Malu Fernandez’ Taste of Humble Pie

Just a few moments ago, ABS-CBN's TV Patrol World did a report on the Malu Fernandez OFW issue. Apparently, Fernandez has posted a proper apology on the issue which I am quoting verbatim: 

Statement from Malu Fernandez on the OFW Controversy

I am humbled by the vehement and heated response provoked by my article entitled 'From Boracay to Greece!' which came out in the June 2007 issue of People Asia. To say that this article was not meant to malign, hurt or express prejudice against the OFWs now sounds hollow after reading through all the blogs from Filipinos all over the world. I am deeply apologetic for my insensitivity and the offensive manner in which this article was written, I hear you all and I am properly rebuked. It was truly not my intention to malign hurt or express prejudice against OFWs.

I take full responsibility for my actions and my friends and family have nothing to do with this. To date I have submitted my resignation letters to both the Manila Standard and People Asia, on that note may this matter be laid to rest.

 Evidently, Fernandez had a huge chunk of humble pie.  Good for her. It's good to know that under all that make-up and expensive accessories, there's a human being after all.  I'm glad that after reading all the violent reactions in the blogging world, she isn't that thick-skinned not to feel anything.  Finally, she had the sense not to fan the flames and like a mature and presumably educated person, she took responsibility for her actions.  That's the mark of true wisdom, taking accountability for one's actions.  The statement is indeed a far cry from her initial bitchy retort.  Personally, if she apologized in the first place rather than questioned the lack of common sense of those offended, this issue would not have blown up in her face.  But it did. And as the Filipino cliché goes: Nasa huli ang pagsisisi. 

It's a wonder how one moment of insensitivity could destroy a person's reputation, one's good name. And with Fernandez, instead of being known for her wit, she became famous in the blogging world for her bigotry.  This is the reality of life, we indeed reap what we sow.  In Fernandez' case, she sowed the seeds of hate and reaped a harvest of attacks on her appearance and character.  

Make no mistake, I do not condone her acts of bigotry.  But I can somehow empathize what she may be feeling when she read those statements of bigotry  and discrimination against  her  plus size figure.  Being full-figured  myself, it  would DEFINITELY hurt when people call you names  such as "Miss Piggy", "Baboy", "Dabiana", "Balyena".  I remember confronting  a sampaguita vendor when I refused, quite  politely,  his offer of the garlands.  The little brat called me "baboy" .  I  ran after him (cause even though I'm plump, I'm quite light on my feet ^__^)  and  gave him a stern lecture on his rudeness and my right as a consumer. Contrary  to popular belief, we full-figured  people have a lot of insecurities  in life, which I AM  SURE, Fernandez has too.  Thus, to  read those  attacks  on her  appearance ,  it is evident that she  got a taste of her own medicine and more.  

I'm sure in due time this issue will die a natural death. Most of us who reacted will eventually forget about Malu Fernandez too.  However, as for Fernandez, such will not be the case.  What she did caused her reputation, two jobs and most likely her self-esteem.   She'll be licking a lot of wounds for a long time. 

Who would have thought a taste of humble pie could be this costly.