The problem is MORE than how limited Devina DeDiva's perception of Filipinos is. First off, I'm not going to defend her actions or her opinions. What she did was a douchebag move, and everyone knows it.
BUT, we shouldn't ignore the fact that our representation to the world of ourselves as people IS limited. There's nothing wrong with working as domestic helpers (but, please, can some people please stop dignifying it, like how it's a noble profession, how it's self-sacrificing, how it's the job to be proud of; it's not. It's menial labor that needs basic skills.), what's wrong is how OUR COUNTRY CAN'T OFFER MIGRANT WORKERS BETTER OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
When a good percentage of your citizens have to leave the country to do menial labor that doesn't even require certification, there's something wrong. It's not just the opportunity that's lacking, IT'S THE ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAT'S LACKING.
Forget tertiary education. Let's all accept the fact that getting through primary and secondary education is a struggle already.
What's bothering me is how TESDA offers a lot of trainings and certifications, but people are choosing to ignore them. Yes, it's vocational, but what's wrong with that? TESDA offers training and certifications that are recognised WORLDWIDE. These jobs may not be glamorous (like, say, being an English major writing as a fashion and lifestyle (or gossip and intrigue) blogger (what with all the freebies, and invitation to events and launches that offer free food)), but they pay big bucks, and they can lead to bigger opportunities.
So, yeah, a Filipino gets on Glee or on Ellen and we're all wetting our panties with Filipino pride. Someone points out that most of the Filipinos they know work as maids, and we're all up in arms, declaring war. Like either of those things really matter in the real world.
