DIVA or Di Na BALE (Never Mind)
I kind of find it so funny just reading the title of nomadic thoughts blog which is titled MAHADERANG MATAPOBRE SA OFWS that really says it all on the negative reaction this DI Na BALE (never mind) errrr “DIVA” self proclaimed at that on her desperate attempt on rumor errr humor that’s really so pathetic and witless. Anyway if you are in the mood to go give her a piece of your mind nomadic thoughts found this Yehey site where you can post a comment, that is if she (Malu the DIVA) even reads it.
Maruism had The Devil Wears Jo Malone and posted some not so “nice” comments from her cyber friends and her “PORKY LADY” description to match nomadic’s blog entry and other not so printable description.
Do I hate this self proclaimed “DIVA” for such ignorance and pathetic labeling of people according to social strata? No, on the other hand I felt sorry for her, she definitely need some help (medical perhaps?), bottom line is she was raised in such manner and no amount of sensitivity class will change her and there is nothing we can do about that now. After all no one has the right to dictate on what one writes or say even if you vehemently disagree with that person, I am sure bloggers like this political Jaywalker would not want to be censored or told what and what not to write.
Anyway here is a quote from the article, judge for yourself:
"However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrists at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them."
Hmmmmn, I am not surprised at this kind of mentality and personally I did encounter her kind who thinks that being seen with the Filipinos is a dreaded and abhorrent place to be. Is it denial syndrome, Confucius errr confused or wanting to be a different race (I’m sure they prefer to be white) that they seem to forget that no matter what they do they can never change into some other race? And then there’s more:
"While I was on the plane (where the seats were too small I had bruises on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and endless yelling of "HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga saan ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?" I thought I had died and God had sent me to my very own private hell."
And this:
"On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while my Jo Malone evaporated into thin air."
Unfortunately as I have mentioned in my comments at schumeys blog that no amount of drowning yourself in the most expensive perfume or cologne will keep you smelling good if your body chemistry does not match what you splash in your body.
This response by Malu Fernandez just got her deeper into the hole she dug herself in with this one:
"Just recently, I wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and mediocre. I obviously write for the a certain target audience and if what I write offends you, just stop reading.
Although it may sound elitist to you the fact is this country is built on the foundation of haves, have-nots and wannabes. One group will never get the culture of the other. Although I could mention that it is easier to understand someone who has a lower socioeconomic background that would entail a whole other page and frankly I don’t want to be someone to bridge the gap between socioeconomic classes. I leave that to the politicians in my family who believe they can actually help. Now I seriously ask you, am I being a diva or are people around me just lacking in common sense? Perhaps it’s a little of both!"
You be the judge, but there is one thing I can say I truly agree with this Di Na BALE errr “DIVA”……. yes a big YES at that ……… I stopped reading your article before I even started but no, I am not offended because people with this mindset needs serious professional help.
The entire column, is HERE and HERE. And THIS is her reply to the emails her paper got, and if you want more bloggers reaction click on this technorat icon or her name
malu fernandez. 
Labels:
OFW,
Parody,
Pinoy Personalities
14 Speak Out:
she is the one that is totally missing the point, how can you poke fun at the expense of the OFWs?
don't she get it? the fashionista's targets are the celebrities and the richer than god people not the ordinary working OFWs.
if she wants to express herself which is what a fashionista is all about she needs to re-direct her energy at the "right" target or is she just like the rest of the dumb ignorant fools that would rather pounce on sectors she thinks she can bully?
Sad but the problem is it is safer to scratch the surface and come out clueless but just the same still clueless and barking at the wrong tree truly brings her closer to a mental institution.
I have read Ms. Malu Fernandez's comment on the rather violent reactions that her column had solicited. Oh she did sound acerbic in that particular article where she talked about the OFWs she encountered on her way to Greece. But she didn't sound witty her in this article at all. In fact, the whole write up is witless to say the least, not to mention downright offensive and discriminatory. It did not serve its purpose. It's supposed to be about the places she's been, right? So why didn't she elaborate on that? I don't want to sound insulting myself, but isn't it suppose to be the job of the editor-in-chief to see to it that no offensive slurs be written in broadsheets like the Manila Standard Today? Why did he let this one slip away? One might think that he shares the same ideals with the writer.
Ms. Fernandez calls herself a journalist. She has her own style of writing. That I understand and respect. But in my opinion, she shouldn't be writing for a lifestyle section because her style of writing doesn't fit there. She would do best in the entertainment section where her "acerbic wit" would be more appreciated and applauded. Lifestyle section is for readers who have a good sense of style. It is intended for people who have fine tastes in life. Do you think Ms. Fernandez fits these descriptions? I don't think so. She could be moneyed, yes. But classy? Definitely not. Because people with a high sense of class never talk ill of others. Well, at least not in public. They were bred to be prim and proper - in words and in deed.
If you may ask, I am fond of reading the columns of Ms. Tessa Prieto Valdez, Mr. Maurice Arcache and Mr. Tim Yap. I was a fan of Johhny Litton's defunct "Oh No Its Johnny" show which features the who's who of our society, which by the way, displayed Johnny Litton's "acerbic wit". He and the others I mentioned are "hardcore socielites", whose lives revolve in social functions, travels, fine dining, fine clothings etc. But I have never seen any derogatory remarks against the grass roots in their columns. So I couldn't agree more with Ms. Fernandez when she said, in context, that there are three types of people in this world: the haves, the have-nots and the wannabes. But I'm sure many would agree with me, that she does not fall under the first two categories. And oh yes! She's right. People of good taste MUST NEVER READ her columns. They would be too acerbic for readers of this type. Moreover, it's an insult to one's intelligence to do so.
i didn't think whales can be fashionistas... anyway, i agree with the anonymous comment saying why the editor slip this through... it's really not that informative. and i don't think you have to be that smart to know that the articles was utterly discriminating. i say go to this page: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=contact_us
and email the company itself. hahahha!
I've also posted about this. I hope you, guys, do visit and read:
Show Malu Fernandez What Wit Is: Be Intellectually Mean
http://tesstermulo.com/2007/08/18/show-malu-fernandez-what-wit-is-be-intellectually-mean/
To start with, I've never heard of nor read anything written by a "someone" who considers herself as a "somebody" and goes by the name of "Malu Fernandez". Oh yes I read newspapers everyday and The Manila Standard Today is one of them. Unless I was having mental diarrhea or my taste somewhat doesn't pang for her type of so called "humor and acerbic wit," she's probably insignificant or too shallow for me.
I laud the editors of the Manila Standard Today and People Asia for publishing her articles in their pages presumably unadulterated. I need not expound on the difference between a JOURNALIST and a COLUMNIST, but each has moral standards and obligations to their readers. If any. She is right though when she wrote that ..." if you don't like what you read and if what I write offends you, just stop reading." This maybe the reason why I NEVER got to read her until now.
Her observations of how Filipinos abroad treat and act towards each other is not uncommon to us FILIPINOS. It is a known fact that we FILIPINOS are a very sociable and hospitable bunch. And because of this inherent trait, we are more often than not, being misconstrued and taken advantaged of and ridiculed by other races. But that is beside the point. This kind of slam dished out by Ms. Fernandez against her "KABABAYANS" who are sacrificing being away from home and family to make a living is just too bitter a pill to swallow.
Oh yes I have rich friends. And yes I've heard them give remarks about other peoples fashion sense, intellectual ability, socio-economic standing, etc. BUT NOT TO THE POINT OF RIDICULE AND TOO DEROGATORY to make one squirm out of his/her own skin. How negatively nouveau. Yes I have underprivileged friends too. They also play the same game but more bare and freewheeling and not flourished with useless adjectives to hide their true intent. Her column was so direct it makes one wonder where she's coming from doesn't it?
If she thinks she is funny, fine. If she thinks she has acerbic wit, fine. Her friends thought her article was hilarious, fine. I challenge her to write an article about her so called "friends" in the style she did with the OFW's. Let us see if they find it hilarious as well. She called herself a bitch, I couldn't agree more.
She said: "Many people often find my direct attitude to be rude or obnoxious. I really don’t mean to be anything but true to myself." Well, being true to ones' self is indeed admirable, so does having patience which she said she sorely lacks. Hasn't she stopped to consider that the OFW's she flew in coach with and was lambasted by her in her Fierce & Fabulous column, are just being true to themselves. Added to that, instead of a direct apology, she sprinkled salt on the cut she made with "Am I being a diva? Or do you lack common sense?" She's got more than her fair share of CRAB MENTALITY and total DISRESPECT. That is direct attitude for you. After her article, it wasn't a surprise that these same OFW's and those who share their sensibilities were obnoxiously rude to her as well. Tit for Tat.
I am tempted to give her more than a piece of my mind. But come to think of it, why would I STOOP DOWN to her level? Wait a minute, I already did. For good cause. And I am not ashamed of it either. I AM JUST BEING TRUE TO MYSELF and I have no PATIENCE with anyone who steps and defames his/her own race just to be noticed. Maybe, just maybe, if the politicians in her family are doing their half their elected job, there won't be too many OFW's that she loathes so much , with her in coach, so she can be comfortable. Come to think of it. If you are a privileged person, why fly in coach? I am not done yet.
She states: "Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and mediocre."
I say: She may consider herself privileged but now she found out that OFW's are PEOPLE and not that dumb nor that stupid to just accept her fecal kind of inane writing. Congratulations to her for finally being taken noticed of.
Oh yes I need bitches alright. But not her kind. The kind of bitch I want is the one that can give me "PUPPIES." Puppies that will eventually grow up as loving companion dogs that will wag its tail with glee and show me and my kin unconditional affection no matter what. I have no need for a kind of self-serving bitch that waddles and shakes up my world literally with its every step and wag of its offensively insensitive and discriminatory tongue.
I admittedly have stooped down to her level to shake up her world and topple that imaginary pedestal she plops, not prop, herself onto. And I am proud to say that I AM A FILIPINO albeit using a foreign language for this comment.
In conclusion, I may have never been to Greece yet, but I am proud to say that I have been to the farthest North and farthest South of the Philippines. I enjoyed and continually enjoying what each and every province has to give. Wholeheartedly offered by the people who may have had family members on that Emirates flight in coach.
diva or di na bale or....
DE BALYENA
it seems like a lot of folks have already voiced my sentiments with regards to the ms. fernandez's article.
is there any on going petition / letter to manila standard regarding her behavior? i totally support free speech, but those who are given the opportunity to post in major publications should pass certain ethical, moral and intellectual standards. i'm an not a media professional, but every profession entails a responsibility to ones client/customer. judging by the avalanche of violent reactions mixed with thoughtful objections, ms fernandez has clearly lost the respect and support of the vast majority of the people.
society already has a lot of pretentious social climbers and we don't another one trolling our publications, putting down our hard working brothers and sisters ...it's already bad enough that she eats 3x her fair share of our country's food supply.
it makes me wonder.. if she is real high society, why would she try to squeeze her orca ass into an economy seat? i feel bad for the one seated next to her.
Mikey, Let's see what happens on Monday if Manila SubSATANdard will come out with her column Divalicious........ there are bloggers citing their sources that upper management did not accept her resignation, let's see......
lTcfqX You have a talant! Write more!
OiRmF1 Nice Article.
actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.
Wonderful blog.
Nice Article.
Ex2NVu write more, thanks.
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