Actress sorry for brownface drama

Hong Kong-Canadian actress Franchesca Wong Yuen-wah has apologized for darkening her skin to play the role of a Filipina domestic helper in the TVB series Barrack O'Karma 1968.

This comes as local domestic workers groups will mark International Labour Day on May 1 by denouncing the broadcaster's alleged portrayal of helpers as "dark-skinned liars, seducers and witches" and complain to the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Breaking her silence a week after people criticized her "brownfaced" portrayal of a Filipina maid, Wong said she wanted to "sincerely apologize to all who have been negatively affected in any way by the seventh chapter, Jei Jei, of the Barrack O'Karma 1968 drama series and [her] role.

"I have learned through this incident that professionally trying my best to analyze, interpret and act a given role to fulfill the storyline is only part of the job.

"I genuinely have no intention to disrespect or racially discriminate against any ethnic group.

"Please forgive me for getting it wrong. It has been a challenging experience to be at the center of a lesson that art reflects deeply entrenched social attitudes."

The second season of the Hong Kong supernatural romantic drama series starring Joel Chan and Selena Lee as star-crossed lovers premiered on April 4 and has drawn polarized reactions after Wong appeared with unnatural dark skin while playing the role of Filipino domestic helper Louisa.

Philippine consul-general in Hong Kong Raly Tejada told The Standard he sent a letter to TVB's general manager on April 15 about the series.

"We made TVB understand that it is wrong to portray Filipino helpers in a negative light and that doing so perpetuates negative stereotypes, especially those that characterize the local derogatory slang bun mui," Tejada said, referring to offensive Cantonese slang about Filipinas.

Tejada accepted Wong's apology, saying: "Filipinos are known for compassion and kindness. Of course we forgive her. I also hope this episode is just a small bump in her young career."

A TVB spokesman said last week there was never an intention to show disrespect or to discriminate against anyone.

Sringatin of the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body said yesterday that the alliance of Filipino, Indonesian, Thai and Nepali workers will submit a complaint to the EOC as "the apology by the actress is not enough for us."

Sringatin added: "It is not a personal issue but the mainstream media already aired this series and it was watched by many people."

Shiela Bonifacio also of the AMCB and Gabriela HK said the series "unkindly portrays us migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong as dark-skinned liars, seducers and witches."

She said it was "insulting and prejudicial" to suggest helpers have psychological problems "because we chose to leave our children and parents behind to, ironically, look after elderly and children in Hong Kong."

Eni Lestari, head of the International Migrants Alliance, said the portrayal of the Filipina helper was "a form of sterotyping and racial profiling" that the drama "generates and cultivates racism" in Hong Kong.

EOC chair Ricky Chu Man-kin said last night the commission "hopes the public will avoid labeling and an across-the-board approach when discussing discrimination issues."

The EOC also said it has spoken out on many occasions about the discrimination against mainlanders in Hong Kong - a response to some media criticizing Chu for not doing enough to stop discrimination against mainlanders.