I just stumble this and it’s been in my brother’s media box in Friendster since last year. He said that this commercial was running in the Spanish television for a year. I read some of the comments that a lot of Filipinos are offended by this but I think it was done in a good faith or the Filipino cast will not appear on this commercial.
The Madrid Subway system is one of the largest in the world. It is the best and cheapest way to get around the Greater Madrid. It only cost 1 euro for a single ticket inside the Zone A or the Madrid center an you can change trains while still inside the subway. So far I could say it is reasonably clean especially the new stations and they are in the process of renovating the old ones. The train schedules are very efficient unlike the danish train systems. It is cheaper to buy a 10 trips clip card it cost only 7.40 euros and they also have something for tourist me which is no limit rides for min.of 1 and maximum of 7 days.
In comparison to Denmark Madrid train system is not child or baby friendly because of the absence of elevator in most of the stations. It always a nightmare for me when I travel with my son on his pushchair or stroller just imagine the Station near my parent’s apartment is several levels down I thinks it is 6 escalators down. Its very typical that parents navigating the escalators with their children strollers and sometimes people are willing to help you carry the strollers with the baby. Yesterday I went to visit my father alone and I thought I can manage but still I’m not that brave I have to carry to umbrella stroller and hold my son’s hand but I back out when I saw it is 10-15 meters deep. We just used the stairs and everybody thought we are so dumb but maybe they’re right because my leg were shaking while I’m hoping we will reach the last steps. The next flight of escalators I just asked someone to carry the stroller and they’re happy to obliged. Thank God we arrived home safely but I took the bus on the way home.
It so funny there is even a sign in the train platform as to where the handicaps should wait but hey how can those with wheelchair go down? Did they fly, crawl or somebody carried them down? I used the Metro or the train i Madrid several times but I haven’t seen anybody in a wheelchair used the subway. For that I Spanish subway thumbs down.
Here’s the commercial.
What do you think? Are you offended? In my opinion they just recognize the Philippines as you know there are hundreds thousands of Filipinos here.
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7 comments
Roma
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 10:55 (UTC 1)
Loved it!!! Can’t expound just as yet. Basta I just found myself smiling. Process ko muna sa utak ko, hehehehe. Thanks for posting! I recognized one good local actor there.
filipinamom
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 23:44 (UTC 1)
Nangiti din ako nung mapanood ko yan. Yung lead actor si Junix Inocian aka Kuya Mario sa Batibot pero naging sikat after Miss Saigon after playing the Engineer after that he got severla lead roles in the West end (stage plays) and several international films, music video and tv shows. I’m just proud seeing it and the Spaniards doesn’t look down on us whenever they see this commercial.
Marlene
Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 11:58 (UTC 1)
I don’t see offending scenes at all. It only shows that what Madrid can, we Filipinas can, too. Di ba sabi sa video, “gumawa tayo ng atin”?
I can’t imagine going down and up in 6 escalators. It wouldn’t help when I am in a hurry.
Maricris
Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 22:05 (UTC 1)
Ay I forgot tuloy. Happy Valentines day!!!
Labsanto
Friday, March 6, 2009 at 21:19 (UTC 1)
The ad made me smile. I don’t think the Spaniards’ intention is to ridicule us Filipino. The first part of the ad showed a Filipino man on a motorbike. For me this indicative that Filipinos are world travelers, may we be tourists or OFW. On the middle part of the ad, it showed the “traveler” telling his community what was like in Madrid, Spain. This plot shows comparison between Madrid, Spain and Barrio Madrid in the Philippines. Bear in mind, there is also a place called Madrid in U.S. So I think is not to mock us Filipinos, but to show comparison between two diverse places in the world, which are on opposite contrast, culturally and in technological advancement. Lastly, I think the ultimate intention of the ad is to show the viewers that the Madrid’s Metro is so good that it inspired Filipinos living in Barrio Madrid in the Philippines to create their own version. Anyways, I’ll find out how good the Madrid’s Metro this April since I’ll be visiting there on a vacation.
filipinamom
Friday, March 6, 2009 at 23:07 (UTC 1)
I agree with 100% because for them we are always be apart of Spain and the Philippines have a special place in their heart. You actually don’t feel alien when you’re in Spain just use your our little knowledge of broken Spanish and they will not laugh.
I hope someday that we will learn from them take note that they we’re under fascism for several decades under Franco and they were able to rise from the ashes just like us under dictatorship.
There is a constant development in Spain but they value their heritage especially monuments and old buildings instead of moving of demolishing they build under the monuments or streets to preserve their heritage. This is what should our wise men should learn.
Support the Petition for the removal of the bonifacio Movement by signing the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/online/23996.
Thank you for your comments and enjoy Spain on your vacation.
Labsanto
Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 12:40 (UTC 1)
I’ve traveled/lived to a few countries worldwide due to my job in the U.S. military. We Filipinos are dispersed everywhere, may we OFW’s, spouses of local nationals, tourists, etc. We’ve (my family and I) lived/visited places that we just blend into the community/crowd, and are other places we stuck out and even times discriminated. I’m not saying it happened only on a certain continent or certain countries, but worldwide. I don’t wear my U.S. military uniform when we go out and explore the country I lived or visited, therefore, my family and I are treated the same way as every Asian or Filipino. Local people treats us Filipinos based on locations, concentration of Filipinos on a place, status of Filipinos on certain places/jobs, equality of opportunity in certain jobs or locations, due to stereotyping, even how we dress up or dress down, etc. If my experience was negative on places I’ve been to, I just take it with a grain of salt. However, I take notes of my experience, draw my own conclusion about the local people, the location, and specific situations that made my experience negative. Even in the Philippines, I’m treated differently. This only shows that we Humans are treated or influenced due to our surroundings and/or ourselves’.