sa mga serye na yun? Hindi naman nya nasabi sa sulat. Pangalawa, ngayon pa ba sya ngangawa eh napalabas na ang mga yun. Pangatlo, bakit namemersonal ka? Yan ang mali sa bansa natin eh, wala nang dignidad at wala nang sense of right, basta entertaining hahayaan na lang.

      Delete
    2. Tomoh! OA ka madam noa!! Tse

      -Nyumbit!

      Delete
  21. hay nq... i think ikaw ang racist!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. oh another... baka gusto mo manawagan sa government to ban all the whitening products here in Philippines, pati mga COMMERCIALS nila wag ipapalabas sa lahat ng tv stations and radio staion, pati print ads.. social media lahat na, ... pati na sa lahat ng botica ipaban ang glutha, kasi yun talaga ang nakaka influence eh ung mga products with ADVERTISEMENT... para totally wala ng makaka offend sayo....

    ReplyDelete
  23. ate noa, nagsulat ka dapat noong ipinalabas pa lang si kirara sa kapuchu..walang basagan nang trip..wag kang manuod kung away mu! che!!!
    - ate charot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Duh? May fashionpulis na ba nung panahon ni Kirara???

      Delete
  24. Racism is not new to everyone. Nasa tao na iyan kung paano nya tanggapin. Pero nakakaloka din kasi itong mga pinoy nagkalat ang gluta at whitening prods parang halos lahat 95% of naturally morena at black filipinos are dying to have that fair complexion. Ginawa kasing standard ng beauty at richness ang mga white skin. Mabuti na lang mestiza pinay ako haha

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sana ibahin nila yung kwento, wag gawing katulad talaga ng original kasi nga bukod sa ang target audience eh youth, it just reinforces stereotypes again. Oh sure, reality sa mundo yan keme-keme, pero sana gawing kapupulutan naman ng aral at hndi puro pera ang nasa utak. Kaya mapupurol ang utak ng mga tao eh, marami ngang pumapasok na information, pero nawawala na yung pagpapahalaga sa kabutihang asal, sa wisdom, at sa sense of being good. Puro pang-ookray ang nalalaman ng kabataan, dahil na rin sa mga binibigay na palabas ng mga network.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sa wakas, may comment din na may sense!

      Delete
    2. napaka convenient sabihin na may sense kasi umaayon sa letter mo? hahaha so it's plain obvious na ikaw mismo niloloko mo sarili mo. gawin mo umuwi ka ng pinas at mag lobby ka sa supreme court o kaya mag hunger strike ka sa edsa. for sure senseless mga sinasabi ko kasi hindi ako sumusuporta sa pagiging OA mo.

      Delete
    3. Yes, Anon 6:49 AM, I find your comment senseless. At hindi ako si Noa Herrera ha. No wonder, hanggang ngayon, third world country pa rin ang Pilipinas. Kahit anong pilit na pabanguhin ang economic status, talagang palya pa rin. You know why? Kasi puno pa rin ang Pilipinas ng mga taong tulad mo na walang sense.

      Delete
  26. i do not think na OA ang letter sender. kasi stereotype yan and to be honest jan nakakakuha ng material yung mga bullies. Hindi malayo na next time may makita kang maitim e Confradia na itawag mo sa kanya.

    yung mga shows sana now, sana naman yung bagay din for 2013..mas matalino na tayo and the media should really set a standard/good example sa mga viewers. siguradong may positive effect yan in the long run.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree. Hello to all local tv stations. Variety Shows ba kamo... Susme! Araw araw pare parehong mukha na lang ang nakikita namin... Kaumayyyy!!!

      Delete
  27. oa naman, quesehoda pa kung tungkol sa pagpapaputi ang storya nyan..fiction lang yan. dapat rin matuto tayo magtrust sa utak ng mga audience. marunong na siguro tayong mga pinoy mag discern kung ano ang realidad sa hindi. tsaka nagkalat ang mga whitening products kahit san ka tumingin. dun pa lang brainwashed na brainwashed na tayo ng mga tao behind those products. so whats the difference?

    ReplyDelete
  28. my guess is noe is a 'creative writer' whose idea was junked by his network, so now he's bitter that someone else's idea will be implemented.

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    Replies
    1. i agree or si noa ay biktima ng racism kaya. or neglected sa work. dedma sa idea ang boss niya. lol

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    2. so natuwa pa kayo kung yung writer ang nabiktima. get a life!! mga makikitid ang utak!

      Delete
  29. Nagagandahan ako kay Julia Barretto pero napa-plastikan ako sa batang yan. Makikita mo sa interviews nya, alam mo yung aral na aral ang pag-ngiti at pagpapa-tweetums nya pero nagkukubli ang pagiging bi**hesa nya. Sabagay, sa kaninong angkan ba sya nanggaling. She reminds me of her tita Claudine na super sweet din tignan sa TV pero nasa loob ang kulo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lahat naman ng mga Barretto, ganyan nung nagsimula.

      Delete
  30. I understand the reader's side but I still think it's too early to tell. In fairness to Abs-cbn, their shows are paired with good moral values so let's give them a chance. Racism exists in all of us, wag na tayo ipokrito. On the positive side, it is on how we deal with it and produce something good out of bad situations.

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  31. All I gonna say is that we need to erase the mentality that having tan or dark skin is not beautiful and having fair white skin is. When in fact both are beautiful in their own way.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Ganyan naman tayo eh. Yung mga kulot gustong magka straight hair. Ang may straight hair gustong magka kulot. Mga maiitim gustong pumuti at ang mga mapuputi gustong umitim. We're never satisfied with ourselves.

    I think we should embrace who we are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your right!!!!!

      Delete
    2. pero si KIRAY naisip nyo ba???? kinakawa nyo naman sya!! anong klase kayo!!

      Delete
  33. Yes i agree na may point yung letter sender but let's just wait and see kung ano yung storyline. I haven't seen the original movie but what if the teleserye has a different twist para naman to go with the times? What if the moral lesson is loving whatever skin you're in? Malay natin..

    ReplyDelete
  34. AY, watch ko yan nung elementary pa ko nung 80s, mga teh. Paulit-ulit yang palabas sa Sine Siete. Kaloka naman ito! Meron pang isang version, si Gina Alajar naman.

    ARAY KO! Halata na bang tanders na akoh? HAHAHAHA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. may version din si LotLot ang Cofradia.

      Delete
  35. I heard c Julia B. ang star ng remake.

    ReplyDelete
  36. OA ba ang tawag kung concern ka lang sa mga napapanood ng mga bata? A lot of impressionable girls watch teleserye and since most often than not parents are hooked too, they'll forget the biases and the discrimations if any, dahil it does not affect them. Pero paano ang mga bata? Nagrereact kayo kase alam nyo na ang realidad pero sa mga teen age girls and boys they're still trying to fit in. Kung may opinion kayo sabihin ng maayos hindi yung borderline stupidity by calling and labelling people as OA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree with you. Ang daming commenters dito na hindi kayang mag comment objectively. Kailangan laging may panglalait na kasama. Kapag may lait na kasama ba, does it make your point any stronger? I appreciate the letter sender for writing to MTRCB. I have a 6 yr old daughter and I don't want her to see this serye. She's very impressionable at her age and might think that being black is a defect. She might look differently at other girls with darker skin tones.

      Delete
  37. NANCY BINAY DISLIKE.. Hmp!
    -PACHENG

    ReplyDelete
  38. Bago mandin ikaw magsermon sa abscbn eh umuwi ka muna dito iha to organize and lead advocacy work relative to your concern. Teka, isama mo na din ang mga reps ng African countries para mas malakas ang boses for anti-discrimination movies. Magkaroon ulit ng CNN coverage gaya sa magazine cover ni Bela Padilla. Very ambitious project mandin meantime manood muna tayo ng Cofring (cofradia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even a tiny seed of thought can make a big difference. Dahil sumulat sya, eto ngayon at napag uusapan natinang issue. Malay mo mabasa rin ito ng mga writers or executives ng abs cbn... they will at least make efforts to make the serye not too offensive and racist. Wag mamaliitin ang mga small steps na ganito ng mga concerned citizens. Mabuti nga sila at may ginagawa kahit maliit na bagay lang. Yung iba wala, nanglalait pa.

      Delete
  39. Well, tama naman siya. Di ba lahat na lang gustong pumuti? Aminin nyo, mga ateng! Eh ako nga di maiitim, di rin maputi, pero I'm proud of my skin. I'm Pinoy. Bat ko pipiliting pumuti?

    ReplyDelete
  40. I agree.. Not only that nognog soap pero sa totality ng mga teleserye ng ABS. Walang kwenta talaga at walang mapupupulot na magandang aral ang kabataan.. patayan rape.. Then lahat centered towards VENGEANCE.. yung mga nagsasabi na OA eh mga walang utak mga yun.. They take things at it is. Di nila nakikita yung bigger picture.. Mga hunghang ika nga! Yung nagsasabi naman na kung ayaw mo eh wag manood eh another bullshit.. these networks have moral obligations sa mga viewers nila. Na mag bigay ng quality shows sa madlang pipol. Sabihin na natin fiction yan at di dapat seryosohin.. Kaso yung mga younger viewers papano na kung lagi patayan sa tv nakikita nila? Na okay lang pala mag higanti kapag ginawan ng kasamaan... yan ang theme ng mga teleserye sa dos. Kaya people wake up sa kahibangan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. eh di wag ka manuod! hahahaha

      Delete
    2. abs lang ba talaga ang ganun? WAlang ganung ganap sa gma o tv5?

      Delete
    3. 5:38, you nailed it. Exactly the thinking viewers' sentiments.

      ABS being the leading network should take it upon themselves to educate their mostly young viewers. Napakalayo sa realidad ng buhay ang mga plot ng stories nila - lagi na lang ba may patayan, gantihan, kidnapan?

      Can you not get real and educate this generation and those that will follow? Maging mapagmalasakit naman kayo - WAG PURO PERA NA LANG!!

      Delete
  41. Black is beautiful!

    -nancy binay-

    ReplyDelete
  42. Pakiramdam ko, madaming magrereact sa social media sa drama na 'to. Racist nga kase. Alam namang madaling maoffend yung mga pilipino magpapalabas pa ng ganito. Humanda na yung ABS sa mga reklamo ng mga conservative groups hahahahaha

    -ble

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Panong naging racist eh wala naman derogatory notion to other race!?! Wow soooo senseless ang mga reasoning ng mga comments here nakakainis na Nakakatawa. So stupid

      Delete
  43. It's one thing to be want whiter skin for yourself, choice mo yon. But it's another thing for the broadcasting community to make it a standard of being "better" or "more beautiful." Pero ganyan naman talaga ang mga bossing ng Philippine television. Irisponsable. They want more viewers so they pander to the masses instead of using their influence to help reform public opinion. It's so simple, just don't do it. Marami naman ibang pwedeng gawan ng remake, does it have to be something as backward and prejudiced as Cofradia?

    ReplyDelete
  44. mz herrera, you've struck a nerve with the readership here, i'm pretty sure it's in your agenda else why post your letter dito. i don't know if you've lived in pinas before ha-wa-ii because that could influence your perception of whitening one's skin. kids of filipino parents born in the US are not as bothered with having brown skin. in fact they think they lucked-out since they don't have to bother with tanning salons. also where you live in the US could be a factor too. most everybody from your state has that beach-tanned skin or works towards having one. sometimes it's kinda hard to differentiate the natives from the tourists because everybody is dark!
    it must have been a shocker to you when you found out that in pinas, people go through great lengths just to get whiter.

    i personally think that people lighten their skin TO OVERCOME THE PREJUDICE AGAINST HAVING DARK SKIN, that's what it is! superficial you'll say, but that's exactly what the commenters here have been telling you, in the Phils that's the reality of it, it is not your reality but theirs.

    you'd be surprised, but within the african-americans (PC tayo, we should not call them itim in ingles), theY value lighter skin than dark. they also relax their hair cause having nappy hair is just too itim for them. you see what i'm saying? that prejudice is everywhere!

    anyway, it's a personal choice i think (to whiten or not to whiten) and i don't think it makes one less of a filipino if he/she does it.

    as far as the new ABS show, let the televiewers decide for themselves if they'd be influenced by skin color in dealing with another. i don't think one more show about an ugly duckling turning into a swan can add anymore damage to their already over-sensitized minds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Prejudice is everywhere."

      So is violent crime, wanton pollution and sexual harassment. So, spectator mode na lang tayo?

      Delete
    2. We live in the states and we go to the beach on weekends every summer to get dark. Locals in Pinas have an unhealthy obsession on being pale. It is very disturbing.

      Delete
    3. anon 2:07, I think your idea of baking under the sun is healthy is way outdated. It can cause skin cancer and premature aging. FYI... people here also love Boracay but we use sun protection with high spf. I suppose in 50 years, pale is going to be "in" again.

      Those people who didn't expose themselves to the sun that much during the 70s and 80s look way younger than their counterparts who did (of course you have to factor in lifestyle, etc)

      Delete
  45. OA. I guess many people can relate with it. Di magiging hit ang papaya soap, glutathiaone and skin center/facial treatments kung walang magpapaepektong pinoy/pinay sa pagpapaganda/puti. Blame it to the colonial mentality kaya ganyan. Dapat we should give ABS-CBN a chance! This soap should give a good lesson for its viewers that beauty is skin deep. Not superficial. Ateng from Hawaii, you are entitled with your opinion but if u dont want TFC, pakabit ka na lang ng GMA pinoy TV or better wag ka na lang manood ng TV. LOL:))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So you just want to continue what is wrong in society. Time to grow up.

      Delete
  46. kung hindi bothered ang mga pinoy then why pinagkakagastusan ang glutha? I dont think oa si letter sender, she made her point. Sa mga shows na ganito, sinasabing hindi kana pwedeng maging maganda kung maitim ka lang? Panget agad? Filipinos were born na hindi kaputian, ibig sabihin pangit lahi ng pinoy? Mas maganda pa manood ng asiandrama kesa gawa dito sa atin bukod sa walang originality, palaging walang moral value.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear I think Cofradia is way darker than morena. Wag masyado defensive ang mga morena. She's extremely dark na mata lang ang kita... and even in a tropical country like ours I don't think you can just bump into someone who's as dark as that. So people can associate it as fiction.

      And people wanting to look better is innate in us. It depends on the standards where you are in. How come walang nag ba bash ng mapuputi na gustong maging tan? Mas unhealthy pa nga magpasunog sa sun than to shun it. I just don't get the bitterness.

      Delete
  47. Hindi na dapat niremake ng abs ito masyado nang outdated ang storyline.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sa mga nagsasabing OA ang letter ni Noa, so it's also ok with you na Manila is portrayed as the "gates of hell"?It's hard enough the rest of world thinks we're at the bottom of the barrel (corruption, poverty, electing Binay) we don't need them to also label us superficial and vain..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OO OK lng

      OA talaga letter sender

      Delete
  49. kung gusto makahanap ng kakampi, una, itagalog mo reklamo mo para mas marami makaintindi. pangalawa, sinisita mo pagiging racist dahil sa kulay, pinoy ka saan mang panig ng mundo ka naroon, kaya mo pa naman cguro magtagalog NOA?!pangatlo whindi pa ipinapalabas ung remake, kung makakontra ka, wagas! hintayin mo muna ung palabas na ma-air, then judge, para at least may katuturan pagputok ng butsi mo! di ka nga racist, judgemental ka naman! pang-apat, eh ano naman ngayon kung nasa honolulu ka? sumulat na lang ng may katuturan teh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Napansin ko lng... bakit ba ang daming affected pag nagpapakilala ang isang letter sender at sinasabi kung tagasaan sya? Naiinggit? Gustong mag abroad pero di maka abroad? Natural kung susulat ka sasabihin mo kung tagasaan ka. Sa Bb. Pilipinas nga dinasabi ng contestant kung tagasaan sya. Part ng introduction ba. At pag nagsulat ba in English ang isang pinoy eh masama na agad? Si FP english kung magsulat. Si Jose Rizal spanish ang gamit. Lawakan natin ang pag iisip. Wag maging makitid para umunlad tayo at balang araw ay makatungtong din ng Honolulu. - commenter from Singapore

      Delete
  50. lol kaya nga istorya lang ito hahahaha seryosohin ba ang cofradia? wag na tayu mag paka hipokrita at hipokrito.. karamihan sa mga pinoy eh gusto pumuti... and kung ayaw nyo manuod eh di off nyo tv nyo or ilipat nyo sa kabilang channel..

    ReplyDelete
  51. ANG OA mo! as in ang OA ng nag sulat nito..hahahahha... racist agad? kaya nga fantaserye eh.. seryosohin ba.. Noa kung ayaw mo ng mapapanuod mo i off mo yun tv mo.. lol

    ReplyDelete
  52. antayin na lang muna iyong mensaahe o lesson na makukuha sa show bago manghusga.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Basta ako gusto kong pumuti!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Maraming racists na nakalusot na sa tv at nangunguna ang GMA: Nita Negrita, Bakekang, Luna Blanca. Michael V as various racists characters (Corazon in Marimar, DJ Bumbay).Tapos yung dark skinned na comedian sa Bubble Gang yung laging butt of jokes dahil sa skin color nya. Vhong Navarro as various Chinese characters played Chingchong style. Sad kasi very recent lang ang mga yan at hindi pa tayo nagmamature. Yung Cofradio ni Gloria mga 1960s pa iyan, maiintindihan ko pa pero sa ngayon di na appropriate yang mga ganyang blackface or stereotyping.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Noa Herrera i dont think soooo. its just a tv show...and soo what?? wag ka namn OA jan..negra ka ba? insecure ka sa kulay mo ano?? you are overreacting..kaloka...thats reality! thats life! so be it!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I agree with Noa Herrera. If before we have not been so responsible and considerate with fictional teleserye that may influence the mass in so many varying levels, then it's about time we do. We should look at this in a macro level.

    ReplyDelete
  57. How hypocrite... Where was this creature when gmeeewww kamuning payatas were showing a teleserye about an overly kill black woman who turns mestiza with magic?

    What hypocracy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it just goes to show na nanonood sya ng tfc hindi pinoy tv....kaya wit nya knowz si nita negrita..hi kapamilya noa! harhar

      Delete
  58. I dont like the show too..

    ReplyDelete
  59. puwede ng gawan ng issue ang launching soap ni julia? paano niya kaya sasagutin ang tanong na" "what can you say that confradia is racist" sasagot kaya siya ng "ano daw?"

    ReplyDelete
  60. Masyado nang luma, as in Liwayway levelling, ang concept nito para sa 2013. Uso na ang glutathione kaya parang katawa-tawa na na kailangan pa ng magic para pumuti. Tsaka Julia baretto is too conyotic for the role. Please abs-cbn drop this project! kahit si mother lily hindi magiging interesado sa ganito kalumang concept!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I don't know the full story yet but may be at the end there's a realization that no matter what your color is as long as you love yourself and share the love, others will love you back.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Bagay na gumanap dyan yung ka love team ni direk joyce look a like. :p

    ReplyDelete
  63. Ay naku sa dinamiring teleserye o movie na ganyang concept bakit ngayon lang yan? Dba may sa GMA dn youn NITA NEGRITA may ngreklamo ba? Prang wala nmn.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Hindi pa nga napapalabas yung remake ng "Cofradia", nag-rereact na itong si Herrera. Hindi pa naman 100% sure kung ipu-push through ng ABS ang TV remake. Ni wala pa ngang story conference na ginaganap. Ano bang gusto niyang palabasin? Based on the synopsis, everything about the show is a work of FANTASY. Pawang kathang-isip lamang, ika nga. Malayong mangyari sa totoong buhay kaya huwag gawan ng isyu or make a big deal out of it. Hanggang kailan ba matututo ang maraming Pinoy sa critical thinking? Habambuhay na lang ba tayong magiging BALAT SIBUYAS?



    ReplyDelete
  65. Maja is very beautiful and talented while Sarah is trying hard and looks like our maid

    ReplyDelete
  66. Thank you for all your support, you guys. It's very refreshing to know there are still discerning and level-headed Pinoys out there who can articulate their points and arguments without having to resort to personal attacks. All is not lost. And oh by the way, I am SOOO affected by them. I have been crying all night and can barely get out of bed because of inarticulate people who won't even identify themselves judging me without even knowing me. I so wanna prove myself to them... NOT! Haha! I'm very proud to have written this regardless of where it goes. But I am even prouder knowing I have the support of people like you. Thank you again. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Akala mo naman may fans ka na? Wow you've succeeded in drawing attention to yourself. I don't watch teleseryes but this one I want to rate, if only to spite Noa who's obviously so full of herself.

      Delete
    2. You really have good English, I swear.

      Delete
    3. AT 2:36 Oh it will rate, don't worry. There isn't a shortage of viewers like you out there- viewers who don't think or are just incapable of thinking. And spending all of your time watching something so brainless while I go on with my day doing more productive things is REALLY going to spite me. Go right on ahead. Thanks, 5:18. :)

      Delete
  67. To the letter sender, mawalang galang na lang, concern ka kamo sa mga pinoy, pero bakit nasa america ka? The way i see it, di ba ikaw ang " racist" for leaving your own country?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excuse me. Ako pinoy na nasa Singapore pero concerned ako sa lahat ng issues at nangyayari sa Pinas. Nandyan kasi nakatira ang mga mahal ko sa buhay. Dyan ako lumaki kaya mahal ko ang bayan na ito. Nangibang bansa kami para kahit papaano ay guminhawa ang buhay. Racist ba ang mga OFWs na tumutulong mapalago ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas? I hope to someday go back to the Philippines pag may ipon na. Sana maisaksak mo yan sa makitid mong pang unawa. I'm sure kung mabibigyan ka ng pagkakataon ay mag aabroad ka din.

      Delete
    2. pag nag work ka abroad to provide a better life for ur family makes u a racist against the Filipino race? Kaya na-alis ng Pilipinas ang mga Pilipino kasi kulang sa opportunity at magandang suweldo para magkaroon ng comfortable na buhay.

      Delete
    3. This is so far the most stupid comment na nabasa ko dito sa FP.

      Delete
    4. Ano? Racist dahil nasa abroad? Pauwiin nga lahat nang expats at ofws. Tingnan natin kung saan pupulutin ang ekonomiya natin.

      Delete
  68. So parang Nita Negrita ng GMA?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parang ganun na nga, pero dito ata meron syang chance na pumuti dahil sa isang mahiwagang kandila ek ek. Di ko napanood ang Nita Negrita kung pumuti din ba sya doon by using Glutha products.

      Delete
  69. It's just a movie so CHILL. I am dark and been called names (negra, nognog, ulikba, etc.) but what the heck. I am now the boss of mostly fair skinned girls and they do what I say. Hahahaha...

    ReplyDelete
  70. Bakit "racist" eh wala naman involved na ibang race?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aray koh. may nagpupulot ng IQ yata dito. hahaha

      Delete
  71. it isn't as easy as "kung ayaw mo ang istorya eh di wag manood." if we can prevent this stereotyping, why not? we parents can't do all the work, if social media can help out then that would really be greatly appreciated by us.
    although sad reality is we cannot stop the networks for dishing out movies or shows like these so again, us parents have the tough job of instilling in our children that physical traits like skin color, hair texture, height are not what defines a person nor should affect one's self esteem. we should all learn to be content with what the Lord has given us. what is important is what lies beneath our skin, which goes way beyond its color. and that is being a good person & using our talents & abilities to better ourselves & our country.

    ReplyDelete
  72. 1994 - A Pinay mail-order bride gets featured as a minor character on "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", the Pinoy community (especially abroad) expresses its indignation over their perceived 'sexist stereotyping' of the role.

    1999 - Claire Dances expresses her horrid, but purely personal, opinions about her stay in Manila, and Pinoys all but clamor for her head on a platter, with the city council of Manila even going so far as voting to ban all her movies in the capital.

    2007 - Teri Hatcher's Susan Mayer cracks a joke about Filipino doctors on Desperate Housewives, Pinoys get all up in arms over the, ahem 'racially discrimatory comment' (that's quote from one complaint letter to ABC, by the way). The Fil-Am community demands a public apology, and Pinoy public officials even join the fray.

    2008 - The 'Harry and Paul' comedy show in the UK broadcasts a skit featuring a Filipina maid, that country's Pinoy community starts a petition.

    2013 - The Philippines' major network produces a show featuring the principal character in black face.

    PROUD TO BE PINOY! WOOHOOOO!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ay isama mo na rin si Mayweather nung laitin si Pacquiao at yung si Adam Corolla ba yun?

      Delete
  73. True. Local TV stations are the worst. Marunong sila ng "dapat tama" and other such moral catch phrases, yet the subliminal message they send on a daily basis is appalling.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I agree. This is backward, racist, uninformed, degrading and utterly stupid (would be) show. They can't even come with a show with a bit of intelligence.

    ReplyDelete
  75. This concept is so OUTDATED. Walang brains ang writers sa Pinas.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Very offensive show.

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  77. Racist and offensive.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Dear Filipino living in America,

    Please do not confuse Filipino cultural biases with American racist history.

    Hindi racist ang Cofradia dahil inuuyam niya ang cultural bias ng Pilipino para sa mga mapuputi.

    Kaya huwag mong ipagduldulan sa Pilipinas ang collective guilt ng mga puti sa America.

    At ikaw, wag mong ibandera ang indignation mo dito. Mukhang kinain ka na ng America at ng mga puti mong amo dahil pati mga hegemonic desires nila e ipinapataw mo sa mga dati mong kababayan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "inuuyam niya ang cultural bias ng Pilipino para sa mga mapuputi"

      At tama ito?

      Delete
    2. best comment ever. salamat sa concern, letter sender. pero bago ka tumalak about sa mga issues namin dito sa pinas, paki explain nga kung bakit ang mga african-american celebrities nyo eh unat na ang buhok? mapuputi na ang balat? what do u feel upon singing michael jackson's song "black or white" knowing that the king of pop has gone to extreme lengths to whiten his skin?

      waiting for your reply ms lette sender...

      Delete
    3. Good point. Still, it doesn't take away from the fact that the Pinoy movie stereotype of having the dark-skinned character be the brunt of jokes, discrimination and all manner of misfortune in life, only to experience the opposite of it all if and when she 'magically' transforms into a mestisa, doesn't do anything at all to wean Pinoys away from their beauty ideal of the western mestiza.

      Delete
    4. haha tomo!

      henaku letsugas lahat na lang racist! hanuvey gimme a break! paka sensitive ng ibang pinoy wala na sa lugar...



      Delete
  79. Hirap kc sa mga nag cocoment na OA si Noa .. mga tga pinas lang.. na stuck sila sa comfort zone nila...

    ReplyDelete
  80. Get lost.. Palabas lang sa tv un!!! Hindi pa nga pinapalabas.. Affected na maxado....

    ReplyDelete
  81. Ms Nowha Heyrera para sa yo binago na storya. Maputi n un character at maganda. Pag sindi kandila papangit at iitim sya. OK?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tama!!! gusto q nga xa pa mag direk... para maiba na naman and hintayin natin ang mga mapuputi magcomplain for being racist!!

      Delete
  82. Anybody here who has seen the movie? What was the ending? You know, more often than not these kind of movies/stories revolve around one theme: what is essential is not visible to the naked eye (to quote the Little Prince book). So let's not judge it, okay? Baka naman pinapakita dyan in the end na wala sa kulay yan... nasa character...

    So... in other words I also do not agree with the author of the letter... Sorry 'teng...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Naku, teh. Ipupusta ko ang hapunan namin mamaya, happily ever after si Cofradia... dahilan permanently mestiza na ang beauty nya.

      Delete
  83. So kung sa GMA ok lang? Sa ABS di pwede? Eh pano nalang yung palabas ng GMA dati na kambal na maitim at maputi. Si Bungisngis at si Manika?

    At pano naman yung soap din ngayon sa 7 na magkaibigang pangit? Kaloka!

    ReplyDelete
  84. ang hirap sa abs-cbn pati na rin ang gma at tv5, tinatrato nilang o**bs lahat ng manonood nila. hindi porke 67% ng mga pilipino ay nabibilang sa class D, class D na rin ang pag-iisip. kelan kaya tataas ang level ng tv shows natin?

    ReplyDelete

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