I HAD my red ears flapping when I read that edifying line about me and Dr. Mario B. Genio. Thank you so much for looking at us so kindly. Truly, many people don’t realize the thorny pathways a foreign MD has to negotiate so he can practice in America. What came out of that condescending comment brought us allies as much as concerns on how we’ll correct the whole shameful mistake by the ABC media.

        I wish the NaFFAA chapter in Northern California would accept ABC’s apology and corrective plans, thus burying the issue, making sure it won’t happen again. I wish they won’t push with that $500 million lawsuit which might stir more controversies for all of us.

        If our leaders prove reckless and unreasonable, the whole Filipino image could come down, more tarnished than before, in a US litigation. A negative backlash could harm us in court if the other side succeeds in making us look uglier than we realize. They have the capacity to do it.

        Probing the reasons why we’re misunderstood and insulted, they’ll probably look into the MD-nurse career shifts, a worrisome trend in our workforce which was shown in CNN about 2-3 weeks before the derogatory line rocked ABC.

        They can bring out data on how many Filipino MDs became US nurses recently without taking effort of passing the US qualifying tests for physicians, as most did in the 60’s and 70’s. They can exploit the 2006 nursing board scandal, criticize the deficiencies of our schools, and ferret some dirty linens that could further embarrass us. Surely, we don’t want the aggravation of having our little “dirty secrets” laid bare in court or reported in the news.

        A bulk of our imperfections and shortcomings could be used as reasons why ABC’s scriptwriter, producer, and actress had misconceptions about Filipino doctors. If ABC wins, the fictional derogatory line in that TV episode will become a reality in court.

        I wonder how these guys came up with $500million. Why not $1 billion or $2 billion as damage? hahaha! Surely, it’s not only those Filipinos in California who were insulted, but all Filipinos. Who then would be worthy to partake in the pie if ever the other side prospers in court?

        BTW, I already sent the mass card to the dad and mom of VP Sibulo. I told them I learned about VP’s demise only when I asked you.

        O sigue Joe (Jose B. Perez, BM Editor), por otra vez, muchas gracias por los pensamientos orgullosos.

TOTIE MEJIA, M.D.
New York, USA