Stand-up makes her TV debut

New stand-up Ria Lina is to host a Channel 4 show about Oriental women in Britain.

In the programme, half-Filipino Lina will argue that far Eastern women are still seen in terms of the submissive, timid, sexually compliant stereotypes.

She said: "From Madam Butterfly to Miss Saigon, the Oriental woman isn't much more than a personified doormat".

Lina speaks to Filipino nurses, Thai brides and British-born Chinese women in the programme, A Bit Of Oriental, to be aired at 7.30pm this Friday.

It is the fourth in a series of half hour films giving new on-screen talent a chance to express themselves on topics of race, identity, relationships and popular culture.

Lina concludes that the stereotypes are far from the truth, and that Oriental women are as independent and ambitious as their western counterparts - as well as not being the sexually adventurous virgins they are oftenportrayed as.

"Do you know what a relief it is to find out that it's OK to look like this and be crap in bed?," she said.

Published: 14 May 2003