Sen. Loren Legarda on Alec Baldwin's Mail-Order Bride Remark

STATEMENT
Senator Loren Legarda
Re: Alec Baldwin's Mail Order Bride Remark
18 May 2009

Mr. President and my honorable colleagues: Yet again the Filipina has been a subject of ridicule by a foreigner. In the David Letterman Show aired last Thursday, May 14, Hollywoord actor Alec Baldwin said:

"I'd love to have more kids. I think about getting a Filipino mail-order bride at this point or a Russian one. I don't care, I'm 51."

This statement, Mr. President, is nothing short of a cultural insensitivity. There have been several instances in the past when the Filipina has been degraded in international media. There was Teri Hatcher in Desperate Housewives saying she wanted to make sure she would not be attended by a doctor who attended a medical school in the Philippines. Then there was the BBC program Harry and Paul portraying a Filipina maid in undignified and laughable postures. Then this statement by Mr. Baldwin. To let this pass by without a sound of protest is the height of insensitivity and callousness on our part, Filipino leaders. So I vigorously register my objection to the statement by Mr. Baldwin.

Mr. Baldwin is know for being thoughtless about what he says. Nevertheless, his words are classifiable as "hate speech."

These incidents in the international media show a pattern of hatred directed against an identifiable group: the Filipinos. In the latter two incidents, another pattern of degradation may be observed: insult against the Filipino woman. By making the remark, Mr. Baldwin hurled two insults: one against the Filipino race and the other, against the female.

Mr. President and my honorable colleagues, incidents of mockery against our race happen again and again, again and again we must not fail in our strong condemnation and resounding assertion of our diginity.

Let us make it clear to the world: Filipino women are not for sale.

Not for sale even to Hollywood actors.

Thank you, Mr. President

Welcome to the Official Blog of Sen. Loren Legarda

For the second time, I was elected to the Philippine Senate in 2007 with the highest number of votes, an overwhelming show of support, trust and confidence in the kind of leadership that the Filipino people know me for. With great pride, therefore, I joyfully embark on this journey of public service that steers our nation back to the right course in our quest to become a great nation once again. In my visits throughout the country, I had repeatedly felt honored to stand witness to the best of who we are as a nation, as a people, as a community. And such priceless privilege is what continues to inspire me and encourage me to work hard as your public servant. Whether through vital pieces of legislation or civic-oriented programs, I endeavor to be able to touch the lives of the millions of Filipinos who voted for me. In these most challenging times, no kind thought, no good deed, no comforting word, no honorable intention is ever wasted. Each one that we give becomes part of a circle that moves, touches, and changes the life around us, and returns to us in a surprising multitude of miraculous echoes, so that even as we face the darkness of struggles, conflicts and indifference, we are able to find the strength to dream more daringly, serve more generously, hope more fervently and fearlessly live. For only by being united and steadfastly committed to one another can we conquer new heights and explore new horizons…. Sa tulong ng inyong walang-sawang suporta at pagmamahal, patuloy ko kayong paglilingkuran ng buong husay at katapatan, sa abot ng aking makakaya. Maraming salamat po!