OFW’s PETITION
We, the Filipino Communities worldwide, outrageously condemn and denounce the article written by Malu Fernandez, i.e., "From Boracay to Greece" that appeared in the June 2007 issue of People Asia magazine (Page 30) (Page 31). The said article besmirched the reputation of OFWs in the Middle East in particular and worldwide in general. This act of ingratitude from Malu Fernandez hurt us and left us with wounded heart and bruised feeling. Hence, we demand a PUBLIC APOLOGY from her both in print and broadcast media of international coverage. Apology via broadcast media should be made in person.
This is the only way possible to redeem the dignity we lost as a result of the article Malu Fernandez wrote, and bring back the respect that rightly belongs to all OFWs worldwide whose only mission in life is to work for their families and country. Every cent that we earned abroad cost us tears and sleepless nights due to homesickness, and the salvation that comes from each and every remittance we sent back home is not just for our families' benefits, but for the Philippine economy as well, that includes you Malu Fernandez.
A closed fist of fury can only be opened to forgiveness, if Malu Fernandez does as this petition request. By then, the hands of our fellow Filipinos will be clasping in prayers and arms reaching her once again, as the prodigal child back to her home with her ever humble OFWs brothers and sisters waiting.
Now, is the time to heal not just for personal differences but for peace, justice and freedom!!! Long live the Philippines, Long live OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS!!! (MABUHAY ANG BAYANG PILIPINAS, MABUHAY ANG OFWS!!!!).
Done this 19th day of September 2007.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE ARROYO ADMINISTRATION)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are tagged or being called economic heroes by the Philippine government but what did we get from a certain columnist Malu Fernandez of Manila Standard Today and Peoples Asia Magazine? She maligned, demeaned, insulted and ridiculed OFWs in her column entitled “From Boracay to Greece”. But this issue was not taken seriously by the government as it seems nobody from the Government heard the ingratitude remarks of a shameless individual. How much does she know us? Has she been with us in our struggle to feed our family or lift the economy? She even said in her column that she’s living in a godforsaken third world country. From what she said, it is evident that she never wanted to be part of the Philippines or a Filipino herself.
Sweat in the desert, crying in the silence, tears on the pillow, how much more loneliness and struggle do we need to show you PHILIPPINES to acknowledge our simple heroism? Our families, friends, countrymen, who among them do not benefit from us, OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS? Our sacrifices and sufferings are neither earned any accreditation nor rewards, just a mere fulfillment for everybody’s ambition.
Malu Fernandez, the name echoed in the heat wave of the Middle East countries and even around the world should roast to the burning sand of angry Filipinos. She should have been declared a “PERSONA NON GRATA” of the Philippine government. And so perhaps, she can even buy her desired nationality. She is not worthy to be called a Filipino for she denounced the race and the dignity of our fellowmen whom she met and encountered during her trip to foreign land.
Madam President, give her what she wants….the freedom to choose her preferred citizenship. Her direct insult to the OFWs means she rejected being a Filipino. The OFWs are crying in dismay. We OFWs are requesting you to release a declaration of her being a “PERSONA NON GRATA” in our own land. We love the PHILIPPINES, it is what we have got. Those who does not want Filipino, does not want Philippines. She is such a disgrace to the Filipinos and to the Philippines.
To prove our points, attached herewith are her much publicized column “From Boracay to Greece”.
IN BEHALF OF THE FILIPINO WORKERS AROUND THE WORLD, MAY THIS REQUEST BE HEARD.
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