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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Gloria Diaz on Cebuana Can Hardly Speak English

We've seen the coronation night of the Miss Universe 2010 and our bet from the Philippines, Miss Venus Raj, belonged to the top 5. She ended as the 4th runner-up of the said pageant.

The question given to her was this, "What is one big mistake that you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?"

She answered, "Thank you so much, Sir for that wonderful question. You know what, Sir in my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major major, I mean, problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I am here, thank you thank you so much!"

A lot of people joked on her "MAJOR, MAJOR" statement especially on social networking sites. Her answer is somewhat right but I guess the judges weren't impressed by her answer.

There was an interview for Ms. Gloria Diaz about her reaction and defended Miss Venus Raj. The Cebuanos caught her saying this, "Kasi when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English and of course Tagalog. Maybe she should answer in Bisaya." source: ABS-CBN

A lot of Cebuanos are in rage for that statement. Why that is Cebuanos are always the best examples for being "can hardly speak English"? You know what, this is truly a MAJOR, MAJOR DISCRIMINATION.

My friends reacted on this and these are their comments:

A Cebuano can hardly speak English? Sure? :))) Wud love to laugh my ass off her face. -Nin

that is one MAJOR tactless comment from her!!!! her point is understandable to use our native language more, pagmamahal sa sariling atin...however to make such a tactless comment on national television which implies Cebuanos to be inferior is a MAJOR letdown coming from a fellow Filipino... - Rachellyn

Just reminded me of the movie Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo which Ms. Gloria Diaz was a part of it with her dialogue, "Bakit pinapalaki ninyong Bisaya ang apo ko? Speak to the kid in Tagalog. Parang Pinoy." The scene was taken that her grandchild was speaking Cebuano to her nanny.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel who is also a Visayan remarked, "It offends the sensibilities of the Visayans and other non-Tagalog speaking citizens by making them feel as if they are less Filipino than the Tagalogs."

In defense of Star Cinema, "It's not intentional at saka mataray ang role ni Ms. Gloria Diaz sa movie at taga-probinsiya ang nanny ng bata, so ang tendency ay ma-adopt ng bagets ang salita nu'ng nanny niya na napansin ni Ms. Diaz."

Additionally, "But it doesn't mean na kinokondena namin ang mga taga-Visayas at Mindanao. Hiniling ni Senator Pimentel na i-delete ‘yung lines na ‘yun sa movie na hindi naman pupuwede na kasi palabas na at imposibleng mangyari pa kasi maski na i-delete pa, marami na ang nakapanood."

Lastly, "Hindi lang naman ang SSS (Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo) ang nauna sa ganyang lines tungkol sa dialect, marami ng nauna pa (We're not the first to write those lines about a dialect)." source: tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com


Let me point out the last statement made by Star Cinema and relate it to the question for Miss Venus Raj, you already knew that it was an OBVIOUS MAJOR MAJOR MISTAKE and there were lots of Filipino movies before having the same scene or dialogue with that on Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo about the Cebuano language (Yes, it is a language, not just a dialect), have you made any thoughts of MAKING IT RIGHT? I know the movie was already out but I hope you FILIPINO MOVIE MAKERS will have DISCRETION on not hurting the culture of other Filipinos living in the Philippines.

In the Miss Universe pageant, when I heard the question for Miss Philippines, "What is one big mistake that you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?", what popped-up to my mind was the hostage taking in Quirino Grandstand because of the quote "Big Mistake to Correct a Big Wrong Decision".

Is this just coincidence?

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

About "MAJOR MAJOR"... It's a Filipino habit when having an informal talk or chikka... We tend to repeat words, add non existent prefixes, etc... Even Tagalog people are fund of it.

Anonymous said...

..."FOND" of it...

Unknown said...

Hi, nice post :) I agree with most of the thoughts you expressed. I agree that Manila people and film-makers should stop spreading the idea that a Bisaya person's english leaves much to be desired. But insofar as the fuss created over that statement by Gloria Diaz, I think it's just too much. Come on, how sensitive can you get? I'm Bisaya, and I'm studying in Manila right now, and I'm happy to say that a lot of people (not just my classmates!) always ask me why Cebuanos are very good in english. Not all Manila people think Bisaya people don't know how to speak english, I can attest to that. As for that statement by Gloria Diaz, I say we should just take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure she didn't mean it in a demeaning way, maybe it just so happened that 'Cebuana' was the first thing that popped into her head, which isn't far-fetched because it is a known fact (or fiction? hehe) that there are a lot of beautiful Cebuanas who are worthy of representing the country as the Ms. Universe. If you finished that TV Patrol news clip which included Ms. Diaz's now-infamous line, there was a follow-up interview with a certain UP English Professor who said that getting an interpreter is not to say that Bicolanos (referring to Venus Raj) are not good in english, but rather that it would make it easier for them to better express what they really want to say. It can even afford the contestant some time to think of a great knock-out answer. Sometimes, I just get to think that we Cebuanos are too over-sensitive. Let's not take that line out of context, it was just her mere opinion, and like your blog title suggests, "an opinion has no right or wrong answer, it is just how you stand of what you believe in." :)

Rox said...

@Anonymous: yes we use Major major in an informal way of talking with our friends. it's just like Melai Cantiveros' expression of Over na over...

Anonymous said...

nice post but please do work on your grammar and your English thing! thanks

Sijifu said...

@Morris- The reason why Cebuanos are over sensitive because media is showing discrimination over Cebuanos, despite the fact that Cebu has the biggest budget in the country and the 3rd best island in Asia.

Hippo said...

You might need to proofread and work with your quick-written essay... But I get every point. You should write more about how Manilenos discriminate Cebuanos.

Anonymous said...

@ hippo--- I agree! work on your easy... I got your point too! but again work on your grammar!

Anonymous said...

essay! rather

Rox said...

@Morris: yes, I understand that she really didn't mean it in a demeaning way but the question is why is that Cebuanos are always the best example for being "can hardly speak English"? Honestly a lot of people reacted on her statement because she's naming a group living in the Philippines that can hardly speak English. The impression is that we don't know how to speak English at all. It would be safe if she said it something like this, "Maybe she should answer a question in the language she used to where she grew up." In that way, it is very understandable enough.

Rox said...

@Anonymous: if you think there's something wrong with my grammar and to my English, please point it out and make some corrections. Thanks!

Rox said...

@Hippo: about "You should write more about how Manilenos discriminate Cebuanos." i can't write anything about it because I've never been there. If I will be in Manila, I hope I wont be discriminated. I really don't want to generalize the people. :)

fil said...

Hippo said...
You might need to proofread and work with your quick-written essay

i totally agree...

hey, proofread it before posting it!

Anonymous said...

Rox said...
@Anonymous: if you think there's something wrong with my grammar and to my English, please point it out and make some corrections. Thanks!

my answer: Figure it out darling, Im not your copy writer!

Anonymous said...

and oh before I'l hit my butt to work,improve your punctuations!

hey, proofread it before posting it!

Unknown said...

@Sijifu - What are you talking about? First off, we don't have the biggest budget. Second, I don't know about that claim of being the 3rd-best island but if it's true then cool. That's exactly my point. Whenever anything is said about Cebuanos, we tend to magnify it and take it out of context and construe it to be Cebu-bashing. Pls try to read my previous reply thoroughly before you try to bring up an argument, naa na gyud tanan akong answer didto. I don't understand the logic of your reply (and I don't mean it in an insulting way). Peace! :)

@Rox - I already answered that in my first reply :)

Rox said...

@Anonymous: Before you hit me with my writings, you better look first at your comments here. You're using a lot of these: (...) (!) Example: "I agree! work on your easy... I got your point too! but again work on your grammar!"

You even have wrong spellings. I must say you even not proofread your comments before posting it.

Hahaha!

Rox said...

@Morris: Kasabot man ko sa imong gepasabot og ni Miss Gloria Diaz. Ang naka-apan lang sa iyang pagsulti sa camera kay ang mga Cebuano di kamao mo Iningles or mag-Tinagalog mao nga mag-Binisaya. Sa ako pang ge-ingon nga mas maayo kun ing-ani niya pagsulti, "Mahimo man ka motubag sa pangutana sa imong nadak-an nga pinulongan." mao to sa English, "Maybe she should answer a question in the language she used to where she grew up."

Rox said...

@Anonymous: Let me relate the question for Miss Philippines to you. If you've seen a lot of mistakes on my writings, which I cannot find it myself, what can you do to make it right?

@Fil: Agree ka nang agree. Wala ka namang ginawa.

Both of you just agreed what Hippo said. It would be better if you put additional suggestions to improve my writings. You know what? I would appreciate you more if you will do that. I accept constructive criticisms here on my blog to make me better especially on my writings.

It seems both of you don't have ORIGINALITY! ^_^

Nin said...

Morris- Yes we're ranked as the third best island in Asia, next to Bali and Madives. Sorry forgot to mention tourism and business wise. :) AMong all the cities in the country, Cebu has the biggest annual budget of 3.2 Billion just for 2010 that's because we have so many investors coming in (mostly BPO). Unless some of you are living under a rock for years then you aren't aware then that's understandable.

Rox said...

@Morris: ang point ni Sijifu ke di dapat yanohon og discriminate ang Cebu and the Cebuanos by the media or movies kay di baya basta2x ang Cebu karon. Naa pud bayay ikapanghambog. Di ba, kasagaran dinha sa Manila puro naman gud mga bisaya ang nagpuyo mao nga ma-generalize sa uban taga Manila ang mga Bisaya murag way grado, baduy or what. Some Manileños nagpadayon ana nga belief mao nga unfair kaayo and there are some nga ni appreciate gyud sa Cebu and the Cebuanos.

Nin said...

Ok ra pud nako na dili kaau ma discover ang Cebu kai aron dili pud ta ma parehas sa Manila... I've stayed there for two years... Studyante pud ko ngad2.

Rox said...

@nin: bitaw para dili overcrowded... I asked my classmates in college before who came from Masbate nga ngano ganahan sila sa Cebu nga duol raman unta sa Manila. They said ke peaceful daw. Samok sa Manila. Ilaha nang comment.

Anonymous said...

These Tagalogs are the smallest ethnic group in the Philippines and their Tagalog dialect almost the least spoken but forced and legislated to be the basis of our National language. The Visayan tribe according to Fr. Alcina (1642) are the people from Southern Luzon in the Bicol Region all the way down to Mindanao. So, we are the biggest family in the Philippines and the biggest related language. Who then are the Tagalogs to discriminate the people of the Central and Southern Philippines?

Anonymous said...

Tagalogs are always being very critical about the way Visayans would speak the English language. How come Cebu is the top 1 city in three consecutive years (2007-2009) of all the cities in the world in terms of BPO? And where is NCR? at the 23? then 29? Check your being critical, something is wrong with your English I think. Data shows.

Anonymous said...

Gloria Diaz defended her mess towards the Cebuano and for her to laugh it out is sheer sarcasm. Hence, trying to cover herself with a big fat lie. Obviously, she is prejudiced against the Cebuano people. She really blurt it out with her unfiltered speech of what was in her heart towards a "major" Philippine community. She's now one big and "major" shame to the country.

Fred said...

@ Anonymous. Agree!! She was rediculous. No way she can be venticated when she has been guilty all the way from the start. "Throwing stones" may be an act Manilans can do; not the Cebuanos. If the people really pursues it, I'm sure she'd better get herself a good lawyer. She made a deliberate bad move to express her view of how Cebuanos are. Well, she's wrong. Her misconduct will soon find her out. I'm not surprised if I see her in court.

Anonymous said...

Happy kaayo ko nagbasa sa mga comments sa mga Cebuanos towards G. Diaz.The moment GDiaz opened her mouth and said those words against the Cebuanos, i knew there will be war!!Someone said that we are being over sensitive about it that we should take it with a grain of salt...Are you kidding me?!!seriously?!We shouldn't take this just sitting down coz GDiaz said something very demeaning to our people,to our Cebuano family.And if anyone hurts your family... you have to do something to defend it..We should demand for an apology...it annoys me so much that she just laughed it off.She thought she was going to be stoned to death??Hoy nang!!That's a bit lenient..U should be deleted from the face of the earth maybe exiled to Mars or where the green aliens are...Coz honestly?.. we dont need people like you here..get lost!!!Like what my friend says; YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A SENILE, POST-MENOPAUSAL, PATHETIC HAS BEEN!!!!!

Carmencita said...

Someone pointed out that there are lots of call centers in Cebu. Obviously the Cebuano. I am not surprised. On top of a better spoken English, the Cebuanas are more prettier than those people in Manila. Gloria herself has a bad hard accent when speaking English and for her to criticize is questionable. Too bad, her defense is so lame. Apparently, she is guilty. She was Miss U; now, she's just another cheap Tagala. Personally, her greatest need is not an English tutor but a good professional psychiatrist. She is very sick!! And that's major.

Anonymous said...

Kaluy-i tawon sila sa ilang mga comments.

There's this one person who mentioned about checking the grammar and punctuation and stuffs. However, between "easy" and "essay"? Right! Grammar that is. Prrfft!

To the person who wrote this online article, continue expressing yourself. Don't let others stop you. Besides, it's your "opinion" page. And by the way, about "easy" and "essay," it's not a spelling issue. The word "easy" was correctly spelled. It's choice of word. Spelling and choice of words are different. Okey?

I am self studying Korean Language for quite a while. Others question me, "Why Korean?" I always answer them, "Because it's another language that somehow I can learn to use in the future."

Also, they comment about Kpop and others things and they say that "we are starting to like Kpop too much and we started to hate OPM." Yeah, right! And they didn't check almost all of their songs in their iPOD are Amern R&B and Justin whatchacallithishislastnameis. Talk to yourself.

Keep up the good work and please put some places to improve. We all need that. Even I as a person, who experienced creative journalism during my school days, needs improvement.

To all Cebuanos who were shocked from Gloria Diaz's statement on TV, "prove her wrong!" To all Cebuanos who are in Manila right now, I hope you are always safe since you're far from family.

TO Gloria Diaz, yes, it's fine. I know you're just a human. But please, be careful next time. You're not "just a human" that can commit mistakes. You're a former Miss Universe for crying out loud!

To those who pointed out that Gloria Diaz's boyfriend was or is Cebuano, well, it's not related to the issue since that is personal. This is a national concern.

알앗어요? Opinions of a Young Lass, 화이팅! ^^

P.S. It's redundant to say "Young Lass" since the definition of "lass" is "a girl or a young woman." source: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lass

Cheers! I hope wala ko'y typographical errors or grammar issues... hayyy labad!

Rox said...

@anonymous: I can't change the name of my blog already og ako nalang na i-maintain ang "young lass" ke searchable naman kaayo na sa Google gud. hehhehe. Wala man goy dating kun Opinions Of A Lass, Lass's Opinion. hehehe!

Salamat diay sa pagbasa... ^_^