THE Philippine Embassy in London expressed concern over portrayals of Filipinos in the United Kingdom that it said fail to reflect the character and contributions of the Filipino community.
The embassy issued the statement after a video clip of a 75-year-old Filipina living in the United Kingdom circulated by British media outlets went viral and sparked intense debates on social welfare, legal immigration, and public health care in the UK.
The short viral video featured a Filipina health care worker at Queen Mary's Hospital in London who has lived, worked and paid taxes in the UK for decades, expressing appreciation for the UK's free health care (NHS) and benefits, stating she felt safe and was enjoying her life in the country.
But media outlets framed the video around anti-immigration and public expenditure rhetoric. Presenters and commentators questioned why British taxpayers should fund benefits and health care for foreign nationals.
“The embassy notes with concern recent portrayals of the Filipino diaspora in the United Kingdom that do not accurately reflect its character and contributions,” the statement reads.
The embassy said anti-immigrant sentiments were not representative of British society.
“The embassy believes that isolated expressions of anti-immigrant sentiment are not representative of the wider British society,” it added.
The embassy underscored the historical ties and mutual appreciation between the two nations, highlighting that the "longstanding relationship between the Filipino and British people is marked by mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation, which continues to be evident in their daily interactions."
Reaffirming its trust in the British public's view of the essential roles played by Filipinos — particularly in the health care, service and professional sectors — the embassy expressed confidence in the strength of bilateral community relations.
"The embassy remains confident in the strength of these relations and in the British people's continued appreciation of the contributions of the Filipinos to the United Kingdom," the diplomatic mission added.
They also called for constructive discourse on global migration, urging media outlets and commentators to remain fair, balanced and informed by the overall positive impact of migrant communities within British society.
"The embassy hopes that public discourse on migration will remain fair, respectful, and informed by the experiences and contributions of the many communities that form part of British society," the embassy said.
