Babe Romualdez Issues A Statement Regarding Malu Fernandez
Yesterday, we were made aware of The Statement made by the Publisher of People Asia Magazine, Babe Romualdez. His statement follows, and it is very telling that indeed our voices reverberated even into the offices of higher management itself. At the beginning, I had thought that this issue was being kept from them, but as with management, they know all and see all (so don’t take that stapler).
Of course, as with any statement, guessing from our previous article when we scrutinized Malu’s “Apology” and announcement of her resignation letters, we are always skeptical. But this letter is real, no beating around the bush, as you will read, the organization’s axe (not the body spray) was getting ready to cut and sever the association with Malu Fernandez.
With this statement, we are left with only two more details to iron out, and this will be made clear in our next post. Without further ado, here’s Babe Romualdez’s statement.
tags: babe romualdez, malu fernandez, people asia magazine, philippine starThe Malu Fernandez-OFW controversy TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS By Babe Romualdez
Tuesday, August 28, 2007As publisher of People Asia magazine, I had hoped I would not need to make any further comment about our former contributing columnist Malu Fernandez. Because of the “violent” reactions from people concerning the issue – perhaps it is better for me to put the entire issue into the right context. The column which came out in the June issue of the magazine talked about her experience in Boracay and her trip to Greece in a sardonic manner characteristic of Malu Fernandez.
Reactions (via text and email) were sent in by readers, two of which were selected and consequently printed in the August issue of the magazine, along with a note from the editors saying that while they may not agree with what Malu Fernandez had written, they recognize her right to say it. There is a fine print in the magazine’s staff box stating that the opinions and views expressed by writers are their own and not necessarily endorsed by the editors and the management.
The matter would have been settled with the magazine’s publication of those reactions. But unfortunately, Ms. Fernandez wrote a follow-up regarding the issue as well as her response to those who expressed disagreement with the said column in another publication – making it worse since it was written in an arrogant and condescending manner. Even I, together with some readers, felt that she made a mockery of those who did not share or understand her “acerbic” wit and humor.
Right there and then, it was collectively decided by Stargate president Kevin Belmonte, editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez and myself that it was time to give Malu Fernandez the axe. But perhaps Ms. Fernandez knew what was coming because she submitted her voluntary resignation and beat us to the punch, so to speak. It was that follow up in another publication which started the conflagration, followed up with a lot of reactions especially when TV Patrol came up with a report on the issue last week.
Ms. Fernandez had expressed contrition and humility, and that it was not her intention to hurt, malign or express prejudice against OFWs all over the world – but it was too late.
One thing we want to make perfectly clear is that the magazine should not be defined by who Malu Fernandez is, or be judged according to what she wrote in that controversial column, because we and the staff of People Asia recognize and hail the contributions and sacrifices that overseas Filipino workers have made – and continue to make – for their families, for their loved ones, for this country. As a matter of fact, the OFWs were the first to become “People of the Year” awardees when the magazine first launched the award in 2004, precisely because we admire and recognize the tenacity, the industry, the talent, the skill and most of all – the contribution of OFWs to the economy.
Not that we are trying to build ourselves up, but we have been one of those who, since day one, have consistently expressed support and recognition for Filipinos working abroad – from the time the late Labor Secretary Blas Ople launched the overseas workers employment program in the late ’70s to help the economy which was then reeling because of the oil crisis.
There are close to 10 million OFWs deployed all over the world – and whether they work as domestic helpers, nurses, engineers, caregivers, doctors or teachers – there is no doubt they are people who deserve to be looked up to, and are certainly worthy of the admiration and support of each and every Filipino.
I have already read this article yesterday. I thought that she resigned from the two publications, it seems that only People Asia accepted the resignation and Manila Standard Refuses to give in.
Oh well. Let’s see on Monday. ^_^ Happy blogging!
Kudos to People Asia for making a stand. Btw, Babes Romualdez is a man. How about Malu..is she a girl? hehe
Quote from statement of the Publisher of Manila Standard: “There is a fine print in the magazine’s staff box stating that the opinions and views expressed by writers are their own and not necessarily endorsed by the editors and the management”.
Agree, but there is a caveat. That the writer’s opinion does not constitute hatred, discrimination or otherwise anything that will put the paper in disrepute. Because if the injured party or parties decide to sue for libel arising from the newspaper published articles written by whoever or re-publishing articles from other publications, said paper can not avoid liability.
But the first rebuttal of ms fernandez as Ms Romauldez had stated was really the last straw. It was like pouring salt to injury, and mocking the victims as they screamed in agony…some kind of sadistic…
I disagree with Asia People publisher Babe Romualdez on one point. They cannot wash their hands by hiding behind the fine print in the staff box. There was clearly an editorial lapse in judgment and good taste. Malu Fernandez’s column should not have existed in the first place. It is a fine textbook example of bad writing, and the fact that the editors of Asia People miss this point, makes me question their level of taste. Contrary to Fernandez’s earlier apology, her style is not tongue-in-cheek at all, as she is not “pretending” to be insipid and shallow. She IS insipid and shallow.
Fortunately, even though they try to evade responsibility over the article, there are consequence to their lapse in judgment. Their magazine will most likely be remembered for this tackless article more than all their past efforts to highlight the plight of the OFW’s that Romualdez so proudly paraded.
I say fire the editors as well. Off with their heads!
There may have been an editorial lapse but Babe did the right thing by explaining his position as Stargate’s publisher.
i agree, fire the editors as well. and that the article should not have existed. Romualdez’s statement shows that he’s just trying to save the paper’s image. i agree in his stand as the editor, but then again, they’re the one responsible. nuff said.
I find the reaction of People Asia a bit too late and a bit too convenient. In fact, they should have seen this coming after printing an article like that.
Also, that disclaimer about the paper and the publishers not sharing the opinion of the author is a legal requirement of most publishing/media companies. It protects publishers/networks from lawsuits but it does not necessarily shield them from their mistake of maligning a country’s citizenry by printing something so demeaning to a section of the society simply because these people happen to exist.
I hate it when corporations and executives hide behind legal curtains and spin doctors to clean up a mess after a bomb like this blows up in their faces. Dropping malu fernandez like a hot potato after a scandal like this is not exactly a class act and maligning her in public to earn our trust is in pure bad taste. They should have called her attention before they printed it if they felt at the time that her article and opinions do not match the principles of their publication.
The only other thing more disgusting than a bigot are irresponsible shrewd businessmen trying to save face by pretending to be patriots.
I do not mean to hurt them…this is just my opinion.
Check this out! naghu-hugas kamay ba sila? Part ang People Asia magazine dito, why? kung totoo ang sinasabi nila dito, why nila pinayagan or hinayaan na mailathala itong ginawa ni BABOY? Bobo ba ang Editor In-chief or even ang magazine na hindi nila ito napansin? Hmmm… nagmamalinis? we’re not that stupid!
The Malu Fernandez-OFW controversy TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS By Babe Romualdez — Tuesday, August 28, 2007
“One thing we want to make perfectly clear is that the magazine should not be defined by who Malu Fernandez is, or be judged according to what she wrote in that controversial column, because we and the staff of People Asia recognize and hail the contributions and sacrifices that overseas Filipino workers have made – and continue to make – for their families, for their loved ones, for this country.”
Malu Fernandez is out of her mind ! By your discriminating comments on our honorable OFW’s, YOU INSULTED YOURSELF MORE THAN ENYONE ELSE! Picture this :
(1) considering your size, how could you imagine a comfortable
flight on a narrow economy class seat (or even 3) for that
matter?
(2) after your “harrowing” experience on economy class from Manila
to Greece, you must be very stupid to travel the same way from
Greece to Manila
If “fish” is brain-food, you must fish for a whale !
[…] “..we admire and recognize the tenacity, the industry, the talent, the skill and most of all – the contribution of OFWs to the economy…and whether they work as domestic helpers, nurses, engineers, caregivers, doctors or teachers – there is no doubt they are people who deserve to be looked up to, and are certainly worthy of the admiration and support of each and every Filipino.” - Babe Romualdez, in a statement on Malu Fernandez […]
hile what the Manila Standard journalist has written is not exactly very nice in the sense that it discriminates, take note that there is freedom of expression and there is a right reserved to each of us to like or dislike anything under the sun, as long as we dont break any law. Thus, many people will dislike not only cheap perfumes but revealing kind of shirts, some will dislike gays, some will dislike lesbians, some will disown their kids if they will marry a particular tribe. Some will even encourage their daughters to marry a person of the same economic caliber- all these are discrimination against a particular group. But they arent punishable by law. We cannot force anyone not to write about her opinion, nor can we force anybody to like balut or cheap perfumes, or even expensive perfumes because of their odor. I dislike expensive perfumes because of their cost, and I dont like that I be asked to resign my job because of that preference.
Well, it looks like the ordinary pinoys (the ones MF alluded to as lacking in wit) were played for suckers again. With MF back, it seem that all these words were just…words. No contrition, no sincerity. Too bad. But maybe the publishers belive that their ‘upper class’ readers alone can make their paper survive. Lets wait and see.
BTW, I am definitely sticking to BULGAR for my news and info. Maybe less ‘cultured’ but definitely CLASSIER that the rag MF writes for.
[…] 29: Babe Romualdez issues statement regarding Malu Fernandez (Tingog.com) — “Yesterday, we were made aware of The Statement made by the Publisher of People […]
malu fernandez…nothing more than another Filipino bigot…sad
At least People Asia in the end decided to do the right thing. Unlike Manila Standard which continue to turn a blind eye and refuses to give in to the growing demands of OFWs all over the world to axe Malu Fernandez. They can not go on publishing as if nothing happened. If they think that they can just shrug off their shoulders and get away with it, they they are definitely wrong.
meron bang article na napu-publish mag-isa sa magazine na hindi binabasa ng mga editors? did malu’s controversial column just publish itself without a benefit of an editor reading it? either the people asia editors found nothing wrong with the heartlessly malicious comments against OFWs that ms. fernandez made, or none of the editors read it in the first place and weren’t doing their jobs. nasan sila? nasa ribbon-cutting ng mga sosyalan? either way, they have to take the blame for it — not just malu with the “ascerbic wit” kuno.
nung sinulat ni mr. romualdez yung statement niya, katabi niya malamang tabo na may tubig. naalala ko tuloy si poncio pilato, pwe!
ang hirap kasi sa mga sosyalerang kolumnista tsaka sa mga filthy rich na publishers eh hindi nila naranasan ang hirap magtrabaho sa ibang bayan bilang OFW. puro sila bakasyon lang abroad, samantalang dugo at pawis ang puhunan ng magigiting nating OFWs. teka, ano ba mga pasaporte ng taong ito na nagmamalinis? malamang US passport. pakitanong ke babes kung nag-economy na siya sa eroplano.
I have sent an email to the Manila Standard regards to this,statement of Malu Fernandez about filipino’s, I was so angry, but i have had no responce from the Manila Standard,the hard working long hours of the filipino’s here in U.K is dedication not only to support their love one’s back home but!! it has been a great help in the Philippines economy, now the one thing we do not need is a reporter who knows nothing about filipino’s shouting her BIG Mouth off,more so because i find it insulting my wife(asawa the jewel i stole from the Philippines)!!! Yours Lord Robert Bayne
Ginagawa naman tayo nitong row 4 ng manila standard. Malu Fernandez admitted she was accepting all the responsibility…BUT WHO SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE??? P U B L I S H E R (MANILA STANDARD TODAY & PEOPLES ASIA MAGAZINE). My fellow OFW I think somebody at thier back protecting them (they feel they are untouchable) we should know…let us find out. Possible personality:
1. Miguel Zubiri-malu’s nephew.
kindly add more..
SANA…………..For sure this Malou already learned her lesson..SANA nga po(WE Pray),well kww na rin sya,sa dami ng nakabangga nya pulos mga OFW na ang reasons eh mai-taguyod ang pamilya and nothing more.SANA tira din sya d2 sa desert para experience namn sya kung paano…huh! ,drama buhay natin noh mga kabayan,,,SANA……….
Gawd, she’s still connected with that third rate paper?
how i wish i have that paper with the explanation. my taffy would love to sit on that…(fyi…taffy is my dog)…in her litter box.
pontius pilate!
i was so hurt when i read that article of malu fernandez.para na rin niya ininsulto ang buong pilipino.she didn’t realized that this so called ofw ang umangat sa pilipinas.i don’t care if she came from an elite family but she should guard what she says.same to the editor of manila standard.kaya nga tinawag na editor.if you only knew how ofw longed to be with their family back home kaya lang hindi nga ninyo alam.so don’t say words to hurt ofw.u r discriminatory.
Well what can I say..? Businessmen trying to save their ass..shame of you! Your poor editors deserved to be AXE like Malou (d’ PIG)!
Don’t ever fool people like us(OFW) kasi kami yung mahilig magbasa ng mga articles about the Philippines kasi malayo kami at upang mawala ang homesickness.
Ang masasabi ko lang…Goodluck na lang sa magazine nyo!