A radio host of a local radio station recently issued an apology after earning some criticisms for his on-air remarks perceived to belittle physical therapists in the country.
In a statement on Facebook last Friday, DJ Kuya Jay Machete, a radio host at 91.5 Win Radio, recognized the remarks he made in one of their episodes and apologized for them.
“May nasabi si Kuya Jay in one of our episodes about his personal experience sa isang PT (physical therapist) and I am deeply sorry for my lapse in judgement. To this end, yung personal experience ko naman sa PT ay naging maayos. My shoulder improved dahil sa sessions na pinuntahan ni Kuya Jay,” he said.
“Again, sorry sa mga nasaktan, mabuhay ang mga professional PT’s and advance Merry Christmas,” he added.
Machete was referring to an episode last week where he and his co-host talked about Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo’s profession as a physical therapist.
Machete diverted the discussion to recall his own experience with a physical therapist where he joked that the visit was too costly for mere “himas” or massages.
“‘Yung PT naman walang gagawin kung ‘di himas-himasin ka lang. At may bayad ‘yun. Hihimas-himasin ganyan ganyan, may ilalagay na panguryente,” he said.
Machete also said he underwent an “electrocution” process which he described as too expensive, citing that it only gave him a “tickling sensation.”
The DJ was referring to the use of shock wave pain therapeutic apparatus, which physical therapist use for pain relief.
“It can inhibit the production and propagation of pain signals,” Amazon said, describing the shock wave pain therapeutic apparatus.
‘Respect physical therapists’
The full episode could no longer be found on 91.5 Win Radio’s Facebook page. However, Twitter user @alliaaaahhh reposted a spliced part of the episode and share it on the micro-blogging platform. She then criticized Machete for his “belittling” remarks.
“This is disappointing hearing this from radio telecasters regarding Physical Therapists. PT deserves more credit and as people in that business you should give justice to our profession considering that you are sharing information to the people,” the user said, tagging the radio station.
This is disappointing hearing this from radio telecasters regarding Physical Therapists. PT deserves more credit and as people in that business you should give justice to our profession considering that you are sharing information to the people. @WinRadioPH pic.twitter.com/CtswvDGeUz
— ℓιαн (@alliaaaahhh) November 18, 2020
Dr. Geraldine Zamora, award-winning medical physical therapist, also expressed her disappointment over the commentaries of the radio hosts. She also educated them on the role of a physical therapist.
“PT courses are 4 to 5 years cos we have to learn and apply the science behind every ‘himas.’ Then we need to pass a difficult board exam. Respect other people’s jobs & professions,” Zamora said.
PT courses are 4 to 5 years cos we have to learn and apply the science behind every “himas.” Then we need to pass a difficult board exam. Respect other people’s jobs & professions. https://t.co/5oqySdaf0a
— Dr. Geraldine Zamora (@doktora_ging) November 21, 2020
Other Filipinos, meanwhile, defended the hosts and argued that Machete was only telling his testimony about a physical therapist he went to.
These were countered by users who noted that radio hosts should be careful next time about their remarks given their platform.
“I’m not going to totally blame him kasi maybe he’s just sharing his personal experience but as a person with a platform, he should’ve not generalized the PTs and researched first before saying that in public,” one Twitter user said.
After the criticisms, Machete clarified that he personally applauds the role of all physical therapists in the country and in the world, especially amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“To all physical therapists at sa lahat ng mga bumubuo ng PT associations in the Philippines and sa buong mundo, I would like to note that personally, I salute all the PT’s hindi lang dahil sa kanilang trabaho kundi maging ang importance nila sa part ng medical profession,” he said.
“I also salute all the PT’s as frontliners especially in this time of pandemic. Maraming salamat sa nagagawa niyo at sa tulong na naibibigay niyo sa mga tao,” he added.
What does a physical therapist do?
The Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc. (PhilPTA), an accredited organization of physical therapists in the country, defined physical therapy as:
“…providing services to people to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.”
The American Physical Therapy Association, (APTA), meanwhile, described physical therapists as “movement experts improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.”
In the Philippines, the Professional Regulation Commission requires degree holders of Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy to pass the Physical Therapist Licensure Examination before they can practice Physical and Occupational Therapy.
“No person shall practice or offer to practice physical therapy and occupational therapy in the Philippines as defined in this Act, without the prescription of a duly registered physician and a valid certificate of registration as a physical therapist or an occupational therapist, as the case may be issued by the Board of Examiners for Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists,” the Republic Act Number 5680 or the Philippine Physical and Occupational Therapy Law read.
