“Enough with the blabbering, you unscrupulous scoundrel! I have findings that you have not provided us with a 20 sq m warehouse, rather a smaller one, at only 18.4 sq m. I have surveyed by pacing the lot use of this theodolite and that stadia rod erected by my Rodman,” came one of Inday’s remarks to a real estate agent when her amo consulted her about a real state offer
“These jokes are reflective of the long-standing low regard for our domestic workers. While humor is appreciated once in a while, we must realize that it can also be an insidious medium for normalizing certain negative stereotypes,” said Mr Rolando Pacis, Visayas Forum Foundation deputy executive director.
“Is it really unusual and amazing when domestic workers are [portrayed as] smart in jokes? Is there a presupposition that they are ignorant? Are maids that inconsequential and incapable of any intelligent discussion?” Mr Pacis added.
Some may be pleased with these jokes, but others find nothing amusing in them.
“Are we amazed that there is a Filipino maid who speaks English? Filipinos excel in jobs, such as call center agents, domestic helpers, caregivers, nurses, etc. What is wrong if we all try our mighty best to do that [well] in English?” a blogger said.
Ms Nenita “Ka Nitz” Gonzaga, Kilusang Mayo Uno vice president for women’s affairs, said that Inday is overqualified for her job. In fact, intelligent Filipino maids working abroad often incite anger in their married female employers who are jealous of them.
Even more so, Inday jokes have already proliferated in the Web. She has a blog at http://www.blogniinday.com.
Inday’s blog contains her “repository” and “assemblage” of “jokes,” which serves as her daily entries.
Her fans all over the world access her site. They agree, argue, adore, comment, and contribute on her posts.
