That controversial Hong Kong journalist Chip Tsao who called the Philippines as a “nation of servants “ must be suffering from
“historical Alzheimer”.
Did he forget that the word “Amah” originated from his country of origin which means, a servant or a nanny ?
Today, Filipinos all over the world serving as caregivers or nannies have given the term a new meaning and most importantly, dignity.
A typical Filipino caregiver is almost always a college or university diploma holder, fluent in English and universally known for their competence.
What about Chip Tsao and his tribe? My history books tells me that Chip Tsao’s people served under their British masters and drove them around in their rickshaws , a horseless carriage powered by who else?
In contrast, the Filipinos chauffeured the Spaniards in ornately designed “calesas” pulled not by human beings but by horses .
History also says that it was Chip Tsao’s ancestors who built some railroads in North America in places like Canada and the United States and they were called something that sounds like the word “cool”.
If the Philippines were a nation of servants, I’m sure Chip Tsao would also agree that we’re on the same boat since our respective nations once served our colonial masters, we the Spaniards and later the Americans but we gained our Independence in 1898 by revolting against the “conquistadores” while Chip Tsao’s were granted their autonomy only in the 1990s.
Tsao has personally apologized to Filipinos in a meeting at the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong at the same time justifying his use of the word “servants” to mean that we are “all servants of the Lord”.
He also said he was only trying to be satirical when he wrote those derogative words.
In trying to be satirical, Chip Tsao has badly failed. He not only insulted the Filipinos’ sense of national pride, he reaped a terrible whirlwind that would have a disastrous and lasting effect on his career as a writer and journalist.
******
Private Bill 160 needs more teeth if it were to really protect foreign workers from exploitation and abuses. MPP Mike Colle, author of the bill said, the entire community must exert all efforts to pressure the federal government to repeal the law that imposes deportation or removal proceedings against
foreign workers.
As it is, caregivers or nannies and other similar foreign workers are constantly under threat of “outright removal or deportation” when they step out of line under present immigration rules.
Colle said this threat is like a “sword hanging over the heads of foreign workers”.
This is the very reason why such abuses are committed by unscrupulous recruiters who take advantage of applicants who cannot complaint to authorities even when they are being treated like slaves and work under inhuman conditions.
Under present conditions, refugee claimants, some of whom are not really what they are, are better off and better treated than those seeking honest work. They are given monthly stipends out of taxpayers’ money while foreign workers sometimes have to endure months of living in cramp and squalid basements.
Its about time federal authorities put a human face on their immigration laws and impose less harsher penalties on people whose only intention is to seek better working conditions and ultimately a brighter future here in Canada.
This country must therefore lead the way to demonstrate that it’s really a compassionate nation for all races.
*****
WRITING 30: This column pauses to pay its last respect and tribute to our fallen colleagues who passed away in succession in the Holy Week.
My good friend and kumpare, Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar (Burma) NOEL CABRERA fought and lost his battle against cancer. He was 64 and is survived by wife Ces and four children.
A multi-awarded journalist before he became a diplomat, Noel was one of the pioneers and editor at the defunct Philippine Daily Express and handled the editorial page of the paper, perhaps, one of the best among other dailies.
When the iconic Manila Times was revived, Noel became its managing editor and later after the EDSA Revolution, he was asked to lead the Manila Chronicle.
After his stint with the Chronicle, he was appointed press secretary to then President Joseph “Erap “Estrada. When Erap was ousted, he was asked by President Gloria Arroyo to stay on as Press Secretary.
Later, he left the Malacanang Press Office to become Ambassador to Romania until his latest posting as ambassador to Myanmar.
Noel, along with North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, former Daily Express and Manila Standard managing editor Val Abelgas, Danny Taguibao ,Philippine News Agency editor and this writer, did some collaborative journalistic and publishing works among them for the United Nations’ International Year of the Child, the Antique Binirayan festival where we worked alongside martyred Antique governor Evelio Javier.
Those years working with Noel served my colleagues and me well in our careers as journalists and writers. He had a deep sense of professionalism and loyalty to friends that I am grateful and privileged to have known him.
****
JOECAP: Press Undersecretary JOSE “Joecap” CAPADOCIA was our “Tatang “at the Defense Press Corps where we covered the military and defense establishments at camps Aguinaldo and Crame under Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel V.Ramos
We used to rib him on his famous or infamous bouts with “gout” for eating too much of his favourite “pinapaitan”, with beer and of course the “pampabata” (pork fat) of which he is equally fond of.
As the press undersecretary, Joecap orchestrated and took charge of President Arroyo’s day-to-day media coverages, which meant that he has to be with her day in, and day out.
It was in one of those “advance party” mission for the president visit to Ifugao province that Joecap and seven others met their grim fate when the presidential chopper carrying their party crash-landed in the mountainous area near Ifugao Holy Monday of April 6.
Our hats off to “Tatang”. You served your president and country well.
*****
NELLY: The irrepressible NELLY SINDAYEN, a very resourceful foreign correspondent of Time magazine who followed closely the “ fake kidnapping” of Tommy Manotoc, then rumoured to be the boyfriend of Imee Marcos and later exposed the story, was a colourful figure not only because of his Muslim-heritage but because of his ever smiling disposition.
Sindayen died peacefully in her sleep first week of April. She was 59.
******
MILESTONES: Birthday greetings to my son Aristheo O.Soriano (April 7),
To my bro,Ike F.Soriano (April 11) and Rico De Las Alas (April 10).
Belated greetings also to March celebrants Emy Figueroa and pareng Jose Montano; advance b-day to Terry Arive (May 11)all of Amaya,Tanza,Cavite.