Racist People Attack Filipinos and Philippine Independence Day Event in Singapore

Below is a letter sent by one of our readers with a plea for less racism and more acceptance.

Dear friends, I write this letter in an appeal to end global quarrels, racism and hate.

I am a Singaporean-Filipino. My father is a Filipino businessman and my mother is a Singaporean banker. I have always felt nothing but love for both my cultures and I often fly to and from the Philippines and Singapore for both business and vacations.

I do not wish to be named due to the amount of online attacks and anger I see. Despite my plea for understanding, love and acceptance, I still feel that many will find wrongs and will attack my personal and family life.

Recently, the Pilipino Independence Day Council (PIDC) started preparations to commemorate the 116th Philippine Independence Day in Singapore. I would imagine that for most people, this is no more than just another event, from the thousands and millions of other events around the world happening simultaneously. One would think that we are all free to participate in this if we wish, and just as free to completely ignore this if it does not affect you in any way.

My concern here is that many instead chose a third route, which was to spread hate, anger and racism.

The planned celebration to be held at the Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza in the very busy Singapore shopping area, had to be cancelled due to an unexpected online backlash from many. I’m not sure of the origin but we believe that this was spearheaded by Facebook page titled “Say ‘NO’ to an overpopulated Singapore.”

With that, many Singaporeans (at least it seems like they are Singaporeans) hopped on this hateful outburst and objected this celebration. They trolled, attacked and complained about everything from why the ads had the words “two nations” why this was being celebrated in Singapore and event into more racist rants about their hate of other races.

You can see some, of the very many, comments below:

 Racist comments from Singaporeans against Filipinos flooded the net

Because of this, the event had to be cancelled.

For the life of me, I cannot see how this spread of hate is helping anyone. What did Singapore and Singaporeans possibly gain from this? How would you feel if your relatives or loved ones living in other countries get faced with the same form of hate, racism or anger?

Singapore and other countries celebrate Oktoberfest, Cinco de Mayo, St Patricks Day, Christmas, and many more culturally or religiously related events. But why was this one singled out? What was so offensive about this that people had to resort to ignorant and baseless racial slurs?

The final say I have in this is when one lowers themselves to purposely say mean things to other people, when one does something intentionally hurtful, then just know that they are the ones who end  up looking ugly. Haters don’t really hate you. In fact, they hate themselves because you’re a reflection of what they wish to be.

Please end racism and hate. Please spread love, understanding and acceptance. We all live in one world, on one planet. We are more alike than you may think.

What are your thoughts on this?

Please do not use vulgar language or other hateful slurs in the comments below. Two wrongs don’t make a right.