MY NAME IS LETICIA AND I AM MORE THAN A MAID: AN INVESTIGATION OF REPRESENTATIONS OF FILIPINO DOMESTIC WORKERS IN ‘THE NOOSE’

Abstract

In 2007, The Noose premiered and introduced Leticia Bongnino, a Filipino Domestic Worker (FDW) played by Singaporean actress, Michelle Chong. While Leticia soon became a household name in Singapore, even used by the Ministry of Manpower in their advertisements, her representation has been criticised by both activists and FDWs. Yet, her presence in the media persists. Although scholars have extensively discussed the problematic notions of racial appropriation and its effect on the normalisation of racism, there has been no critical analysis specific to Leticia and the discourses that her representation produces. Using Discourse Analysis, this thesis interrogates the figure of Leticia Bongnino. In addition, this thesis also acts as an ethnographic account of seven FDWs’ reactions and responses to Leticia. I assert that Leticia is a long-ignored instance of racial appropriation, a phenomenon grounded in Singaporeans’ casual attitudes toward race relations. Further, I argue that this appropriation oppresses the FDW intersectionality, essentialising her race and occupation, that ultimately lead to further entrench her “lower” social status in Singaporean society. Lastly, I argue that her situatedness in comedy only works to diminish the often abusive and exploitative lived experiences of FDWs. Most importantly, the participants’ accounts were analysed in relation to these themes, ultimately revealing how these representations are often done at the expense of an unknowing community Leticia claims to represent.