Isang couple na parehong Persons With Disability (PWDs) ang dismayado sa alleged discrimination na naranasan nila sa isang branch ng kilalang multinational chain ng coffee shops.
Himutok ng babae na siyang nag-post sa Facebook, parang mas ipinamukha sa kanila ang kanilang kapansanan.
Nakipag-ugnayan ang PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa babae ngayong Miyerkules, July 23, 2025.
Bagama’t viral na ang kanyang post, hiniling niya na huwag na lamang siyang pangalanan.
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WHAT HAPPENED AT THE COFFEE SHOP
Paglalahad ng babae sa kanyang post: “My husband and I went to Starbucks at Festival Mall earlier to relax after work.
"We are both PWDs (my husband has a speech disability and I have a psychosocial disability).”
Ang kanyang mister ang kumuha ng kanilang orders.
“When he came back to our table, nag iba yung aura nya. Then he showed me the name written on his cup.”
Kalakip ng post ang photo ng PWD IDs ng mag-asawa at ang kani-kanilang coffee drinks.
Ang pangalang nakalagay sa coffee drinks—“SPEECH.”
Ang reaksiyon ng babae: “Really, Starbucks!? This is so disappointing. And then you even called out my husband based on the name written on the cup?
“This is truly disappointing.”
May update siya sa Facebook: “The manager spoke with us and apologized. They acknowledged their mistake. But still, part of us—especially my husband—was humiliated by what happened.
“He rarely approaches people, and now it seems like he’s starting to feel traumatized even just by ordering at other restaurants. Knowing that I also have a social disability, this is just too much.”
Samantala, may dagdag na paliwanag ang babae sa mensaheng ipinadala niya sa PEP.
Aniya (published as is): “I'm worried para sa hubby ko knowing lumaki syang nabu-bully because of his physical disability.
“Having a PWD ID does not automatically mean we have privileges in everything. You don't know what we are going through.
“The least anyone can do is show respect and avoid mocking persons with disabilities, as such actions can leave lasting emotional scars and cause lifelong trauma.”
Nagpadala rin ng mensahe ang PEP sa coffee shop via Facebook page gabi ng Miyerkules.
Wala pa itong opisyal na pahayag.
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NCDA REACTS
Kaugnay ng insidente, naglabas ng reaction ang National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) sa Facebook page nito noong July 22, 2025.
Tinawag na “discriminatory practice” ang nangyari sa mag-asawa.
"Insensitive, inappropriate” din daw ang inasal ng staff ng coffee shop at isa raw itong paglabag sa Republic Acts 7277 and 9442 o Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.
Saad pa sa NCDA statement (published as is): “Such actions perpetuate stigma and undermine the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities.
“The law clearly prohibits public ridicule and discriminatory labeling, and mandates the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of society.
“NCDA calls on Starbucks management to address this issue immediately, take corrective steps, and ensure their staff are properly trained on disability rights and sensitivity.
“We also urge all establishments to uphold respect, equality, and inclusion—principles that go beyond compliance and speak to the heart of a truly just society.”
