Dan Brown calls Manila 'gates of hell' in novel “Inferno”; Upsets MMDA and DOT Departments

Dan Brown's Inferno

Philippines -- While travel magazines have recently been citing the Philippines as a tropical paradise, American author Dan Brown seems to think otherwise based on his much-anticipated new novel.

In "Inferno," the fourth part in Harvard art professor Robert Langdon's adventures, one of the characters goes through "the gates of hell" in Manila.

The description of the city is from the first-hand account of one of the fictional characters, the messianic Dr. Sienna Brooks.

One character from the novel, Sienna Brooks, joined a humanitarian mission to Manila only to be shocked by its poverty and then raped by local ruffians.

An excerpt from the book goes: "When the group settled in among the throngs in the city of Manila—the most densely populated city on earth—Sienna could only gape in horror. She had never seen poverty on this scale."

As written in a fictional novel of Dan Brown in his Book, Dr. Brooks, went to the Philippines for a mission to supposedly feed poor fishermen and farmers on the countryside.

She expected the Philippines to be a "wonderland of geological beauty, with vibrant seabeds and dazzling plains."

Upon setting foot in Manila, however, Brooks could only "gape in horror" as "she had never seen poverty on this scale."

She said her "dark depression" flooded back, with pictures of poverty and crime flashing through her eyes.

"For every one person Sienna fed, there were hundreds more who gazed at her with desolate eyes," the book read.

One after the other, the book described chaotic Manila: "six-hour traffic jams, suffocating pollution, horrifying sex trade."

The book described the sex industry as consisting mostly of young children "many of whom had been sold to pimps by parents who took solace in knowing that at least their children would be fed."

"All around her, she could see humanity overrun by its primal instinct for survival…When they face desperation…human beings become animals," the book read.

The book went on to detail a turning point in Brooks' life. "I've run through the gates of hell," she said.

Traumatized, Brooks "left the Philippines at once, without even saying goodbye to the other members of the group."

This is not the first time that the Philippines' so-called ugly side was described in novels and movies.

Hollywood actress Claire Danes got a lot of bad press when she shot her 1999 movie "Brokedown Palace" in the Philippines which settings is in the garbage area. She described Manila as smelling "of cockroaches. There's no sewage system in Manila, and people have nothing there. People with, like, no arms, no legs, no eyes, no teeth."

She was later declared persona non grata.

Last year, actor Taylor Kitsch created a controversy when he described his "airport nightmare" supposedly in the Philippines to TV talk show host David Letterman, claiming an immigration officer even tried to take his iPhone. It turned out that Kitsch was actually talking about Indonesia but did not bother to correct his statement despite the social media backlash.

Tourism officials have been trying to bring to boost the image of the Philippines with its catchy phrase, "More Fun in the Philippines." The Department of Tourism reported an increase in tourist arrivals last year.

The Philippines also had its fair share of praise from Hollywood when stars Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz spoke about their experiences shooting "The Bourne Legacy" in the country last year.

Just last week, Vin Diesel was seen roaming around town in a jeepney.

The impact of Dan Brown's "Inferno" remains to be seen. While a work of fiction, Brown again provides an introduction that confuses the ordinary reader about what's true and what's not -- just like in his popular novel "The Da Vinci Code."

"Inferno" is his take on Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy."

MMDA to Dan Brown: Manila is portal to heaven not gates of hell

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino's letter to novelist Dan Brown. Ian Cruz

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday wrote a letter to American best-selling novelist Dan Brown expressing "disappointment" over his "inaccurate" depiction of Manila in his latest novel Inferno.

"While we are aware that yours is a work of fiction, we are greatly disappointed by your inaccurate portrayal of our beloved metropolis," MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said in a letter. 

"We are displeased of how you have used Manila as a venue and source of character's breakdown and trauma, much more her disillusionment in humanity," read the letter dated May 23.

Tolentino told GMA News that rather than the "gates of hell" that Brown called Manila, the metropolis is more of a "portal to heaven" because of the residents' religiosity.

 "More than your portrayal of it, Metro Manila is the center of Filipino spirit, faith and hope… Manila citizens are more than capable of exemplifying good character and compassion towards each other, something your novel has failed to acknowledge," Tolentino stressed.

"Truly, our place is an entry to heaven," he added, reversing Brown's depiction of Manila as "gates of hell."

"We hope that this letter enlightens you and may it guide you the next time you cite Manila in any of your works," the MMDA chairman noted.,

Sources: ABS-CBN News and GMA News

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Taiwan reporter sacked over hoax anti-Filipino story

Newspapers show headlines carrying the story of a Taiwanese fisherman shot by Filipino coastguards, at a library in New Taipei City on May 12, 2013. AFP PHOTO / Mandy CHENG

A reporter in Taiwan has been sacked for fabricating a story about a diner refusing to serve Filipinos amid a diplomatic row over the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman, his company said Wednesday, May 22.

The reporter, identified only by his family name Cheng, wrote on his Facebook page that he "witnessed" a diner owner refusing to sell boxed lunches to two men after discovering that they were Filipinos, according to Lih Pao newspaper.

When Cheng's superior asked to meet the owner to verify the story, the reporter sent an impostor and later admitted that he never saw the incident take place, the newspaper said.

"We apologize to the public. Even though we tried to verify the story, we regrettably could not avoid such a deliberate deceit happening," it said in a statement.

Anti-Manila sentiment has mounted in Taiwan after a 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead earlier this month by Philippine coastguards who claimed his vessel had intruded into their territorial waters.

Taiwan has rejected Manila's claims that the shooting took place in Philippine waters and that the killing was "unintended". President Ma Ying-jeou has described the incident as "cold-blooded murder".

A Taiwanese woman who similarly caused a stir on Facebook earlier this week with a story of a diner refusing to serve Filipinos has also admitted to making it up.

The woman, identified by her family name Tung, claimed that she bought food for a Filipino worker in a restaurant in Taipei on May 15 because the owner refused to serve the Filipino. She was caught out after giving conflicting details of the alleged incident when questioned by those who responded to her post.

"I know I made a very big mistake. I don't know how to face society now," she told reporters.

President Ma has called for calm and promised to protect the 87,000 Philippine nationals living and working on the island after a Filipino worker was attacked last week.

Taiwan has announced a series of economic sanctions against the Philippines, demanding Manila offer a formal government apology and compensation for the fisherman's family, and launch a joint investigation into the incident. -

Rappler.com

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UAE to protest! "Philippines is not the only country that we can bring workers from"

They have the right to make some rules - but in the Philippines: Abdullah

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday fielded a question by a Federal National Council (FNC) member about violation of international laws and norms by some embassies in the UAE by holding direct meetings with private sector organizations and obliging them to obey their instructions and orders.

"The embassies operations are governed by the international law and the Geneva convention which regulates activities of diplomatic missions.

"The UAE is a signatory of the convention and therefore, any activities (by such embassies) should be carried out in coordination with the ministry of foreign affairs. Otherwise, the ministry will summon the ambassador or charge d'affaires to warn them."

Sheikh Abdullah said the Embassy of the Philippines contacted some of the labour supply companies in the country.

"They have the right to make some rules - but in the Philippines. They have absolutely no right to infringe the UAE government's regulations."

Sheikh Abdullah went on to say that any illegal contacts made by the embassies under and pretext are considered as violations and are not acceptable by the ministry of foreign affairs.

"The ministry of foreign affairs is the key point of contact for the embassies wishing to establish communications with any sector in the country."

He urged government and private entities to report any violation by any embassy or foreign diplomats to the ministry.

"The Philippines is not the only country that we can bring workers from. However, the task of any country's mission is to protect interests of its citizens.

"I can see no harm in what the embassy of Philippines is doing if any labour-related matter is supported by contracts."

Asked about the steps taken by the ministry of foreign affairs to secure reciprocal exemption of visa requirement for UAE citizens in 34 countries, Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE was getting positive signals on this.

He added that following the recent visit of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the UK, the government there pledged to consider the issue this year, while contacts with some EU countries were progressing.

In his capacity as Chairman of the National media Council (NMC), Sheikh Abdullah answered a question about misleading advertisements and the steps taken to regulate advertisement.

Sheikh Abdullah said the media in the UAE is governed by the publications law. He added that the NMC has been playing a pivotal role in reflecting the true picture.

"I agree with several points and remarks made by the FNC about the NMC strategy, its role in developing the media sector and in Emiratisation.

"The development of NMC has already begun with the approval by the ministerial commission for services in February of a draft resolution to amend the organisation structure of the council. An advisory board for the council was formed in March."

Sheikh Abdullah said the rate of Emiratisation at the NMC is expected to increase this year to 71 per cent from 61 per cent in 2012. He added that future plans may include creation of a high level media training academy for as part of the Emirtisation efforts in the media sector.

The plans also include improving performance of the Emirates News Agency. He praised the authorities' initiative of inviting local press to cover the sessions of the national security trial.

"This is an unprecedented step that reflects transparency and freedom granted to the local media. You can read the uncensored reports about court proceedings, some of which are even sensitive."

The Federal National Council (FNC) yesterday held its 13th session of the 2nd term of its 15th legislative chapter under the chairmanship of its Speaker Mohamed Ahmed Al Murr.

Present during the session were Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Dr Anwar Mohamed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and for FNC Affairs.

Asked about the national strategy for saving water and energy,the energy minister, who is also chairman of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), said the authority's strategic plan addresses future needs until 2020. He added that the plan defines a 3-phase project to raise capacity.

"The first phase was completed at a total cost of Dh2.7 billion and resulted in a 52 per cent increase in water network and 49 per cent increase in water storage capacity. The second phase will be completed by 2014," he said.

Emirates247

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