65 Responses to “Visayans Unite! (Or Why They Should Boycott ‘Sakal Sakali Saklolo’)”

1. Proud Ilonggo Says:
   December 28th, 2007 at 11:46 pm

   I remember how the entire Filipino nation condemned the racial slur on Filipinos on Desperate Housewives!

   I have read online how everyone was so ready to crucify Malu Fernandez for her derogatory remark on OFWs.

   This careless and insensitive remark about BISAYA is a serious issue!

   As an Ilonggo, I have experienced the same condescending attitude and treatment in school,as if non-Tagalogs are second class citizens.

   This irresponsible and insensitive statement in the movie perpetuates this mentality.

   Bigotry is not exclusive to one race!
   Just as being a Filipino is not exclusive to a single language.

   APOLOGIZE
   Make AMENDS
   RIGHT this WRONG
   or suffer a BOYCOTT!

2. Paul caluza Says:
   December 29th, 2007 at 3:01 am

   There is nothing wrong with it. I came from Cebu but I am not hurt because not all “Tagalog people” should I say can speak dialects that I know. It is not the intention of the movie to discriminate Visayan people like us. It’s just a typical filipino humor sometimes cruel. Neither I felt any insult on my part nor discrimination as a second class citizen. I even enjoyed the movie as a whole. Matured individuals should not make this an issue.

3. Proud Cebuano Says:
   December 29th, 2007 at 11:48 am

   Yes, we should not watch this cheap film. I read about the director’s reaction in Inquirer.net and it was pathetic. With the Information Age and developments in the provinces and other cities, the Visayan-Mindanao market is fast becoming a force to contend with. We should show producers that if they offend us as an ethnic group, we are capable of hitting back.

   I have many Tagalog friends in Manila, and most of them are sensitive to our cultural variations. I’ve observed that many of those with “feeling superior” or “racist” attitudes have never been to the provinces and other cities. Their world is too small or maybe too big for them to care about other places and cultures not First World.

   Once in a while it’s good to educate them about regional and national sensibilities if we are really to become a modern society.

4. Paul caluza Says:
   December 29th, 2007 at 5:21 pm

   OMG there is nothing wrong with the movie. It is only a depiction of a typical filipino setting way way back meaning this is not the first time. I am a Cebuano but I am not affected at all because I am confident to myself. Guys the bottom line here is the level of maturity…

5. Gev Ellima Says:
   December 29th, 2007 at 10:57 pm

   Well Mr. Caluza, tell that to Sen. Nene Pimentel himself. If he, being one of the leaders of this nation, is much irked by this issue I don’t see why I won’t be, being just an ordinary tax-paying citizen. This goes beyond the issue of maturity of the moviegoers. My dad is Cebuano, I grew up in Antique, my roots came from Iloilo and I can speak 3 Visayan dialects. I studied in Manila and have been living here for almost 2 decades now and I could say crass Tagalog words without batting an eyelash having been taught the Tagalog language since grade school. I can tolerate Visayan jokes to a certain level, like the accent/diction jokes but not to the point that Visayans would already be treated inferior than most of them already are, socially and financially, as most of the househelps in the Tagalog Region came from the Visayas. This has, in a way, given the Tagalog people a semblance of superiority among the other ethnical group. I pity Judy Ann and Ryan for being mere pawns in this mess. The real culprits are the scriptwriters and editors who were behind the making of this movie. They should be taught a lesson on social responsibility and must have a refresher course on their Araling Panlipunan that the Visayas and Mindanao area comprise the bigger part of the Philippine archipelago.

6. Proud Cebuano Says:
   December 30th, 2007 at 12:17 pm

   Yes, mature people should raise concerns about the film. I find it cheap that some Tagalog film and television show producers/directors/writers still find Visayan-accent jokes funny. Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and other directors of their caliber never resorted to such cheap liners. I was happy with Kasal, Kasali Kasalo, that did well at the box office. I was looking forward to watching Sakal Sakali Saklolo here in Cebu, but when I saw the trailer (before this controversy arose) showing some exaggerated Visayan-accent lines, I was offended. Maybe other Visayans are not offended, but many of us Cebuanos are. Officials here have commented about it, one even went to the extent of saying, “It’s okay Tagalogs make fun of our accent, Cebuanos are better English speakers than Tagalogs anyway.” That is way off the issue and unnecessary, if not racist, but that only reflects the sentiments we have here.

   By the way, Cebuano or Bisaya is not a dialect, it is a language, in the same manner that one does not call Tagalog a dialect.

   Dialect is defined as “a regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists: Cockney is a dialect of English.” One can’t say Cebuano or Bisaya is variation of Tagalog or Filipino. The Filipino language is still evolving AND it’s not Tagalog although currently most of it is Tagalog-based. We must recognize and respect each other’s differences if we really want to progress as a united nation. I am not surprised why Muslim-Filipinos want to separate from us because among other things we still subscribe to those unfounded Moro stories and Muslim jokes.

7. Proud Mindanaons Says:
   December 30th, 2007 at 2:59 pm

   Like you guys, i came from Mindanao, raised to speak Visayan language. I am glad to know that there are people from Mindanao and Visayas are fighting for this issue. It’s true that some or most of the Tagalog speaking people often discrimate Visayan speaking people, specially our accent. I’ve known some of them. I agree with Proud Cebuano’s point if view. For me, its better to separate Mindanao-Visayas area from Luzon area.

   At present I am in UAE. In my own observation, there are lots of bisaya people than tagalog people here. That only means, we are successful than the tagalog once, hehehe. They dont know that mas dghan professionals sa mga bisaya. People from Visayas and Mindanao are live decently compared to Luzon Area, at least tayo, d nkatira sa squatters area, and we do have our own house and lot.

8. Alvin Earl Says:
   December 31st, 2007 at 2:00 am

   It is sad to note that the movie industry which purportedly claims to bring educative moments in the pursuit to entertain the public can be quite insensitive in this aspect. I join in the sentiments of those who feel that we are being wrongly depicted collectively as Visayans, as if there was something wrong with the way we speak and say things. Cebuanos and Ilonggos and their language(including intonations and accents)have been commonly employed by scripwriters to produce funny situations in their show but usually end up becoming derogatory. Yes, some may not be offended but a greater number who actually value their Ilonggo or Cebuano heritage would and should not stand as we are slowly being used as butts of jokes. Further fueling the notion of tagalog speakers that theirs is more superior, compared to those who speak it otherwise.
   And as a reaction to the one who said that, “its just a typical Filipino situation” do you not think that this “typical” filipino behaviour is quite bigoted and therefore is unacceptable. If we continue to just allow such small actions to continue, we also perpetuate the negative conotations and effect of such bigotry. Yes it maybe usual, but it does not mean it is right.
   I raise my hat to those people who really believe that such scathing bahaviour and insensitivity should be checked and rectified! Because I myself have been a victim to such regionalistic racism and bigotry, once they heared that I was Ilonggo, they started talking to me in such condescending manner not withstanding mimicking the “fake” accent. That was irritating! So do we allow this to continue? You bet, we are not going to take this sitting down.

9. noel s. villaflor Says:
   December 31st, 2007 at 4:49 pm

   What qualifies the dialog as a slur is the line “Parang Pinoy.” This strikes at the core of the issue: what constitutes “Pinoyness” or who dictates “Pinoyness”. Take out that line and the dialog will not rouse decades, if not centuries, of antipathy, particularly between the north and the south.

   I am Cebuano and am bombarded daily with Tagalog material in mass media, from advertisements to soap operas rife with derogatory remarks or innuendos involving probinsyanos such as the Bisaya. Take that shampoo commercial showing Kim Chiu as a ’syana, or Manilyn’s character in Marimar. I found these insulting, yet tolerable: not enough for me to post a comment in a forum. I believe many Bisayas felt the same way.

   I am not ignorant of the workings of fiction or cinema that depict real life. But the artist carries a huge responsibility. And this is where Jose Javier Reyes, an erstwhile respectable director, has failed. The novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez said on the artist’s maturity: “What happens is simply that your sense of responsibility increases. You begin to feel that now each word you write carries more weight, that it influences more people.”

   Apparently, the skilled director Reyes has failed to grasp this basic element in the artist’s growth. Instead of delivering a message, he has succeeded in further dividing a country already polarized by a gamut of differences.

   Yes, the movie depicts real life situations in the country, but the words came out flat out wrong in the most terrible of contexts. Filipinos already have a screwed up past that will forever raise questions about their identity: are we Cebuano first before Filipino, or the other way around? I believe the other regional groups feel the same way on Pinoyness. And it’s a painful, confusing quandary to be in.

   The tragedy is that this film has done nothing to alleviate the situation. Instead it has caused a public furor. What damage, what shame.

10. Proud Ilonggo Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 1:42 am

    Mr Caluza:

    Apparently, you don’t see the bigger picture!

    The creators of this movie were careless and insensitive to the issue of culture and diversity.

    It has nothing to do with self-confidence. It is about acceptance and respect, which obviously, these creators are lacking.

11. mindanaoan Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 3:04 am

    it would be interesting to watch this insensitive dorks make racist remarks against maranaos…

12. Pacman Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    Mr. Paul Laguza, going by your logic , the slur in that scene of Desperate Housewives against Filipino American Doctors is likewise not offensive? Filipino American Doctors just need to be self confident and not affected by it? I don’t think so. If you are really bisaya as you profess, have some backbone. We bisaya are known for our fighting spirit as shown by the best Filipino boxers of today who are bisaya.

13. Pacman Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    There are jokes that are in good taste and there are those in bad taste. Contrary to what others think, visayans have a good sense of humor and we are very fun loving people. But we also know when to take offense when a joke is in bad taste and we can be very nasty when we’re mad.

    This ethnic slur was not even meant to be a joke which makes it even more grave.

    Movies are suppose to promote understanding and to change society for the better by removing prejudice and discrimination. Hollywood has considerably changed the attitude of American society towards african americans by portraying the discrimination in the movies and the viewers thus sympathize with the protagonist and it can change society by removing deeply held prejudice and bias against people who are different. We can’t say that racial discrimination has been completely eliminated but Hollywood has made great strides with its movies in promoting understanding.

    Now , the trend in Hollywood movies is to promote better understanding of homosexuals and make people understand that they are also humans. Slowly, the negative attitude and bias of their society is being removed. In the US, it is taboo for anyone to say anything which is racially discriminatory or offensive and this says a lot about Hollywood’s role in transforming beliefs and attitudes.

    Here in the Philippines, we have brilliant scriptwriters and directors of the movie SSS who would not only like to sow further division but seek to promote the condescending attitude and deeply held prejudice and bias of tagalogs towards their visayan brethren.

    Mabuhay kayo producers of SSS , while Hollywood seeks to promote better understanding and peaceful co-existence between cultures you would rather promote and deepen the prejudice and bias that divides this Philippine nation. Ang galing ninyo, ibang klase talaga!!!!

14. Pacman Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    whats more is that some tagalogs are even blaming Senator Pimentel for raising the furor. Did it ever occur to them that the distinguished gentleman from Mindanao keeps in touch with his constituents in Mindanao and these people who were deeply offended were the ones who asked him to condemn the ethnic slur in public?

    It is bigotry at its worst. One blogger in another forum even suggested that bisaya are known as “katulong” and this is the truth. These outrageous statements simply show that there are real bigots within the tagalog community who relish that scene in the movie. If ABS CBN does not tolerate bigotry or is not a party to it , it should issue an apology or make amends for that grave deed. We should not take this sitting down, boycott ABS CBN if it refuses to act.

15. Toto Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    Mr. Jose Javier Reyes , the scriptwriter and director, is very irresponsible with this film and public comments. He should understand that works of ” art” ( more like works of bigotry) like this can fuel hatred and spawn violence and it reveals the most glaring indicator of a true bigot: Totally unremorseful and indifferent.

16. Pacman Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    To my fellow bisaya proud ilonggo and proud mindanaoan, lets start a chain e-mail letter and send it to all bisaya so that we can unify our visayan brothers and sisters and compel ABS CBN to issue an apology and delete the offensive scene.

17. keith bacongco Says:
    January 1st, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    those bartards, the producers, are even damn proud of their movie as it topped the MMFF. the hell they care if they hurt WE VISAYANS as long as they’d rake profits out of their stupid movie.

    as pacman suggests, let’s start a chain letter now. repost all related articles in our blogs to spread the bad news.

    sobrang bilib lang talaga sa sarili ang ABS-CBN e. tingnan nyo, pati survey SS na rin

18. Pacman Says:
    January 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 am

    Lets do it bai!! If we all do a little, we can do a lot. Wherever bigotry shows its ugly head we must cut it off. (figurative only). The indifference of ABS CBN only shows its silent acquiescence to this work of bigotry. Evil men and bigots fluorish because good men do nothing.

    Bisaya are a very patient lot. But ABS CBN should heed Rizal’s warning ” BEWARE the fury of a patient man!!”

19. Bisaya in Seatle Says:
    January 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 am

    These are the kind of words and attitude of the Tagalogs that I hated for a long time. I was born in Cebu and partly grew up in the States. I have always talked to my bisaya friends that it is time to secede from the north. We can create a better republic than the people of the river. We have been turning our heads and ignore the insults for a long time. It is time for us to claim ourselves ”
    Bisaya” rather than Filipino. Bisaya predates the foriegn supported term “Filipino”.

20. Pacman Says:
    January 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am

    I’m not surprised its raking in the profits. All the tagalogs will naturally patronize this film as it celebrates the hate, prejudice and ridicule they have heaped on visayans for decades. The trailer of the film might as well say ” watch a movie which celebrates tagalog superiority and watch us get away with rubbing it in on the visayans.” Don’t you think this will naturally appeal to the bigot instincts of most tagalogs.

21. bruno Says:
    January 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 am

    I am a Bulakenyo and I feel disappointed that some of our society makes insulting remarks to other ethic denomination. In fairness to the Tagalogs, we feel the same way somehow when we encounter top Visayan people.

    I find the statement in the movie insulting and the producers should apologies for degrading Bisaya’s.

    I believe that we are equally Filipinos. Educators should mold their students towards to right attitude regarding this matter.

    Pinoy tayo guys. Increase Peace.

22. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 2nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm

    Please do start a chain letter or email forward, whatever it’s called, regarding this issue. This is Information Technology paving the way for democratized access to mass media through the Internet.

    I still remember those days in the 1980s when we get to view shows from Manila one week late. Oh how we loved Manila showbiz products then. But now, every significant thing around the globe is accessible 24/7, even in real time, anywhere, everywhere. Exposed now to different cultures, finally we realized our world does not revolve around the National Capital. We get the same level and quality of information even if we’re living hours away from the city. So, the hell with movies like Sakal Sakali Saklolo. I support Filipino movies but only those really good ones. I don’t care if the movie industry here goes bankrupt if that means all those bankrupt ideas of movie writers and producers like Jose Javier Reyes goes down the drain. Here in Cebu, Bisaya rock or Bisrock is more popular than OPM. Hopefully this will become true for our own local (independent) movie industry. National newspapers are no match in sales to our local newspapers. In globalization, the market choices are so many. So we will not lose anything from ignoring bad Manila media products like Sakal Sakali Saklolo. (There are many good ones, to be fair.)

    To all Filipinos in the different regions, be proud of your local heritage. Never be ashamed of or feel inferior about your origins. Do what we Cebuanos do, sing our national anthem in Bisaya because we can feel the lyrics more in our own language. Most of us Cebuanos never speak (or are not really fond of speaking) Tagalog unless it’s necessary (like when we’re in Manila or we’re talking to Tagalogs). Do what the Boholanos do, they have their own regional anthem. It is only by celebrating our diversity that we can achieve unity.

    Just a reminder guys, we all want to promote unity among brother and sister Filipinos here and expose the centuries-long prejudice prevalent in our society, so let’s stick to condemning the action and not resort to name-calling or “racist” counter-remarks. I understand them though given the blatant bigotry and insensitivity of the ABS-CBN movie producers/directors/writers.

23. aj bazooka Says:
    January 5th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    to my visayan brethren, here are some kind words from tagalog posters in other forums.

    .

    ” sino ba kayo para manghingi ng apology? masyado namang arogante… Di naman lahat ng Visaya ganito ang sentiments.. dito lng sa Blog na ito may mga bisayang galit.. but anyways, let me ask u something… bakit minsan kapag baduy kayo o kaya pag pangit suot mo o gupit mo ang sinasabi “mukha kang bisaya” o kaya “ang pangit ng gupit ko pang bisya” .just a thought.”

    from poster mamerta meklat.

    here is another post from maria malibog.

    “Nakuh umulan ng mga bisaya ang blog na to! para silang pinutulan ng dila nilang matigas. Kaming mga taga Quezon at may punto din pero di kami binabastos katulad ng mga bisaya. Kasi siguro alam nyo naman na disente kaming kumilos at may class kaming manamit…Di katulad ng mga bisaya ang favorite color nila ay orange and green…then lagi pa silang naka rubber shoes kahit naka slacks. yung mga babae naman karamihan sa kanila naka mini skirt with matching stocking then ang ternong pang itaas ay T shirt na galing sa mga give-aways. Yung mga lalaki naman laging naka maong na Jacket kahit tag init. And mostly sa kanila Pango at malalapad ang bibig.
    Ang napapansin ko karamihan sa mga bisayang umaarteng sosyal ayaw nilang patawag na bisaya sila…umiinit ang ulo nila kapag tinawag mo silang bisaya..gusto nila cebuano..di ba sino ang dapat sisihin kung minamaliit ang mga bisaya di ba sila sila din?”

    - from maria malibog (http://ricojr.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/pimentel-slams-ethnic-slur-in-sakal-sakali-saklolo/)

24. aj bazooka Says:
    January 5th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

    And this post reflects the sad and disgusting reality about the condescending attitude of tagalogs.

    “sana ung mga bisaya wag masyado wag masayado mga arogante.. akala mo kung sino… the fact is mababa talaga ang tingin sa inyo sa lipunan.. kaya nga ang aming sterotypes na bisaya.. hindi ko alam kung bakit galit na galit kayo sa akin eh wala naman akong sinasabing imbento.. halos patayin nyo na sa sobrang galit nyo.. kahit pagmumurahin nyo ako the fact stil remains na katulong is synonymous to ” inday”. pag baduy ka at pangit ka mukhang kang bisaya. di ba ung iba nga nagagalit pagsinasabing mukha silang bisaya kasi nga negative ang ibig sabihin nun..malibog is right to say na merong ibang bisaya na ayaw pa classify na bisaya sila.. bakit kaya? its also a well known fact na nag-aaral kayo ng tagalog while ang mga tagalog hindi kailangan mag aral ng bisaya. di ba? hindi ito bashing .. facts ito. kung babasahin nyo lahat ng comment ng mga bisaya dito puro non sense.. walang alam kung di ang mang away. tapos mag mamalaki kayo na dapat di mababa ang tingin sa inyo.. para kayong mga negro. galit na galit sila pag mababa ang tingin sa kanila pero napaka violente nila at akala mo laging inaapi tulad ng mga bisaya na nag co-comment dito. bakit ba di nyo matanggap na compared to tagalogs ur merely 2nd class citizens..

    The truth hurts” - POST from mamerta meklat-

    ( http://ricojr.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/pimentel-slams-ethnic-slur-in-sakal-sakali-saklolo)

25. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 6th, 2008 at 2:22 am

    It’s tempting to get pissed off noh? But let them be, it doesn’t even deserve a reasoned rebuttal. It does not change in any way how I see and should see Tagalogs or any other Filipino regional grouping. Mamerta Meklat and Maria Malibog are a shame to their fellow Tagalogs.

26. aj bazooka Says:
    January 6th, 2008 at 9:41 am

    you would be surprised to find out how considering the level of education and literacy in the tagalog community as a whole, they constitute the general rule rather than the exception. This prejudice and bias is indeeed something deeply entrenched.

27. aj bazooka Says:
    January 6th, 2008 at 11:01 am

    “To discriminate always generates hate.” - Black eyed peas (where is the love)-

    ” It creates useless hatred in the country.” - Senator Pimentel-

    ” Magpahinga na lang si Senator Pimentel. The country has more important problems to address.” - Jose Javier Reyes-

    And some tagalogs even had the temerity to attack Senator Pimentel. What a pity.

28. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 6th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    Let’s just put it this way. For decades our country has been ruled from the center, mostly by Tagalogs, not by their own choice perhaps but by circumstances brought about by colonization. For those decades we faltered as a nation, overtaken by our Asian neighbors. One of the factors that caused this slide aside from our semi-feudal and semi-colonial set-up was our reliance on the center and the concomitant “imperialistic” and “pretentious” “pa-class” and backward attitude of those in the capital.

    By a single piece of legislation authored by Sen. Pimentel, the Local Government Code, and by a few practical examples by such key non-NCR areas like Cebu, Davao and Iloilo, the provinces are slowly emerging as a potent force in charting the country’s course. This is facilitated by Information Technology.

    When Cebu hosted the ASEAN Summit, many in Metro Manila were thinking that the money built for the Cebu International Convention Center came from national coffers. No it didn’t. It came from the Cebu Provincial government budget, and that facility is earning income for the province. With Cebu, Iloilo and Davao’s dynamic economic growth, whatever happened to the taxes we have so much contributed to the national coffers? Whenever I’m in Manila, I feel a sense of disgust of how poorly planned the mega city is (though MMDA’s Bayani Fernando is doing a good job as manager) with all those national money being poured to gazillions of flyovers left and right. None among the sosyal, rich bright boys and girls in the national capital ever thought of or had the political will to simply redistribute the cramped populace of Metro Manila to the province nearby like Bulacan, Cavite, Pangasinan, Pampanga through a fast mass transportation system just like the set-up in other countries. Where have all those large foreign loans we are now all paying (for interest alone) gone?

    I’m not saying we probinsyanos are doing all the right things. It’s hard to be NCR, but that always will be it because it’s where much of our national coffers go and we, as a country, expect a lot from our capital, that city which represents our image as a country. But it’s about time Metro Manilans and Tagalogs shed off this centuries-old prejudice and realize that the Philippines is not just Manila or Luzon and that, maybe if they care to travel and explore, the quality of our lives in the provinces are much better off.

    Cebu is slated to build a trans-axial highway system that will traverse the mountains of Cebu and connect East Cebu to West Cebu, facilitate trade and movement of agricultural and manufacturing products. Not a penny will come from the national coffers. The city is expected to earn billions and generate employment from a reclamation project funded by a loan from Japan and that can easily be repaid either by the income from the project or the value of the property as a collateral.

    If there is too much political noise in the capital, we in Cebu simply ignore it. We remain and always be independent and federalist in our hearts because we know that’s what is good not just for us but for the entire country.

    The curtains of Manila’s glory days as a national capital are closing. Thailand has its Chiang-mai, Indonesia it’s Bali, Malaysia it’s Penang, Japan it’s Kyoto. What can the Philippines show aside from Manila? None because for years we have poured much of our energy and resources to this dirty, polluted, over-budgeted city that really could not show off anything worth one’s travel budget aside from its big malls and its being a national capital. It’s time we look beyond Tagalog-land!

29. Schutzenpanzwerswagen Says:
    January 7th, 2008 at 11:32 pm

    We must seccede from the republic of the philippines! If the visayas and mindanao form a separate state, at least we can free ourselves from this oppression by our fellow malay brethren!

    Do the tagalogs know who own ABS-CBN, Maynilad Water, Meralco and Rockwell? the Lopezes of course! And they are from iloilo! And where is iloilo? In western visayas!

    Who owns the Araneta center? the Roxases and the Aranetas of course! and where do they come from? Capiz! Where is Capiz? In Western Visayas!

    Where does Lucy Torres come from? From Leyte! Where is Leyte? In Eastern Visayas! Is she ugly, pango nosed, wide lipped and dark? no! instead, she looks more like a castillian! as do many other women from Leyte and Bacolod!

    Where is Boracay, Mactan, Malapascua and Panglao located? In the visayas of course!

    If we seccede, then the tagalogs would need to have a passport and visa to go to their beloved ‘bora’! Haha!

    The economies of the southern cities like cebu, Davao, cagayan de oro, Iloilo, Bacolod and Dumaguete contribute to a great amount to the Republic but the manila based government does not care about the afore-mentioned!

    The non tagalogs, including the ilocanos, bicolanos and palawanons are severely discriminated against!

    This discrimination is can be found in the media, the government, education, health care and infrastructure!

    We must therefore form a separate state! We must also aid the muslims in their quest for a homeland, after all they are the first to demand freedom from the oppression of the tagalogs!

    Secession! Secession! Secession!

30. laya Says:
    January 8th, 2008 at 11:31 am

    Lakas naman nilang mang-asar! Eh lahat naman sila fan ni Pacquiao! At ano ba si Pacquiao? Di ba Bisaya din? The truth is, if Visayas and Mindanao seceded from the Philippines, Luzon would wither and stagnate. We have more resources than they have (not to mention hindi binabagyo ang Mindanao). Nasa kanila lang ang “National Capital” kaya akala nila hawak na nila ang buong Pilipinas. And not to mention they know only Tagalog and English. Sabagay hindi nila tayo mapag-usapan ng patago kasi naiintindihan natin ang Tagalog, kaya tayo iniinsulto ng harap-harapan! Eh sila kayang-kaya natin ibenta, hahaha… Sayang, dami pa naman fans nina Juday at Ryan sa Vismin… yun pa naman ang dahilan kaya malakas ang channel 2 dun!

31. bruno Says:
    January 8th, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Well, I guess to separate is not the best solution. Though I am a Tagalog (born and raised in Bulacan), I understand your points. Maybe we Tagalogs inherited the “MATA POBRE” attitude of the Spaniards. But in history (Specially pre-Spanish era.) we are not that arrogant.

    Maybe putting Cebu City as the National Capital Region could lessen up our gap. I personally support this idea.

    Masyado ng maraming magulong tao na nagpuntahan sa Metro Manila na di mo malaman kung ano ang gusto nila.

    Though Metro Manila is a stable business capital (Just like New York City of the US) but no longer suitable (I think) to become the nations capital. While Cebu can act like the Philippine version of Washington DC.

    It will be a great disaster if you will separate. Many Visayans and Muslims already living in the North and it will be a havoc in segregation of people. Specially on those with mixed ethnic background.

    Peace and Unity is the only solution. since the Philippines (as a whole) is a very wonderful place.

    But if you still wish to separate, its up to you. We Tagalogs can move on.

    Increase Peace.

32. kartunista Says:
    January 8th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    ako naman ay isang bikolano.

    di ko pa napapanood ang pelikula kaya’t ibabatay ko lang ang opinyon ko sa mga nabasa kong post ninyo.

    1. napansin ko lang. ang set-up yata ng movie ay sa isang lugar sa luzon, right? so… normal lang na ganun ang maging daloy ng palitan ng dayalog ng mga naturang karakter.

    2. yung dayalog mismo. hindi yun anti-visayan. alam nyo ba kung ano ang nire-reflect nun? ang kawalan ng sapat na kaalaman ng ilan nating kababayan. sa kasalukuyan kasi, ipinagkakamali ng mga gumagamit ng filipino, na ang sinasalita nila (lalo na ang ilang mga nasa luzon, pati na rin ang mga nasa bisaya at mindanaw) ay tagalog. samantalang ang tagalog ay maririnig na lang sa ilang lugar ng southern luzon at central luzon. may iba-ibang tono pa yan.

    kaya ang nangyari, nabuhay ang napakatagal nang debate hinggil sa kung ano dapat ang maging pambansang wika natin. pinalabo pa ito ng ilang rehiyonal na diskriminasyong lumitaw lang naman nung umusbong na ang tradisyunal na politika sa bansa.

    pansin nyo naman sigurong walang ganitong problema noong panahon ng rebolusyon. manipestasyon nito ang pagkakabuo ng KKK bilang isang pambansang kilusan, ganundin sa pagkakatatag ng HUKBALAHAP.

    isang titis lang ang isyung ito sa paningin ni pimentel, na hinipan niya at pinag-baga. hindi ba dapat e, sa halip na maglabasan tayo ng kani-kaniyang reserbasyon e, hingan muna natin ng paliwanag si pimentel kung bakit niya nasabi ang ganung pahayag niya? kung alam ba niya ang pagkakaiba ng tagalog sa filipino? kung naghahanap lang siya ng politikal na butas na naman para mapag-usapan? o baka gusto niyang maki-ride on sa debate para magsilbing behikulo na naman niya sa kanyang politikal na balakin?

    3. hanggang kelan na lang ba tayo papayag na paikutin ng mga politikong ito?

33. I am a Bisaya from Chocolate Hills Says:
    January 8th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Movies play a big role in making this society a better and peaceful place. Even if some people are not hurt with this issue but many are! Who are this people? Filipinos who watched your movies and who can add to your income. Sayang! I have plans to watched this movie pa naman pero I’ll just watched a foreign movie atleast they have a better quality and taste compared to Filipino movies.

    Mr director of SSS hindi sayang sa oras ang pagreklamo sa ginawa mong film na may discrimination. Atleast you can hear and read our feelings. Sayang ang pera sa mga hindi na manonood or bibili ng dvd/cd sa movie mo dahil sa linya mong hindi mo pinag-iisipan. Your just making movies sa gusto mo without thinking of your RESPONSIBILITY sa mga viewers.

34. noname20 Says:
    January 8th, 2008 at 7:07 pm

    i think being a Visayan(Bisaya) is not a question of being real Filipino,wither your a Tagalog,Visayan,Illongo,or whatever Philippine Language you are using as long as you have the Filipino Blood flowing on your veins then you have to be pround being a Filipino..

35. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 9th, 2008 at 1:58 am

    You have a good point Kartunista. We need to treat this issue in a larger context. We’re all Filipinos, and must remain Filipinos. But still, if there is an opportunity like this where I could point out regional discrimination or prejudices to fellow Filipinos, I would. Trivial may be to some, but it’s an important step to address much bigger issues that we as a country must resolve. Movies, TV shows that mock Bisaya (in certain degree of exaggeration like those hard-tongued helpers) or use it as a humor element, while trying to depict that so-called reality are actually off-tangent if the purpose is simply to depict that so-called reality. What’s the point? It’s just really to mock and reveal prejudice or insecurity and stops at that point.

    Cebuanos were also guilty of that to some degree in relation to brother Boholanos. Bohol jokes used to be prevalent, until it was pointed to many of us that the origin of those Bohol jokes can be traced to jealous Spanish friars who detested Bohol independence under Dagohoy and couldn’t do anything except mock the Boholanos in their homilies. Now you rarely hear those jokes anymore. We have to stand up for something if we want change. And with such movies like SSS, now we’re standing up.

36. igme Says:
    January 9th, 2008 at 5:06 am

    Yup I agree with kartunista (about tono ng tagalog from different provinces). If you remember Bert “Tawa” Marcelo, his tagalog accent is from Nothern Bulacan. He often portrays dumb roles in the movies using that diction. But no one from Bulacan stood up to protest his wits. Mainly because, he is very funny and they don’t feel offended.

    Another one is Leo Martinez, he impersonates a Batangenyo Congressman (Using Batangas diction). And yet, people from Batangas dont feel disturbed about it.

    Entertainment here in Manila finds impersonation a joke and does not take it seriuosly, even former President Joseph Estrada. So hopefully if some Visayan accent are being impersonated as a joke, its just a joke.

    But I agree with some people here regarding the movie, I don’t find the statement “Speak to the kid in Tagalog. Parang Pinoy (Speaking to a bisaya)” a joke. Its a none ethical ethnic war. The makers of this film should delete this part.

37. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 9th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Perhaps it’s the context by which the joke or humor is situated. If people don’t get offended, then that’s fine. If they do, the other party must be sensitive next time. If we don’t care, that’s the start of a conflict.

    This is a challenge to Jose Javier Reyes, come to Cebu and lead your actors to deliver those same lines in a live performance. If you can do that without fear of being lynched, then I will believe you Mr. Reyes that those parts in your script doesn’t deserve a bit of our attention.

38. Dr. Marium Says:
    January 10th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

    When I saw and heard the slur during the movie, I was deeply hurt! How could they be so insensitive? Here again is a case of Tagalog speaking people exerting their “superiority complex” over the Visayans and other non-Tagalog speakers! I hope somebody could start a mass boycott of the movie, and let ABS-CBN issue a public apology over their channels, the way they do their declaration of “righteousness” on the AGB Nielsen controversy against GMA. I hope that the Cinemas in Visayas and Mindanao will stop showing the film! BOYCOTT!

39. Kagay-anon Says:
    January 10th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    The Director of the movie should apologize else boycott the movie!

    I shall tag the director as an arrogant fool who thinks that Senator Pimentel should focus on solving other more serious issues of the Philippines rather than comment on the flawed movie. Senator Pimentel is simply being pro-active since the racist line in the movie can cause problems between races in the Philippines.

    The flawed statement can have an impact on the peace talks as our Government is trying to end the rebellion in Mindanao. They should remember that the Bisaya Dialect is used by people in the Visayas and in the Mindanao.

    Yes the Tagalong speaking who are exerting their “Superiority Complex” are simply afraid that their weak personalities would be outclassed by their Bisaya speaking counterparts.

    To all Bisaya! I-BOYCOTT ANG MGA SALIDA SA SINE SA ABS-CBN!

40. Joseph Vincent Libot Says:
    January 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    Based on the reactions of most Tagalogs on the commentary of Senetor Pimentel and the silence of ABS-CBN to put it in the news, i can say that the people in Manila are insensitive about racial issues. So sad that ABS-CBN never learned the lesson shown to them by Big Brother Slovenia when a housemate was punished by delivering jokes about Bruce skin tone. When the Desperate Housewives issue erupted ABS-CBN was the first to air it on national TV, but now they play silent on it, never put in it in news, never even mentioned it.

41. kartunista Says:
    January 11th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

    para sa mga nagbibitbit ng isyu ng rasismo, paalala lang po, walang racial discrimination dito dahil galing tayo sa iisang race (pinoy race).

    maging responsable po tayo sa pagpapahayag. dahil malaking pambabastos na yan sa kalayaan nating magpahayag.

    tentsu!

42. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 12th, 2008 at 11:22 pm

    You have a point Kartunista. But it actually depends on the context of how you use the word “racist” or “racism”. Racism can also refer to discriminatory attitudes based on ancestry or cultural and regional origin, as opposed to national origin.

    If a regional group for example has the tendency to believe that they are more superior to others, that smacks of racism.

    Racism is also defined as the “inability or refusal to recognize the rights, needs, dignity, or value of people of particular races or geographical origins.” In that sense there are what we call local racism, ethnic racism, interminority racism, etc.

    Also, “racial discrimination is treating people differently through a process of social division into categories not necessarily related to “race”.”

    But you’re right, so as not to confuse people, siguro the more appropriate term is “regional intolerance” or “regional discrimination.” In any case, I know we both are against those things and must strive to unite as one nation.

43. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 12th, 2008 at 11:31 pm

    To Kartunista: I saw in your blog Indie Print that you have this book on Pinakatagong Lihim ng Simbahan. I’d like to buy a copy. Please email me payment details at sitiocity@gmail.com. Thanks.

    Sorry guys I have to post this request here.

44. Love Freedom Says:
    January 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    GMA may post their issue everynow and then but htey just twist things to let the telleviewer of their channels.

45. igme Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    Sorry if this is out of topic.

    I am aware on how abs manipulate the cable ratings. GMA followed the rule of law and did not use “trial by publicity” technique. dinemanda nila ang abs para nasa amang lugar.

    what abs is doing right now is very obvious, its a demolition job. they can’t win the ratings in Luzon so they made some dirty tactics in Visayas.

    anyway, history can tell us whom is the real cheater. DTI already filed charges against the gameshow wowowee for alleged cheating (based on the 2nd video, the practice thing).

    Its sad that this show already killed helpless people and yet still on air with many controversies.

    I may not be a GMA fanatic but I will prefer GMA than abs. Their news is more credible and not bias.

    until now abs still has not made any apologies to the bisaya with regards to the “Sakal Sakali Saklolo” issue.

46. concern citizen Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    heller…OA ra kaayo mu ui. maybe people who’ll read this topic about boycot thing of SSS will think that visayan are high-pride people. gnapadako ra ninyo ang mga butang. and duh…GMA, look at their chanel, Qtv is more better. they just wanna make money to have funds again. care not actually, coz’ you are not gonna be benefited if anyone of the two wins the case. ang GMA ug ABS-CBN ra ang mg datu ana….

47. igme Says:
    January 17th, 2008 at 4:38 am

    hehehe, what a wisdom, mr/mrs/ms concern citizen. anyway, I respect your opinion.

48. Love Freedom Says:
    January 17th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    let cooperate na lng to make a better world. lets just problem our own problem.

49. baganga Says:
    January 17th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

    haler,,,GMA will do evrything mapadown lang nila ang ABS-CBN..kahit yong maliliit na bagay pinapansin nila..they are just over reacting..sa 22o lang naman talaga pangit man talaga ang GMA..hehe..wawa nyo naman la ng nagawtch sa inyo…bwahaha…:)

50. Kartunista Says:
    January 17th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    To Proud Cebuano:

    Paumanhin tol, di ko na napalitan yung bahagi nung post ko sa blog hinggil sa presyo.

    Pinost ko kasi yun nung mga panahaong inaakala ko na mapapayagan nila akong magbenta nun.

    Hindi pala.

    Church document kasi yun kaya ang bentahan nila ay sa loob lang ng organisasyon ng simbahan sa mga komunidad.

    Ang presyo nito dun sa mismong Archdiocese na nagpagawa sa akin ay P20. Kaya kung may kilala ka dun sa Iloilo eh pwedeng sya na lang pakisuyuan mo na siyang bumli ng kopya sa Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC).

    Try mo rin magtanong muna sa Social Action Center ng ng Simbahang Katoliko dyan sa inyong lugar at baka meron na silang kopya dyan.

    Maraming salamat!

51. igme Says:
    January 18th, 2008 at 5:31 am

    well mr/mrs/ms baganga, continue patronizing abs-cbn then.

    i hope you will gain something good

    good day to all of you!

52. concern citizen Says:
    January 18th, 2008 at 11:03 am

    maybe patronizing is kinda strong word to describe mr/mrs/ms baganga’s feeling, igme.

53. igme Says:
    January 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

    yeah maybe he/she is so sensitive, oh well…..

    I am sorry.

    

54. Kartunista Says:
    January 18th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    pauamnhin ulit sa lahat.

    gusto ko lang ibalita sa inyo na

    Lumabas na po ang write-up ng UCANews hinggil sa Editorial CARTOONS ATBP Mag at Brgy RP Komix.

    Here’s the link to UCANews story about our Komix and the Editorial CARTOONS (The one being described at the lead paragraph is the cover of the 7th issue of the Mag)

    http://www.ucanews.com/html/ucan/f_dishpatch.asp?title=%20%20Church%20Turns%20To%20Comics%20To%20Teach%20Catholic%20Social%20Concerns&ucalang=English_../news_report/english/2008/01/w3/thu/PV04247Rg.txt

    Open pa rin ang aming Collectors Promo.

    Salamat po!

55. Proud Cebuano Says:
    January 18th, 2008 at 11:24 pm

    Salamat Katunista! I’ll try to get a copy through some friends in Iloilo, maybe sa mga CEGP alumni na kakilala ko. I’m Roman Catholic and in the stage of reassessing through a critical lens my own religion, so the book caught my attention.

    Regarding this TV network war, lahi-lahi (kanya kanya) ang version of the truth, depends on the TV station. Though I find GMA more credible, I wouldn’t take either network’s version hook, line and sinker. I just switch channels whenever they hit at each other in between shows or in their news programs. I usually watch TV for entertainment, not for controversies or serious issues.

56. David C. Martinez Says:
    January 19th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Bisaya who don’t feel offended by this needless, arrogant slur are no longer Bisaya. They’ve become Tagalog wannabes.

    David
    davidcmartinez@sbcglobal.net

57. Im not a filipino im a CEBUANO Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    id say we make our own republic THE VISAYAS /MINDANAO REPUBLIC to settle this once and for all problem solve !!

    VISAYAS/MINDANAO REPUBLIC !!

58. kartunista Says:
    January 31st, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    To proud Cebuano,

    Hehehe. Well, in my own experience, we only need to do what is right. Kahit saan ka mapunta, kahit anong religious group ang makaharap natin, basta makatarungan at wasto ang ating ginagawa, tanggap nila tayo.

    Ganun din sa ating individuality. Matatanggap natin ang ating sarili kung fully aware tayo na nasa katarungan at nasa wasto tayo nakatindig.

    Para sa mga nananawagan ng Visayas/Mindanao Republic, dont be such a child. Your not helping guys.

    Simpleng solusyon lang dyan is to learn others tongue in order for us to understand each other. di naman kelangan na magtukoy ng isang salita lang para sabihing isa na tayo.

    kasi, may mga cebuano, ilonggo, bikolano at taga-mindanao namang gago eh. di naman pinakyaw nang lahat ng tagalog lahat ng kagagauhan eh.

    salita lang yun. regular na nating ginagawang biruan ang mga pagkakaiba ng ating mga salita sa loob ng ating tahanan, barkadahan at komunidad. so, ano ang bago? naparating na natin ang mensahe sa mga tao ng SSS, tapos na.

    halong!

59. igme Says:
    January 31st, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    Korek,

    I am not an anti-Visayan because I have numbers of Visayan friends and I enjoyed their company. Medyo nakakairita lang ng konti yung ibang Bisaya na sagad hanggang buto ang galit sa amin.

    FYI lang, hindi Tagalog ang Pangulo natin ngayon. Si Erap ang last pure Tagalog na Presidente natin and 2 years lang syang nanungkulan. Maraming key positions sa gobyerno ngayon na hinahawakan ng mga Bisaya. Lately, si Hon. Hilario Davide na Cebuano ang Cheif Justice natin bago sya nagretire whom is now our Philippine representative to the UN. There are numbers of Visayan and Mindanaoan are in the Senate. We equally have fair share in the congress. And we are ruled by 3 Visayan Presidents so far.

    So if discrimination exists, sa ibang local community lang yon, wherein kami din nararanasan din namin sa ibang Bisaya.

    So Bai how would your “owned” republic help? Kalat kalat na tayo dito, pati ang mga properties. Papaano yung ibang bisaya na pumunta rito sa Manila, hoping that greener pastures are here pero naging squatter, sino kukupkop doon? Marami rin sila.

    Kasalanan ba namin na ipinanganak kami na ang National Language eh based on Tagalog? I guess that goes to your advantage. Ang alam ko lang na language is Filipino and English. Igsuon lang ang ang Cebuano word na alam ko. Kayong naman, alam ninyo ang wika namin. But if some of us makes fun of your diction, I believe that you have nothing to be ashamed of, because Tagalog is not your native tongue. But I also consider that some jokes should have some limitations.

    This issues of stereotypes can easily be resolved. Next election, ask your congressman to create a bill that will somehow demolish ethnic discrimination that would be fair to all of us. I think that is the most civilized way to tackle this than to create hate to each other.

60. netteprince Says:
    February 13th, 2008 at 2:32 am

    half of my family is bisaya already (in-laws, etc) and i have a lots of bisaya friends.. aside from working with a bisaya boss fully equipped with bisaya staff..

    all those who have seen this movie wasn’t bothered by any of what you mentioned at all.. i guess, for them it’s just like hearing other’s say Kuripot yan Ilokano kasi.. or ka Pampangan.. Batangueno..

    we’re people from hundred islands.. we have our differences.. but we are all Filipinos.. and what makes Filipino survive in any part of the world.. it’s because Filipinos have this really great sense of humor.. kaya kahit saang lupalop tayo ibato ng tadhana.. nkaka survive tayo..

    Marami tayong dapat ipaglaban sa mundong ito.. i just hope and pray na sana wag masyadong ma drain ang energy nyo sa labanang eto kse pare-pareho lang tayong matatalo..

    Maturity? Siguro para sa akin..it’s choosing my battles.. wlang pagkakataon na kinakailangang magsukatan ng galing ang kahit sino..

    Pantay pantay lang po tayo.. typical na pango ang pinoy.. swerte lang ako nalahian ako ng Kastila.. pero ang mata ko intsik.. kaya kung siniswerte ka.. hindi purong pinoy ang lahi mo.. kaya sana wag hamakin ang pango kasi pango nman raw talga ang Pilipino..

    Pangit? Asus.. beauty is in the eyes of the beholder d b? kahit anong ganda mo kung burak ang kalooban mo, wla akong gandang maaaninag sa iyo..

    PEACE!

61. edu Says:
    February 13th, 2008 at 5:02 am

    Mayroon kayong Lopez, Roxas, Osmena, Pacquiao, etc. Kapag na-offend kayo sa ethnic jokes o slur, you admit that you are the inferior. If I have my millions and someone calls me pobre, would I mind?

    Iyan din ang comment ko sa mga blacks. They always cry racism as if they are inferior when they have the best players in sports and now may have a US president of their own color.

62. black_perilous_feather Says:
    April 16th, 2008 at 11:17 pm

    hindi naman lahat ng bisaya pango…may magaganda naman at pogi…..hindi naman lahat tagalog ay magaganda….may pangit din….magalang po ang bisaya…gentle men kung baga…heheehehe…

63. black_perilous_feather Says:
    April 16th, 2008 at 11:21 pm

    anu ba meron sa Sakal Sakali Saklolo? hindi ko pa kasi na panood yan…

64. silentguy Says:
    April 16th, 2008 at 11:26 pm

    kahit maganda ka man o pangit tao parin tayong lahat…..may katapusin rin….

65. My Blog » Blog Archive » WILL YOU GUYS WATCH THE MOVIE SAKAL SAKALI SAKLOLO? Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:50 am

    [...] Visayans Unite! (Or Why They Should Boycott ‘Sakal Sakali Saklolo’) [...]

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