Overseas Filipino workers who are nurses in the United States were a side topic during the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards because of a remark of one of its hosts.
Emmy Awards Host Michael Che made a joke to his co-host Colin Jost about the lack of representation of Filipinos on television.
‘As we all know, TV has always had a diversity problem. I mean, can you believe that they did 15 seasons of ER without one Filipino nurse? Have you been to a hospital?’ teased Che.
Many netizens were able to relate to the comedian’s remark. Here are a few of them:
That Filipino nurse joke in Michael Che and Colin Jost’s opening monologue for the #Emmys makes me a little more proud of our occupational stereotype
— deb (@littledebHEEHEE) September 18, 2018
That #Emmys bit from Jost and Che talking about the lack of Filipino nurses on ER gave me life forreal!
— Framos (@_francisr) September 18, 2018
I love the hosts made a joke about not having one Filipino nurse on E.R.! Of course when you think of nurses you think of Filipinos! ?#Emmys
— Christine (@christinejs18) September 18, 2018
Some netizens also pointed out how Filipinos are preferable employees because of their hard work and professionalism.
To me, Filipino nurses are 1 of the best professionals in the world, 1 of the most visible professionals in the American medical field, 1 of the most caring types of people I personally know. #Emmys pointed out the absence of a single Filipino nurse on TV! Great thing! #altercebu
— Sunny Vampirelo (@BloodyluvXOXO) September 19, 2018
Filipino nurses, doctors and caregivers provide competent healthcare services to the world, but lack recognition not only in Hollywood, but more importantly, by the govts of the countries they serve.#emmys https://t.co/fPUuLGJL3W
— Legalist (@junjijayme165) September 18, 2018
Another claimed that he had auditioned for the TV series but failed to snatch a role.
I’ve literally been telling that joke about Filipino nurses and ER since I auditioned for ER back in 1997#JustSayin#Emmys#FilipinoComics
— Erick ‘Miscellaneous Brown’ Esteban (@ErickEsteban) September 18, 2018
According to recorded data, 7,791 Filipinos have taken the nursing licensure exam in the US in 2017. It was also noted that no Filipino had to take the exam twice.
