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Hierarchy of Pork
By Anthony Bourdain on February 16, 2009 7:55 PM | Permalink | 702 Comments
I'm very nervous about tonight's Philippines show.
I'm all too aware of the fact that the country is made up of over seven THOUSAND islands and that I visited exactly two of them. The food is intensely regional ... I mean, even the difference between the food in Manila and Pampanga -- only a couple of hours away --is striking. So I missed ... a lot.
I'm very aware of how many Filipino fans we have -- and how enthusiastic they are about us (finally) covering their country. I wanted very badly to do a good job on this one. But I fear there's no way we got it "right."
Not that I didn't have a great time. I did.
For one thing, I settled a karmic debt of sorts: Augusto Elefano, who'd argued so fervently for his country of ancestry on the previous season's FAN-atic special had been sent home short of the prize after a brutal interrogation at my hands. Impressed by his zeal and feeling guilty about smashing his hopes and dreams I felt that Cebu would be good to see through his eyes. So we packed him, his wife and baby daughter onto a plane -- and sent them off into TV Land.
What we did get right, I'm quite sure, was making sure that the amazing, porky delights of "sisig" got plenty of camera time. If you've never had this divine mosaic of pig parts, chopped and served sizzling and crisp on one side on a screaming hot platter, then you've yet to have one of the world's best beer drinking dishes. And speaking of pig? It can now be said that of all the whole roasted pigs I've had all over the world, the slow roasted lechon I had on Cebu was the best. This puts the standings in the Hierarchy of Pork as follows:
#1. Philippines
#2. Bali
#3. Puerto Rico
If nothing else, I hope that homesick Filipinos living abroad get a glimpse of some of the food and scenery they've no doubt been missing. And for viewers who weren't previously familiar with the wide and tasty spectrum of flavors available over there, I hope the sight of me shoving a lot of very tasty stuff into my maw provides -- if nothing else -- inspiration to look further.
Closer to home, I have a problem: My obsession with the HBO series "The Wire" is taking an unhealthy turn. I recently bought the DVD boxed set -- all 60 hours of the show -- as well as "The Corner" the previous six part mini-series by the same writer/producers. I'm rewatching them all from beginning to end and just can't stop. It's like if I watch them closely, I'll somehow figure out how writing can be so good -- how an ensemble of mostly little known actors and a mammoth, wildly ambitious progression of story arcs can make a whole city come vividly, tragically alive. It's funny, exciting, excrutiatingly sad and always, always feels real. I can't tear myself away.
Gotta go. Omar and Brother Monzon are making their move on Stringer Bell ... I love this part.
I could have swore you guys did the is one before.. Or am i getting mixed up with that bizarre foods guys again.
Ration it out... it IS obsession-worthy.
Wait - am I talking pork or The Wire? Oh - I guess both.
Reminds me of when I was a kid and so obsessed with eating my white chocolate Easter bunny that I pestered my poor parents into submission. They did the "Bread and Jam for Frances" thing and just greenlighted me on stuffing as much of the waxy stuff as I could manage down my greedy little gullet (no accounting for the tastes of a suburban 7-year-old in 1975). To this day, even TYPING the words "white chocolate" gives me a little shudder of revulsion (as it should).
Don't do that with The Wire, dude...or pork.
Though I'm not sure it could actually happen with pork.
When you get like the Holy Grail fans, you've entered dangerous territory.
It tickles me to share some literary obsessions with you, Tony. For example, the understanding that "The Wire" is literary and Simon/Burns, gods.
I can't wait to see whatever homage you've worked into your visit to my hometown of Balmer.
thanks so much.....i forgot it was Monday.!!!! I love you Tony.
It is alright tony.
I forgive you.
Hi Tony,
We are looking forward to it. I'm not gonna speak for everyone, but if you covered sisig then you got it right as far as i'm concerned!
You really are gonna take me on a nostalgic trip tonight, thanks for putting this together!
Even if tonight's episode is not one of your best, just seeing this part will make it all OK:
"[...] this divine mosaic of pig parts, chopped and served sizzling and crisp on one side on a screaming hot platter."
Finally! We've waited over four years, Tony! Thanks for visiting our homeland, the Philippines. Yes, the Philippines is composed of over 7,000 islands and I've visited exactly five islands. I got you beat by three...
Your "no holds barred", "call it as you see it" opinion on anything and everything is such a refreshing break from the "scripted" shows out there. I am looking forward to this episode and am interested on a non Filipino's take on the sights, sounds and most especially taste of the culture. Who better else to showcase this than you. Your show is a must see.... oh and so is the Wire-(I have a soft spot for OMAR)
Thanks
Excellent to see lechon made it to the top of culinary list of sorts.
It's a shame the Philippines get's a bad rap for food. Once you get past the mall quota's of Jollibee's, Chow Kings, Pizza huts and every other version of 'give it to me fast' food there are some back streets serving something much better.
Lechon is indeed king in the Philippines. But, I have to say lechon manok (bbq chicken), in the south is simply primal in its flavor. And the price helps too. $1.15
Take away traditional style, free calamansi and soy sauce with hot chilli included. Then pick up a dodgy 1-2 complete season of your favorite tv series or at least all 15 latest hollywood releases on one DVD for $1 and you got yourself an evening in.
YES, Tony, YES!
Finally, you're going to the Philippines. This has been a dream season of No Reservations. I'm a Chicago-born Filipino American, and you knocked out my two locales in consecutive weeks.
It's good to see you recognizing the deliciousness of lechon. Nothing comes close to it, pork-wise. Pure ambrosia.
It felt good to see you finally visiting Chicago. This week will fill that other void I've had with No Reservations. Hope you had a good time, Tony! Let me know if you ever come back to Chicago or if you want to see what the other ~6,998 islands are about in the Philippines. I've got you.
Can't wait to see the episode. Only 20 minutes away as of the end of this sentence. This has been way, WAY, overdue!
I'm hoping to make my first trip to the Philippines in the next year or two. Can you send me the info for the guy shown on this episode who does the "food tours?" This is something I need to experience!
thanks
Anthony: I love you even though I am a raw foodist (ducks flying steak knife) I so enjoy watching your adventures and even your eh hem, exotic food eating festivals.
It's all good stuff...
peace to you
deb
PS I posted your food porn promo on my raw blog, no one freaked out, so it's all good!
Watching it now. Seems like you did it justice.
The Wire is my fav. show of all time, seriously. I need to get the box set. The complexity of the politics from the hoods to the suits, from the streets to the hill, is captivating. They do give the city a role of it's own. Each season gets further into the components of the area, I think. From the corner to the ports, etc. Omar is my favorite. "A Man has gotta have a code"
Love that show!
Finally the Philippines, Tony what took you so long?
Better late than never as they say and you did a pretty good job despite your self criticism on your blog above.
You are right in saying that the food is so different in each region that you really need to go further than Cebu in order to find the Filipino taste as a whole.
I hope in time you find yourself back in the Philippines and covering the other areas you missed. I'm a big fan of your show and now an even bigger fan :) Keep those shows coming Tony!
thks for visiting Philippines Tony...your the best............
Tony thank you so much for doing this show tonight, i am born pilipino and been living heren in u.s.a for 18 years and just watching the show make me miss my home so much. especially the food and i envy you right now, i bet you like them all. job well done and thank you again.
That's coool, Tony! I'm glad you liked it here! A Filipino party is not complete without anything porcine.
YES...you hit it out of da park. I just got back from my second trip to the Phils and your got the full flavor. My friends are still not sold on the the philippines, know now that you tipped the scales...I just hope I can find my a seat at my favorite places now!!
look. i have been patiently waiting for years while you go to all of these nations praising their pork preparation. i hope to god you go to prague at some point in time and experience the love and affection they put into the mighty act of eating pig. i'll be damned if samantha brown is the only travel channel personality to go over there and yammer on about how the czech republic is so cheap. don't be a chumpo, go to prague.
My boyfriend is Filipino, and he has been convincing me to go with him and visit the Philippines. After seeing your show (and all that sumptuous food), I think I have been convinced that we should go there for a vacation with my boyfriend.
Yay! Thank you for going to the Philippines, Tony!
My dad and I watch your show almost religiously and get some serious bonding time together. When we found out you'd be in our country, we had ourselves a little party!
I must admit that I'm a little disappointed that you only stayed in two regions but the Philippines is a big little island, so I understand. You did a really great job with the show and I'm really glad!
Very sweet of you to try to make Augusto feel a bit more at home, Vic. I mean Tony. Seriously, good one!
Now, gotta try to find a Philippine eatery around here...
Tony, you nailed it.
Tony - i've been DVRing every show ever since I saw my very first one, and i even got my boyfriend hooked. Great show, I love it when you go exotic places. I do wish you would put full episodes up online though...
Thank you so much for going to the Philippines. It has been a long awaited episode and every season my husband and I look to see on the schedule if you're going to have an episode there. I just saw it and I'm happy on how you and your crew have presented this episode. You made me miss the country even more and it practically brought tears in my eyes. Augusto reminded me so much of my husband and things that I should do to raise my son in order to make him aware of his roots, to him, thank you as well. Tony this truly has made a special place in my heart and I cannot thank and respect you enough.
Mr. AB, Score of Filipinos abroad have been waiting for this evening, to finally see you showcase the Philippines. It is truly a melting pot of people, culture, history and flavors. Thank you for showing us and the world part of the Philippines, its food, the markets, the sights and sounds. The markets, the sights and sounds we have but memories of, having left the country to work for the family. But your show took us back home. Maraming salamat po, Mang Tony. (Thank you very much, Mr. Tony).
I have been a fan of your show, today put that final nail. I am a follower. You definitely presented the cuisine and the culture of the Philippines as a native would know it. There was no hype, just a down to earth presentation of what is good. You did not imbelish the facts, it was approached with respect to the viewer, but with a sincere presentation. Kudos! Great to see that you honestly enjoyed what was presented to you and also what you didnt.
You did it this time, not because I am a Filipino but because you remained the Tony Bourdain that I emulate. Salamat and may you have more memorable experiences in the Philippines.
Tony, that was really a great episode on our very own Philippines. SISIG! The best! Lechon, bulalo, sinigang, kambing, pinakbet, adobo, crab, and all those other food that they cooked for you. Very mouth watering. I envy you. Makes me wanna go home for a vacation.
Thanks for finally featuring our Philippines. MABUHAY!
Thanks Tony for finally giving the lechon and all its crispy, fatty parts the recognition it deserves. I'm glad that you've enjoyed your stay and I hope you'll be covering the rest of the islands the next time around!
I was so excited to see this episode, Tony. It's true you missed a lot. Sure would have loved to know what you think of dinuguan and valenciana. It's great that the Philippines' version of lechon is on the top of your list. Good job with this episode. Totally awesome!
Great job! At last the Philippines, I hope you enjoyed your stay. The whole time I am watching the show I have goose bumps, oh...good times. Now my kids wants to go back there and visit. Next time you are visiting the Philippines hit me up, and I will show you the northern part where you can eat jumping salad and show you the rice capital of the Philippines. mabuhay ang Pilipinas!!!
The philippines is a great destination. Thanks for your visit.
Your the best.
Great show! I'm so happy you finally did the Philippines! It was a much better show than the Bizarre Foods Philippines episode. I think you were able to show (more or less) what Filipino cuisine is about.
I actually have a list of Filipino food for you to try and you ate most of them on this show. I just wish I could've been the one to show you around. Well, there's still a lot to taste and see so please come back soon! I'd like to show you more regional dishes and also the upscale modern Filipino food in Manila! :)
Thank you so much for the show on the Philippines! Awesome feature on the lechon. Cebu lechon IS the best lechon! You had me drooling. I'm a Filipino living in the US and I say you understood our culture pretty well; you captured our "ethnic confusion" as reflected through our food. It's not a bad thing; it's just how we are. And yes, we are too nice... :-)
I have been watching your shows since the very beginning and I have to admit I held a grudge against you for never visiting the Philippines. Now you know why your fellow Travel Channel host Andrew Zimmern has been there twice. Pork!
I forgave you as soon as I saw this quote from you.
"This puts the standings in the Hierarchy of Pork as follows:
#1. Philippines
#2. Bali
#3. Puerto Rico"
Hopefully your next trip back won't take so long.
It had been a long wait and finally, a visit to the Philippines. I have been a fan of yours since the conception of the show and waiting for the Filipino show is quite frustrating especially after you stated in the Singapore show that you've been there a few times. Andrew Zimmern's take on the Philippines was not impressive.I thought he did not have good producers as the research was really half done. I believe he was caught in a tourist trap and honestly, whoever brought him there did not know where to take him and where to have a good time. I hope you did. Kudos to your researchers. The show was really good, your take on it was right on,it shared the sentiments that most Filipino-American share and boy, the Cebu Lechon really looks good and that pig really made me proud!
Great show on the Philippines Tony! I have to admit I was a little nervous watching tonight partly because of the excruciatingly painful Philippines episode made by Zimmerman. But then again, that's why THIS is my favorite show. You ate the right stuff, went to the right places and had your history straight. You did us proud. Please keep Samantha Brown away. Best pig...EVER!
tony, you definitely accomplished you mission of doing it right by the filipinos. loved the show. thanks for doing it. but i'm mad at you for making me miss cebu.
i remember when you are in indonesia and you declared "this is the best roasted pig ever".i said to myself you better go to the philippines so you can taste our roasted pig..now you did and you are right..we are no.1 and it will stay that way.
Great show tonight! You did an excellent job presenting the food from our country...really mouth-watering to watch, especially the lechon. Most of the people I know (who are now here in the US) all tuned in to watch your show tonight. Yes, Philippine food is more than balut! Not that balut isn't loved and/or adored...it is. Anyway, thanks for visiting the Philippines!
Looks like you did it right. My filipina wife was hungry about 4 minutes into the show. The crabs and adobo shrimp got her mouth watering and when you went to Pampanga I think she woke the neighbors. Lastly, every dish will atleast now help my mother realize that my wife is not feeding me the crickets from Bizarre Foods.... On this point I cannot thank you enough. Now my family may actually come over for dinner again :)
p.s - It was very cool of you to invite Augusto and family to his country. He seemed stoked to be there!!
loved the part with Ivan Man Dy. Amazing insights into the culture. Love this show, sparks my brain along with my stomach
Watching the show made miss home. I was raised in the Philippines but finally visited my homeland after 23 years in California. And YES all I did was eat! But the remainding year in the US my family continued the tradition along with owning our own filipino restaurant for so many years and relatives continuing to own restaurants feels closer to home. I never forgot the culture and the real taste of food. I was dissapointed with Agusto's inexperienced with what the culture was all about. I should've been that ultimate Tour Guide! I still now the ins and outs, the real taste in every regions. My family would've shown you a real side of our country. The exciting nightlife and traditional get together. And they're not shy! At least I now where I belong and not feeling in between. Thank you for feature our country. Contact me next time you want to explore the real side of the Island.
what a wonderful show! thanks for opening up my eyes to a country i know so little about. now i have another country to add to my long list of places to experience in my lifetime.
wow i didn't think that any pig could top the awesome looking one you had in Bali! as a fellow pork fanatic i can't wait to get there to enjoy it!
keep up the good work! we really enjoy it!
HiTon,
I'm a big fan!!! I called my families and friends to watch this very special segment Philippines ( I wish I was in Augusto shoes) I'm very happy, it's a great show...you we're able to feature our Filipino values and diversity.
I hope to see you soon, to tell you how proud I am you visited our country.
I can't wait to see your show tonight. Finally, you visited the Philiipines! I hope you had a great time. I have been a fan of yours since your Food Network days :) We love your show here in California.
Thank you for visiting the Philippines.
Thanks Tony and Augusto for convincing the No Reservations to go to the Philippines. Tony, you did justice to our country by showing what really comprises Filipino...food and family. Being married to an American, introducing Filipino dishes like the lechon, sinigang, goat dishes, sisig, spicy coconut milk dishes, tapsilog, fish balls, taho etc. to him was an adventure too! It's great to see that you've been to some of the places that I took my husband to when we visited Manila and the northern part. Thanks and hope you will visit the Philippines again.
Thank You Augusto for the huge effort convincing Tony, even though you've only been in the country few times. Thank You Anthony Bourdain & Thank You Travel Channel.
and Thank You for Andrew Zimmern. I saw his episode about my country too.
Im pleased that you visited the Philippines . . and showed to your multi-cultural audiences, the awesome culinary dishes of the Philippines. I'm from Cebu (now working in NY) . . and indeed, your choice of Lechon at the apex of pork dishes (+ sisig) . . makes me want to visit home. Keep up the good work Tony . . and hope you make a 2nd visit.
MY sister called me today and said...you actually went to my country all of us went to watch 4 different houses just watching you try our native dishes....YOU know the best part... having beer every meal!!!! and no alcoholic in my country!!!! THANK YOU so much .....I would have been a better guide than agusto... if I would describe one best thing about filipinos...we are very hospitable!!!!Thank you again....
When will be the part 2? Hope you had a good time and thanks for making our Cebu lechon #1. Good show Tony!
"The best pig ever." Indeed.
You got it right on how diverse is the food in the Philippines. Too diverse that even the lechon is cooked differently in other regions. In the North I think they stuff it with just banana leaves, in Cebu, where you went they stuff it with onion leaves, but in Visayas, where my parents came from, they stuff it with a combination of tamarind and banana leaves and lemon grass (which i think is the best in the PI) hehehe. Peace Marketman. Enjoyed the show I hope you go back to see more of the country because you have missed out on some of the best sea foods from the south (way south of Cebu).
Thanks so much for showing the Philippines. My husband and I are big fans and we were so excited that finally you showed our homeland. You're honest and we love you for that. You definitely showed the true Filipino food culture.
Hi Tony! I'm a Filipina and a fan of your show! I'm really really happy that you visited the Philippines, i enjoyed watching it. You went to all the good places to eat back home. Thank You for doing this, after watching your show i feel more homesick. But it's OK seeing you happy at the end of the episode was satisfying. Keep up the Good Work! And yeah Philippines is always the #1 when it comes to LECHON!!! boooyaaahhh (+_-) Looking forward to your next episode about the Philippines! LOL ;-)
One question `tho, did you ever eat Durian and Mango when you're there?! Im just wondering coz i now you really like Durian.
Good show Mr. Bourdain! I'm a 42-year-old Filipino who came here in the States 6 years ago with my wife Bernie. You need a whole season to cover just a portion of our foods and cultures but you hit it right in the jaw with the "sisig" and "lechon." Filipinos (specially male) die at an early age because of these two cholesterol-laden nirvana of appetizers. Mixed with San Miguel beer and you have the most potent poison known to man. Damn! i miss the Philippines. Good job Mr. Bourdain. -- Your biggest fan, Arnold of Jacksonville
Hi Tony! Next time you go to the PI for vacation, you're welcome to have a great home cooked meal in the countryside at my family's place. No cameras necessary...just get your grub on. We Thoroughly enjoyed the show. Thanks for showing the world the almost forgotten cuisine of southeast asia. You hit it right on the money when you said that we're just too damn nice.
awesome show. filipino cuisine is so vast i'm glad you got the basics down. I'm glad that lechon is considered your best pig ever. maybe as a follow up you can have paksiw na lechon.
great job tony.
hi Tony! i know about the pig, ( a big Yahoo!!!) but my question is.... how did you like the SMB? (San Miguel Beer) isn't it one of the best too? :D
Tony!
Your show on the Philippines was totally awesome!
As a Filipino/Croatian/Australian (who now lives in NY) I've always been confused as to what Filipino food really is. All I've known of Filipino food growing up was Adobo, Lumpia (spring rolls) and Pancit.
You've inspired me to go there and sample all the amazing looking food featured on the show tonight..especially Sisig and that insane crackly lechon. My mouth was watering just watching that thing roasting!
For the most part The Philippines is quite 'off the radar' compared to countries such as Thailand or Indonesia.
THANK YOU for finally shedding some light on the the people and the unique cuisine of the Philippines.. can't wait to get there!
Happy Travels!
Hey Tony, thanks for tonight's episode. What actually drew me to you was when I got back from visiting my grandmother in the Philippines in March 2006. I was in Manila for 2 weeks. I'm a New York born Filipino American. So I was culture-shocked once I got there. But then I started opening myself up to my homeland, the people,the culture and the food. I was so homesick when I got back. I was jetlagged on the second night back home and I couldnt sleep. I missed my mother who I flew to the PHilippines with. She stayed behind for a few extra weeks. I missed her and I missed the Philippines. Then I was watching the Travel Channel and caught your episode on Indonesia. From that moment, I was a fan of yours. The way you were able to convey Indonesia's culture and understand it through the food made me reminisce on how I opened myself up to my own culture in the Philippines. I felt like I was actually there with you. You have a way of reaching out to people through the television screen and teleporting them to where you are bringing them the essence of the countries you visit. I havent missed an episode since. I've been so inspired by you and the way you're able to learn and educate others about other countries, their people and history through food that I've made a career change and started culinary school a few months ago hoping to be a chef one day. Hoping to be awesome like you and do what you do.
And Mr. AB, if you plan to go back, email me so I can direct you to other Filipino foodies - food writers, restauranteurs, bloggers who are well versed with the food and culture as well, altho Mr. Ivan Dy, Claude Tayag, and Marketmanila were great resources to boot(in case you are looking for other hosts).
Really? Roast pork better than the kind from the 'siu mei' kitchens in Hong Kong/China? I've never had roast pork with crispier skin.
thanks tony. i really missed filipino food, specially lechon and sisig! beer food as we say. coz i am here in new york. you did great. i watched the whole show. you are just the best. you are my inspiration. i am a 30 yr old frustrated chef...you just give me hope ang making me think it's not too late to be one.hope i can bump into you someday here in manhattan.
First of all I wanna say THANK YOU for visiting the Philippines , I've been waiting for you to visit there as a long time fan of NO RESERVATIONS, it was quite nice that you featured Lechon and sisig , for visting 2 areas besides Manila in the PIs its great that you had fun and the food gave you a good impression , specially sisig when you mentioned that it was a great side for beer drinking...lol , also would have been great if you tasted the lechon version of chicken too .
Yeah our country is multi-cultural , so our food is quite hard to have its own identity , each region has ways of making a certain dish ( like having 30 ways just to make adobo.. lol ), but for one thing....you'll always get great hospitality that comes with the food in the Philippines .
Hopefully with just tasting lechon that you'd be convinced enough that you would make a second visit there to explore more parts of the Philippines , again.. thanks to you and the travel channel... oh yeah.. Andrew Zimmern too that went there once ... again THANK YOU !
Thank you so much for your show on the Philippines. That's from someone who hasn't been home in almost 10 years. It was awesome! I could smell the lechon and sisig and pakbet and everything as it was being cooked and served to you.
Seeing Manila again was wonderful. I remember visiting Chinatown myself with a Chinese friend right there on food street.
My favorite part though was the papaitan. When it was described to you, it did not sound too appetizing and yet the dish itself was phenomenal. I think this is the main reason why Filipino food isn't as popular as other cuisine. On a menu, it just isn't appetizing. You have to taste it. And, yes, we are too nice.
Sisig. Lechon Cheek. Beer with every meal. I'm buying you a drink Tony!
Finally!!! I waited for this episode all day long. I have long waited for you to feature my homeland. I come from the province of Ilocos Sur/Ilocos Norte and hoped that you and your crew was going to visit at least that part of the Philippines. But maybe on part 2. I have seen you go to places that reminds me of where I grew up. Away from the city and a lot less commercialized. If you guys ever do a part 2, I will show you around my neck of the woods. Where there's more than just beer to drink. Try some Lambanog or San miguel Gin and maybe some "basi" next time Tony! I love your show and no matter how many times I've seen an episode, I still watch it!
Thank you Tony for visiting my native land. My name is Wilma Green, a Filipina married to American for 8 years now.
Me and my husband always watching your show. Tonight...I can absolutely say that you made me crave for everything.
As you know, we have too many regions back home and I wish my husband will be given the chance to show you the other regions just in case you want to stop by in the Philippines again in the near future.
I can guarantee you a 100% that when you go back again to visit my country...this will be the most exciting and you will have more memorable things that you will not forget that of course when it comes with all our different menus for all the different regions back home.
We love all your shows but since Phillipines is divided with different regions I promise you that you will have different experience to any part of the Philippines.
Christmas will be the best time to go if you will ask me and please don't hesitate to give us a buzz just in case you plan to go back in the Philippines.
Again thank you very much for doing the show with Augusto.
We love you and all the staff in your show.MORE POWER TO ALL!
I know AB doesn't read the comments but whatever! Thanks for doing right by the Philippines. I was teary the entire episode. THanks Anthony!
Thank you, Tony! Now, when is it showing to RP viewers again? We can't wait!
boss tony,
auggie did a wonderful job in sending you the audition tape. but, for me all was not covered. we just got back from our three day trip to NJ. and when i tuned in to travel channel for no reservation i was so happy to see you went to cebu. but my wife wasn't... coz, i told her i'm going to make an audition video for you to check out the philippines. and i never did! she was furious. anyway, you missed a lot of stuff to try while you were in cebu. the local brew called "tuba" and the "lambanog" for the liquor. the chicharon in CARCAR, Pochero at mayflower capitol, ngoyiong, the adobo in labangon. i cant blame him, he hasn't been in cebu for a long time.
but thank you for checking out cebu, philippines!!!!
Finally! My husband and I often wondered if you'll ever visit the Philippines. The show was great! There are a lot more regional dishes to try. Looks like you enjoyed our San Miguel Beer. Did you ever try Philippine mangoes, especially the mangoes from Zambales. Now that's the best in the world!
The host for the lechon lunch in Cebu was MarketmanManila. He is a great blogger and a great source of information. Here is the link to his blog http://www.marketmanila.com/
Thank you so much for visting my homeland! I have been a huge fan of your show from the beginning. I have been waiting for u to go to the philippines and have been dreaming to be the lucky person to show you around. I grew up half my life there and my family lives all over! I just came from there after spending my 24th bday there and stayed for 6 weeks. I miss home already. Thanks again for going to the Philippines. I am so proud you agree the we filipinos make the meanest LECHON ever!!
Thanks for visiting the Philippines Tony! I have been looking forward to this episode for a long time. Unfortunately, I think you presented a poor representation of the Philippines. You did not explore what is truly at the heart of Pinoy cuisine and culture. The guides lacked the emotion and pride needed to express the true significance of the most seemingly simple street food or market fare. Unlike the other shows you've done across SE Asia, this one seemed a bit lackluster and disjointed. Your struggle to define Filipino cuisine caused you to overlook the bigger meaning and role that food plays in everyday life. I hope that this show was just a taste of our culture that left you hungry for more. Salamat!
Great show Tony. I had the good fortune of spending some time in the Philippines back in 1996. The people are genuinely friendly and kind. I loved it there. About the pork....I'm sure the fire roasted pig was delicious however I believe a good argument could be made that it's the kingdom of Spain where the swine reigns.
tony,
THANK YOU for finally doing a show about the Philippines. Similar to your fan Augusto, i too went to the Philippines for the first time of my life back in 2006 to visit my mother's family. The trip changed my life and the way you portrayed the lifestyle, culture, and food of the Philippines was right on. Of course, it would be impossible to uncover ALL of the regional dishes of this country, but the hour you documented was top notch.
i'm jealous you had sisig....i feel in love with it too my last night in Manilla. Oh, and i'm happy you recognized the Lechon in the Philippines as being the BEST! LOL
Kudos to you and your crew for this episode.
Cheers.
I enjoyed watching you in the Phillipines ! It's my homeland I hope to visit one day and watching you eat the food and meet the people makes me want to go and visit so much more !!! You are so cool Tony I really enjoy your show!!!
Thank you Tony for representing the Philippines the way it should be. I hope your visit gave you a little more understanding of what the Philippines is all about as a country, as a community, and as a melting pot of awesome food goodness.
I hope that this trip was one of your best trips for the show. I bet you didn't expect to be eating as soon as you got there. I loved it though! Especially eating Fish Balls....wow....that's a memory from 25 years ago.
This is how I remember my home for 13 years before I came here to the States....very accomodating and they'll feed you to death....of very delicious food.
Again, thank you for reminding a lot of us of how Filipino food taste like. You're awesome! Keep up the good work!
Hi Tony! I watched your show No Reservations all the time. I'm a big fun of your show. Finally, I saw you in my beautiful homeland the "Philippines". Thank you for visiting and exeriencing some of our cultural foods that I miss a lot. You made me homesick! Can I have the information of the places you went on the show that aired Monday Feb.16, 2009. Keep up the good, we love your show and someday I'd like to take you to some more exotic places in the Philippines. I live in Gilroy California now. Gilroy is the Garlic Capitol of the World, I'm sure you knew that, my husband and I would love to show you around during the Garlic festival. We'd love to hear from you soon! Take care! Maya Goostree
"mabuhay ka, anthony bourdain at maraming salamat".. you truly hit us bulls eye when you put a big shout out to our "Lechon - the Baddest roast suckling pig ever".. you are always welcome to come back to our humble country.
Hey, yeah the chemistry between you and the Philippines just didn't seem "right" for some reason. But hey, after all the pressure and waiting it just seems that nothing would be just "right." Anyways I always enjoy your show and thanks for doing a seg on the Philippines. I finally get to go back after graduation after 11 years and now 22 years old. I'll be going back with a very different perspective so it should be interesting. But thanks for taking me back early. Love your show more than anything else on TV. My friend and I always dream about being like you and making similar comments whenever we're together. Always a delight and entertaining!
Tony,
Love the show, but you didn't even get on a boat, man. As far as cuisine, the Philipines is the England of South East Asia, should've stuck with the fishes (pilan bilog?). Should've featured kinilaw, best thing to come out of that country, made with the freshest fish just off the boat. Cheated with the lechon, because that skin is served cubed with an inch and a half of fat and an eigth of an inch of meat. Can't just pick the skin, have to choke down all that fat as well.
These Manilophiles did you wrong, should've gotten out to the country, no boring stiffs there, and San Miguel beer is a luxury. The workhorse libation is a nice ethanol blend from Ginebra that's far more cost effective, and the sum suman (palutan) is served in one bowl with many spoons, that's comraderie.
Pancit does suck, you did get that right. Where were the lumpia? Superior to the typical springroll/eggroll available here. And how do you not choke down a balut after some beers? Have to get them with plenty of soup.
Good show overall, though.
Boss Tony,
good choice... but the philippine show got my wife furious.
coz, i told her i'm going to make a video and invite you to check out the philippines, cebu in particular. but i never did! it was awesome! though, not everything was covered while you were in cebu. the pochero, ngoyiong, food street, deep fried pork snout, ear, and cheek. but it was alright...
and the two things the other guy(not augusto) should have let you tried, the lambanog and "tuba"...
I've been waiting for this episode since last year. I've finally watched it tonight. Anthony B. very nicely done, sweet, simple and yet profound segment of the Filipino cooking culture. I felt no pretenses, It was an honest to goodness look (with Augusto as backdrop) at the culture and of course the food in the Philippines. Hope you get to comeback even without the cameras but just a special special guest in our country. Mabuhay ka Anthony B. GOD Bless (Next time try the azusena :) )
Thank you! Not only for showcasing the cuisine in such a fashion but also not sensationalizing it (i.e. bizarre foods - though we have plenty of that).
But the part that really touched me was the whole feel of the show - the background with Augusto, your trepidation and sincere studied curiousity about the complex identity and the identity complex of Philippines and Filipinos as a whole. All that perfectly enough was reflected in the cuisine you featured. If there is so many of us all over the world, why is it that we shed our native skin and vanish in the faceless masses whichever country we land on? The guy from Cebu and you explained it best. You actually hit the nail there - its funny it took a foreign visitor to our country to point that out ;)
We are too damn nice, accepting of everything different that THAT becomes our identity. We adapt so well and do not like raising a fuss - not at home and certainly not in a foreign land so we shut up and adapt- to our great disadvantage sometimes because it comes at a great cost.
Augusto is actually the perfect representative of how a lot if us who have been away from the mother land feel and especially Fil-Ams who were born in the US - the
awkwardness,feeling of un-surenes,insecurity of our multiple identities but sincerely yearning for that connectedness to our roots. Thanks you - it really brought back memories of my trip home with my American husband - this is a special show for us Filipinos and you did a spectacular job explaining (or trying to atleast) the dilemma of the dynamic and complicated hodge podge that is Filipino ...and the food we eat back home.
hi tony!!
I'm a big fan of yours...I've been waiting for this episode..thank you for visiting Philippines..
I missed so much home especially the lechon.
I Hope next time you visit Mindanao. thank you
Thanks for visiting the Philippines Tony! I have been looking forward to this episode for a long time. Unfortunately, I think you presented a poor representation of the Philippines. You did not explore what is truly at the heart of Pinoy cuisine and culture. The guides lacked the emotion and pride needed to express the true significance of the most seemingly simple street food or market fare. Unlike the other shows you've done across SE Asia, this one seemed a bit lackluster and disjointed. Your struggle to define Filipino cuisine caused you to overlook the bigger meaning and role that food plays in everyday life. I hope that this show was just a taste of our culture that left you hungry for more. Salamat!
Tony...
No question, one of the best episodes! The food did take over for a bit, which I guess, is a good thing, but the 'take the Augusto story and uncover it for what it really is' aspect of the show was pretty damn wonderful.
I suppose it sometimes takes a kid from Joisey to help a pal floating between two cultures to find the right way home...
Cheers, chum! Another fantastic adventure on my 1080 Samsung!!!!
BRAVO !!! Mr. bourdain, you are a great ambassador to the world. Im positively sure without a doubt you are in everyone's Filipino viewers Heart. Thank You Sir for your honesty and just being you.
Hello, I'm looking forward to watch this episode today here in the Philippines :)
Thanks for visiting our beloved country. I hope you like it!
Finally you featured us!
hey! try going to food tours via this blog: anton.blogs.com.
great show tonight! i'm glad you covered the philippines! and as a filipino american myself, I can really relate with augusto.
damn tony. you did my two favorites things right- the philippines & the wire. you can do no wrong in my book...
Really love your episode tonight...so proud of you!!! MABUHAY KA.
Anthony,
Thank you for visiting The Philippines. I was just like all the Filipino out there wondering when you would finally visit the wonderful country of The Philippines. When I saw your episode on my country I was excited and happy that you would see for yourself how wonderful the tropical country really is.
I was just like Augusto born and raised in the United States but have always been a Filipino at heart. However, my mom made sure that I would grow up Filipino and I would always feel Filipino. I know in the episode Augusto felt confused about his heritage but I never felt that. I have always felt Filipino somehow.
When I got my chance to visit The Philippines for the first time in 2002 I never felt so at home my entire life. You ask many times why Augusto was so withheld when he was with his family. I believe it was because Filipino are very respectful and Augusto was just like any good Filipino. Therefore, I know in my heart there is no nicer Asian country than The Philippines. Thank you again.
Great show Tony!!! about Pampanga in the Philippines you and Andrew are making the world much less ignorant especially how food is prepared and eaten around the globe.
thanks, Tony!! had a blast watching you eat your way through the Philippines tonight.. Chinatown in Manila, Pampanga, Cebu -there was so much more you have to try. next time! certainly (all more or less 100M of us Filipinos) we're just thrilled you enjoyed your food trip.. and oooh, yes we have the best lechon in the world! beat that elBulli.
Hi Tony! This is Maya again. I forgot to tell you that the Gilroy Garlic Festival is the last weekend of July and my husband and I would like to show you around the festival. Garlic is good, it goes with everything. Since it's a Garlic Festival, all food is made with Garlic. Have you tried Garlic ice cream yet? Gilroy California is The Garlic Capitol of the World. People fly-in for the festival from all points of the World every year. Again, Thank you for visiting and experiencing the Philippines. My homeland! You do a great job, keep up the good work! I'm your fan of your show watching it rain or shine! I hope to hear from you! Maya Goostree
Pork, it's not just a verb.
Thanks for visiting the Philippines! It'a about time! It is a nice country with the nicest people on earth! It's not nice though they did not let you taste the best fruit in the world, "philippine mango" that is! Hope you come back! What you have eaten and seeen is only the tip of the iceberg. Thanks!
Excellent Show !!! I too can relate with Augusto, Tony, you made him proud of his roots. This episode had a special meaning to me. Knowing were your roots are and being with family. It struck me, I havent been back home since my family migrated in Los Angeles, Ca,. I was only 9 yrs old, and Im going to be 50 this april. Thank you sir for this wonderful episode of the philippines! It took this episode to make me realize, I too want to visit my homeland and also im going to visit CEBU were my moyher is from via Hawaii and eat a lot of that CRISPY LECHON!!! Thank you again Mr. tony bourdain
Dear Tony,
I think this was a great episode, nothing to be worried about. We Filipinos are so happy that you visited and ate some of the best food anywhere in the world - proud to be #1 on the pork hierarchy now, too. :-) I can't wait for the next new episode! Speaking of episode, that's a great one of The Wire. I'm on Season 5 right now...
No Reservations Philippines was a show my parents and I have been waiting for and we are truly thankful that you were able to visit our home country. We hope that you enjoyed your stay but we also wish you go back for a few more rounds and enjoy the rest of our delicacies, with or without the cameras.
It should have been a two-parter!
lol
That said, I enjoyed the episode and thought you did a good job considering the mere hour you were allotted.
Thanks!
Thank you for doing this episode. As a Filipino-American who barely speaks the language and has never visited the country my only cultural connection to The Philippines is the food. From what I've heard and knowing my family's cooking you captured the tip of the iceberg that is Philippine cuisine. You got it right when you said that the Philippine Identity is one that is unclear. That stems from Filipino's pride of the regions that they're from and hundreds of years of colonization. It is difficult to form a unified identity when for centuries Filipinos had to adapt to others rulings. Essentially this episode captured the heart of who Filipinos are. We are a product of our history, that is apparent in our cooking. Plus, I also like that the background music used traditional Filipino instruments. Fantastic episode Tony, you did us Filipinos proud!
Anthony Bourdain: "I love the smell of lechon in the morning...smells like victory"
okay, I haven't seen the 'No Reservations:Philippines' yet, I don't know when it will be shown here in the Philippines but I've seen some video sniffets and I must say the Philippines segment hit near bullseye and Tony should come back for more and visit the other islands. Thanks Mr. Bourdain.
goody. i enjoyed the episode whole a lot. bali? babigrin? wonder where in the hierarchy okinawan pork delight places... every parts but the oink is edible.
Thanks for visiting the Philippines! Watching the lechon reach its state of perfection while being turned slowly in the hot coals is enough for me to forget that its winter time in New England. The jiggly bonemarrows,shrimp paste,sinigang, and more!!! makes me yearn for home so much its painful. Our most recent travel to the Phils. was in Jan 08 but it seemed just like yesterday. Watching your show tonight can get expensive Tony! Next thing I know I'll be doing in this ungodly hour after I submit my comment is to frantically search for cheap flights to home-for a family of 3. Wished there were more skin though!-not just pig skin, did you ever try wearing our trusted tsinelas?
wat up Tony, thanks for visiting my cousin Maryanne and her husband Claude in Angeles. Did they take you to Fields Ave? That's where the real "action" goes down bruddah!! Been watching you since A Cook's Tour, keep up the good work. If you want that Pinoy food in the LA area, hit me up in West Covina.
Thank you, Tony!!!!
You've been wonderful in presenting a sensitive and positive reflection of my country, the Philippines, which is very welcoming and refreshing compared to the negative reputation we get in the world news – terrorism, poverty, corruption, and all.
The bit about knowing your roots strikes a big note to a lot of your Filipino viewers here in North America and even the rest of the world. Adapting to a Filipino's foreign residence while maintaining the original culture bring some challenges. It even leads to a point that a new identity is created - biculturalism. How much of the new is within a Filipino and how much of the old is still sacred and intact? Definitely, as you said in your final statement we cannot tell how pure a culture is anymore. Globalization, the trend that our world is becoming, creates a fusion of cultures, knowledge, and even resources.
One thing for sure, just as many Filipinos are clamoring for you to come to the Philippines, the common voice is – Please come and see what’s good about us. Experience why we are proud of the country that has given us the birthright, the genetic code, the foundation. Please come and recognize the despite the fact we are considered different and maybe odd or bizarre or annoying if not great, that we are honestly good, kind, hospitable and willing- to- be –your- friend -kind –of- people (yeah, you’re right, “we are too damn nice!”) We have lots of great things to offer – hospitality, sumptuous food and wonderful natural resources. Just take another look, a deeper look, and you will see more of our beauty. We are people worth to be treated with respect and a better regard.
For Filipinos, this show will just reinforce the belief that we should continue to keep the Filipino tradition, culture and values alive. We should just embrace it and be proud of it. Thank you , Tony and No Reservation staff, for helping Augusto and his new family, particularly his daughter to know their Filipino-ness (Filipino identity). It is a part of them that cannot de denied, covered, or hidden. It is something that should be celebrated and be proud of!!!!!!
Mabuhay ang Piliipinas!!!!!
Tony...a sincere thanks for visiting philippines this time. As you mentioned in your blog that you only visited 2 islands, one being the capital (you know for a fact that city food doesnt really tell you the whole picture), I'm pretty sure that all filipinos from the other region are thinking...oh man that white dude missed my island!!! Each region is proud of their food, in fact every town has their own specialty. I'm from ILOILO and i really hope you will try to visit this island next time you come with or without the camera and try to visit 3rd sunday of january for our DINAGYANG festival. Lots of food...you never know you might look like Zimmerman by the time you go back to new york..hahhahaha!!!! By the way..i did not see you smoke in the episode? did you quit? again..thank you!!!!
Mr. Bourdain: I am very glad you finally visited the Philippines. My mother and I tuned in and spoke on the phone right after we watched it. You got treated to everything, but we wished you could have been treated to more! I feel for that Augusto; thank god my mother never stopped cooking Filipino food or I'd be lost without it. Filipino food is like Asian southern cooking. It's all about home. Anyway. I'm just really happy you went there and enjoyed it! :)
First of all, The Wire is the best show ever in the history of television period. Secondly, you need to go back and do another show on the Philippines. You only barely scraped the surface of the cuisine. Oh, and you need to feature the insanely good deserts.
The game is the game.
The philippines awesome!! Lechon oh boy did that look wonderful what a magical beast cooking over the open flame. That crispy pig skin my mouth is watery just thinking about that.
Job well done Tony.
The worst thing that I could do was to watch this episode with an empty stomach and an empty refrigerator. It was torture to see the plates of adobo shrimp, spicy crab with coconut milk, sinigang, pancit palabok, and lechon.
That was a great show Tony! Thanks for visiting the Philippines! I had my mouth wide open while watching that lechon segment. Wish I was there as well. There were a lot of things you've missed, but you've covered most of the more important ones. And yes, Filipinos are one of the nicest bunch out there, and indeed, sometimes it really becomes a problem. Hoping that a second visit to the Philippines is not too far behind...
Tony,
I am glad you had the chance to go to the Philippines. My friends and I joke that "Filipino's are too nice, that is why they kept getting conquered." Joking aside, my five brothers and sisters could relate to Augusto's displacement. Thanks for helping him find his place somewhere between your show and the lechon. We will certainly ponder about your show at the dinner table here in Houston as we eat sinigang and adobo. My American husband will deliberate the criticality of his attempt at sisig and ask, "is this Filipino enough?"
Thanks,
Filipnia - here, there, and nowhere
Thank you Tony for an excellent show on the Philippines. As a fan of your show, I've enjoyed all of your episodes. As a Filipino American, I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this episode. I'm glad you enjoyed Filipino food, especially lechon. :) And it was nice you focused on Augusto and his feelings about connecting with his Filipino heritage, for I too can relate to what he's gone through.
Once again thank you for an excellent show on the Philippines!
I got off work early for the sole fact that this week's episode was on a place I used to visit almost every year until I was thirteen. Thank you for visiting the Philippines! There are so many of us 2nd generation kids in the U.S. that know little about the Philippines like Augusto. But you put it out there! If you can visit again, visit Illocos! I LOVE NO RESERVATIONS!!!! p.s- everyone stop mistaking Bourdain with Zimmerman. They are two different men with different class!!!!
Thanks Tony for visiting the Philippines. I'm sure you did enjoy the lechon (me drooling). Love the episode!
Hey Tony,
My wife & niece (both born and raised in the Phillipines) and I (an Ohio boy) have just finished watching "No Reservations - Phillipines" and all we have to say is way to go and finally! My wife and I have been back home twice since we got married and I had a wonderful time both times. The food is wonderful and the people are warm and friendly. You hit most of the high points of the cuisine that we love. Especially the Lechon. You also beat me by having sisig which I haven't tried yet. But you didn't go for Dinuguan, (lean pork sauteed with garlic and onion, pork blood and vinegar) one of my favorites. My wife is from the northern part of Luzon so perhaps they don't have that in Cebu. Anyway, thanks for featuring our favorite cuisine and we are very happy you enjoyed it.
I feel that Augusto did no represent the Philippines correctly at all!!! There was so much more to see! I love your show and I get excited seeing you go to other countries. When I found out that you were going to the Philippines I emailed and text all my friends. I wanted to have the the same even more excitement of watching your show since you were going to go to the place I was born. I was so disapointed! I was not even excited at all. I could even hear it in your voice that this trip did not interest you at all! I was on facebook and there are so many discussions going around and WE ALL were embarrassed of how Philippines was protrayed. I'm not saying it's the fault of your crew but Agusto was the wrong person to represent us. I wish there was someone else who can show you the real Philippines. There's so much more to us then the dishes you experienced! I wish that you can return back to Philippines with an experienced tour guide who knows the in's and out's of our wonderful country!!!
Thanks for the attempt..at last (or at least) someone tried to get the Philippines some positive exposure. I hate to sound ungrateful, but I just feel like you (Tony) know you could've done a much better job or maybe you just had not-so-great guides. I feel like my mom & family would've been way better. Like that guy in Pampongan said, it is a pride thing and you need to go to Batangas & Tagaytay & Palawan. I am glad you liked the adobo & lechon! But I wish you could've had better palabok and gone to a festival or a family celebration...that's when the food is truly amazing! Tony you are one of my favorite personalities out there, I felt like you had an ok experience this time, but maybe if you go back it'll be way better and that will translate through the screen to your viewers.
Tito Tony, is it safe to hope for a part two by any chance?
Tony,
I watch your show everyday...I mean everyday just to get away from CNN, MSNBC, and all these political hack. Also If you're not on I watched Animal Channel...some old movies. But, today your Philippines episode...Thank You! Thank You!
As I told you in Santa Cruz, Calif., it was on you to rectify the horrible abomination of a Philippines show perpetrated by a certain Andrew Zimmern.
Well, my dear? As another commenter said, you nailed it.
Thank you for not featuring balut, thank you for recognizing that Filipinos and our wonderful country and cuisine have largely been ignored, and thank you for bringing it all to light in this episode.
Congratulations on a great show. Too bad you didn't like the palabok - when done really well, it's awesome.
THANK YOU TONY!!! you did great.. Giving the Sisig all that camera time, acknowledging that it is beer food.. it was a visual treat for me.. my tummy is rumbling and my head is going crazy... I leave for my homeland (Philippines) in 6 weeks time... And the Dampa segment convinced me to go.. Ive always thought about it.. but im not a chef that would know what to buy at market side, but you know what.. you really did inspire me to venture.. ive already done the goat, and of course a Philippine Lechon is heaven in your mouth.. but really.. that shot, with you on the hammock.. is what really made me jealous.. I want that rest and relaxation... again..thank you..
Tony, I have been to the Philippines ten (yes, ten) times- the shortest trip being 2 weeks and the longest clocking in at 3 months. I know from experience that it would take a series of documentaries to catch the real Philippines and it's array of amazing food. You did an amazing job (far better than anyone else has ever done) in scratching the surface and I am so glad you got a real taste of good Filipino food!
You went to Manila, Pampanga (Culinary Capital!), and Cebu which is known for their amazing lechon; I think you did a damn fine job.
Thank you much for taking the time to visit our country!
I was reading the other comments and realized that you did not get the true experience of the Philippines. You didn't even get to go the remote villages like you do when you go to other countries. I LOVE your show and watch it all the time. But this episode of the Philippines was a dissapointment. Philippines has so much more to offer especially with their dishes. It seems as if we don't have our own identity with our dishes like some other countries on your show. I feel as if you just went there just to check it off your list. I hope this is not true. Please do visit Philippines again. In your other episodes you showed the wonders of the other countries you visited. But you didn't do the same for the Philippines. I know it's all about food, but I feel that Philippines was not represented enough. Thank you and please do revist!!!
Thank you Tony. You did right by us. Kudos to your staff for doing the research and picking the best hosts to show you around. (I know you're aware of how many Filipino fans you have but by the number of comments on this post in only a few hours...I think we are proving it...ha ha ha)
Filipino cuisine is too broad to cover in an hour. It was a good idea to make the trip to Pampanga though. But even Pampanga cuisine can take up the entire hour. The episode was a success, we (me and my Filipino friends) gathered around our TV's like it was Obama's inauguration! thanks Tony.
Anthony, you did an excellent coverage of our foods, but still superficially, as you went with Augusto, who is not a real foodie, he eats food. He does not cook them. As you noticed, your visit with Claude Tayag in Pampanga was bit more substantial.
So, how about this? Since you are a New Yorker, look up Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan's Cendrillon Restaurant in Soho, New York. They wrote a cookbook and run one of the best Filipino American restaurants in NY. Then, do another travel channel show in the Philippines with them as your guides, and also if you can convince Cristeta Comerford to be your guide in the Philippines. Do you know her? She is the executive chef of Pres. Obama and has been in the White House as a chef since 1995. Good luck and you have another 6,999 more islands' cooking to explore. That is our culture -- it is a world fusion cooking assembling the best of Malays, Japanese, Chinese, Spaniards, Dutch, Americans, and since 8 to 10 million Filipinos are in every part of the world, including Antartica, when they go home to the Philippines, they also bring home the food influences..so Filipino cooking is world fusion cooking!!
Please come to the best French bakery in Los Angeles, who supply to the Grammys and other upscale hotels, owned by two Filipina immigrants from Pampanga, and now are American citizens. You will be surprised with this Little Parisian bakery called La Maison du Pain, at 5373 West Pico Blvd. LA 90019.
to Anthony Bourdain. "You can't see the forest for the trees" Meaning you have to look at the PI as a whole. Its identity is hidden in the fact that it IS a mixed and varied identity. As a whole the identity of the PI would be the sum of all of its variety. There is no ONE PI identity, and yet there is when you look at the whole. Its a forest made of up different trees.
that should have been conveyed more in the episode
Thank you Tony for (finally) covering the Philippines! With over 7000 islands, i definitely understand as to why you couldn't just cover everything in an hour. Not even in 2 ~if you'll try. We hope you can go back, though. And cover the things you missed. And (again) we'll be waiting patiently... Thanks again!
Thank you Tony for FINALLY visiting the Philippines. I'm one of those who had been anticipating this episode since No Reservations began, watching you grudgingly visit anywhere but there. So when I saw you were really going there, I told all my friends/family to tune in--my excitement was borderline obnoxious.
As a young Filipino-American, I identify with Augusto's identity struggle, but the one thing that has always kept me connected to the "old country" was THE FOOD! (Augusto only had Lechon one other time?...really??) I appreciated his story as the backdrop for your visit there and for TV drama's sake, but this episode still left me wanting more--much more. I believe you did miss a lot and I was a tad disappointed that after all the anticipation and anxiety of the wait, I felt like your audience is missing out learning more about this great cuisine, country and its people, with their much talked about Filipino Hospitality (aka being "too nice"). We're the very definition of "family-style" dining, we can get loud, and we're so proud of our food, which being characterized by region, is an understatement.
BUT, I'm willing to let it slide since you have proclaimed Lechon THE BEST (as it should be!) since you're the connoisseur of all things pig! Maybe you will consider a "Part Deux" episode with a proper guide and introduction to other regions of the Philippines? I think Filipinos are indebted to Augusto for luring you there, but I'm sure you had many Filipino fans yelling at their TV sets too. Where's the Dineguan, Balut, or even Lumpia? How about landmarks/traditions only indigenous to the Philippines--rice terraces and Tinikling?
No mistaking, I do love your show and for taking me around the world with you when I can't go myself, one pork dish at a time! I just hope this is only the beginning, perhaps a "to be continued..."?
Thanks. I enjoyed that episode. Please visit my country again another time; only a fraction of what we have to offer has been covered. I liked the discussion on the state/condition of Filipino cuisine in the States.
!!!I will watch where ever you go!!! Have you gone to Alaska, to experience Alaska King Crab, combat fishing on the Kenia River, Dip Netting on the mouth of the Kenai. Usually happens late June~~thru~~July. Watch out for them brown bears, deep sea fishing in the Halibut capital of the World... (Homer, AK). Keep it up!!!
FINALLY!A PHILIPPINES Episode! I use to feel like Augusto ten years ago. I was born in the Philippines and moved to Jersey when i was 6. I was totally American in every sense...almost anyway. At home we had Filipino food everyday cooked and prepared by my mom. Better than Filipino places i go too. But like you Toni for the longest of times I've been asking myself why there aren't an abundance of Filipino restaurants like there are Thai or Japanese or Chinese in the country. In Manhattan alone I know of 2 places. And when i go there I only see Filipinos. When i go to a Thai place all i see are 90% non-Thai. Don't know the reason behind it at all. Hopefully, this episode opens of the doors to Filipino culture more. And for Augusto, keep going back every year and keep in touch and get close to your relatives back home. Cause one day you will find your true identity as a Filipino. I did!
I had a Phillipino pork curry in a coconut milk sauce at Sau Pa lat hawker centre at singapore. Tony, I guess we will have to wait for a hundred years at India before we get to see the episde and know the origin of the curry.
Goa, in India, has some lovely pork dishes such as pork chilly fry, Goan sausagees (sour and sharp) pork sorpatel (pig's blood forms the base for this) and pork vindaloo (I am yet to have two vindaloos which taste the same).
My favourite place pork at Goa is this lovely place called Infanteria http://finelychopped-k.blogspot.com/2008/02/wish-you-were-here.html I love going back there for holidays
I LOVE YOU TONY! My little Filipina heart filled with joy when you tasted Pancit Palabok and Pinakbet! I smiled and giggled through the whole show!
Tony,
I must say, I thought you did a great job with the Philippine Episode. Though a gargantuan task was bestowed upon you, in learning and exposing a beautiful culture; you did a fine job. You hit several social and cultural nails, with one hell of a mallet. The Food, the Identity and where do they go from this point.
A brief bio of who I am: A Filipino-Chinese that was raised all over. I lived in Spain from age 3-6, New York 6-9, Philippines 9-12, back to NYC from 12-13, then the Philippines for a year and Los Angeles since the age of 14. All those years were critical especially the NY-Philippines.
The Philippines has several postulating theories of its ethnic origin. The most common one told in Philippine Grade school goes like this: Aeta’s (Pygmie Tribe), Proto Malays and Indonesians, Chinese – Middle Eastern (sorry for the outdated term), then the Spanish.
SIDE NOTE: Truthfully I cringe when a Filipino claims that they are part Spanish when they do not look anything Spanish, and by default they feel like they have earned their “Spanish” blood due to their last name being of Latin heritage. I encourage those people to watch the movie “Amistad” or read some excerpts from Antonio Pigafetta’s book “Magellan’s Voyage.” Or anything that boasts’s about the Filipino Fishermen navigating the South East Asian Sea’s. Please gain some Filipino PRIDE.
Due to the Historical Cultural blending, I feel that it is impossible to cover the Philippines in one attempt. I mean c’mon, the Singaporean Episode could have been a Sir Thomas Raffles series. Not to mention the open trades during pre Brit invasion. Or even the Brazil episode could have gone on and on about Bahia as a slave port and the historical implications of today.
So to the blogger(s) that mention that the episode was poorly done, get over it. And also to the multi posting trolls that type the same complaints with a different user name, and a close proximity in time, stuff it. Go watch Rachel Ray, or Bobby Filet (Pun Intended) stand on top of the cooking surface with his Culinary “New Money” braggadocio after finishing the Iron Chef challenge. Also, if you feel that “Your Family” could have done a better tour of the country, maybe you should have submitted a video. And if you did, maybe the producer’s thought that your submission was more like a Flavor Flave or I Love New York crap reality show audition tape. (I hope the SAG strike is settled soon) Reality TV sucks.
Moving on, I feel the Market shopping concept was right on. Most families (Rich or Poor) will shop at Wet Markets. The term “Suki” brought to attention by Market Man is very critical to your food shopping relationship. Your “Suki” is the one that will give you better and bigger portions of your purchase. The “Suki” is the bridge between swimming fish, and yesterday’s purgatory catch. The Dampa portion showing the live seafood bought, and cooked several feet from your vendor was amazing. Just like the Mexican Cooks in the USA, the Filipino cooks bang out delicious meals with fast food timing, and Heavenly delivery.
The Sisig consumption goes beyond a culinary consumption. For Tony to find the original Sisig joint, shows the extensive research he has put in. It is something practiced in the Filipino Culture to consume Alcoholic Beverage Food while engaged in conversation. It is both a quiet yet dignified joy to eat from the same plate, which makes the experience Communal. The concept of fraternal sharing is displayed in this segment.
The regional difference is the beautiful spiraling food experience in the Philippines. I mean Quail Adobo? Shrimp Adobo? Multi use of Pork? That is exactly what we used to experience in Hip-hop music during the Golden Era. THAT’S WHERE YOU ARE FROM. Represent.
Also, there was tons of Kulintang Music playing in the background. I thought this was a nice subtle touch. This is an indigenous tribal instrument; aurally produced from a gong like surface, shaped reminiscent of a xylophone, poly-rhythmically banged to my cultures blood. Research – research – RESEARCH. Great job.
The social aspect is a constant tug of war between Filipino Natives – Filipino Immigrants, and American born Filipinos. There has been Astounding ability for Filipinos to ASSIMILATE in their migrated country. Eager to be Western in accordance to blend, slight Ethnic shame due to the impoverished representation of other nationals, and the lack of Cultural upbringing.
While the kid Augusto is the wrong person if you want a foodie, or even a person with heavy Filipino Enculturation to guide Tony; let’s not forget he was in a mission to discover his roots. Besides, the guides that Tony had were very sophisticated and knowledgeable. Though I did find Augusto to be a $#%& for brains for candidate having only a week’s experience visiting the Philippines and not watching Apocalypse Now. In the end, it was an Episode about learning and Showcasing.
Aside from Manny Pacquiao, DJ Q-Bert, and the Nurses working in the USA, this episode will create great strides for the culture and the people.
Just like the Columbians and people from Laos; I thank you sincerely for putting us on the map .Sincerely.
Thank you: Tony, the Producers of the Show and the Travel Channel.
Represent,
Charles Yao.
You're right, we are too nice! So, I ***** (respectfully) demand you do another Philippines episode. For the love of God, Pork, San Mig and all that is good. I think this one was decent, but you were rightfully nervous. If the Philippines as an experience is lechon: then you only tasted a small chunk of skinless lean meat.
1) I feel like my people's jovial streak didn't come through at all! Where was the crazy Tito challenging you to outdrink him? Where was the explanation for the prisoners doing the Thriller video (which is that we are all variety show stars at heart). Where was the 80s music, dude?
2) I guess I was expecting something like the Korea episode, where you experienced the importance of family through your producer. Family, food and religion (mostly Catholicism) are our religion and we are fanatics!
3) I wish you had touched on what many of us "balikbayans" struggle with when we return: the extreme class disparity. On my trips home, I go from my **** one bedroom apartment in Los Angeles to a maid ironing my underwear. WTF.
4) I noticed not a word of Tagalog or any dialect was heard during the entire episode. All English, for good little colonials are we. This is totally worth examining!
5) I know the show is only an hour long so I will stop now. I don't blame anyone, I just beg you to consider going back. Ok, one more thing, it's **** beautiful. The Philippines is drop-dead, take your breath away, gorgeous.
That is all. I really do love you and pretty much every episode ever made (Food Porn is my recent favorite, along with the aforementioned Korea). I just love the Philippines, my motherland, my heartland, even more. Please do her justice.
I'm pretty sure the Fil-Am Community loved tonight's show! My family have been fans ever since your first episode. Thank you for visiting Philippines! You nailed it on the dot when you mentioned the variations how each regions cook their dishes! And how you've noticed the impact regarding the distance from place to place. I'm glad that Philippines is No.1 in your "Pork Heirarchy!" You NOW have to try the desserts!!! Keep up the great job in your show! Thanks again for bringing Philippines in the "Food Map!"
And yes, as a fellow new yorker and almost 10 years "on the job," The Wire is one of the best written police drama that has ever hit tv! From the characters' struggle to the stat-meetings in police headquarters, to how the Mayor utilize the PD, to how drugs get circulated in the streets - it is so real life! As McNulty would say "what the F*@# did I do?!" Love your show and Love your book Tony! Best wishes to your continued success!!!
I had just posted something on the message board earlier about being a little dissappointed with the Philippines episode... but after reading your blog I totally understand, there is no way you could have covered everything about the Philippine food culture in one hour. So I guess you'll just have to come back (you'll probably have dreams about it)I just wanna say that I am a fan of the show and much of my dissappointment is not about the show but because I wasn't the one touring you around! gosh sisig is really good..
i don't mean to be mean, but augusto was lame. i felt bad for tony in all the scenes he had to share with augusto. the guy was simply too boring to be on tv. i'm not saying augusto is a bad dude or trying to assassinate his character or anything of the sort. it's just that augusto was the one who literally begged to be on tv and thus, i'll judge him for his presence in front of the camera: he was dreadful. and it's not like he had to sing, dance, levitate or do anything that required skill. he was hanging out with bourdain forgodsakes! many of us would pay copious amounts of cash for the chance to do that! augusto? that boy was half-dead.
this episode would have been far better had tony gone solo. going at it from the "oh, i'm so confused and i really don't know who/what i am " angle is trite and easily done. living in america, many folks can relate to the sentiments shared by augusto. it's nothing new. it's nothing profound. yes, the philippines is a melting pot, but nowadays, what country isn't? any No Res show can approach it from that angle. all you need is bourdain, country x, an american whose ethnicity is from country x, and then bingo-- you can make an episode about biculturality. it ain't hard.
nevertheless, it was still a good episode and it makes me want to return back to the philippines even more now.
on the lechon tip-- no doubt, i've had nothing but excellent quality whenever it came to the filipino roast pig. but numero uno? seriously? better than the one in bali that was stuffed with all the spices that made the dutch wealthy and basted with a marvelous marinade by way of a mop and a bucket? better than the iberian hogs from spain that feed on acorn and truffles during its time here on earth and then slaughtered to make the $240/lb bellota jamon? imagine the baby back ribs on those piggies... but if tony says it's the best, then there's no argument from me. i'll be in cebu having a feast and digging on some swine soon enough, i swear.
god bless.
your featuring the philippines is a celebration of sorts for all of your filipino fans...it's like watching our boxing hero manny pacquiao compete--it inspires pride. your philippine episode inspires pride in our food. and it's quite touching to learn about augusto's ordeal. he does reflect the cultural predicament of filipinos born in a foreign land--they miss out on their true roots. i'm sure it was challenging to pick only 3 regions for the show, but the ones you did choose represented what makes filipinos unique as a whole, and at the same time, what makes a regional dish distinctly theirs. filipinos themselves can be tourists in their own homeland, after all, it's an archipelago full of different yet familiar flavors! thanks for taking us--and augusto--back to the philippines with you. to be hailed as the source of the "best lechon" in the world is something to toast about. there's so much more to discover and we do hope you'll be back!
Maraming Salamat Tony!(Thank you very much Tony) for featuring the Philippines,we've waited for this for so long...and I'm glad you did it, I'm here in Dubai and i'm not sure when or if we will ever get to see this episode in the middle east?,but hearing that you enjoyed sisig and lechon is good enough for me... now its time to call the get tamborine man for lechon and beer in these parts...hmmmm, Kudos Mang Tony!
Lord I wish you had really done Hawaii Anthony. As a "haoloe" who has half wormed his way into Hawaii I can say you really missed Hawaii on that episode. Both on the Hawaiian front, and then culture mixing; that episode was the least accurate. Whatever station paid the ticket only gave you the American "Haole" tour including the local family tour. It calls into question the rest of your shows, "which I love" but I know Hawaii has so much more to offer with less effort than the island hopping the phillipines had.
You never picked fresh opii'. and poke' is so diverse. Not to mention you never went to Ohahu's chinatown, which sad as it is; has some really diverse ethnic dishes. The hotdog bit was just sad. The Producers hardly let you out of Waikiki and the people you were sent with had the same mentality. (Haolecentic). No the "hawaiian culture" center luau does not count. That spectacle is the saddest thing. Hawaian culture is almost dead, and real Hawaiians are almost American. Still, Hawaii has some great cultural feasts that missed that show.
mr. tony!thank you so much for showing the world about the philippines!we had a great time watching the show last night..too bad you didn't have a chance to go to my hometown davao..
by the way, we are here in Georgia since march last year. and guess what?my husband cooks lechon here in Georgia!that's right. pork lechon! authentic roasted pig.if you ever wanted to eat lechon, feel free to email me.hehe
More power on your show! hope you will be back in the Philippines.
thank you for featuring the phils! you hit the 2 most popular regions to represent our cuisine but you are right that you've barely scratched the surface - it would take a whole season to do the filipino cuisine justice. I was a bit surprised though that you didn't get to try "balut" which is another favorite beer dish next to sisig.
also, i give you kudos for kindness to Augusto. salamat!
Tony, you are THE man. You so rock in my heart. Philippine lechon is certainly the best around. Thanks for doing the episode in the Philippines. Can't wait to visit the country again this April and get my lips all greasy with lechon fat and having a meal at Dampa!
Travel Channel & Mr. Bourdain can you please air the "Philippines" episode again? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!
Great to see the philippines Tony..BUT This show as a significant disappointment..The meals seemed like a wake..Filipino's laugh, smile, sing, do karaoke...The country was not portrayed in any way..the incredible beauty.
Why not Boracay, Bohol, and Davao City ? You seemed uneasy ? Tony you missed the BEST of the Philippines sadly.
i feel for your addiction to "the wire" and have developed a passion for it ALMOST as much as food. i too saw the wire straight through. however, at the end, despite what opportunity costs were lost, you feel a sense of accomplishment and connectivity that your actions will have seemingly inexplicable repercussions elsewhere.
Anthony I realize you are big fan of oysters, I think you should have me on your show and we should go to wellfleet MA for their yearly Oyster Festival. Some one such as yourself must know that truly, the worlds BEST oysters come from wellfleet MA. on top of that the small town is a magical place with a vibrant albeit small artist community with wonderful art galleries, awesome restaurants, a town theater company, and a mystical quality that draws people from all over the world to the small local every summer. hope all is well, looking forward to the next episode.
Nate
Did you know that by airing this episode, that means you'll be invited to a meal at every Filipino household in the USA?
If one thing came through in your episode, it was the warmth and hospitality of our culture. There is always room at the dinner table. There is always enough food.
As for being critical about the episode, it would have been impossible to cover the topic in one episode. So, I think you will only calm this fan by PROMISING ANOTHER EPISODE!
Hi tony,i know its really hard to cover all the wonders of the philippines,the foods,cultures and our people but i can say you did a great job last night!Thanks a lot for introducing our country to everyone....i really enjoy every minute of it!Im so jealous when you eat all those foods like sisig,bulalo,pinakbet and ofcourse the lechon!Nothings beats the lechon in the phil esp the one in cebu.Thanks again tony...mabuhay ka!
Hi Tony,
My 7 year old daughter was squealing with excitement when she said "Mommy! Anthony Bourdain is going to the Philippines!" She is born and raised here in the US but she loves going to the Philippines. She enjoys her lechon!
Thank you so much for visiting my home country. I was so hungry after watching the show. Awesome job on the episode.
I still cannot get over the fact that you said "Best pig ever." A very nice episode of the Philippines. I myself love sisig and eat lechon everyday when I visit Cebu.
While you did the Filipinos proud across the globe by airing last night's episode, I believe you were robbed of an opportunity to do a mini-series of the Philippine Cuisine, much like Andrew Zimmern were robbed of an opportunity to do a series on "The Best" of Bizzare Foods when he visited the Philippines. Perhaps because only an hour was alloted for last night's episode, or that your culinary guides were just as confused as Augusto, but last night's dishes were, if you will, merely an icing of a truly great cake.
Hi Tony,
I think in general, you did a good job with the Philippines show. You covered at least the basics (fantastic adobo and sinagang and lechon!) and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, my mouth was watering by the end of the show. I'm going to make my mom cook for me this weekend! It brought back good memories from my childhood. I hope you do decide to go back to do another episode. There's so much more! In the meantime, you are definitely welcome at my family's table. Even come to one of our "gatherings", full of good food and good times! That's how my husband got introduced into the community!
Take care!
Moved to Seattle in '89 and I haven't been back since. The Philippines show left the mouth watering, the stomach craving, the heart smiling and the soul a-jumping. You got it "right", T. Regarding our unhealthy obsession, I'm going to get another 5-disc DVD player so I can watch two seasons of "The Wire" without getting off the couch. As we say in the Philippuines, last night's episode "be the bomb, yo. True that." I need therapy.
I watched the Philippines episode twice! I thought our country was misrepresented in terms of our cuisine and culture. Tony could have been "escorted" by a more articulate Filipino culinarian!He was toured by these foodie bloggers who took him to chinatown and commercialized tourist traps? A FilAm from NYC who was painfully disappointing and boring!Its not Tony's fault. It was short of research and yes,Thomas I agree, Boracay? Palawan? Bizarre Foods with Andrew's visit to the Philippines did a better job!
Way to do the Philippines proud Tony. I mean Zimmerman simply blasted through our dishes with half the wit and articulateness that you're show provided. Plus, you did what I thought was impossible to do, give an introductory course on Filipino cuisine and making it accessible and delicious looking for the mainstream. Which is why this episode, regardless if Augusto was flat on camera and simply conned the Travel Channel into paying for a paid vacation back home, is one of my favorites. You displayed the food, and you displayed it quite well.
As a fan of your show, when I saw the ads for the upcoming show on the Philippines tonight, I was so excited to see it and called 5 other relatives to tune in. I too wondered why you skipped the Philippines during your various trips to Southeast Asian countries in 2007. I know you only covered 3 towns but there's only so much food you can cover well within a 1 hour show and you would need a week in each region to cover the highlights. I can imagine many first generation Filipino Americans feeling like Augusto about the Philippines. I am happy that you did cover my most memorable childhood favorites in detail, the special occasion lechon and the neighborhood fish ball cart!
I grew up in Manila, left when I was 17, and have been a US resident for 25 years but have never been to Cebu. The best roast pig (lechon) in the world is a true compliment from you and the crispy skin is my favorite part too. I've tried roast pig in Hawaii cooked underground for a luau but the Philippine-style of a whole pig roasting over a charcoal flame for a local feast is the best. Smelling the aroma as you wait for the pig to be cooked over hours could be a painful experience. Did you try eating it with the "lechon sauce?"
Yes, you must go back for another visit and try the food in the other regions. You should definitely try "crispy buntot (crispy tuna tail)" in Manila which pork lovers would find comforting. Thanks for visiting our native land and I hope you can go back there to sample more food and create another episode. Also, don't forget to make time to listen to talented Filipino musicians nightly. Should you need a good food guide for Manila, please let me know.
Thank you for FINALLY doing a Philippine segment. My husband and I are among your biggest fans, and like every FilAm, have both been wondering why you've not gone there. There's another quintessential Filipino pork dish (not sure if you tried it while you were there) called dinuguan--- it's a stew using pork blood as the base. If you're ever in Los Angeles, you're welcome to our home---and we'll be sure to prepare a Filipino spread for you & company. Best of luck, keep writing/cooking/eating/living--- we love your work!
You did great (on the Philippine episode)! Thanks Tony and crew, we are forever grateful. My husband and I do also travel a lot. And I do agree, the Philippine roasted pig particularly from Cebu and the region of the Visayas is the best we have ever tasted. Spices and herbs are just right and no chilis to override the flavor. The pig is just hand slow cooked to perfection. Crispy, crispy skin and melt in your mouth meat just laden with flavor. They said it takes expertise from years of experience to cook this as one could easily end up with a pig with soggy skin and tough meat. Well I guess, one will have to taste one to know what it's really like. But thanks again Tony and more power to your show.
Bravo on this episode, Tony. Cebu lechons are indeed, so full of flavor - which I have not tasted yet anywhere else before. Another must eat food that you should try, is the "chicken inasal" or chicken barbecue of Bacolod. Guarantee, and you'll say they're one of the best too. But thanks again, my whole family enjoyed watching this episode. Ratings must be high last night as I told every Filipino I knew about it (hehehehe).
I was reading through the responses... I haven't watched any of your episodes, as I don't have access to cable. I'm not a foodie or a chef. I'm a Filipino. I discovered this link through marketmanila. The only thing I'm thankful for is that you get are curious enough to visit the Philippines. I hope you get to visit us once again but on a more relaxed environment. Thank you for featuring the Philippines. There's no "but" to that. It's a big compliment and boost for the us to have someone recognize our cuisine. Hopefully more Filipinos are able to recognize and appreciate too their roots.
Yes, after this episode, probably more Filipinos living abroad would be craving for Filipino food.
God Bless.
I think the most telling criticism of the Philippines show came from my wife, who is a caucasian American. While we were watching last night, she remarked something to effect of "Why did they pick this guy (Augusto)...I've eaten more lechon than he has!"
As I noted on the show forum (much less congested than this blog, btw)...if you ever want to go back to the Philippines, I volunteer to show you a much better time.
good job tony! as homesick as i was its good to see the mother islands still has her charm, omg! i do miss the philippines! oh one comment abouth the 'your not filipino unless your kapangpangan first' is total bull! i do admit that the food is good though! same can be said to other regions, we just have our own specialty that we're proud of... i wished you've tried the 'ginataang pating' (shark in coconut milk) from bicol but that just means you'll have to go back, right?
thank you again and im so happy you enjoyed your trip! it was walking down memory lane for us filipinos abroad.
To Rory,
Ivan Dy is the guy who does walking tours of Manila, including the food tour. Try going to http://oldmanilawalks.blogspot.com/ for his rates and contact info.
First off, the Food Porn episode was priceless - I enjoyed it a lot and it was quite clever. I wasn't sure if you incorporated some snippets from the movie La Grande Bouffe by Marco Ferreri in your show- perhaps I missed it. Overall, it was great...
Regarding the Philippines episode - I say Bravo!!! Tony, you did redeem yourself from that special horrible pretentious show " Under the Table" . I'm glad that you clearly understood that the Filipino cuisine is not just one thing, they all varies according to regions or provinces. Since you visited only two islands from the 7200+ islands, then that would be something for you to look forward to do more Philippine episode under the guise of "Philippines island hopping taste test" or something clever than what I just suggested.
Lastly, just want to let you know that I was really touched by your thoughtfulness, sensitivity and generosity of Augusto's situation. Unfortunately, most Filipinos who are born in the US or outside the Philippines are in the same boat like him: confused and lost, trying to find their own identity. However, for a country that has been under 400 years ruled by Spain, and then by the Americans (after Spain sold us for $20 million to the Americans), it's been difficult even for Filipinos who are left behind to also find their own identity. One thing I can assure you that we Filipinos sprung from a hardy race, and will continue to survive with the hope that the future generations will carry on the rich traditions of our ancestors.
Here's my 2 cents suggestion if you decide to do a show on Philippine island hopping taste test -just for starters, here's a sample....
Bacolod city (Negros Occidental - island of Negros) - makes the best "Inasal" - chicken barbecue
La Paz, Iloilo city (island of Panay) - makes the best "Batchoy" - noodle soup with cow's brains
Sagay city (Negros Occidental - island of Negros) - makes the best "Squid rings" - calamari
E.B. Magalona (Negros Occidental- island of Negros) - sells one of the best Blue crabs in the country
Davao city (island of Mindanao) - the best Durian in the country (of several variety)
Valencia (Dumaguete city, Negros Oriental) - the best "Lanzones" and "Rambutan" fruits in the entire country
Lastly, my family makes the best "Dinugu-an" aka "Blood Stew" - Negrense style (of course i'm partial to our cooking, just like every Filipino family.....)
By the way, I can't wait to see your new NYC episode (I currently live in NYC - downtown the East village for 27 years) in the next month, I am moving back to the Philippines for good, so I am already lamenting the taste of the best Pastrami from Katz's deli (which is a block away from my place), Ross and daughters caviars and other delicacies, and the peirogies and blintzes that I get from my local Polish diner....looking forward to watch more new episodes from your travels.....Thank you again for all the great shows.....
ps. Yes, Tony, I too is a member of the "Pork eater's Club"....
First off, Tony, thank you for coming to the Philippines. It gave us Pinoys living outside the country a glimpse at what we all love and miss.
The sisig scene was the best -- I have been to Aling Lucings many times in the past and I could almost taste the fatty goodness that to me is the best sisig EVER.
I just wish you focused less on Augusto's angst over his national identity and focused more on the food. If there is one thing about the food of my country -- it is varied as our heritage is.
We are a melting pot -- and so many good food has melted into our pot. I wish you explored more ... ate more ... and gave the world a chance to know that beyond the apparently gross looking, strong smelling food of the Philippines lies a national history that is colorful, multicultural and very, very new world.
Thanks though ... for visiting. Please come back soon ... The rest of the 7,107+ islands need you to taste their food too!
I enjoyed last night's episode. I do think you should return to the Philippines another time and expose different regions. Really, how to even begin to tackle seven thousand islands and unfathomable diversity? There was simply no way to do it all at once.
Perhaps the show erred too much on the side of being about that guy Augusto, and his failure to meet expectations as "native" and "host". That said, my husband appreciated the more personal turn of the story, and its awkwardnesses unglossed by the anti-realism of tvland.
I have seen every episode of The Wire. I live in Baltimore, and watched it on a bender last year, over a few weekends of misery. It was unreal to leave my house and still be in the set. I definitely need to watch it again more closely...it's so dense, I know I missed something important. It was an easy and immediate obsession, and I felt a new faith in the reaches of TV, and the possibilities of storytelling.
It's also been fun to see all the former-unknowns subsequently score roles in big action films.
Contrasting obsession with The Wire with obsession with something like Lost..the shows themselves are hardly comparable, of course. Lost ensnares its fans with a hunger for resolution. The Wire never needed to be outcome-reliant or overuse tired plot-turning devices like time travel; it just lived and breathed into the moment. I would like to see the momentum of The Wire applied to different subject matter.
Anthony I usually look forward to all of your insightful and even overly poetic analogies, and was disappointed that you found very few words to say about the Philippines. Please keep in mind that not all Filipino Americans are not as lost as Augusto, and all would have jumped up to the chance to relieve Augusto in a second. His ignorance and disconnection to his family and region is not reflective of all of your Filipino fans that wanted an episode of our beloved home. Although I admire his bravery I was ultimately dumbfounded that he messed up the opportunity to show how truly fun we are as a people. This guys has as much enthusiasm as the dead lechon roasting in the background. Maybe the cameras spooked him, but granted the headhunters in Malaysia handled the pressure immensely better. Maybe we Filipinos are just too proud for our own good, and Augusto longs to be a part of that. There was so much fun to be had in the Philippines and I feel like you and the rest of the world missed out last night. Please reconsider doing another episode. Relieve my pain.
My family and I are so disappointed to have missed this episode on the Philippines! Please tell us when it's going to be aired again? Thanks.
Need I to say more? You are a knock out! After Chicago, the Philippines. The first is where I live, and the latter, the one that I miss. We also have smoked fish in the Philippines, smoked almost always homestyle. I say thank you for the Philippines episode, and hoping that your viewers would some day say, "Let's go Filipino!"
Thank you Tony for a wonderful episode! I hope you can visit the Philippines again and hopefully see our festive side!
Mr. Anthony Bourdain...I was so excited to watch the Philippines episode. I don't have Tivo so I made sure I had my TV on the Travel channel till it was on. I watched 5 of your episodes before it was on...always entertaining might I add...and you are HILARIOUS! 10pm comes...Philippines is on...I was very disappointed. You need to go to the hardcore province to experience the Philippines. Boracay is a must for night life! You didn't even experience the cock fights! But you are right....P.I. is made up of thousands of islands, therefore it was tough to cover. You need to pay P.I. another visit...do some island hoping...visit farms...and check out the cockfights (how they are raised, treated, and trained is amusing).
Tony,
I must say, I thought you did a great job with the Philippine Episode. Though a gargantuan task was bestowed upon you, in learning and exposing a beautiful culture; you did a fine job. You hit several social and cultural nails, with one hell of a mallet. The Food, the Identity and where do they go from this point.
The Philippines has several postulating theories of its ethnic origin. The most common one told in Philippine Grade school goes like this: Aeta’s (Pygmie Tribe), Proto Malays and Indonesians, Chinese – Middle Eastern (sorry for the outdated term), then the Spanish.
Due to the Historical Cultural blending, I feel that it is impossible to cover the Philippines in one attempt. I mean c’mon, the Singaporean Episode could have been a Sir Thomas Raffles series. Not to mention the open trades during pre Brit invasion. Or even the Brazil episode could have gone on and on about Bahia as a slave port and the historical implications of today.
Moving on, I feel the Market shopping concept was right on. Most families (Rich or Poor) will shop at Wet Markets. The term “Suki” brought to attention by Market Man is very critical to your food shopping relationship. Your “Suki” is the one that will give you better and bigger portions of your purchase. The “Suki” is the bridge between swimming fish, and yesterday’s purgatory catch. The Dampa portion showing the live seafood bought, and cooked several feet from your vendor was amazing. Just like the Mexican Cooks in the USA, the Filipino cooks bang out delicious meals with fast food timing, and Heavenly delivery.
The Sisig consumption goes beyond a culinary consumption. For Tony to find the original Sisig joint, shows the extensive research he has put in. It is something practiced in the Filipino Culture to consume Alcoholic Beverage Food while engaged in conversation. It is both a quiet yet dignified joy to eat from the same plate, which makes the experience Communal. The concept of fraternal sharing is displayed in this segment.
The regional difference is the beautiful spiraling food experience in the Philippines. I mean Quail Adobo? Shrimp Adobo? Multi use of Pork? That is exactly what we used to experience in Hip-hop music during the Golden Era. THAT’S WHERE YOU ARE FROM. Represent.
Also, there was tons of Kulintang Music playing in the background. I thought this was a nice subtle touch. This is an indigenous tribal instrument; aurally produced from a gong like surface, shaped reminiscent of a xylophone, poly-rhythmically banged to my cultures blood. Research – research – RESEARCH. Great job.
The social aspect is a constant tug of war between Filipino Natives – Filipino Immigrants, and American born Filipinos. There has been Astounding ability for Filipinos to ASSIMILATE in their migrated country. Eager to be Western in accordance to blend, slight Ethnic shame due to the impoverished representation of other nationals, and the lack of Cultural upbringing.
While the kid Augusto is the wrong person if you want a foodie, or even a person with heavy Filipino Enculturation to guide Tony; let’s not forget he was in a mission to discover his roots. Besides, the guides that Tony had were very sophisticated and knowledgeable. Though I did find Augusto to be a $#%& for brains for candidate having only a week’s experience visiting the Philippines and not watching Apocalypse Now. In the end, it was an Episode about learning and Showcasing.
Just like the Columbians and people from Laos; I thank you sincerely for putting us on the map .Sincerely.
Thank you: Tony, the Producers of the Show and the Travel Channel.
Represent,
Charles
next time you come round to cebu, try the lechon/inasal baboy (roast pig) in carcar market... it's the best tasting one and stays longer in crispiness. am glad u featured my country in your show. thanks a lot. it is well-appreciated. :) there are many more flavors around here u need to check out. several more islands to go around, too. wish u well for u and ur show.
Thank you, Tony, for coming to the Philippines!
You made a comment on the show about being able to eat sisig for breakfast with a fried egg? That's actually done in certain restaurants. Like adobo, everyone has their own slightly modified version of sisig and every Filipino has their favorites. So you're right in that you missed quite a lot. Come back soon.
Thank you Tony, for starting a war between me and my Puerto Rican friends. While I love lechon, I totally appreciate good pernil.
If you were looking for the crazy, party animal side of filipinos, then your producers should have checked out Zane Lamprey's show. He really gets down with his in-laws in his lambanog episode.
Dear Tony,
First of all, THANK YOU for finally visiting my country.
You actually inpsired my family to take a vacation in Bali to taste "Babi Guling." Well, you are RIGHT, lechon is so much better!!
Although, I'm wondering about the missing Spanish influenced food, desserts (bibingka, halo-halo, etc), and balut? Were these edited out?
All in all, thank you for your constant inspiration. I always look forward to your next destination.
Please check out my comments on the show on this link. For some reason with several attempts, this site won't post it.
Best
Charles
http://tinyurl.com/cs94vo
Hi Tony,
My wife and I were really anticipating the Philippine episode. We are Filipinos that have migrated here, and are currently living in Pittsburgh, PA (land of Primanti's Sandwiches :-D). This is an area that has a good number of Filipinos, but sorely lacking in Filipino restaurants and groceries; we have to go to Jersey City, NJ for all of those. We just visited this past summer after not being able to come back for almost 8 years. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. Your episode gave us such a big craving that we were wishing that we were back in the Philippines then and there. I am a big fan of sisig, and luckily for me, my wife knows how to cook it. We love lechon too, but we have not found a good roast pork in this area. I do agree that you should have tried so many other dishes, like the kaldereta (usually made with either beef or goat - heavy spanish influence) or the beef tapa and bistek tagalog (beef fried in soy sauce and onions). Other dishes that come to mind are the lechon kawali (deep fried pork with skin), the lechon baka (a whole cow cooked in the lechon style you just showed), our grilled food (squid, pork, beef, chicken inasal, etc.) and our desserts (yema, suman and polvoron, to name a few). You also missed the different spirits and liqour that the country produces (lambanog and tuba). I do hope that you get to come back to the Philippines so that you get to try those as well!
Just reading thru some of these comments, I guess your filipino fans finally got what they have been wishing for :) Like them, I was excited to watch your show about my hometown. I was sick in bed but couldnt miss this and was up late and at the end of it, I was a bit homesick but happy that you visited the Philippines, no matter if you didnt cover too much of the country's many regional cuisines, I love the fact you enjoyed sisig! Continue making great shows!
good job! tony and a filipino boy, t.v. has not been this good since "will and grace"
Hi, Mr. Bourdain.
As you can already tell, you made A LOT of Filipino fans with your episode. Thank you for doing a great job, not just with the food coverage, but also tackling the issue of identity. Even my parents were watching your show, and they loved your commentary.
I am also a reporter for Filipinas Magazine, the largest Filipino-American publication the U.S. We are distributed in all 50 states. Would you be interested in doing a quickie interview regarding your experience in the Philippines? I can send you your questions via the net, and the piece would primarily be your thoughts on Filipino cuisine.
Thank you for your attention.
I agree with a previous post, why did you pick Augusto? Simply, he was bad. I know his "story" makes for good dialogue and drama for the show and viewers, but I believe most of us who are criticizing Augusto would rather of had someone who has been back to the Philippines several times or someone who left the Philippines, has been in the U.S. for a while and wanted to show you the country (and our food). Yes, identity is an issue for a lot of Filipino Americans, but not for all of us. I'm sick of this sympathetic "feel sorry for us Filipinos because we don't know who we are" BS. Unfortunately, you picked Augusto, who is not a good representation of other proud, self-aware Fil-Am's who could have done a much better job of being your host in our home country.
That aside, kudos to the other hosts and the food you showcased. I believe you highlighted some of the best, albeit not all, dishes the country could offer. If you happen to come back to the San Francisco Bay Area, please let us know and we can show you some of the best Filipino food (restaurant and home-cooked) outside of the Philippines.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Ok Anthony....you finally made it to the Philippines!! I was so excited i had to DVR it! Being that my family is from Cebu...i wished you couldve experienced more of Cebu food!! I read someones comment that mentioned our Lechon Manok!! You buy it on the side of the road and grab a few Puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves) and theres your lunch for the day. The Lechon Manok is flavored from the inside out. So its not like the typical chicken where the outside is good and the inside isnt much flavorful. this kind of chicken is mouth watering and i do believe its so good that i can have one whole chicken to myself!!
And there is also these floating restaurants called SuTuKil. Your menu is pointing at a table of fresh fish and different sea foods and telling them how you want it cooked!!
And we have family members that go out in the middle of the ocean to dive for sea urchins and all they have on is goggles.....that doesnt even cover their nose!!
And theres this mountain in Cebu called Tops where you have the best view of all of Cebu. When i went up there i thought there were bats...but they were actually goliath moths!! ok i know that doesnt sound like fun but the view is beautiful and worth it!
My family is also from one of the provinces in Cebu. That would be an awesome experience for you to see our Bahay kubo and Carabous!! And eat fruit that i dont see here in the states! =P well you can experience that if you ever go back to Cebu for just a vacation.
Or maybe next time i'll take you!! And we can bring Augusto and his family too!!! Show him my Cebu!! well i think i've typed too much and youre probably passed out on your keyboard by now. so ill end this with a DONT STOP WHAT YOURE DOING ANTHONY!! LOVE IT!!
Overall, not a bad effort, but you were right to be nervous. You did okay with the food, but you did the wonderful Filipino people a disservice primarily because the local guides (hosts) and Augusto did not serve your program well. I can’t help, but wonder if the person who took you to ‘Chinatown’ in Manila was mestizo. He seemed as much Chinese as Filipino. Your very wealthy host in Pampanga seemed a bit contrived and hardly typical of the average Filipino. Augusto -- well Vinh got it right above. Nice guy, but boring at best and certainly not a foodie, but perhaps more damaging was that he did not seem comfortable in his own skin. The problem overall was that you made the Filipinos look boring.
Having been stationed at Clark AB in 1976-77, I know a little bit about the place. The Filipino people are incredibly warm and welcoming. You got a little of that. But they are also passionate. They sing, they dance, they write, they paint and they have great fun, great food and great parties. They are passionate about freedom and historically they resisted the Spanish, Americans, Japanese and Ferdinand Marcos at the cost of many lives. My wife and a Filipina who helped us used to go to the fish market at about 5 AM (right after the curfew – martial law). The prawns, lobster, clams, snapper and so much more they bought came from fishermen who had curfew passes. Yes, pork is king there, but the seafood is a big part of the royal court. Also, your references to pancit and lumpia were cursory at best. Finally, you made no mention of the incredible desserts and tropical fruits.
Perhaps if you had been able to attend a debut or christening you would have gotten a better feel for Filipinos. Perhaps if you had gone to a Negrito village you would have gotten a more realistic picture of the place. Perhaps if you had gone to Baguio you would have seen better markets. Perhaps if you had gone to the Banaue Rice Terraces you would have gotten a feel for the beauty of Filipino agriculture. Additionally, perhaps if you had read a bit of Filipino history and knew what “GOMBURZA” meant you would know more about Filipino passion. Finally, if you had read a bit about Jose Rizal, you would know how Filipinos influenced Gandhi and indirectly Martin Luther King. And, if you were aware of what William Howard Taft did in the Philippines and the American-Filipino war in which 20,000 Americans and many more Filipinos died you would be a bit more aware of how complex and interwoven US and Philippine history is.
Ayyy, sorry for the lecture, but I am very close to a young and incredible woman who is half Filipina and she was very disappointed in your program, so, in part, I am speaking for her and many other Filipinos.
I’d suggest that you read Stanley Karnow’s book, In our Image, America’s Empire in the Philippines. It is a bit dated and there may be something newer, but it will give you a feel for the place. Again, you were right to be nervous. You got some of the food right, but you missed out on the place and people. You are too good not to have done better. But, I suspect you know that.
FINALLY! Tony, you've practically visited the entire SE Asia and the visit to the Philippines is long overdue. I was ecstatic watching the Philippine episode next to my American husband.
Cebu is the land of my birth and where I was raised until the move to Manila in my teenage years. Last night, all I could wish for was have a teleportation superpower so I can teleport myself to Cebu and have that mouthwatering lechon from Talisay, Cebu with puso, tihi-tihi, guso salad with green mangoes and kinilaw nga tuna on the side.
It is indeed hard to describe the Filipino as people and as a culture and much less as a cuisine. One historian wrote about this and said that how would you describe a culture that has spent 3 centuries in a Spanish monastery and 3 decades in Hollywood? Unlike other countries that Spain conquered, we managed to keep our indentity alive and kept our regional dialects. The dialects are interspersed with Spanish words and yet very Malay in its twang.
As a foreigner like yourself and I as a Filipino, I must say that there is yet much to discover about the Philippines. Manila can be so modern and international and yet just a few hours drive or a short plane ride out of Manila, there is already a stark difference in the cuisine and the dialect. Most Filipinos who were born and raised in the Philippines are able to speak English, Filipino and a dialect.
I really wish and hope that I could give you a bit of an insight to what more the Philippines has to offer. Just as we have regional cuisine, we also have regional drinks that are fermented from either coconut sap or rice.
I really hope that you visit the Philippines again. You have made a lot of homesick Filipinos even more homesick but in a good way. You have provided an itinerary of sorts to what and where we ought to go next time we go to the PI (Philippine Islands).
And yes, Tony, you can never go home again because home is where the heart is.
Thank you Tony and crew for visiting the Philippines. I really miss to go back home. God Bless
Quote of the Week:
"A chicken only has one ***".
By the way, Tony, that bus thing that you saw we call a jeepney has an American history. After WW2 the Americans left a lot of their jeeps. The Filipinos needed a way to get around the war-ravaged country and converted these jeeps into a 10-passenger (or so) vehicle. This is us recycling what the Americans left after the war and made it into our own: a jeepney. The Philippine economy may have died a long time ago if it wasn't for the jeepney.
Tony, if you need info or research done on your next visit I would love and be very honored to do it. I lived in both Cebu and Manila until I came over to the US on my own at age 29.
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to the Philippines. You are definitely right about missing a lot. You didn't even get to enjoy the seafood and the exotic fruits. I'm surprised you didn't even get some good ol' durian which you savored on another show. However, you did a great job and your show just made me want to schedule a trip there soon. I love you, your show and your crew!!! Mabuhay kayong lahat!
Joseph Gardewin...what a great POV. Much appreciated (I am among the Fil-Ams who were gravely disappointed!)...thanks for dropping some some Rizal into the mix. I think you were the first to mention our greatest statesman. Bravo. A halo-halo especial on me should we ever meet!
I watched the show and you did miss a lot. I am half Filipino and half American (my father is caucasian). I had the priveledge of growing up in the Philippines. The food is nothing to compare. From the south you have the coconut milk and chilis on almost all the dishes they have. Manila has the spanish and chinese influence in their dishes while the North is more on the fish/shrimp paste sauce on their dish and they would burn the pork skin or chicken skin for additional flavors. Have you tried our famous skewers? They are far better than the normal skewers you have here in the states. While watching I was wishing I was with you so. I you have shown you a lot more about our food and culture. I hope you will come back and do another show about the food in our country. It's about time people learn about our food and culture.
Great job on last night's show Tony!
My father is such a big fan of yours, and hasn't been home in a good decade. The show brought a big smile to his face. Thanks for bringing us home even for a little while. You and your crew are awesome!
So, DISAPPOINTING, Tony. Where in the world did you find your guides? Seriously, Binondo? Pampanga as representative of Filipino cuisine? The food that was served (Pampanga house) is so far removed from the reality of what a typical Filipino family eats. One thing you did right, though is Cebu.
Hi Mr. Bourdain, Thank you for the Philippine episode of your show. I am a Filipino restaurant owner in Blauvelt, NY and one of our objectives when we established this restaurant is to introduce to non-Filipinos Philippine culture through our cuisine which is almost unknown to many. As you may have observed, it does not give justice to our food to just describe it. It has to be experienced. Your show certainly promoted our culture, our hospitality. I invite you to visit us if you find yourself craving for Filipino food - sisig, lechon and the works.
More power to you and your show.
Thank You, Tony! You have all the love from Filipinos. We enjoyed your episode! You did well. You did justice. Like you said, it's up to the rest of the world to go further. You pushed a crack on the doorjam and wrote the intro of the blank page.
I loves me some bagoong and patis but I kinda wish you hadn't shown how it's made. Those buckets of putrefying fish was a buzzkill.
the whole family watch your show i just wished there could be more and you could have chosen a better hose in Augusto..but nevertheless you made us plan our next trip back home to the Philippines
Last nights show convinced me that America is ready for sisig. NOW! Great show, T!
Hey, Thanks for doing a show about the Philippines, but I didn't see anyone offer you to eat BALUT (duck egg w/baby chick inside) or the BLOOD soup that would have been really a good highlight of show you eating Balut. You like our beer (San Miguel)?
i wished i was your local guide to the Philippines! I've been in new york for more than 20 years but i've been home every two years..I could have shown you much better more deliciously- tasting food!
hi Tony! thank you so much for going to the Philippines!!! It was the BEST episode, ever! ;) we love you!
Hi Tony,
Kudos for finally airing an episode about the Philippines and it's fascinating cuisine. However, I personally find that the episode failed to explore & experience the true and full flavor of indigenous Filipino cooking. Unlike your previous episodes which gave your audience in depth views of the gastronomic delights of the culture being prsented, the "Philippine" episode draws a sharp contrast. You frustrations can be seen throughout the whole show, you seemly wanted more... I believe that Augusto was ill equipped for the task at hand. Forgive me for being critical, but I am very proud of my birthplace (Cebu) and all its flavors and essences. So next time, if there could be one, allow me to show you the real way, the unbeaten path of true Filipino gourmet.
p.s.
I'll even pay my own way...
I LOVE YOUR SHOW...MORE POWER TO YOU!
Salamat,
LYNDON ROTH
Tony, great episode! My wife and son and I visited our daughter in the Philippines last year. Your show brought it all back. Thanks!
A few months ago I heard that you were doing NO Reservations in the Philippines. I was so excited and could hardly wait for the episode to go on air. Thank you Tony for doing such a great job in showing one of the best aspect of our culture. I am from Cebu and I can say once and for all, we have the best Lechon in the whole world!
HOpe you will make another trip there soon.
You made my day, Mr. Bourdain and make me homesick.
How i wish you visited Iloilo City, my hometown.
Any chance of making another shot of the Phil?
Keep it up.
Salamat .
Woohoo!!! for the best roasted pig in the world!
Thanks for featuring our country finally after so many episodes.
You really got it right with the sisig. My husband and I used to go to Aling Lucing's (driving for an hour and a half) just to satisfy our cravings.
Maybe you can do a part 2 sometime???
Thanks Tony for this follow up entry! I hope you'll consider coming back to the Philippines again...even if it's to vacation. And if not, take a trip down to San Diego, CA where my family lives and we'll cook you up lots of yummy goodness!
Thanks for doing a show about Philippine cuisine. You went to Luzon (Manila, Pampanga) and Visayas (Cebu). You missed Mindanao. Im from Davao city and we also have a different flavor profile as far as our dishes are concerned. Im from San Francisco and also work in the same industry as you do. Maybe on your next trip to the Philippines, make it to Davao city.
Tony
I would like to say (THANK YOU!) For this wonderful episode. I really do missed those Filipino Dishes..Specially that mouth watering Lechon. That really bring back memories....As far as the show is concerned, i only hope you could do another episode and make us Filipino Crave for more.....Again THANK YOU!
Ever heard of the following?:
Pinaupong Manok (Seated Chicken)
Linasing na Hipon (Drunken Shrimp)
Relyenong Bangus (Stuffed Milkfish)
Relyenong Manok (Stuffed Chicken)
Tinapang Isda (Smoked Fish)
Tokwa't Baboy (Tofu with Pork)
Pata Tim (Look it up!)
Crispy Pata (Dig it up!)
Adobong Pusit (Make me some!)
Chicharong Bulaklak (Find out what it is)
Adidas (Start researching)
These are but a few of what you've missed. The latter two are meant for Andrew Zimmern.
So when are you going to visit Mindanao? Specifically, General Santos City, which, in 1939 was part of a Philippine government settlement program. Yeah, the islands of Luzon and Visayas were getting overpopulated so people from these islands were recruited by the government to settle in General Santos City, South Cotabato, island of Mindanao. Talk of a culinary melting pot of sorts. And...I'd love to see you haul a whole tuna to enjoy 100% fresh sashimi.
Hello tony thanks for giving the filipino people a chance to see again the phillipines and our native foods..im very happy that you visited my native province pampanga...im proud to say we have the best food in town, the SISIG...yumo..!anyway hope you a learned a lot of things about philippines. come back soon!!!!god bless
General Santos City, Mindanao., Philippines awaits you:
http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/
Beautiful - you brought me back home last night. From a very grateful heart, Mabuhay!
Tony,
Congrats on finally making it to the Philippines. As a 20-year former Philippine resident, I only wish I could have entered the contest that Augusto entered/won. Rest assured that if you ever get a hankering for good Philippine quisine, the San Francisco bay area is not far behind the Philippines in cuisine. We have some great sources of lechon and sisig, and much more. I can name/list them if you or anyone desires. I also have a former classmate that's now a foodwriter in the Philippines. I only wish I could have hooked you guys up, perhaps for a different take.
Your question about "who are the Filipinos" is an intriguing question, but one difficult to answer. Between the many years of subservience to colonial masters, to the chameleon-like ability of Filipinos to assimilate in any culture, to the very Filipino trait to not call pompous attention to oneself, I think all these things contribute to the identity crisis that we (as Filipinos) still have today. It will be a while before this changes.
Nevertheless, glad you had a good time.
Yeah, the wire is pretty awesome. There was an ingredient that you mentioned on the philippians show, and that a lot of chefs use it, "opscale or upscale or hopscale"? If you could fill me in on any information about this ingredient or how it is spelled, I would appreciate it.
Thanks Tony for finally putting the Philippines in the spotlight, it's about time! My husband and I were already having some negative thoughts about out own Filipino food to the point that we are are aready thinking that our food are just so plain or just yucchhy to you and other people it would not even merit an episode in your show. Thanks also to Augusto of Long Island NY for finally convincing you (although you're seemingly reluctant) to see for yourself our unique and rich culinary culture.
You were right to say in your blog that you missed a lot because you just visited two of the more than 7,000 islands, but we are not complaining, Tony! At least you made the first step, and we will be looking forward to your next series of visits! May we suggest some places for you to cover next time? Don't forget the places where two of the most famous volcanoes are located: the Bicolandia where the almost perfect cone Mayon Volcano sits and Negros Occidental which is part of the Panay Island, right next to the Cebu Island. Bicolandia is already in the Guinness Book of World Records for that Filipino guy who ate the most peppers (the spiciest in the world!) You should try the Bicol Express, the spiciest of them all. Negros Occidental is my husband's hometown and I just enjoyed my vacation there at the foot of Kanlaon Volcano, especially the food!!! Thanks again Tony and we hope to see you again in the Philippines. Mabuhay ka, Anthony!!!
finally! Tony covered the PHILIPPINES..Ive seen it a million times, from re-runs to the original episode..The way covered the food was great, but you can really see our Spanish culture through the architecture. And it is a disappointment, clearly not the right word I was looking for that you did not feature our natural wonders..all in all, it was a great show, and the food you guys featured brings back a lot of memories.. and YES! Philippines have and always will have the BEST PIG IN THE WORLD!!
-summer
let me answer your question:
Who are the Filipinos?
We are the people who have come and formed such a diverse nation that our culture will blow your mind away!! We are people who are proud to say that, "Pinoy Ako!"
What make Filipino food special?
From the Spanish colonization to the bond of other countries, our food holds a great history. Because I tell you, we Filipinos love to eat.. And our foods have a lot of history in them that it brings back memories.. And that is why our food is special!!
tony - thank you so much for finally doing an episode in the philippines! my fiance and i have been waiting for this for a long time now (i'm filipino and he is italian/irish/american)... i don't think andrew zimmern captured the true filipino cuisine, which is exactly why americans are afraid due to the the false perception of strange filipino dishes. it's really quite the opposite! i think your tour guides could have been better because there is so much more to the philippines... the culture, the people, the nightlife, the natural sites. perhaps you will visit again to explore other parts of the country... it was so nice to see you enjoying the food and especially the lechon - which i always thought was the best in the world! we love your show and loved this particular one since it's close to my heart... it's about time that someone show america what filipino food is all about! thanks, tony!!!
Thank you for visiting the Philippines. We love your show!
Totally loved the episode -- not just because of the food, but because of the singular way you were able to get what we were all about! http://tinyurl.com/cqm6km
Considering you've had a change of heart on previous contestants, can we expect the wing-infused snowscape of Buffalo to be far from production?
If you haven't already, I highly recommend getting "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets" by Simon. All the thrill and grit of The Wire in book form.
http://www.amazon.com/Homicide-Killing-Streets-David-Simon/dp/0805080759/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234910803&sr=8-1
The Sisig consumption goes beyond a culinary consumption. For Tony to find the original Sisig joint, shows the extensive research he has put in. It is something practiced in the Filipino Culture to consume Alcoholic Beverage Food while engaged in conversation. It is both a quiet yet dignified joy to eat from the same plate, which makes the experience Communal. The concept of fraternal sharing is displayed in this segment.
The regional difference is the beautiful spiraling food experience in the Philippines. I mean Quail Adobo? Shrimp Adobo? Multi use of Pork? That is exactly what we used to experience in Hip-hop music during the Golden Era. THAT’S WHERE YOU ARE FROM. Represent.
Tony,
I must say, I thought you did a great job with the Philippine Episode. Though a gargantuan task was bestowed upon you, in learning and exposing a beautiful culture; you did a fine job. You hit several social and cultural nails, with one hell of a mallet. The Food, the Identity and where do they go from this point.
The Philippines has several postulating theories of its ethnic origin. The most common one told in Philippine Grade school goes like this: Aeta’s (Pygmie Tribe), Proto Malays and Indonesians, Chinese – Middle Eastern (sorry for the outdated term), then the Spanish.
Due to the Historical Cultural blending, I feel that it is impossible to cover the Philippines in one attempt. I mean c’mon, the Singaporean Episode could have been a Sir Thomas Raffles series. Not to mention the open trades during pre Brit invasion. Or even the Brazil episode could have gone on and on about Bahia as a slave port and the historical implications of today.
So to the blogger(s) that mention that the episode was poorly done, get over it. And also to the multi posting trolls that type the same complaints with a different user name, and a close proximity in time, stuff it. Go watch Rachel Ray, or Bobby Filet (Pun Intended) stand on top of the cooking surface with his Culinary “New Money” braggadocio after finishing the Iron Chef challenge. Also, if you feel that “Your Family” could have done a better tour of the country, maybe you should have submitted a video. And if you did, maybe the producer’s thought that your submission was more like a Flavor Flave or I Love New York crap reality show audition tape. (I hope the SAG strike is settled soon) Reality TV sucks.
Moving on, I feel the Market shopping concept was right on. Most families (Rich or Poor) will shop at Wet Markets. The term “Suki” brought to attention by Market Man is very critical to your food shopping relationship. Your “Suki” is the one that will give you better and bigger portions of your purchase. The “Suki” is the bridge between swimming fish, and yesterday’s purgatory catch. The Dampa portion showing the live seafood bought, and cooked several feet from your vendor was amazing. Just like the Mexican Cooks in the USA, the Filipino cooks bang out delicious meals with fast food timing, and Heavenly delivery.
Moving on, I feel the Market shopping concept was right on. Most families (Rich or Poor) will shop at Wet Markets. The term “Suki” brought to attention by Market Man is very critical to your food shopping relationship. Your “Suki” is the one that will give you better and bigger portions of your purchase. The “Suki” is the bridge between swimming fish, and yesterday’s purgatory catch.
The Dampa portion showing the live seafood bought, and cooked several feet from your vendor was amazing. Just like the Mexican Cooks in the USA, the Filipino cooks bang out delicious meals with fast food timing, and Heavenly delivery.
Also, there was tons of Kulintang Music playing in the background. I thought this was a nice subtle touch. This is an indigenous tribal instrument; aurally produced from a gong like surface, shaped reminiscent of a xylophone, poly-rhythmically banged to my cultures blood. Research – research – RESEARCH. Great job.
The social aspect is a constant tug of war between Filipino Natives – Filipino Immigrants, and American born Filipinos. There has been Astounding ability for Filipinos to ASSIMILATE in their migrated country. Eager to be Western in accordance to blend, slight Ethnic shame due to the impoverished representation of other nationals, and the lack of Cultural upbringing.
Sorry guys. Due to the space limit, I wanted to post most of my points.
I feel the Market shopping concept was right on. Most families (Rich or Poor) will shop at Wet Markets. The term “Suki” brought to attention by Market Man is very critical to your food shopping relationship. Your “Suki” is the one that will give you better and bigger portions of your purchase. The “Suki” is the bridge between swimming fish, and yesterday’s purgatory catch.
I did not get the names of the guides in Manila and in Cebu. The guide in Manila forgot to include vinegar as one of the ingredients of adobo. In spite of this, he guides, including Mr. Tayag of Pampanga did a good job showcasing and explaining the Philippine's culinary culture. it's just everything has to squeezed in in an hour episode, and I am pretty sure a lot of these guides' works were edited for the show. Anthony already pointed it out that he missed a lot, but he enjoyed his visit and the Philippine lechon is the best in the world, what more can we ask for?
Augusto did well also by being honest about his lack of knowledge about his parents' homeland. Anthony and the staff for sure already know this and it is a good story to tell about Augusto and some people's search for their identity and exploring their homeland's culinary culture is one way to find it. I am sure everybody would like to be Anthony's guide including me but the show has to have a unique perspective to differentiate it from all other travel shows. Kudos again to Tony and his staff and more power!
Good work Tony! We are so happy that you visited the Philippines. At least now my American friends from Michigan, won't be wondering what the Philippines is like when they watch your show. Thanks.
To you MEDZ, you know who you are... You are just envy of Tony's achievements. Whatever you say you will always be a loser!!!! Shut up!!!
For those that care, here are my thoughts on the "No Reservations" episode in the Philippines. I’m not the biggest “foodie” out there, but I did just get back from the Philippines. In fact, I’ve been there more than 10 times and I even lived there at one point. That’s a lot than can be said for one Mr. Augusto =) Anyway, this was supposed to be just a few bullet points, but I think I got a little carried away. I hope you enjoy my review!
The Highlights
* Lechon: That roasted pig looked awesome. It was great that they picked the skin off as it was cooking. I would have done the same damn thing.
* San Miguel Beer: Even though he didn't explicitly mention how good San Miguel beer was, I was very glad to see that Bourdain was drinking it with every single meal...even with the meal he had in the mall. Interesting that he stuck with the Pilsen and the San Mig light. I guess the Red Horse was too strong for him!
* Sisig: I'm glad that they recognized the joy of sisig, especially at the end of the night when one has enjoyed too many San Miguels. When Bourdain mentioned that the sisig would have been great with an egg on it, I wish I could’ve told him that that is the BEST way to take your sisig. I think his hosts let him down on this one.
* The mall: I like that they had a meal in a mall. Many Filipinos enjoy going to the mall for the shopping (including clothes, hardware, and furniture). Many more enjoy the mall for the air conditioning, church (yes, there are churches in malls) and the food selection.
* Bourdain got out of Manila: There is so much more to the Philippines than Manila. He went to Pampanga and Cebu. That’s cool and all but that one guy kind of annoyed me with his comment about having to be Pampangan before being Filipino (I’m glad the wife later clarified that statement). On a final note, I know about Pampangans’ reputation about having the best food/chefs, but I think that that reputation is kind of overstated. I’ve been there as well as other provinces and I just didn’t find anything exceptional about the food there. Basically, I wish travel food shows would explore the cuisine of the other provinces and not just jump straight to Pampanga after Manila.
The Lowlights
* No ripe mangoes: This was like the biggest miss EVER!!! When it comes to food and the Philippines, how can you not mention or show the ripe mangoes at least once. I thought this was pretty unbelievable. I know at least 20 people that think the $1,000+ airfare to the Philippines is justified because of the mangoes alone. Oh well at least he mentioned calamansi.
* No breakfast food (the "silogs"): Okay, at least Bourdain sampled taho. Not bad. However, from watching his other shows, I think he would’ve really enjoyed a sampling of any of the following: tocilog, tapsilog, longsilog, bangsilog, etc. with their deep-fried and grilled assortment of meats with fried rice and eggs. C’mon, Anthony Bourdain himself admitted numerous times that he is, in fact, an “egg-whore”
* Not enough chicken: There’s no other way to say it except that Filipinos love chicken. With fried chicken from Max’s, roasted chicken from Andok’s, chicken barbequed on skewers (inasal), Bourdain could have spent tons more time and explored the wonderful obsession and flavor of Philippine native chicken.
* No Philippines landmarks – They totally missed showing any of the great Philippine landmarks that include Palawan, the Rice Terraces, Chocolate Hills, Taal etc. He even missed Boracay…Wow. Even while they were in Cebu, I’m thinking that they could’ve at least had one scene of the beaches there.
* Augusto – Even though it was Augusto’s video that got Bourdain to the Philippines, I’m holding him and his lack of familiarity of the Philippines accountable for all of the above lowlights…especially the mangoes =)
hi.. i watched it last night and i was really happy you guys put that kind of effort to show to the whole world about Philippines. Who we are and what we eat... the whole time i was watching it was fun..(esp. the part you went to Pampanga). i lived there for like 20 years of my life.. hope you would revisit our country in the near future and i'd love to show you more bout phils. (culture and food..)
good luck and more power!!
THANKS Tony, Love the show so much, well executed... Though you just visit 2 islands out of 7,107 on low tide and 7,100 on high tide.
you have attitude and sassy-ness and you're the best. LOL
More power to your show...
Well, Tony, if you ever need refuge from the Romanians, it looks like the Philippines will be the place to hide out. Enjoyed the show and completely understand your obsession with The Wire. I'm just starting to read The Lush Life, by Richard Price, because I liked his work on The Wire.
Thank you, Tony! Thank you oh so much. http://coffeeanyone.bravejournal.com/entry/27917
Guess I wasn't alone w/ that feeling that you MISSED so much more about the Philippines. The lechon & Pamapanga segment saved it in my opinion, but the rest was just meh! Where were the town fiestas & celebrations? The awesome beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, Baguio City, Aklan, the best diving spot in the most southern provinces (Batangas, Puerto Gallera), the amazing tropical fruits, sweet treats (bibingka, suman, bukayo, kamote cues, etc), the countless religious events & processions, and most importantly how the whole country goes bananas when it's Christmas time? It's nice the you finally visited, but definitely not a complete representation. Could have done without the gross food factor since that's mostly enjoyed by the neighborhood ummm drunks. Augusto just made me sad to be honest. Please return soon to cover the rest.
Still LOVE you though, because as you've discovered....Filipinos are truly very nice people!
pampanga the best cuisine in rp? walang hiya grabe naman to say that kapampangans can do one better and improve upon all the food if they cook it ..tarantado
Tony, you did a great job in showing what the Philippine's comfort food is all about. The food that you had in the show is what the average person enjoys at the end of day, either at home or with friends. I am very glad that you enjoyed the lechon - because I have tried it as well from the Chinese to the Puerto Rican version - I have to admit that the Filipino Cebu version is the best. My family and I are an avid fan of your show and it was just nice to see you enjoyed your visit to the Philippines. Thank you....:)
I wished you could've have done more research before going to the Philippines and not believe and took what your guide (Augusta?) had to say. He himself is NOT knowledgeable to the culture and authentic Filipino food. Sorry, I think he spoiled your first visit to the Philippines. There is so much more you could have covered about food and places as well. Maybe you should have partnered with your friend (Bizarre Food host). His visit to the Philippines was more real I thought. Sorry but your family host on your show were boring people!!
I still like your show and will always watch :) I hope you will revisit Philippines but PLEASE choose your guide wisely.
Hey Tony, it was a great hour of t.v. Thanks for such a kick *** episode on my home country. I dedicated a blog post to it. Read it when you can and keep up the great work on No Reservations!
Tony you rock! Mabuhay ka! Thanks for visiting PI. I was drooling the whole time watchign the show (LOL) SISIG, LECHON, ADOBO and cold San Miguel beer, guess now you know why some people call it paradise ;) Thanks to Augusto for lighting the spark, you rock bro. You made a lot of pinoys happy last night Tony. More power to your show. Salamat
The pork looked wonderful, of course, but I'd like to know a bit more about that chicken dish made with "Popes' noses."
um am I the only one that thinks (didnt read thru all the comments) this show wasnt that great and was a tad boring, if I may boldly say so.
Tony I think you should stick to main known Asian countries, what kind of asians dont use chopsticks???!!
I'm not trying to be mean or anything, I'm a big fan of your show just not yesterday's show =p
I can't wait for Vietnam, I know that show would be very awesome!1!
Here is my second try ever at leaving a comment. Just want to say that whats nice about watching your show is that you seem to give us a little bit of your person every episode, and I saw a side this episode that was nice to see, humbling. Props Tony!
Mr. Bourdain,
I absolutely love you and your show! I'm so glad you finally decided to visit the Philippines. It was a good episode overall but I feel you've only begun to scratch the surface of what Filipino cuisine is about. You did a pretty good job with the food and tasted some of the "must-haves" in the Philippines, and I'm so glad you liked most of it. Sisig and lechon were totally perfect for you!
I just wished that you could have showcased some of the country's history and culture too. You could have shown more spanish dishes that most Filipinos consider part of our own cuisine like lengua, cocido, paella, etc. Manila should have it's own show! You only saw the street food side of the city.. you should have balanced it out by showing the more upscale, cosmopolitan side of it. That represents the extreme class system in the country. There is a very small middle class.. most people are either really rich or poor. I thought you would have loved the city too since you love new york.
Also, no offense to Augusto but he and his family were not really representative of the typical Filipino family. Most families are really close and whenever they eat together, everyone talks and laughs and has such a good time. I don't blame his family tough... I mean he has only been to the Philippines one other time in his life, plus they were probably just shy with all the the cameras around. It was a really nice thing you did bringing him and his wife there, but I feel you should have had a much more knowledgeable guide. Maybe you could have just brought Augusto along as a guest and then get a local guide. You both could have learned a lot more that way.
My family and I would LOVE to have you stay with us if you ever decide to return to Manila! We would even pay for your ticket! I'm currently in California but I'm going back next month to start culinary school there. After I graduate, I plan to work in New York and hopefully open up my own restaurant there someday. You asked on the show why Filipino cuisine isn't popular in America. Well, my dream is to introduce Americans to the amazing food, culture, and history of my country.
PLEASE do another show on the Philippines! And let me be your guide! :)
Tony!
Great job, thank you! As a Filipina-American I have noticed that the Philippines has always been lower on the list of American awareness. I could tell that you cared a lot about this one.
I am a little disappointed that you could not find a better guide. There are tons of charismatic and knowledgeable Filipinos out there who could have shown you the time of your life both in a culinary and social sense.
Love your show and love you!
I found it touching watching a Long Islander get it touch with his roots, and sweet that you made it happen for him. The Philippines and the piggy looked tempting.
My Swedish grandma was a New Yorker for most of her life. Her parents never left once the boat landed. She moved down here to Philly later in life. Part of me feels like I got cheated out of being a Yankees fan, but the Phillies did just win the World Series. ;-)
I could relate to Augusto's feeling of disconnectedness to his culture. And imagined how wonderful and exciting it would feel to explore one's roots. As an American who is a Northern-Euro salad, I have a lot to discover!
The Wire is a fantastic series! It's obvious that you understand that when something is really special you just wanna see it all... I have seen every episode of No Reservations. The ones that I didn't find on my DVR, I found on YouTube. Thanks for sharing them there!
I noticed that you have not been to Philadelphia. Please do a show here and show the world that we are more than cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and Twinkies! I volunteer to be your local expert and fixer, of course.
Are you really moving to Vietnam for a year to write a new book? I saw that an upcoming episode involves a hunt for Vietnamese real estate. It's the Pho, right?
My dad spent a year in Vietnam during the war. I think it would be therapeutic for him to go back as a civilian rather than a soldier.
Please tell me you tried the Philippine mango! It's the BEST in the world! I brought some of my american friends there and made them taste it, and now they can't eat any other mango because none even come close to how good it is!
Here are some other foods you should have tried:
1) Crispy pata - you would have loved this deep fried pork knuckle! this is another filipino specialty.
2) Binagoongan - deep fried pork belly with shrimp paste
3) Humba - braised pork belly
4) Squid adobo - cooked in its own ink
5) Lengua/ Mechado - tongue/beef braised in tomato sauce
6) At least one "kakanin" - rice dessert
7) Pandesal - filipino rolls
8) and so many more!
Please do another show on the Philippines soon! :)
Mabuhay! I would like to thank you for featuring our beloved PHILIPPINES. Just watching you being there and tried our food makes me feel envious. I haven't been home for 6 years now and I can say I surely miss it!!! I wish you have more time because there are still lots of food to try like the tinola, dinuguan, hamonado, menudo among others. Anyway, I'm sure Andrew tried some of that on his show. Again, thank you so much and you make me so proud of my country. Iba talaga ang Pinoy! God Bless you Tony.
oh my god, AJ! everyone of those dishes you just mentioned made my mouth water! and you'd have to give a shout out to the chicharon of Carcar, too. add a couple helpings of puso, some vinegar, soy and sili... heavenly evilness!!!
that said (and this really has nothing to do with Anthony's show) i still have yet to see a food show which featured Filipino cuisine (and there haven't been many) that highlighted or revealed a more gourmet interpretation of Filipino food. do you know what i mean? perhaps it's not out there yet.
i'm a Filipino-American, born and raised in Florida, and i spent 6 years in Cebu recently. and the foods that i came across were the traditional dishes and the more carenderia style foods.
but i have yet to hear about a "nouveau-Filipino" style of cooking. and i'd really love to!!
i don't know if Anthony Bourdain reads these. but, Anthony, if you do get to read this, perhaps a furthing delving into the Filipino cuisine could warrant another episode?
love and much respect,
Jed
Good, mouth-wateringly good show-but merely scratched the proverbial surface, Tony! Glad you squeezed in a bit of culture and history in the show, but hope you go back to my homeland and see much, much more of the place and the FOOD. There are more Spanish influences in other dishes, too. Your first guide at the Dampa was incorrect about what makes 'adobo' - garlic, VINEGAR (host forgot this important bit), peppercorns are the basic ingredients. As to why there are so few Filipino restaurants abroad, two friends came up with the smartest, most logical answer: because the diaspora are composed of non-restaurateurs, non-entrepreneurs, for the most part. In the '20s, '30s, the men came over to work the farms and canneries in the West Coast. In the '60s till today, it's the mostly health care professionals (docs, nurses) who have immigrated here. With other Asian groups, lots of entrepreneurs and restaurant owners have moved to the US and elsewhere. Anyway, hope you can return to the Islands and visit Iloilo for La Paz bachoy, puto manapla (special steamed rice cakes), pancit molo, lumpia sariwa, (Visayan lumpia), among others. Oh, and go when it's in season - you HAVE to taste the BEST mangoes in the world - the fresh Philippine carabao mango! Also, so many desserts and snacks - guinataan (boiled root crops and banana in coconut milk with tapioca), fried bananas (a special banana variety is used for this - saba banana). Also, chicken inasal, and Filipino barbeque (skewered meat pieces). Oh, you gotta go back, man, go back! to taste and learn more about my country's rich cuisine, culture and history!
jed,
there actually are a lot of places that serve nouveau-filipino cuisine in manila! check this out: http://pinoyfood.nimrodel.net/2008/12/10/modern-filipino-cuisine-at-the-chef-laudico-bistro-filipino/#more-1966
Claude Tayag is probably one of the reasons why Philippine cuisine is a blank in the world cuisine map! It sounds like for him...there's the Filipinos and then there's the kapangpangans. One would thought he'd be on the show to tell the world about one of the best kept secret in Asian cusine. But no, it's about how the kampangpangan's cusine is better than everybody else in the Philippines.
Tony,
First off thanks for showcasing my country's local cuisine and secondly, hats off to you in helping us out in our everending quest to find out our true identity as a nation and people.
I think you are partially correct in your assessment that one reason for our reluctance to market our food to the world is that we are just too damn nice.
In my opionion yes we are nice and that we do not have to charge people to enjoy our food. In fact we offer it for free during Filipino parties when guests are invited to our homes. In fact most of the times guests even get to take home leftovers free of charge.
We Filipinos do not skimp on food and we do not hold back. What you see is what you get.
Tony, you seriously need to go back to the Philippines and start over. I'm a die hard fan of your show, but somehow this episode was lacking.
1. Find an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and LOCAL guide. Someone really passionate about food, who knows where to find the best versions of local dishes.
2. Go during the festivals and holidays, when people are out in the streets celebrating. You'll find the best food during these times.
3. Forget the big cities. They are too Westernized. Go to the local villages where people aren't ashamed to speak their own language.
4. Shut up about Spain and U.S. influence. There is a rich culture that goes beyond that.
For the love of God, please go back and do another show. If that means we have to wait a few more seasons, than so be it. Do it right next time.
Tony, thank you for visiting the Philippines. My husband and I are both Filipino-Americans from NJ and we are huge fans of your show. I like that you showed that dishes in each region varies. I love lechon and in Nueva Ecija where I was from, we usually ate lechon with a pork liver sauce on the side. Next time you visit the Philippines, besides showing the Filipino dishes, you should see some of the beatiful and hardly visited places in the Philippines such as Palawan where you can go snorkling and scuba diving and stay in Amanpulo which is a beautiful resort. Mabuhay and more power to you!
First of all, thank you, Tony. You did a fantastic job. Though the episode barely scratched the surface -- only that ever proverbial tip of the iceberg(as a true Filipino raised in the Philippines but is now based in California...I should know and we yearn to show you more), I was nonetheless touched with what you featured. Agosto represents the Filipino people, proud but shy, perhaps forever sojourning...sometimes tongue-tied but it doesn't mean there is no substance. His family was quiet though...we aren't like that. We are a loud bunch of people who take pleasure in eating and "eating together" -- there's even a filipino term for it ("salo-salo") What is essential is invisible to the eye. I wish you can do another one and experience other aspects of our culture and tradition (festivals and other evetnts). WE really have so much more. But which nation and race doesn't?
Hey Tony! I have no idea when the Philippines episode will find airtime in the Philippines but I stalked it thru You Tube and best yet, gatehred relatives and friends from the US to give me a blow by blow account of your trip. They noticed that you didnt feature some quintessentials in Pinoy eats. The "Balut" (hard boiled duck egg-embryo) and "Dinuguan" (pigs blood and entrails). You perhaps found these two overused aspects of our cuisine?
As far as i'm concern you did really good! you covered my favorite food lechon,sinigang and sisig.KUDOS to all your producers!!!
It was awesome! I know ratings were high!
Thanks for visiting The Philippines, i watched and record your show last night..and i know the Filipino channels all over the world been forgotten last night by the Filipinos just to watch your show.
i am a big fan of yours too. i was unhappy when you picked Saudi Arabia to go over The Philippines last year...but now, i am truly happy. Not because you tried our original foods but because i miss the PI so much.
I hope next time we can answer your question on "who really the Filipinos are?"... and i think i can help next time.
Thanks again!
Good job Tony! I enjoyed the episode and contrary to some comments on you choosing a boring guide like Augusto, I like the perspective that you presented. His story probably represents typical Filipino-American kids, born and raised here in the US, who long for that "connection" to their roots. I grew up in the Philippines, but am now living here in the US. In a few months, I will be giving birth to a Filipino-American baby who someday might have the same sentiments that Augusto had. No matter how much adobo and sinigang I cook for him, and how many times I bring him to visit my hometown, it will not be the same. He might someday grow up asking the same questions like Augusto. However, I agree to many comments that you should do another episode in the Philippines and show the country and culture in another perspective. (Just like you had 2 China episodes). I know you hate doing a "tourist" kind of a show, but I am pretty sure you can still avoid that and do a great job next time. There are so much more food to try! Thanks for highlighting sisig, lechon and the endless flow of San Miguel Beer! You rock Tony!
Good job Tony! I watched the episode twice. Your research team is great. You were able to really showcase Filipino foods that matter. It made me want to eat lechon, sisig, papaitan. I love all the foods that you show. Thanks for finally visiting the Philippines! Next time, try Baguio City (up north!)
Tony
No other people in the world will leave what they are doing when they heard about what's happening to their own country but the Filipino's. So, last night was a surely BIG HIT on air... just like Filipinos all over the world watching the fight of Manny Pacquiao!
God Bless You!
You enjoyed the Philippines, you loved the food and you liked the people. We could see it on your face. I can't begin to tell you how many Filipinos here in the US were excited by your profiling their beloved cuisine. Salamat Antonio!
comment to maria from maria: obviously you need to read up more about asia and asians...MOST asians do not use chopsticks!!!
i knew it was going to be hard to do a show on philippines because it is so diverse in culture, history, and people and on top of that it is ecologically one of the most diverse countries in the world. need i say more?!?!? definitely you have to go back...maybe do a series...3 at least...luzon, visayas, and mindanao.
overall, other than the augusto experience (though i appreciated your graciousness to still give him a great experience on the show), you did the filipinos proud!
keep doing what you're doing!!!
Those other islands you missed are more than enough reasons for you to come back, Tony! There's so much more to see in the Philippines. You've barely touched the tip of the iceberg, but man, it was a great show! Thanks for visiting, and we hope to see you again here! :D
Great episode !! Just want to say tho of the people posting about how Augusto is not this, etc, instead of critizing Augusto, you should all give thanks to him. He put in time and enthusiasm in presenting and sending a video to Tony and make a compelling case to go to PI. Nagsend ba kayo nang video? He got balls to at least do that. Maybe in a future episode Tony can meet up with the great folks like Ivan Man Dy (the food guide who went to the Dampa)
Tony
If you can get hold of a copy of Romy Dorotan (who happened to have a restaurant in NY Soho District) and Amy Besa's book "Memories of Philippine Kitchens", it would give you a good perspective on how to experience Filipino Cuisine. It is the best example of fusion perfected by several generations of cooks, yet still evolving because of the influences of Filipinos working abroad and bringing home the food that they enjoyed in their journey abroad. Personally, Filipino Cuisine is best experienced not understood. And it is not just the food. It is experiencing the land, the people, and the history through food. 7,107 islands is a tough task but you guys did great on highlighting the basics. Hope you return to do a sequel. Thanks for featuring the land of my parents. The Pearl of the Orient Sea. (Some would contest that claim though hehehe)
tony, kudos for featuring the philippines in your show. it was a long wait but well worth it. perhaps a second part??? thank you for visiting and trying our cuisine( or a part of it).
monB
If you ever make it down to Cerritos in Los Angeles County, CA make sure you try Magic Wok. This hole-in-the-wall serves the best sisig and crispy pata (roast pork knuckles) in all of California! Great job on the PI show!
I think the show was great, but I'm a little disappointed for some reasons. But I cant blame the No Reservations crew. There's no way you can show the best of The Philippines in 60 minutes. And the fact that Augusto doesn't have much knowledge about Cebu too. Hey Tony, if you decide to do another Philippines episode, let me be your insider. I've spent 19 years of my life in The Philippines and I can easily navigate the country with my eyes close. Haha.
Hey Augusto this message is for you. I'm going back to Cebu for a month this coming July. If you want bai, I'll show you the real Cebu! haha. And FYI, the beef soup that you guys had at Capitol, it wasn't bulalo, you guys were in Cebu so it was pochero.
You're right to specify that it was the lechon you had in Cebu that was the best. Manila lechon tastes different, and doesn't even come close to the Cebuano version, in my opinion. I haven't tried roast pig in Bali or Puerto Rico, but the cuchinillo in Segovia would come second in my hierarchy of pork.
Good show, Tony! Although I thought the footage on Augusto seemed too long...Still and all, any show which leaves me drooling must be good. Glad you had a great time in the Philippines!
My 3 reasons for why Filipino food is not popular in America and why it is hard to open a Filipino restaurant anywhere in the world and therefore making it hard to make its mark in the world:
First and foremost…TIME!!! The BEST Filipino cuisines can't be made fresh and ready to go in 20 minutes like most restaurants do. Can you truly make a good Asado, Kare Kare, Mechado, Menudo, Dinuguan, etc. in 20 minutes ready to serve? Filipino cuisine in general needs plenty time to prepare and cook to make it taste good. It's definitely NOT FAST FOOD!
The second reason...Most likely, what Filipinos cook in their homes is better than what they'd get at a restaurant. You have to admit that Filipinos can be very critical and judgmental. I mean...someone else's way of cooking their favorite dish?!?!? I don't think so!!! At least not in my family, my mother's cooking is still the best!!! And of course, if you follow the rule…you know that a restaurant is good if their own people go to it…most Filipinos don’t go to a Filipino restaurant to get good Filipino food…unless of course those Filipinos don’t know how to cook and it is their only way to experience Filipino food. HOWEVER, I know for a fact that Filipino food catering is big in the U.S. especially within the Filipinos. Why?!?!? Because they can order that specific Filipino cuisine from that specific person for which he/she and only he/she can cook well. So you end up ordering from 3 or 4 people to cater 1 party. Am I right OR Am I right?!?!
Third reason...It's TOO DAMN DIVERSE...the food, the Filipinos, the method, the ingredients, etc...especially if you want to offer a variety of authentic Filipino dishes. You can’t even get most ingredients in the States??? Remember sigarillas?!?! A substitute ingredient is just not good enough. I mean the mango for example (my favorite fruit)…there’s nothing that can compare to the one you can get in the Philippines!!! And then there’s that thing about being a Pampangueno vs. a Bicolano vs. a Cebuano vs. an Igorot. How can you make a version of adobo that would make all of them happy and make them think of how their family used to make it?
I think the only way one would survive in providing Filipino cuisine here in the America is through SPECIALIZATION...take that one type of food; use that one method of cooking; be that proud Pampangueno restaurant, etc. Or, MODIFICATION...deconstructing and taking aspects of a traditional dish and finding new ways to cook it making both Filipino and American pallets happy then finding a way to cook it faster to accommodate the American lifestyle…but you can’t call it authentic Filipino cuisine because then you go back to the inevitable question, “Authentic? Authentic for whom?”
At least that’s my theory!!!
i heart tony bourdain a thousand times more now that he's been to the philippines... great show!
Bravo Tony! please do a "Douglas MacArthur" and return!
Hello Tony,
First and foremost, Thanks for FINALLY putting the Philippines on your map. This was long overdue and the previous reactions prove it...
My story is simple: I left France and went to live in the Philippines. What was supposed to last 16 months lasted 7 years! I found there the love of my life, the love for scuba diving and...the love for Pinoy food!!! We now live in the Bay Area and try to go back to the Philippines every year.
Tony, let me tell you: you must go back the Philippines...because you missed to mention SO MUCH.
And the end of your show, I immediately felt there was something missing - then it progressively came to me...
Fruits: not a word on Philippine Mangos -the best- , Coconut (Buko), Macapuno maybe, Jackfruit (Langka)...what about Purple Yam (Ube)? How can you to the Philippines and not try Halo-Halo?
Where are the Lumpias (fried or otherwise)? the Lahing? What about Longaniza (90 million Filipinos, 90 million types of Longaniza) Hint: try longsilog for breakfast!
No word on Inihaw - grilled food - such as Inihaw ng baboy (pork), ng manok (chicken), ...
And Tony: vinegars (coconut based), and the famous bagoong (fermented shrimp paste)!
I'm glad you enjoyed Cebu City - the Queen of the South - you could have mentioned that Magellan was killed there by Rajah Lapu-Lapu which name I'm sure you saw on a menu under the fish section (it's similar to a grouper, actually). And to remain on the topic of fish: Have you tried Bangus (milfish)? Tuna? Tanguigue?
To your credit, I realize it is impossible to summarize Filipino cooking in 60mins (of which, a good 20mins of ads and 20mins on Augusto). Philippine cooking really deserve a series of documentaries - it is the most under-rated cuisine in South East Asia and yet it is SO wonderful.
Your assessment on Lechon is right on. Yes, the Cebuano Lechon is the best - did you notice? you do not need any sauce??? Next time in Cebu, drive south to a town called Carcar and you'll meet the absolute best Chicheron on the face of this planet (no joke)!
You are right on one point: maybe it's because the Filipinos are too nice - their culture comes last in order to accommodate you first - always...So, it may be our responsibility, foreigners who love Filipino food, to spread the good word. Your show is definitely a step in the right direction.
So please Tony... to be continued, OK na?
Kudos Anthony Bourdain! Your Philippine episode was great...yes you missed a lot but what can you expect in an hour of TV show??? Authentic Filipino cuisine is really a fusion of different cultures that influenced Filipino cooking...mainly Malays, Chinese, Spanish, etc...and you are right, food is regional---pork sausage from Quezon taste a lot different from Pampanga....like lechon from Cebu is different from Manila. Tony you just scratched the surface...you need to do a sequel! Salamat Tony!
P.S. Oh, and I like you better than Andrew Zimmern because he can't eat Durian fruit the way you do (different episode)....just kidding Andrew! Philippines also have Durian but you didn't go to Davao!
Hey Tony!
I really enjoyed your Philippines episode. So what if it wasn't the best No Reservations show ever-at least you got to sit down to some yummy Filipino dishes (aaahhhh sisig!)
Thanks to everyone that made the Philippine show happen - and just that fact that Tony blogs about this episode telling us how nervous he is about the country's representation shows how much he really did care about the culture and us Filipinos. If he was bored all througout his trip and wanted to get it over with (as some ppl had suggested) we would've seen a repeat of snarky Tony from the Iceland episode.
And as an FYI to the other folks - there were scenes that had to be cut out to fit a 1 hour show, so he was able to taste a lot more Pinoy dishes and even experience the MassKara festival in Bacolod (not sure about this but I read a blog sighting of him in that city)
And Tony...
Don't feel bad about just visiting 2 islands out of the 7000+ because I myself (having lived there for 15 years before settling here in SF)have only been to the same 2 that you were at.
If ever you find yourself in the Philippines again, you need to befriend some foodie Pinays to show you around - your Paulista Brasileira friends remind me so much of Filipina women.
um am I the only non filipino person on this topic?
anywho, actually MARIA, Philipines are considered Pacific Islanders, you guys arent even considered Asian according to United States (u know when they ask u to mark your ethnicity or whatever there is a space)
Anywho my MAIN point is that this show was not that "good" compared to many of his other shows (also Tony didnt seem like his usual self, either)
but I will agree to what most what have said, the guide wasnt a great choice at all, maybe just a lil maybe he was one of the reasons the show wasnt great OK
Chef Bourdain,
Really? Cebu's lechon is number one?
Wow...
just...
WOW!
hey tony u havent even tipped the scale yet. theres alot, hell of alot more to eat out there. What happened to the dinuguan, kilawen, binagoongan??? these are a few other native popular native dishes.....If you need a real guide on your next philippines show let me know and I'll take you to an explosive culinary adventure!
Anthony _ Dude _ You must try the pork knuckle from village of Wan Luan in Southern Taiwan.
Porky goodness that you should try when going to the Philippines:
1. Lechon (Pig)
2. Paksiw na Lechon (they use the Lechon for this dish)
3. Adobo (Pork or Chicken)
4. Lechon Manok/Liempo (most accessible would be from Baliwag and Andok's)
Thank you very much for visiting our country Anthony. My wife and I really love your show and are both looking forward to watch this episode :)
yey! Anthony Bourdain in the Philippines! i haven't seen it yet, hoping to catch it tonight on Discovery Travel & Living. my husband and i are big fans, and we're really glad you did this episode. we have so many intersting dishes that we're sure you'll like. i'm reading through all the comments and it seems you missed out on some. but hey, you had sisig and lechon - 2 awesome dishes in PH! and you've been to Cebu!!! i haven't... i've only been to one island, and that's because i was born there :P
Thanks Tony!
I just came back from Manila last week - my third trip in the last year - and was excited to see your Philippines episode air so soon after my return. Yes, it made me homesick.
I agree with your last comment on the show as to why Filipino food has not been more popular around the world: It's because WE ARE TOO NICE!
We (Filipinos) are a little too shy and nice about promoting our culture, food and way of life. We are very proud people and have made valuable contributions to the world and I'd like to see MORE Filipinos step out of the shadow and represent our country proudly. Just my thoughts...
Thanks Tony!
maria - February 17 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Tony I think you should stick to main known Asian countries, what kind of asians dont use chopsticks???!!
hahah wow that was so blatantly racist I laughed.
and about being considered Pacific Islander, we're not. We're Asian. I'm not gonna spoon feed you the information either. Look it up. All the answers point towards Asian.
Just to put in the nail in the proverbial coffin, a well known fact is that the Philippines is a member of the ASEAN, the Association of SOUTHEAST ASIAN Nations.
If that doesn't convince you, then just stick to your chopstick test and keep calling out "Asian-ish" people not using chopsticks and see what kind of response you get.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I haven't been back home ( Cebu) for 5 years now. People don't understand how I can miss the food soooo passionately. Your show explained that to them.
When asked about Filipino food, there are only 2 dishes foreigners know. Namely Adobo and Lumpia. Which is sad, because that is just a miniscule part of our cuisine. Thank you for featuring "real" Filipino food.
By spotlighting our country, I hope other people will open their eyes and minds to the countless gastronomic delights we offer. The experience is heightened by the hospitality and friendliness of the people. When one leaves the Philippines, you feel that you have left family behind.
As you said, you have only covered a small part of our country. I hope that you will return to the Philippines countless more times to explore more of the islands culinary delights. Maybe, just maybe, you will be able to answer what Filipino food is and give justice to this often ignored paradise.
Tony - good show. We're a "Fil-Am" couple who greatly looked forward to your visit. Yeah, you missed a lot of the country but that means you can go to Mindinao sometime in the future. And, remember, the offer to have my wife, Kim (and maybe me, too!), guide you around Mindinao still stands. Somewhere around the site, the plan I sent in should exist, the family tour of Mindinao with lots of home cooked meals. Kim is far from shy and the rest of the family loves to mug a camera. I have lots of fond memories of spending most of a year in Davao after getting married. Kim goes home every year to visit family, too. After all, she flies free as an airline employee. Hey, you wouldn't have to pay for her ticket!
Please stop messing with Augusto!!! Yes, all of us could have been a better guide than Augusto, but as one of us here has pointed out, who sent the video and finally convinced Anthony?! Anthony and his crew has seen something in Augusto that could be a better story than well-versed guides us like showing him our culinary culture! Try sending your own videos to Anthony and let see if you can convince him to make another trip to the PI. Yan ang mahirap sa mga Pinoy, ang galing mang-agaw ng credit! Aside of course from what Anthony said during the show that Filipinos are just too damn nice. To whom that is the question, but not to fellow Filipinos like Augusto who is like the the one who "nagtanim at nagbayo ng palay, nag-saing at iba ang kumain!" Get over it!!!
And to Maria who said something about the chopsticks, please try eating chopsticks with sinigang, dinuguan, sisig, lumpia, kare-kare and let's see! Be a little more smarter than that!
ditto jason!
tsk, tsk, tsk...maria... you should have taken my advice and read up more about asia and asians first before making another comment and put yourself into another predicament. first, you can't make a comment about filipinos and say “what kind of asians don't use chopsticks” then later contradict yourself and say “filipinos are not asians but instead pacific islanders”. i'll do you a favor and be just a little bit nicer than jason and take you to a path of enlightenment and hopefully not make the same mistake AGAIN. you can start here...a reliable source that shows Filipinos are not Pacific Islanders http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islander. and while you're in wikepedia, go to asia and asian countries and then maybe...just maybe...not make another uneducated comment.
"maria - February 18 2009 @ 2:12 am
um am I the only non filipino person on this topic?
anywho, actually MARIA, Philipines are considered Pacific Islanders, you guys arent even considered Asian according to United States (u know when they ask u to mark your ethnicity or whatever there is a space)"
Who died and made you the expert on what a Filipino is? First of all - America's system of dumping races into color coded categories is seriously flawed and under heavy debate right now (just like how all Brazilians, Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, etc are all lumped into 1 category when they're not exactly alike).
Secondly - The government of the Philippines officiates that the Philippines is an Asian country because it is in Southeast Asia. It's a FACT that Filipinos have Asian origins from our Malay and Chinese ancestors. The country's multicultural identity confuses people.
Here's an extra for anyone interested in Philippine history: Those who settled in the Philippines' past (a country that was originally just a land bridge) Aetas, various tribes of Malays, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese (Christian refugees from feudal Japan),Indian sepoys during the Battle with Britain, Americans, lots of Mexicans who jumped ship and intermarried with the locals (throughout the 300 year galleon trade)and finally the color spectrum of slaves that the galleon ships dumped in Manila for trade.
Everyone else's opinion is a snorgasbord. I have only ONE question that will settle all the other questions? Why did it take YOU so long to do this show on the Philippines. I am a Filipina by birth and an American by way of Northwest Airlines!!! I have eaten 'dog' by the time I was 4 yrs, old and now I am the ONLY vegetarian in my EXTENDED FAMILY. How do I like them apples? I don't.
Tony , I love ya babe. The season so far, is PERFECTION. Where was the Lumpia, Blood stew...etc. You have to go back!!!
When I saw your show visiting Cebu, you made me miss my home town. You haven't seen Cebu. Cebu is beautiful and to see the pristine places is to travel to both end of Mactan Island. There you will see historical place and statue and tells you how the Spaniards influence the locals from their beliefs to what they eat. Also tells you how the great conquistador from Spain "Ferdinan Magellan" died in Cebu. If you travel the bigger Cebu City, go north to Tabogon province and see the natives. They make the best coconut wine. Then going South, stop by Car-Car City for the best "Chicharon". Also, try going to Bohol Island where you can see the "Chocolate Hills, smallest monkey in the world, and eat "Calamay" it's a sweet pasty but delicious desert. Also, there is an Island called "Kaloso-an" a very small Island with only 1 tree in the whole Island with the population of about a thousand :) Also, locals in Cebu can make an awesome soft "Botong Salad" and "Tamarindo". And before I forget, Mandaue City has the most delicious "Bibingka". I hope you will visit Cebu again sometime.
Hi, Tony and crew -
Thanks for *finally* visiting the Philippines! I hope you enjoyed your stay.
However, as a true-blue Cebuana, and with no disrespect at all to Augusto's family here or back home, I was pretty miffed (to put it mildly) with the reception. Where's the big, funny crazy brood with the half-relatives & pretty much the entire baranggay (village)? Where's the tuba (jungle juice, or fermented coco juice)? Where's the fresh oysters on the half-shell at the beach? Where's the deep-fried chicklets? And Lordy, where's Larsian? Where was the love, man?
I'm so glad at least one neighborhood goat gave up its life for a good meal for you in Pampanga. However, in Cebu, while your show didn't feature it, I sure hope someone had the good sense to take you to Larsian's BBQ at Fuente Osmena. Forget chicken butts! Crispy tasty juicy nuthin-but-charbroiled-chicken-skin-lathered-in-sauce goodness. Coronary on a stick, I tell ya. Gimme ten of those.
I apologize for the rant ;D. Appreciated that the show, though, did in fact point out the fact that our country is a melange of tastes, peoples, cultures. And that while we are that... we are also easily adaptable.
Again, thanks for the Philippines show, and for dropping by Cebu. Hope you get to visit the other 7,098 too. Only when you're not too busy... Mabuhay!
I am watching the episode right now... AMAZING. Loved the part about crossing the street - momentum and commitment, exactly. Have you seen the pink highway signs that say, "Bawal tumawid. Nakamamatay. [No Crossing. Fatal.]"
Thank you for the episode. Seeing our country and ourselves from another's point of view, and hearing the same questions we ask ourselves, was helpful and enlightening.
Next time you visit, try the lechon from Bacolod. Heaven guaranteed.
thank you so much for showing the philippines! i miss the food back home, missing pampanga my hometown, but hey your show rocks that i got over my homesick feelings just watching it..mr. bourdain you're the man! more power!
Tony...when I heard that you were finally going to the Philippines I was so excited. You did a great job in showing some of the most popular Filipino dishes. To be completely honest though, I was a little disappointed in that you didn't venture into the barrios like you do when you've gone to other countries.
If you do go to the Philippines again I highly recommend seeing the country side. Also, if you want some really spicy food, go to Bicol (southern Luzon)...and eat some Bicol Express for me! Mmm masarap. Thanks again for highlighting the PI.
Please spare Augusto and his family from the negative criticisms. It was his effort in making that video that brought Philippines to Tony's attention and consider it as a place to visit. He was an ambassador in his own right. We can't deny the fact that there ARE Filipino Americans who are still feels disconnected with their Filipino culture maybe because of the limited immersion they have in the native country, limited traditional practices done at home or whatever.... Good or bad, it is still a reality. One thing that you could learn from the episode, and maybe what Tony is proud of, is that there is a starting point to allow Augusto, his wife and their daughter to start connecting and discovering the Philippines. It may not be the best take to talk about the Philippines, but it was what brought Tony to consider us more in the first place. Let's do away with the crab mentality. I agree with Sharon G. It's a shame to think about that we're usually nice to foreigners and when it comes to our fellowmen, we're hypercritical. Let's Just celebrate the goodness of what was brought about by this episode. We owe Augusto and the rest of the people who were part of this episode a big thank you. Without Augusto’s creative video presentation, there would be no final push to make Tony come over. Also, they may be camera-shy people. There a lot of families who still are reserved, which could be observed with a quite a number of Filipino families.
One thing I noticed, too, is how regionalistic we are that it can be a cause of our difficulty to move forward as our country. It has it's goodness in a way, but it reflects how disunited we can be. I hope Claude Tayag didn't say (as a Kapampangan) "Whatever dishes other regions have, we can make it better." I hope he just stated that each region has its own specialties and variations of the dishes. His wife was very astute and shared good insights, though. Well, I appreciate Claude's fervor in keeping the flame alive in preserving the native cuisine. I recognize to that Pampanga has contributed a lot of good food to the Filipino cuisine. I think one thing we can take from this episode is that we could just be more united in promoting the dishes as Filipino in general. Kare-kare is a dish that I've enjoyed in the Tagalog region. So is the sinigang sa bayabas and the fern and the sea weeds. I could say it's not common to Pampanga. I apprecicate how Ivan Man Dy mentioned the origin of the food but still regarded as a Filipino dish in general. He mentioned that Pinakbet is from the North and the ginataan is from the South.
I hope there would be more formal studies and education done about the origin of the native dishes we enjoy, compare the ingredients we use across the country, know the different practices in making the dishes in different regions, and the rational of the different practices. If they were already done, I hope the information will be more accessible to the people. Thanks for food ambassadors like Joel of Market Manila, Ivan Man Dy, and Claude Tayag (boy I miss reading Doreen Fernandez's articles), their blogs, interviews and articles are some enlightenment to us.
Why go crazy about information about food??? I think this may be one unifying factor we can start off with so we can have more of the general Filipino pride and work for the good of all Filipinos, or the Philippines.
do samantha or zimmer have over 300 blog posts 2 days after a show airs? i guess i could look. you need to harness the power of your cult mr. tony. but what would you do with us?
Filipino cuisine is one of those where if I ate a different dish a day, I still would never experience everything before I die. But at least I would die trying. Great show. Now I have to go get some lechon.
You have to check out the beaches and seafood next time. Prawns cooked in crab fat mmmmmmmmm. I'd be happy to show you around or at least hook up with family. I was born and raised in Washington DC to Filipino parents and spent the summers in the Philippines. I have traveled all over. I would love to help you answer the question, what is Filipino cuisine? A few examples that i think would please you are Cocido and prawns cooked in crab fat.
Sunny - Honolulu, HI
Everyone picking on Augusto should take a friggin' chill pill...kudos to him for sealing the deal and getting Mang Tony to the Philippines.
I totally got the story line and Augusto and his struggle to relate to his culture was integral to it...
Pat - freezin' in WI
Here's but a few of the dishes yoy may have missed:
Pinaupong Manok (Seated Chicken)
Linasing na Hipon (Drunken Shrimp)
Relyenong Bangus (Stuffed Milk Fish)
Relyenong Manok (Stuffed Chicken)
Tokwa't Baboy (Tofu and Pork)
Tinapang Isda (Smoked Fish)
Adobong Pusit (Squid cooked with its ink-Adobo Style)
Tuyo (Dried Fish)
Daing
Chicharong Bulaklak
Adidas
Just fyi.
Tony, fantastic job on the Philippines we enjoyed watching every single minute of it...While I could totally relate to Augusto and his search for the true meaning of his heritage, as I had difficult time just as he did...I'll tell you, whenever you visit a Filipino household anywhere in the world, the first thing they'll ask you is, "Have you eaten yet, please join us".
My wife ,an ex pat of the Philippines was watching the show and it truly made her homesick...
Great job and I'll see you at the Lechon pit! CHEERS!
Heavy T-
Do a show on prison food around the world. I'm not in prison (but I am in the catering business.)
Best,
Julie
why have a disclaimer Tony? you didnt need it in the Philippines you looked really bored and lashed out your sentiment on the identityless Augusto on your voiceover well you didnt go to a chicken fight and you didnt participate in a tinikling dance you looked like you werent Anthony Bourdain either the Philippines must have depleted your Bourdainess so when are you going to air the behind the scenes episode im sure your Philippines trip found alot of footage on the editing room floor sorry but i think the pork award was due to pity rather than excellence c'mon Tony email me back and tell me im lying because im convinced you really did not enjoy your trip there.
Maraming Salamat for finally visiting the Philippines, Tony. Like your pinoy fans i am totally ecstatic that you have taken time to see and experience our unique culture. I had mixed feelings of sadness, joy, hunger, nostalgia and pride as i sit thru the one hour show...you have done a great job not just because i am a fan but because i truly think your show is Real as opposed to reality..you speak your mind and see things in perspective which is very refreshing. I wish you can go back and explore some more, see Negros and be entertained with its people and food..like the chicken inasal, isol and rice with chicken fat with papaya chutner oohh its so good i tell you ! again maraming salamat!
Oh.my.god!!! You finally went to the Philippines. Woohoo! What a great show you and your crew put together. I'm so happy someone finally got it right! (I thought Bizarre Foods didn't do justice when they went there last year) That was really good Tony! It made my husband (who is Filipino-American) want to go and visit the Philippines. He has never been there before and didn't think he would enjoy vacationing there. But after watching your show, he wants to make plans to take our entire family. Our kids have never been there either. And we all watched your show, twice! while our stomach growled :-) I miss the Philippines. And thanks to your show, my husband and kids are finally going to see what I've been saying all these years - the Philippines is a beautiful country. And the food is just unbelievably delicious!
Thanks Tony for a great show. My family and I never miss to watch your shows. I was born in Pampanga, but migrated to Chicago in the eighties. Hope you will return to the Philippines to do a part two. There is so much more to try!
MABUHAY!
Hello! Thanks for a nice post about our lechon & sisig. Makes me want to grab a bite of that crispy lechon. I'll try to watch your show whenever possible. My wife and my 4-year old son are fanatics! I'll link your blog with mine, thanks!
Well done, Mr B! I had to watch the show twice (it was shown 7-8pm, 8-9pm in SF) and loved every minute of it.
How come Philippino cuisine is over-looked? I would have to say, judging from what I saw on Tony's show, that (A) Americans don't like their meals to look like intact animals (see; goat's head skeleton in a platter, crayfish with all their tentacles splayed on a tray, etc.) & (B) Americans don't generally like eating what Tony might refer to as the "nasty bits," (guts, brains, bile, uric acid, etc.) If Philippino's would like for their cuisine to have more fame in the Western world, then they might want to learn the art of disguise. That is to say, they could still serve their traditional dishes, but just give them silly, cutesy names. Like for the goat's head, they could call it "Meat Head." Or for the tentacled crayfish thing they could call it "Medusa Oblongatta." You catch my drift...
Tony:
Thank you for going to the Philippines and for helping Augusto get in touch with his roots. I often wonder if my own children will appreciate their heritage later on as much as Augusto did.
Angel, this is exactly the kind of mentality that prevents Filipino food from becoming mainstream in the US and the West. Filipino cuisine by definition is too diverse to pin point. Yes adobo, lumpia, and pancit are a few more recognizable dishes but in fact (as Tony pointed out), regional dishes are what make the spectrum. Incidentally it's not simply limited to the blood and guts, there are many other varieties of salty, sour, fruity, pungent and sweet that exist in the Philippine menu. Go for a visit and you'll know.
If General Douglas MacArthur have his famous phrase "I shall return" then Mr. B has his awesome "Best Pig Ever". Thanks a lot for showcasing the Pinoy cuisine . . .
Thank you for featuring The Philippines. I hope it won't be the last since you have more regional foods to cover.
Filipino food and people can be describe in one word...Fusion!!
I believe thats the reason why filipino food does not stand out vis-a-vis other asian cuisines.
Thank you for taking a chance with Augusto!!
Anthony- you featured all the good Filipino food, mabuhay ka!
Anthony - Thank you for featuring The Philippines. You brought excitement as well nostalgia to me. One thing that hit me the most was "taho" (soft tofu with syrup and tapioca). When I was growing up, my parents would buy all the 6 kids each a glass of taho for a Saturday morning snack after we finish our chores. Brought back nice memories... I just love all your shows especially The Philippines. Thank you for taking us (Pinoy) back.
BTW, I will see you in Durham, NC on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009 @ 7:30pm. I hope I can get you to sign my Kitchen Confidential book!!!
Mabuhay... Edna
I've been a huge fan of this show for YEARS so imagine my face when I saw the commercial that Philippines was going to be featured! But boy, I was disappointed.
You're right; you didn't get it right enough.
Although I'm very, very appreciative of this show for finally showing Philippines, I'd have to say that you only saw the tip of the iceberg. Thank you for including lechon.
Your featured fan, Augusto, was useless (sorry! thank you, though!). He should have grabbed that opportunity to SHOW us the REAL Philippines. He should have made a little bit of research and added a ton more of enthusiasm! I almost cried for you.
I know that Philippine cuisine is not as ancient, at par, nor as perfect as Spain (Did they have to show this episode before Philippines? Their food looks so futuristic, perfect & enticing!) or China, but it has it own uniqueness and ingenuity.
You could have thrown in a lot of scenery, more seafood, beaches, restaurants, MORE ISLANDS TO COVER [only 2 locations? there are 7,107 islands!], more food [delicacies, perhaps? there are millions], etc...
What happened to your smarmy, sarcastic side? hahahah. Where was the interesting, fresh, and no-nonsense side? You looked almost forced and bored.
So I'm left disgruntled of this episode but ready to be bedazzled again by the next ones.
Thank you, anyway. LOVE your show. Good luck.
P.S. I secretly harbor feelings for your job. I want it! XD
It was, indeed, a very heart-warming feature you produced in the Philippines. As a Filipino, born and raised in the Philippines, only to be a part of the millions who opted for the rather snail-paced exodus out of the philippines, I cannot help but give a drooling at the sight of all the best Filipino dishes.
But as anyone who gives praises over an object of flattery, my appreciation does not come with its own gamut of "howevers."
Why the hell didnt Tony go to Mindanao, the biggest yet highly underrated island-section of the Philippines?
Let me do a guessing-game here.
Is it, perhaps, from the common misconception that Mindanao is a no-no to foreign nationals? I'd say, CHECK.
It is, in fact, ironic that in the desperate attempt by one of the interviewees in the episode to give justice to Philippine culinary in Southeast Asian cookbooks that Philippines had been left out, the same was done to my land of Mindanao. I hope Tony and the crew were not dissuaded by what i call the ignorance of the people from Luzon over Mindanao. Afterall, Mindanao is the food basket of the Philippines; if not for our produce over the years, how easy could have it been for Luzon residents to thrive, what will all the typhoons and calamities the people of this imperialistic island perennially, constantly face.
So, Tony, you do need to go back and do more justice to your discovery of Philippine cuisine.
Discover these in Mindanao:
1. the tuna in General Santos City, where, by the way, Manny Pacquiao (the greatest pound-for-pound boxer and known Mexican killer) lives;
2. The best chicken barbeque at Kolasa's in Davao City. Davao also offers one of the best varieties of the "kinilaw," a sushi-like dish and grilled fish roe.
3. The "pastel" of Cotabato City, an area highly-populated with Muslim-Filipinos, who, among them, have the best-tasting Muslim dishes;
4. The "curacha" of Zamboanga...;
5. "Remember Me" or the delectable cow balls cooked as a soup in Cagayan de oro City (where I am from, btw) and the city's own rendition of the "kinilaw," where the variation lies in the lime/lemon used along with the "tabon-tabon."
There are much, much more Mindanao offers than what this blank slate can accomodate.
I earnestly hope, you do not victim of the Manila/Luzon complex. Do visit Mindanao!
PS. You did not even mention our Halo-halo!
Seriously, brother, I'm hating you. Every single bite of the pork skin you ate made me hate you more. Why? Because I wasn't eating it.
Crap. Now I've got to add the Philippines to my list of necessary journeys. Schiesse!
Mang Tony,
A peculiar thing came to my mind:
In France we're using forks and knives - no if, no but.
In the USA, I learned that Pizza tasted better when eaten with my fingers...(although I must admit, it's really an "acquired" concept...)
But Tony...I first learned how to eat with my fingers in a small Island in the Philippines - Samar, to be accurate - I'll tell you what: rolling rice in your palm and sticking it in your mouth using your thumb is like heaven on Earth. Add lechon fat and that's double-heaven!!!
It's masarap (delicious), talaga (really)!
Try it.
Cheers!
Thank you for opening up a whole new world to me! I have been watching you for the last two years and have expanded my tastes so much!
Tony,
Aren’t you just sick and tired of all the you-could’ve-done-better, the you-missed-this and you-missed-that and the what-about-this and what-about-that remarks in this blog? I know I am!
Your show has opened a Pandora’s box, and out have come the whiners, the nitpickers, the know-it-alls, and self-proclaimed experts on this and that.
The show was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but if you never go back to the Philippines to do another episode, I don’t blame you!
Yay! My family is Filipino, and I just visited recently. I'm glad that you were able to enjoy Filipino favorites (lechon, sisig, mm!) and others that were unique (the innards with bile). I definitely think that you could've enjoyed more of the culture, though.
Thanks for tasting our food. Loved the Philippines episode. You guys did a great job. You gotta visit again though.
Thanks for doing a Philippine episode.Please come come to cover more!
wow! thanks for featuring the Philippines and putting Cebu's lechon to the number one spot! Cebu's pork lechon is simply the best lechon in the Philippines... no argue with that...
I hope you come back to the Philippines to feature more Filipino cuisines and delicacies... and yah, you are right about the regional thingies on food... I would suggest you also try Ilocos Region's food, and oh, the street foods of Manila would also be a good feature! hehehe...
Again, thank you for visiting! :D
Tony, those foods that you have featured is just the tip of the iceberg. There are more Filipino foods that you must feature on your show!
Thanks for dropping by my country, and my province (Cebu)!
PS: Here in Cebu we eat lechon every Sunday!
Thanks for visiting the Philippines. Your show featuring the our country is awesome. Hope you can do a part II.
Next time I visit NY. I'll dine at Les Halles :)
I have to agree with Island Girl with this one. And I am Filipino. Heck, even Marketman has had enough:
http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/augusto-is-my-hero
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang lechon! Mabuhay si Anthony Bourdain!
Mabuhay ka rin, Augusto. May your search for your Filipino identity bear wonderful fruits.
Excellent show Tony! Pinapaitan, sisig, lechon - you covered a lot of good stuff. You still have to come back and see places like Ilocos and Bicol though, preferably the really rural areas. Mabuhay ang No Reservations!
Tony,
You made me go to bed very,very hungry after watching your Philippines episode and for this, i thank you.
i am very happy finally anthony bourdain made it to the philippines. sometimes it is sad to thing how some filipinos who did not grow up in the philippines feel alienated at times. it should not be the case. everyone is welcome as you can see, we are very hospitable.. i think you need to come back again though. and this time, i am going with you...you missed a lot. but i am soo jealous of the lechon...i really love your show and i am a big fan of yours.
I have not seen this episode that I have been waiting, please tell me the exact date of showing here in Cebu, I have been following the shows of Anthony Bourdain(YOU my idol!) from travel and living channel. If I was informed that you are coming here in Cebu, I should have followed you, and told you that there are more foods that you have not tasted yet, and it's from Mindanao. I hope that you will be giving me your attention, my idol! you're better than Andrew Zimmern.
Having been married to a filipina for 28 years, and going home to Bacold City every year, I find your "Road Trip" instense but lacking.It seems that I have more in common as a Puerto Rican (thanks to the Spaniards)in relation to the Philippines than your host Augusto Elefano. We've been all over the islands and have even built our retirement home there. I offer myself as host the next time you come there.
I saw the episode Monday night, and I can honestly say it probably ranks in my top favorite episodes. I'm an Irish-American and have never tasted Fillipino food (although I really want to go to the Philippines one day), but I'm good friends with a blogger from Manila. She often posts food pictures, so I have a slight grasping concept on their food. I have to hand it to you guys, this episode was pretty well done. A lot of food I recognized, some I didn't, so I learned some stuff too.
and karmic debt or not, what you did for Augusto and his family was very nice of you. Not to mention his daughter is cute as a button.
Great episode! I was born in the Philippines but raised in Canada. Although I have been back numerous times since 1987, I could totally relate to what Augusto is going through in his mind. He's to be applauded for making that extra effort to go back to his roots, to appreciate and devour filipino culture, to be with his family. Thanks Tony, this really hit home. I hope there will be more episodes in the Philippines in the future.
Tony, your the MAN. My family really appreciated your P.I. Show and I am really really HOME SICK now. Our kids love it and recorded the show. Yes, you only went to two places but there's more to explore. remember we have over 7100 islands so you have 7,098 islands more to go. CHEERS... Love your show.
tony, that Philippine show is just fantastic, should have stayed a little longer ,lots of wonderful places and foods to experience. The people are great too .....
Good job, Tony! You're the greatest! Thank you for finally featuring the Philippines, a country of 300+ years of convent life and 40+ years of Hollywood. We really enjoyed the show and wished we were there with you as you feasted on sisig, lechon from Cebu, pinapaitan, bulalo, etc. I wish you had also tried fruits like mangoes (the best in the world), mangosteen, etc. Well, maybe on your next episode on the Philippines? God bless you!
Mr. Snarkolicious, I'd like to get some of that goodness in NY. Loved the food porn episode, have to check out momofoku now.
Hi Tony,
Great job on your Philippine episode. Could you also post video footage of the missing scene at Cafe Ysabel?
Thanks and more power! Mabuhay!
P.S. If you need a sisig fix, i think you can have it at a place called Gerry's Grill in Union City, CA
Ok so you are you GREAT as always however if your up for the challenge come to TURKIYE. IZMIT, GOLCUK, YALOVA and then onto EPHESUS. You are more than welcome to join us and take a tour of the everyday lives and peoples of this magnificent country. If your interested in the Challenge email anna_wntrs@yahoo.com. There is always room in our lives to learn and this would be an exceptional learning experience for you, especially with the local cuisine. One could really learn alot. I did!!! Never too old! Gule Gule
From Nat Geo website: "Extinct" Bird Seen, Eaten
February 18, 2009—A rare quail from the Philippines was photographed for the first time before being sold as food at a poultry market, experts say.
Found only on the island of Luzon, Worcester's buttonquail was known solely through drawings based on dated museum specimens collected several decades ago. "
Hey... that's some pretty local cuisine. I assume you were nowhere near? Was Zimmern anywheres nearby?
What is inspiration and where does it come from?
No Reservations, Vietnam. It was the spark that lit the fire. Never have I watched a television program with so much interest. With eloquent monologues that pulls the viewer in to the location and allows for a mutual experience between host and viewer, coupled with stunning views of the people and places, during scene after scene, I was hooked. This was the Vietnam that I wanted to see. It is the Vietnam I needed to experience. This was my epiphany.
It hit me. Hard. Like a wrecking ball unleashed on decrepit building in the name of progress and development, a strong desire and yearn razed my soul to its very core.
My name is Son. I came to the US, one of the many adopted children brought here as products of the highly successful "Operation Babylift" implemented by President Ford in April of '75 at the end of the Vietnam War. Like so many others, that part of my past is a mystery to me. I do not know who my Vietnamese parents are, I do not know where I was born, and I do not know my exact birthday.
I grew up in Ann Arbor, MI, living an American way of life, but was always viewed and treated as an Asian. My parents were routinely asked if they were babysitting me, and I was constantly bombarded with questions like "Do you ever want find your real parents?" The natural answer was that my American parents ARE my real parents. They are all I ever have remembered. They are the ones I love and call "Mom" and "Dad." I still am asked if I ever want to return to Vietnam, as I have not been there yet. All I can say is that I will… Someday.
For me the desire and focus has always been on re-experiencing the culture, the people and the way of life. I have parents. Do I think about my Vietnamese parents? Sure, I do. Do I want to search for them? Maybe one day I will, but not at the present.
Now, at 34 years old, having a wife and four kids, Vietnam seems a world away. Despite the realities in my life, from deep within my gut and like a nagging voice in the back of my mind has always been the question, "Where do I really come from, and what is it that defines me as an Adopted Asian-American?" No Reservations did an excellent job of providing some answers. Refreshingly, the show did not focus on the war, nor get sidetracked on that subject, as so many documentaries and shows do, but a real and current view of post-war life.
In its brilliant and colorful display of the country, the Vietnam episodes that you have done, and were aired in the past have fulfilled some of the answers that I sought. A sweeping display of life, culture and food from the people that I once lived with. It’s a glimpse into the pool of memories that I could never conjure. A description so vivid and heartfelt, one could possibly close their eyes and share in the moment and feelings.
…And then there’s the Pho. Though not eaten in Vietnam, I have experienced this extraordinary dish with friends, made by their mothers and fathers who came here in search of a better life and a way to support the family that remains behind in Vietnam. The rich aroma joined with the balanced flavors yields a dish that just might be the first (and last) food one might need to achieve happiness, and quite possibly, a sense of identity.
Perhaps these episodes mean more to one such as myself who has quietly searched on and off all my life for the sense of being, belonging, and identity. Perhaps the average blog reader may not understand the feeling that compels me to write this entry. The Philippines show that just aired with Augusto also hit such a similar nerve with me. Though good entertainment, it might take someone who has had similar feelings to understand Augusto’s thoughts and mannerisms throughout the show.
Although, according to your monologue it seemed things did not go quite as were planned or expected on the show, I do feel that this was a good, heartwarming episode just the same. Possibly it meant more for those of us whose pasts are a forgotten blur, and those of us who search for a place that we can identify with.
Although the situations and backgrounds are different, I relate and understand the look on Augusto’s face for much of the episode. He carries himself with a nervously reserved excitement, not wanting to embarrass himself nor those around him, yet taking it all in like that first sip of beer when you turn 21.
The meaning of the search for identity cannot be adequately portrayed to a TV audience, in my opinion, yet when I watched Augusto, who seems to share a similar yearning, I cannot help but feel elated for him, regardless of what that experience meant for him.
I think that it is a rich person who can share the experience with others, and you are in the remarkable position of bringing that wealth to us. It quite often means something more than just “entertainment TV”, and to each, perhaps a different meaning and message. For me, it’s a doorway to a world that once was mine, and that one day, I might experience again.
While the point of this entry was not to plead for another “take me home so I can explore” episode, or to ask to be another self-sacrificing co-star, if that was what anyone was thinking, it does serve to make a highly personal statement from the soul that there are people out here in TV land that are impacted and touched in ways that one might not think of.
Thank you to Anthony Bourdain and the No Reservations Crew for bringing the experiences of travel to those of us who are not able to go there ourselves.
Award-winning TV drama DVD collections are the narrative- obsessed's nemesis. Stay strong, Tony. Don't find yourself video-binging at 4am when you should be reserving your energy for the daily workout or a good mood the next day. Re: The philippines episode...like Brigid posted on 2/16, "It is alright tony. I forgive you." Even if I'm second generation Filipina New Yorker... I was already worshipping you on my blog so you were bound to F it up for me sooner or later. Human is as human does. Ya know? (Check out what I really though at fromtheseed.blogspot.com)
Finally! =)
It would've been great if u had the time to visit all 7,101 islands...each island has their own delicacy so that means 7,000+ islands to visit, and 7,000+ food to taste! **wink**
Note to Tony,
Future episode lead in:
Bourdain strides to a certain beach in Leyte, Augusto by his side (wearing a campaign helmet.)
Our hero stops at the waterline with hands on his hips. He looks confidently around and declares...
"I have returned."
Tony, you successfully avoided the cliche! This was a great NR episode. Your producers did a great job in researching and I thought that you picked the best informed guides who knows the ins and outs of Filipino cuisine and history.
Thanks for Augusto for a very enthusiastic and eye-catching entry.
I hope you go back to the Philippines.
Thanks for showcasing the Philippines.
I can totally relate to Augusto!
In San Francisco, we saw it after the Spain show...
which in this case seemed like batting 5th.
you should have gone to my house. i would have fed you well. i would have fed you very very well.
that said, good job. you did our pigs justice. arn't they delicious?
I missed your show but I am asking friends for copies. I have been traveling all corners of our country for years, if you plan to make a comeback, I will gladly give you a tour of the best places! =)
wow philippines thank you for showing the bright side of my country.. mabuhay more power Tony!
I have seen all your shows. As a Filipino living in cali it was about time you visit my homeland. Honestly it didn't do much for me or until Claude Tawag made that comment about being "Pampanga fist then Filipino second. Mr. Tayag was just representing his own region and not the country as a whole. There are at 7000 island and 600 dialect in the P.I. You asked what is a Filipino? To make these short first ones in the islands were called "Aetas" second "Proto Malays" third ones "Deuteron Malays" and last were the Spanish that gave us our names today with no meaning.
Hey Tony,
I like your show.. I have written my term paper for organizational behavior class.
I think Andrew Zimmerman was trying to put you down in his show... Dont let him do that.....
I think he has a problem with you... Let me know if you want me to come from Arkansas to teach him how to eat good food :-))))
Are you coming to Little Rock, AR to have some BBQ....
hey tony, glad you enjoyed your visit in the philippines & changed your ranking or hierarchy of pork by putting ours in the #1 spot! you need to return & you have to go the some secludes islands & enjoy the waters, i'll be your tour guide anytime!
Finally, finally! You've made it to Philippine shores! I'm glad you made that trip and how our roasted pig has captured your gustatory senses. I love the episode and Filipino friends abroad who watched it couldn't help but feel homesick after getting a glimpse of the Filipino life and food that they are now missing. And yes, we are too nice to a fault!
Cebu lechon is the best in the Philippines!!!
oh tony!!! u were in cebu?? :(( why didnt u call me?? :) hahaha..seriously been ur fan for the longest and have written in ur site previously to visit our place and soooo glad u finally did .. i wanted u to visit becoz i knew that you would love our lechon --u porky u!! :D-- after that bali episode i knew u would fall on ur knees when u see and taste our lechon :)
my god!! :) :) u were this close to meeting me.. i could have been driving alongside the van that brought u to the airport!! arggh!!!... :) next time look me up and will show u the best pork chicharon in cebu :) u missed that :)
Finally the roast pork list is (so far) complete and accurate! I've had it in Bali and Puerto Rico, but I thought that you had dicounted the P.I. I spent many happy hours therecrunching away, pork fat smeared on my face, learning the joys of Lechon.
great great show!! it's remarkable how you tied one's identity with the food of their homeland... certainly a lot of folks wanted more stuff but with more food crammed into one episode than any of your past episodes, this is a very very delightful show! :)
any thoughts of having a Philippines Redux?
Ahhhhh I so enjoyed the episode! It made me want to eat lechon all day!
I hope you can cover the rest of the islands, because there's really so much more culture and cuisine to sink your teeth into.
Next time, tell you handlers / production coordinators to hook you up with a set of wonderful local food bloggers like anton diaz, his wife and their kids. There's actually a group of them foodies going around sampling new restaurants.
Perhaps you'd also enjoy an eclectic tour of manila with carlos celdran as well. he's a walking treasury of philippine history i tell you! very entertaining too, guaranteed good tv.
I hope that you'd also hold a speaking engagement when you come back. I assure you, the experience will be far more heartwarming and exciting than the NZ episode.
Yes, Lechon Cebu rocks!
Tony, I saw your show and I'm glad you have finally visited our country. I've been a big fan of yours for a long time now. You are always present your show very well. I still remember the campaign you had when you launch NR. When you consider yourself more like a traveller than a tourist. I can very well resonate :) You really try to understand the the everyday culture of every country you visit.
Wow! I am really, pleasantly surprised that you have battalions of Filipino fans! And you featured only two islands! I wonder what would be the number of comments if you visited more places in the Philippines?...
Rock and Roll Tony... you got it right! Greetings from your Filipino fans in Europe.
i am from Cebu and i am crazy about our lechon. my dad used to cook lechon right in our backyard and we actually sell it to our neighbors. seeing that the cebu lechon made it to the top of the hierarchy made me grin from ear to ear.
your show (including you, i think) is my recent addiction. thanks for the high! =)
YEP THAT ROAST PIG ON THE SPIT SURE LOOKS GOOD, ID LIKE TO DO THAT AND GET DRUNK WITH SOME FRIENDS.
OZ
WESTERN PA
I am a huge fan of you and your show, Mr. Bourdain and I've been wondering how in the world you got to the Southeast Asian countries but the Philippines. And then I finally saw your 'PHILIPPINES' episode and I was smiling the whole time.Thank you so much for taking time out to go and see our country. Seeing you drinking our very own San Miguel beer and having SISIG on the side made us very proud.Thank you for being very nice to the Filipinos.I saw the episodes when you had lechon in Bali and Puerto Rico and back then I was telling myself you haven't tasted the best yet- which is our lechon. Thank you again for wanting to know a bit of our rich culture.Thanks also to Augusto of Long Island who started this all.What you saw in the Philippines is just the tip of the iceberg.I do hope you'll find yourself back in the Philippines again exploring for more. More power to you,your family and your career.I have been a fan since and all the more now.You always do a good job in each episode most especially this one.The world needs artists like you. Maraming Salamat.
I know that I am willingly making myself the target of much hatred by going where I am about to go. I had the honor of attending two Lechon feasts when I visited the Philippines with my family in 2007. It was an amazing thing to witness the time, skill and effort put into the roasting of the pig. Now, I know all my P.I. family and friends are fiercely proud of all things Filipino, but I'm sorry to say that the pork I had is not on the level of what I experienced at Ibu Oka last year in Bali. At the family compound offsite of the restaurant, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the monumental amount of love and energy that goes into the roasting of their pig by a true master at work. The pork I tasted that day is second to none and the spices found in Bali are amongst the best in the world. Let the flaming begin!
To: In defense of Bali
I've tried the Bali pig too and loved it, but the Philippines has 7,100 or so islands with different regions perfecting their own style of cooking Lechon. There's a 7,100+ chance that one of the regions will beat Bali's version...and as Tony himself proclaimed in his blog, Philippines is #1.
I can't believe Tony went to the Philippines. Tony did you grease any palm at the airport. You know Philippines is well known for greasing the Palm. If you did not grease any palm, that's a sign of disrespect.
Great job Tony! My family and I always watch your show. We love your show. You're so natural and down to earth. Thank you for featuring my country, the Philippines. It really meant a lot to all of the Pinoys around the world.
And to you Son, Entry #369. Have peace in your heart. Someday you will find your real parents. However, enjoy and seize the moments with your loved ones. Your write up is very inspiring, very articulately done and touching. I love it.
Thank you very much for coming over, Tony! :) You've just made millions of Filipinos all over the world smile, laugh, craving, nostalgic, proud, and very happy. The next time you're here, let's have a vacation and food trip part 2.
Loving your show, and proudly Filipino. - Nikki
Some of the things I have on our to-do-list are to watch "The Wire" with my husband, and for my daughter and I to write you re. the Philippines. I'm happy I have one thing less to do, and that we no longer have to feel offended that you still haven't gone. Thank you for a good show! Just wish a tiny bit more time was spent on the seasoning of the lechon. Sisig was yummy! And you're yummy! If we werent' married, I'd marry you!
For those of you who are not well informed, check out the link below to appreciate what were done prior to taping the show. You will probably know what are AB's likes and dislikes. So, before you make any more suggestions to AB or the NR crew, please please, check out the link. The episode was a success and NR accomplished what they wanted the viewers should see. It is not just about food. Has anyone been to all the islands and tasted the food each island has to offer? I guess not! Thank you.
http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/behind-the-scenes-days-of-preparation-for-seconds-on-tape
Maaaan where are the Impanadas from the Ilocos? I know it's nothing like Vietnamese Cuisine which I heard it's your all time favorite cuisine but you ranked Philippines #1 for pork. Cool man... The show was great, well put, excellent journalism. Now that Philippines is nothing like what you saw in Apocalypse Now, you should go back again. But up north and try some Tribal Cuisines at the Mountain Province.
Thank you Tony for visiting the Philippines! We're happy that you liked the food here especially the lechon and sisig. Pampanga is the food capital of the country and Claude Tayag is the best person to show you why. Glad they brought you to Aling Lucing to sample the best sisig we have here (with a bottle of ice cold San Miguel beer to pair with it). They should have brought you to Razon's and sample their pancit luglog (similar to pancit palabok) and halo-halo. They're the best! The pancit luglog is waaay better than the pancit palabok Ivan fed you. Also, Ivan should have given you chicken-pork adobo instead of the shrimp version. It's the classic adobo dish we have here. The lechon Cebu is the best! The skin is crispy and the meat is very flavorful because of the herbs and spices placed inside the pork. You don't need to dip it in liver sauce (or sarsa). But then again, the sauce is also good.
We hope you can visit our country again and sample the other regions' cuisines. Try going to the Bicol and Ilocos regions. Their food is different from that of Pampanga's.
To in defense of Bali:
The lechon in the Philippines is cooked differently in each region. What Tony Bourdain tasted was the Cebu lechon. Coming from a filipino, born and bred as a northerner, I have to say that no lechon in the country can beat Cebu's. Maybe the one you tasted was not Cebu lechon, if you did, you might be saying the same thing as Mr. Bourdain.
Hi Tony, that was a great show. I am glad you visited the Philippines. You need to return, you have miss a lot, such as, catching a fish and using coconut shells for charcoal.
Fresh Oysters, fresh (large) crabs, and especially lots of fresh fruits right from the tree. And hey dont worry I will make sure that you dont need to sing in a karoke bar, like the one in South Korea..that was a great show Tony. Tony your welcome to visit the philippines anytime, just make sure you got at least 30 days to spend in the philippines.
Yup. You said it right Tony, sisig indeed is one of the best, if not the best beer drinking dish this side of the planet. You can't just eat it with any other beer, it has got to be San Miguel Premium. You should have tried the SUTOKIL in Cebu, cheap seafood that will only be cooked three ways and that is Sugba (Grilled to perfection), Tola (with Ginger broth), Kilawen (Cooked by adding vinegar, the local lemon called calamansi and with plenty of spices).
To #369, Son. Just like Mila #396 says, peace and joy in your heart. You may or may not find your real parents but know that they love you very much and gave up so much to give you up, for a better life (at that time), just like the story line in Ms. Saigon. You are articulate, reflective; your family and friends now are blessed with having you in their lives. God bless you.
nice show. unlike other filipinos, i enjoyed andrew zimmern's take on the philippines. however, your show showed the down to earth stuff - the "real" food that filipinos eat.
a few comments - the "pinakbet" you ate was actually the tagalog region's version of the ilocano dish, and is called "bulanglang". and although every region does have its own take on adobo, traditionally adobo is any kind of meat marinated overnight in soy sauce, vinegar, peppercorns, garlic (and lots of it), and bay leaf - never cooked with onions and never sauteed. you can either brown the meat first, then add the marinate in, or just let everything simmer in pot until done.
It seems there's a lot of love for anthony bourdain frm the philippines.
I love the show, too. I can't wait to see the Philippines episode here in Manila (I dont know the schedule....pucha...).
Anthony Bourdain, ur da best, pare.
I'm a Cebuana and i must say, Anthony Bourdain, your ranking of Lechon Cebu is really great. I always thought that only Cebuanos would think their Lechon is the best in the Philippines. But ranking it as number one in the world is just plain awesome! Love your show.
Loved your episode on the Philippines. I hope this is just a foretaste of things to come? You will return to the islands and cover the other regions you weren't able to feature, right? This time, don't do an "Augusto". Just go straight to our Philippine Embassy and they will hook you up with the best people to guide you around. But your show left us wanting more and in fact, bec. of it, I developed this craving for sisig and last night, the whole family went to a Phil. restaurant and I didn't even look at the menu bec. I knew what I was ordering. Looking forward to your next Philippine episode. This time, try going to one of the islands, like Boracay - white sand beaches, fantastic food, fun-filled...More power to the show, Anthony Bourdain!
Tess
Missed the episode but my recollection of Philippino food from places I've worked with a large Philippine workforce was gnarl covered in fish sauce...yecch
DAMN! Now I REALLY wanna go back! Excellent job on the Philippines ep. I haven't been there since 1980 when I stayed for a month. Can TOTALLY relate to Augusto. Everything he said about himself is exactly how I've felt. Thanks for a wonderful representation of food, family, and culture in the Philippines.
The number of comments under this thread just reaffirms the fact you stated a while back that of all the people in the world who watch your show, the Filipinos are the most vocal and certainly your most avid followers. Too, you hit the nail right on the head when you said Filipinos are just too nice. I'm sure you meant to their detriment. Alas! They took it as a compliment. Never mind the lousy misrepresentation of the authentic Filipino Cuisine in that episode, which you yourself admitted above. We are just too forgiving - willing to overlook even the most partial treatment. Just put our lechon no.1 in your list of the best roasted pig in the world, we are okay with that. You won't hear us complain. We're just too complacent, right? Never mind not showing our picturesque countryside the locals of which serve the equally divine unadulterated rural cuisine the way you portrayed Indonesia, Vietnam and Colombia. Heck, I've been to those countries. Truth be told, there is simply no comparison. Never mind that you made it appear you were scurrying to get out of the country, hence, missing the chance to sample the coconut crabs of Batanes, the bicol express and laing of the Bicol region, the curacha of Zamboanga (specifically of Alavar's), the real papaitan of the Mountain Province, etc.
Tony, I understand you have to make a story line to make every episode interesting. I would have rather waited for the perfect time for the Philippine episode that is accurately researched about than relying on an identity-challenged confused kid to instigate a half-baked Philippine showcase. The regular Filipino family is jovial, festive in spirit, fun-loving and not as dry as that of Augusto’s. Truth of the matter is the show was a great injustice to the Philippines as a whole - the country, the people and the food. I was expecting you would present it the way you always showcase other countries. Why the sudden change of format? There was no substance at all. I cannot understand the absence of the clean streets and the remarkable skyline of Makati (the 15th best in the world) when you were in Manila opting to show the dirty avenues of the poor side of the city. The Philippines boasts of some of the best beaches in the world, which you ignored when you were in Cebu.
A much better theme would have been focusing on the product of the fusion of the two most popular cuisines in the world- Mexican and Chinese. Yes, that is the essence of the true Filipino gastronomy. For instance, you should have noted the difference between the Mexican menudo and ours, their cocido, asado, mechado, relleno, etc. and ours that had been tinged with Chinese and even Malayan as well as Polynesian flavors. How more interesting and more impartial would that have been than what you just presented to the entire world!
I believe you owe us a second show to rectify your failure to authentically portray a country that is so rich in culture, food, people and natural wonders and resources. Enough already of the storyline that embellishes and masks the authenticity of your subject, present it as it is – no frills nor thrills to distort the truth.
As a Filipino, a writer and self-professed foodie, I can say that Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations did Filipino Cuisine no justice. I love Bourdain and this show and it's previous incarnation. His job is a foodie's fantasy! I am one of the many who had always wondered why he didn't visit the Philippines sooner. With Agusto, my hopes were high, only to find out that Agusto had only been to the Philippines once in his life. While I am all for reconnecting with one's roots which is part of the reason behind the show, doing so ON the show has proved to be rather difficult if not rather difficult to watch.
No Reservations is the travelogue for foodies, yet on the Philippines episode he did not nearly expose the world to many of the culinary wonders of the Philippines. They showed sinigang and adobo done a couple of ways, pinakbet, kare-kare, and lechon. He focused on sisig and barbecued chicken ass as drinking food and only touched on chicken balls as street food. WTF? I am ashamed that those were the representative foods of the Philippines given our rich food history and influences! As far as table food goes, what about Bicol Express and dinuguan? What about the million and a half ways we do fish? Kuhol (snails) and balut did not even get a mention. We know that Bourdain likes to drink, yet the only drinking food he had was sisig and papaitan. Again I say, WTF? Filipinos have such a big drinking culture and to have these two items represent drinking food in the Philippines? And he didn't even try lambanog! Filipino moonshine at it's best. Highest proof alcohol in the world! That's just sad. I didn't see any Adidas or zigzags or any other true street food. Hell, I didn't see Tony even go out at night! And that's when the best food shows up! Don't get me started on the fact that he didn't even sample ONE dessert!
Bourdain asked a valid question, "Why hasn't Filipino cuisine been more recognized?" The chef on the show answered that it was because of the nature of the Filipino to put others before ourselves. It sounds right. We Filipinos need to be more proud of our cuisine. We need to show the world that as simple as Filipino food is to make with fewer herbs and spices as that of our other Asian cuisines, it's still have a myriad of flavor points and unique tastes and textures. We should not settle forthe margins in Asian cookbooks. We need our own damned cookbook!
No Reservations needs a do-over. Bourdain needs to take a couple of Filipino foodies back to the homeland and not a been-there-once-for-a-week novice who had only eaten lechon twice in his life. I'm up to task...are you Mr. Bourdain?
If the Philippines is now the vaunted #1 in all things pork, it really didn't translate that way watching the episode. Maybe it was because I was still recoiling from watching Tony get Mad Goat disease from eating brains and eyeballs. But I have a hard time getting excited about the Philippines. I don't know what it is, but the food doesn't look good and the place looks...disjointed. Or something. I just don't get it. I get everywhere else the show's been in Asia. I just don't get this place. Sorry Filipinos.
That was an amazing Philippine show. Can't wait to try that Cebu roast pork - delicious. Thanks Anthony and crew! And to Nancy, hope you don't let envy and anger make you write a comment here next time (so obvious in the way you worded your message above). As we all know, that's why everybody loves this particular travel show. I love how Anthony tries to understand and respect the culture of every place he goes to. Doesn't just show the touristy spots. So it is not sorry Filipinos. But we are all sorry for you, Nancy. And to Anthony, more power to you and your show again.
This was by far the most boring and unappetizing episode I have seen. I'm a big fan of the show but this one was a snoozer and while it was very nice of you to sit through those awkward family get togethers, I'm missing the old Tony. BRING BACK THE SNARK!!!
The show was a little tame but covered the basic food. Did you check the cheap spas after a long day of eating? How about the fastfood section? There's so much in the Philippines. Tony, stop being a psychiatrist to Augusto!! LOL. To Augusto: you chose the culture you want to adapt, dont try to act like a victim. However, it's good that you are discovering your culture before it's too late! watch TFC or something so you can speak the language. bwahaha..
Yeah, Joy, dammit, you caught me. I don't know how I've lived without eating goat salivary glands. I'm just green with envy. How perceptive of you.
i was eating pakbong rice over the counter in our phuket apartment while watching the philippine episode and my first instinct is to rush back to manila and eat a proper adobong kangkong (pakbong). i love everything in that episode, very thought provoking take on our cultural identity..and you have always another time, another story angle to cover the other parts of the archipelago..
Envy & anger, really?! Just sounds like understandable boredom to me. Nothing in that episode to envy and nothing remotely exciting enough to get angry about. We're all fans or we wouldn't be here. It just wansn't a great show.
What a disappointing snoozer this was--a totally lackluster show. Compared to others you've done, this episode lacked the research, depth and expansive view of world food that characterizes other visits to culinary capitals. I love Filipino food and you didn't even scratch the surface. You kept asking the question, "What is Filipino food?" and it was a bad decision to have Augusto (young newbie to the culture and food) try to answer that for you. You would've had a much better show with local experts..the owners of Coridillon in your NYC hometown, for example, would have been a world more interesting.
To Nancy (not THAT Nancy) and So Much More Than A Mom. I hope you read my first post (entry #412). Yes, I am a Filipino and I felt the same way you did watching the show. Rest assured that was not the real Philippines you saw that night. In fact, that episode proved to be a great injustice to the rich culinary heritage of my country. While the show was boring and disgusting for the both of you (and I certainly agree it truly was), imagine how painful it was for me to watch scenes after scenes as they unfolded discrediting the truth about our culinary wealth. Funny, but I felt exactly the same way you did - the supposed goodness of the roast pig did not translate on TV in a manner the Bali counterpart was portrayed before. Made me think that the reason why that was mentioned at all was just to appease the Filipinos. Tony knew he blew it, hence, his entry above...I'm very aware of how many Filipino fans we have -- and how enthusiastic they are about us (finally) covering their country. I wanted very badly to do a good job on this one. But I fear there's no way we got it "right."
Putting the Cebu lechon his no.1 in his hierarchy of the best pigs might as well have just been done to compensate for the sad disservice done to the Filipinos. True enough, knowing how "too nice" and forgiving the Filipinos are, it worked based on the deluge of messages of gratitude to Tony.
I went to the Philippines a couple of years after my previous visit, and I arrived exactly the same day Tony got there. I went to Manila and Angeles too. There was no way I would say that the general feature of the city was as uninviting as the decrepit street scenes showed in the episode. On the contrary, I was in awe of the cleanliness especially in Makati. Seems to me the crew went to great lengths searching for the dirtiest places in the Philippines to show to the world.
If Tony is really as grounded and as wise as he portrays himself to be, I'm sure he knows in his heart that the countless of heart-warming messages from Filipinos don't really matter. It's comments like yours that really count because you were the target audience of that particular show. You were the ones who needed to be informed of our wonderful culinary art the true essence of which was unfortunately not captured by Tony. They digressed too far to give way to the story line they wanted to feature losing the all too important substance in the process. Tony's attempt to use Augusto's ethnic identity issue to metaphorize our food's lack of popularity was a dismal failure because in reality, we have a tremendous array of flavors we can offer the world. In essence, therefore, it was the non-Filipinos (the general viewership) especially Tony’s other loyal fans who were done a great disservice for not being fed the true information about Filipino food.
I was among the lucky few who joined the Marketmanila Lechon feast just after he hosted Anthony Bourdain. We had 5 lechons for 50 folks and we picked on the skin while the piggie butt's were steaming.
I think that this comment thread will just make Anthony Bourdain consider another trip to the Philippines, eat some different stuff, and go back to Cebu to re-proclaim Marketman's lechon as the "Best Pig Forever and Ever."
i was a bit disappointed that you didn't try balut and dinuguan(pig's blood stew). but it is interesting to know how adobo can be as diversed as as the filipino dialects and culture. and i am most appreciative of the comment in the show that filipino food is less about it's distict flavor, but more about the gathering of the family and community. and it is with food, regardless of how fancy it is, that we show our number 1 attribute, our hospitality.
and yes, i enjoyed watching you cross the roads of manila..."with your eyes closed."
Tony, you're a Cool guy. But we dare you do another episode of the Philippines Cuisines. "Just Do It"
Juancho lighten the F' up and stop with the book length posts! Blog hog no one cares...keep it short & snappy
Thanks for featuring our beloved Philippines and many of its palate-enticing and stomach-warming cuisines on NO RESERVATIONS. I love you more because of this, Mr. Bourdain! =)
MorganLF, how about you chilling out? If you have difficulty reading long posts, then don't read them. No one is forcing you. What's your problem, dude? (dyslexia, maybe?) Yeah right, no one cares. Well, I don't mind if no one did. One thing for sure though, you care so much it would kill you not to reply. I'm sincerely flattered! Is this short enough? PEACE!
I'm not Filipino but my girlfriend is and I pretty much enjoyed the show, but I kinda got bored with the angle on Augusto.
Just wanna give my 2 cents about Tony's hierarchy of pig. If he says the Philippines is #1 then he means it. The guy doesn't BS anything to please anyone.
Tony, loved your show on the Philippines. Nice of you to give Augusto a chance, at least he tried. However, why didn't any of my fellow Filipinos even mention the dish, DINGUAN ? I mean, you had every other part of the pig, why not its stewed blood and meat? That, I believe is so representative of the Philippines, or am I being old-school Filipino?
I meant Dinuguan! Sorry for the typo! Please try Dinuguan and let us know what you think! I don't think this falls under anything Andrew Zimmerman would try.
Thank you for visiting the Philippines Tony! I am born and raised in Manila, now living in LA. I was so thrilled to see you eat sinigang, pinakbet and taho. There are a whole lot more dishes to eat and places to see. Hope you come back soon and try some kakanin!
Tony-
me and my lovely Filipino wife want to thank you for your recent show visiting the Phillipines. You are correct in that Filipino people are generally really nice people. I'm getting used to the food-there are many seafood-based dishes that are really good. I hope you will go back to the Philippines and do a second show. Americans are very (too) familiar with Asian cuisine from China and Japan-and much less so from the Philippines.
Thanks you for (finally) doing an episode on the Philippines. Love your comment on crossing the street "it's all about momentum and commitment" so true!!
Loved the episode so much I Tivo'ed it and also purchased it on iTunes!!
More power to you and your crew!!
Excellent 60 minutes Tony!! And to all the Pinoys moaning and groaning about the show not representative enough, sit back and taking a long drag off of that sh*t you are smoking - THINK! Do you think the other NR visits to other countries showed all those contries have? Do you honestly think you can go to South Korea and act like a local now coz you saw AB's visit??? Puhleeez. I think Dinuguan was not mentioned because Bizzare foods did it and like AB said about Balut, Done it! Thank you again AB and thanks for Augusto having the balls to send in a tape! This show was a showcase of what people can experience when they visit the Philippines and NOT ALL OF WHAT THEY CAN EXPERIENCE! Juancho go suck balut!
Bravo Tony --- you should go back to the Philippines. You missed Iloilo and Negros Occidental. You missed Pancit Molo, La Paz Batchoy and Lumpiang Ubod. Also, you may want to see the kakanins of the Ilonggos --- piyaya, putong Manapla, lubid-lubid, butong-butong, and lots more. Let me be your guide.
we in the phils. are dying to see this episode, hope it will be soon, bec. we heard from maryann tayag that it will be shown here next yr?! what a long wait! i am a big fan of yours, and we were pleasantly surprised when we visited bale datung in pampanga last yr, the owners told us anthony bourdain was there a few weeks before to taped a show abt filipino food!
Roland, you're an epitome of the very dirty streets featured in the episode based on your demeanor. You are also very complacent. Maybe that's one reason why Filipino food is not revered by other nationalities. Your standards are so low quality-wise. Superficial, indeed. I'm sure you are also one of those inclined to sell your votes for a peso or two. "Excellent 60 minutes"? Are you serious? Maybe you need to cut down on your balut consumption. It's clouding your judgement, dude - seriously! It is actually a lesson to all Filipinos. We should up our standards to get the respect of other people.
Only in the Philippines, Tony dude! :)
I am ecstatic that you went to my motherland. I missed seeing it even though I have been checking for the past two years now. I am so looking forward to this episode. How about going with Andrew Zimmern next time? That way you could check out the stuff that you missed, and he can eat food that the average Filipino eats.
Just the thought of watching your show doing an episode of our islands is really giving the goose bumps. Me and my wife to be has been itching to watch the episode on youtube but watching it on discovery travel and living is far better. Technically there is 7,107 islands of the philippines and we really have a diversed spread of food that we can offer. Perhaps next time you visit the philippines, youll check out some of the other islands. you have 7,103 to choose from. :)
We thank you dearly for doing an episode on our homeland. We just love you show and more power tony.
Stock on the munchies and ready the beer, Tony's episode on the philippines is coming up soon!
im so happy that you were convinced by Augusto to visit the Philippines, so thankful for Augusto also even if he is not that familiar with his roots, at least he exerted an effort to learned about his roots and proud enough to convinced you to visit the Philippines. Thank you for featuring our country.
Juancho - i am so sorry to disappoint your oh so regal standards - i would rather come from those "dirty streets" as you lovingly called them, than to associate with the likes of you, i do not seek validation of my culture from a travelogue, nor do I need it from other cultures, I love and appreciate other cultures's nuances and love the little peeks shows like NR provide...You have no idea what my standards are and you have no idea what my background is - i tried to add levity and some in your face sarcasm and you take personal swipes at me??? so sorry sir! now if I may take a shot at the same tactic you used, I will try to judge you personally from your posts - I am betting you have highlights in your hair, bleach your skin, cringe when you hear thick Filipino accents, and you come from a family of WWII Japanese collaborators and now you have a degree from a directional university, drive a pre-owned (or leased) lexus-bmw-infiniti-Range Rover and wishes you had a white prize for a bride - now i feel sick, how do you do it? AB's NR is what it was, a nice peek at our cuisine, our cities and our people - it did not validate us as a people, nor should it and it never tried, it provided me 60 minutes or roughly 45 minutes minus the commercials, of a diversion from my busy family and hectic life --- now if you want to help a fellow brown brother, send some Balut my way, coz where I live they are very rare...
Great episode! i just love it! And i wasn't even a fan until now. Never even watched any of your shows ever until today. Haha. It made me want to explore other parts of our country just to taste the food. Everything was mouth watering... well except for the animal innards and stuff as i don't really like or eat them... Good thing i was munching on some snacks while watching, at least it didn't make me feel bad about not eating all of what you guys ate. All those food were truly mouth watering. I even envy you for eating them!
So anyway you did a fine job but it's true that the first to mid Augusto part of the story is a bit awkward to watch. ^_^ I hope next time you can show us some more islands and the food they have as i myself haven't been to other islands here other than Boracay. It's kinda cool watching a show (about the Philippines) meant for a different audience.
Thanks again!
I keep on watching this episode over and over again. Bravo Bourdain. Your correct that there is so much more to experience in the Philippines and it will take more than just one episode. Please come back again and show us a different side of my country.
You have to try the following: adidas (chicken feet), tapsilog (a classic filipino breakfast), and of course isaw.
PLEASE TONY VISIT THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN!
I have just watched your Philippine series for the 3rd time and for the 3rd time I find myself smiling and a little teary eyed. Thank you so much for bringing me home.
lab ya.
Bringing home Augusto and showing him his own country may be the best angle your show has ever done
I was drooling when you showed "TAHO" (breakfast tofu treat)! Brings back memories of elementary days when we would call out the taho vendor - "mama, pisong taho nga po!". I plan to go home this year - taho, here I come!
Dear Chef Tony,
Maraming Salamat (Thank you so much) - From a Filipino in North Carolina.
I'd like to say first, thank you Tony for finally going to the PI! On the same note, I have to agree with many of my fellow kompadres that NR needs a do-over! The show had our main staples (I especially liked the sisig) but I honestly felt sad after watching the show... there truly is so much more to our food, and more importantly our culture. And I think why so many of us want you to visit the philipines again is because, as some others have mentioned, we love to eat and to party! And could be better expressed in a do-over episode. If you had visited my family, the town would have held a fiesta, drinking and eating all night! I had hoped to see visits to the markets, to Jollibee (our version of McDonalds), to food stalls near the churches! Let us show the world an additional side of the wonderful country! I'm ready to host you anytime, let me know what to do to make it happen!
Why did it take Tony so long to go to the Philippines? He had been everywhere in the Pacific Rim BUT there. Did it just not stir his interest?
Why Filipino cuisine hasn't been more recognized/high profile in America? Based on my 18 yrs of residing in the state of Georgia, there's ONLY been 2 real Filipino restaurant that I know of that existed here and didn't last very long. It seems to me that no matter how good-tasting the food can be, Filipinos don't know how to manage/organize/advertise and/or present their restaurant/food well to the general public. Recently a new Filipino food stand just opened up at some food court inside an asian marketplace, and guess what?..same unattractive experience! It will probably be only enjoyable to Filipino food-eating natives. Unfortunately it has become a common experience with my non-filipino wife when we visit other smaller states as well, but luckily for me she already acquired the Filipino taste (esp. my longanisa...j/k :-). Otherwise she could have easily been turned off.
So thanks to Bourdain, my hope is that this episode brought new perspective as he positively showcased some Filipino food. Also Filipinos should move on and forget about identity crisis! Filipino chefs/restaurant owners need to be more concern about enhancing the customer experience besides serving "cooked" Filipino food alone, if they ever want to be recognized!
I was such a fan of yours before and now, after this episode, I am officially an obsessed groupie!! FINALLY someone does the Philippines justice!! Filipino cuisine definitely doesn't get the respect it deserves and yet somehow - everyone that knows a Filipino always says they LOVE Filipino food! And now those that haven't tried it know how awesome it is too! I was born overseas in Japan (dad in the Navy), but I lived in the Philippines for years before finally coming to the US. And like Augusto, I am an in-betweener that doesn't fit in with the Americans and doesn't fit in with the Filipinos. But regardless, I'm proud of my heritage and boy do I miss Filipino food! I can't wait to visit again this December!!
Kumusta Anthony!!
Salamat, mahalo, and howzit from a huge filipino fan from Hawaii!!! My week does not feel complete without watching you and your tasty but exotic travels. Not only is your show informative and entertaining, your easy on the eyes I must say!! I was so close to missing your first ever segment on the Philippines. Just seeing the preview a week prior made my heart skip a beat and flushed with excitement. You hit the nail on the head on this one. From the wholesome nature and hospitality of the filipinos to the well respected pork dishes not to mention the scrumptous lechon. You paid homage to filipino's like me who only hoped that a well known celebrity like you and a show like yours would bring light to how our filipino culture is as diverse as our food. Not even the well popular food network attempted to bring light the filipino cuisine (if i am not mistaken). Sometimes I feel like we are the "forgotten asian's". You did us proud pinoy's the greatest thing, acknowledgment of our culture in mainstream U.S.A.
Maraming, maraming salamat!!
Thanks Tony and NR for showcasing the Philippines. Isn't it obvious you should go back for more? We love you!
two words for you, Mr. Tony: come back!
hope to see you this May in the Philippines, when most of the town and provinces spell festivals with four capital letters: F-O-O-D :)
and many thanks for featuring our colorful country, its rich culinary cuisine, and the happy people that comprise this wonderful islands :))
more power to you and your show!
Thanks for the great question, Tony!
Thank you for bringing up the question about why Filipino cuisine has not been elevated to the same level as other Asian ones in the U.S. and around the world. Years ago, when I heard that green papaya dishes well as other typical Asian street foods or poor-man's foods were suddenly being glorified throughout the U.S., I couldn't help but think, "What is going on here?". I almost fell off my seat when, gasp, Asian fish sauce was being touted as "in", "flavorful", "refreshing", etc. As a Filipino-American, I clearly remember the days when most non-Filipinos turned their noses up at fish sauce in any shape or form. I was traumatized by all the fish sauce jokes and had to endure all the embarrassment that went along with people holding their noses whenever a bottle of one was opened at any sort of public gathering. All of a sudden it's cool and almost as ubiquitous as soy sauce?!
You're absolutely right. One of the answers is that Filipinos are sometimes too nice, which is why I believe our great cuisine has fallen by the wayside and thought of as almost second-class. It's not that people don't love it -so many do. Hopefully, one day it will be recognized as the awesome cuisine it truly is. I hope to be a part of making that come to fruition.
Although I love your shows and your sense of humor, my family and I can personally do without the bleeped curse words. How much do you hate ABBA and karaoke? Well, that's pretty much how much we hate it when you swear. Those bleeps alone are enough to drive you mad! You're too intelligent and have too ample a vocabulary to allow yourself to be a slave to useless words.
A true (and truthful) fan - CJ Madden
Tony,
I must say, that was a bit boring. I applied with a video to have you come to Napa Valley, the place where food and wine meet in our own country, where we are creating a culture- especially in these hard times - you need to help enforce our efforts. I am so much more interesting and fun. Seriously, if I can herd cats (10 winemakers at a time - and it takes allot of beer and spirits to make wine) I can show you a great time - and I am not talking the french Laundry.
I showed you a delicious whole roasted pork, our dive bars we hang in to avoid the beautiful who line our pockets, and of course we have some pretty cool wineries and restaurants to go too. Luckily, I live in Yountville, so I can swagger home from my favorite haunts.
Come visit!
Roland, I'm sure my take on your personality surprised you, huh? It was right on target, man! I'm really a good judge of character. It hit a raw nerve, didn't it? Your explosion reaffirmed my suspicion all along about your coarse upbringing. So if you don't seek validation from a travelogue or other cultures, why do you have to kiss Tony's ass and butter him up with your false praises? You’re contradicting yourself, dude. Excellent 60 minutes? LOL! You're pathetic.
Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not interested in knowing you. Your description of yourself is exactly what makes me cringe. So how often do you retouch your highlights? Lol! If you think you can coax me into posting my bio here the way you did with yours, you are mistaken my friend. I'm sorry but this is all I can divulge of myself: Even on your smartest day, you are not half as smart as I am on my dumbest! That is one thing for sure.
It must be difficult living in the streets. I praise you for surviving that. It toughened you alright but it kept your standards to the bare minimum. This is my last post my friend so save yourself from wasting time and energy responding to this as I'm not coming back to this blog anymore. My advice to you: Go to your room then shout as loud as you can to release that anger.
I dug this episode. Although, i felt you weren't as animated as other shows. Maybe it was jetlag. Go to Cebu City next time during a festival...it rocks there!
Thank you for visiting the Philippines!
I'm from the main island of Luzon, and Cebu is
the only other island I visited where I had my fill
of their lechon. Remembering now how Cebu lechon tasted,
I want to feast on it right at this moment. Show us more of the culinary wonders of the world, Tony.
"Juanco Garbiel - This is my last post my friend so save yourself from wasting time and energy responding to this as I'm not coming back to this blog anymore."
Thank God! I agree with some of his posts but he was pretty much hypocritical at the same time. Too bad he missed Tony's latest Blog because he specifically targeted "experts" like JB.
GREAT PIECE ON THE PHILIPPINES. AND YOU'RE RIGHT TONY, WE ARE JUST EXTREMELY NICE. I'M GLAD YOU ENJOYED THE SAN MIGUEL BEER & SISIG AND IF U HAVE A YEARNING FOR THOSE, I HAVE MY SOURCES HERE IN JERSEY. JUST LET ME KNOW. ITS JUST ACCROSS THE RIVER. WHOA!! LAST NITE'S EPISODE 'BOUT MANHATTAN WAS INDEED ANOTHER UNFORGETTABLE EPISODE, WE EAT @HOP KEE AS WELL AND LOL, ATE THE SAME FOOD U DID, THE FLOUNDER,CRABS & SNAILS.
I want to say, "Good job!" or "I'm glad you FINALLY went to the Philippines." But most of the other 462 comments made in reply to that episode have said just that. And yes, I did see that they are either Filipinos or Fil-Ams. And yes, like 99% of all Filipinos they are too nice and are just glad that they finally have representation on one of the best travel/cuisine/gastronome TV shows around. Because Filipinos don't ask nor do they ever expect much.
I know that with 7,000 islands that make up that country, it is quite difficult to be able to intensely identify exactly who are the Filipinos, what is the culture and what makes their cuisine their own. Over the course of the last 300 years with other countries invading their land and imposing their culture on to Filipino people, sometimes I think that Filipinos don't even know exactly who they REALLY are. What they have done is accept their past, their changing heritage and like everyone else has told you: they have adapted to their most current environment. But one thing - throughout all their misfortunes, changes, and growth - they have held on to the value of family and that family is their heritage, their community. They take that with them everywhere they go. Whether they have moved from island to island or have immigrated to other countries. Once immigrated, they find family and strength by finding other Filipinos that have done the same. They share their stories, their food, their families and themselves and all the while adapting to the new culture they have exposed themselves to.
To answer a question by another commenter, the reason why Tony's "guide" didn't take him to those fantastic street vendors is because he wanted to show him a respectable side to the Filipino culture. He wanted to ensure his safety and comfort and wanted to make sure that his experience was pleasant and non-offensive. As most of you know - it's not all gravy over there.
I am a Filipino-American that was born in the Philippines, raised in the United States and have had the opportunity to join my family back in the Philippines. And you know what my family did once I got there? They took me and my siblings to McDonalds. My brother and I walked right out of there and went directly to the street vendors picked out a myriad of things that looked good to us and then joined our family back at McDonalds with our food findings. They laughed, and laughed - hysterically even. That - right there - broke the barrier that separated us from our family. And from then on they were more comfortable providing us with what is rightfully ours as Filipino-Americans, our Filipino culture, our heritage, our food and most importantly - our family. It was life changing. It was humbling as they were willing to give us the clothes off their back and their beds, invite related strangers into their homes providing the best hospitality possible. What was really humbling is that I was able to see my family live with practically nothing: No running water, intermittent electricity, and very little money. But they had their family and they were happy.
Thanks, Tony for featuring the Philippines and ranking Cebu's lechon #1 in the world! Being a Cebuana, I can attest to Cebu lechon being the best. Here's a tip for you - if you have the craving for lechon, call Dennis Canares at (908) 704-9340. He is Cebuano, lives in Somerville, NJ and makes the best Cebu style lechon in the East Coast.
Hi Uncle Tony, I watched the episode and I think it is one of your very best. While yours is known as a food show, the episode last night tackled a very good question: Who is the Filipino?
I am a Filipina. Our identity has always been debated on. Everyone says we have none because--like you said--we are too nice and struggle to please and be integrated. But underneath that, there is a Filipino identity, very subtle, but we recognize it in each other as soon as we step out of the country. Like you said, Filipinos are nice. And everywhere in the world, if you meet a friendly, smiling, eager-to-please, kind, happy, funny, all-suffering person, I bet my life you just met a Filipino =D
Thank you for your well-researched and well-presented show. Very well done!
Oh! And I want to add that the Filipino identity is wrapped around food! Why do you think your show has so many Filipino fans, it makes you nervous? =D As long as it's about food, Filipinos will devour it! Mabuhay!
wow...can't believe it...464 comments on the philippines show after the 1st week's showing. this proves one thing...it shows how passionate filipinos are regardless of what their take is on their culture. more so...how much we filipinos loves tony! mabuhay and hope to see another segment on the philippines!!!
First of all Tony you did a great job in presenting Philippines. However I can understand why you had concerns if “you did it right.” Of all your episodes this one felt incomplete partly because this episode should have been Augusto’s story. I like Augusto but for some reason I didn’t see the real Augusto. He just seemed to be uncomfortable especially when you showed him with his family. I hope everything is ok with him and his family. But Tony I also understand with over 7,000 islands it would be difficult to showing the whole real Philippines. If there was one area I would’ve liked to be seen covered is the region of Mindanao. Since the Philippines is mostly a Catholic country to show a region that has a Muslim community would’ve represent a different view and also show what might the dynamics of the Philippines be if the Spanish had never set foot. Also Mindanao represents one of the three stars on the Philippines flag that represent the three major geographical regions: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. You have already visited two of the region: Lezon (Manila) and Visayas (Cebu). Maybe Tony if you visit Mindanao in the future then it would feel complete.
As a Filipino I have not yet been to the Philippines. People have told me you should go to your homeland to understand where you come from. I used to believe it until I first travelled to Europe by myself around nine years ago after graduating from college. As I backpacked through Europe in August of 2000 I was out of my comfort zone because I was interacting with people not my kind. The best example was in the first city I visited which was London. After seeing Buckingham Palace (yes I know it was a touristy thing) I went to a local bar. As I was having a pint of beer and meat pie I struck up a conversation with this English lady. For about 3 hours she and I were just talking about our background and views. During that exchange I began to know more about my Filipino heritage and in turn she knew more about her English background because we were exchanging different views. That’s when I began to realize that when people told me to I should visit my homeland to know about your culture was not necessarily true in my view because the only way to really know about your culture is take yourself out of your comfort zone by exchange views from different cultures that makes you think about your own. Ever since that time travelled alone to Europe four times, Japan once, 2 World Cups and Oktoberfest in Munich where I have visited 8 countries and 24 cities and towns (including visiting Amsterdam twice for obvious reasons). But I do see the credence how important to know more about my homeland. This is just me but I think to really understand your homeland you can’t visit that place but live there for a period of time. The reason is that we’re bound by the language we speak and food we eat but miles apart regarding political and economical exposure. And if you live there for about six months or a year you have a better understanding about the locals and also the immigrants who come to the US. I am planning to Business Schools for MBA program where I have the opportunity to study abroad at Asian Institute of Management in Manila, for a semester so I can expose myself how local Filipinos live over there. There’s no wrong way or right way when it comes to visiting the Philippines but for me I’ll go to the Philippines in my own terms when I want to go and not because I should go.
However this Philippine episode was the first time I was interested in visiting Philippines. So I have a proposition for you Tony. How about you, me, and Augusto visit Mindanao in the future? I know what you are thinking. Why trust somebody who has never been to the Philippines before? I look at it as an advantage for me because since I’ve never been there I’ll do all of the research on my own regarding Mindanao. But it’s also an advantage for me because all the times I have travelled to those places I always remember how I felt the first time I went there which is probably how you felt in some of your episodes where it was the first time you visited that place. Is it a risk for you to take someone like me who’s never been to the Philippines? Yes but that’s what makes traveling so fun as it isn’t touristic-itinerary that make the trip memorable but the unexpected things that you never plan. Just like your quote in the Spain episode when you visited the restaurant where you had to choose two cards: rebelling and submitting. You picked submitting because cooking is all about control while eating is all about submission where the sense takes control of you instead of you controlling your senses. In a sense traveling is about submission also.
marketman should set up a lechonan so we poor folks from Manila can get to try his awesome lechon.
Hi Anthony! I LOVED what you did in my homeland! By the way...in your DC(Beltway) episode, you were a stones throw away from some GREAT lechon in Arlington/Alexandria..you remember that Ethiopian place you visited? The lechon was right up the street!! If you find yourself in Northern VA craving lechon, send me and email and I'll take you straight to it :-)
OH one more thing...the row houses (The Wire) are about 45 minutes away..hehehe
Better late than never, I suppose.
I was a little disappointed on how the show turned out? Yes, the food was mouth-watering (most of it at least; I don't think I could have eaten the goat bile) and it made me miss the Philippines. But while the main topic was the food, I noticed what I think were the main problems of why Filipino food was overlooked, and it seems like a cultural problem.
Anthony Bourdain asked a question which I have also seeked the answer for: What is Filipino cuisine, and why does it not have the same popularity as other cuisines in the same part of the world?
I am more interested in the second part of the question. It goes without saying that despite the various influences that we have drawn from other cultures, Filipino cuisine truly is unique and has its own flavor. Therefore, it is a matter of making it more accessible and marketable. I'm not talking about elevating Filipino food to the level of haute cuisine, where it barely resembles the original dish. Rather, we need to improve the quality of our food so that it no longer falls under the 'exotic' category. Examples are Chinese and Thai food. They are popular enough to have gone mainstream without compromising their foods taste, identity, and presentation.
First: Try cooking Filipino dishes using choice cuts of meat. One of my complaints about Filipino food is that there is too little meat and either too much fat or bone, which more often than not, gets in the way of enjoying the food.
Why do we have to limit ourselves using, for lack of better word, non-traditional parts of meat? A fellow blogger commented that the reason we resorted to the non-traditional cuts of meat is because our colonizers used the choice cuts and we were forced then to adapt and make do with what we were given. Yes, it is a testament to our adaptability. However, we are no longer under foreign rule. If we stick to a tradition that was 'forced' upon us, then we are still shackled to the chains that our colonizers placed on us many years ago.
How many times have you eaten kare-kare only to sift through the sauce and find out there is no more 'laman' (meat)? And even then, it is so hard to pry the meat off the bone that you end up just eating the sauce and vegetables on rice... with a little bagoong of course.
Of course, there are certain dishes such as bulalo where the bone (particularly the bone marrow) is not only integral to the dish, but is the very essence of the dish itself. But how about adding some pieces of boneless beef rib into the bulalo broth? It would absorb the broth and retain the tasty goodness of the bulalo.
Second: The Philippines has many different regions. Rather than open a generic Filipino restaurant, open a Filipino restaurant that focuses on one specific region, such as Pampanga or Ilonggo food. That way, Filipinos will already know what to expect, and foreigners will also not only know about Filipino cuisine but more of the region that the food originates from. One good example of this is Chinese cuisine. There are several kinds of Chinese cuisine... Szechuan, Mandarin, etc. Chinese restaurants (real ones, not the Panda Express type ones) typically specialize in one region. If one cannot create a whole menu based on one region, then specifying on the menu where the food originated from could be a good compromise. The best of the Philippines, similar to what Bourdain suggested by narrowing down Philippine food into just a few dishes.
Third: Support the Filipino restaurant and Filipino cuisine as a whole. Chinese people eat in Chinese restaurants despite the fact that Chinese food is just as easy to prepare at home. Even if you don't eat there, spread the word to everyone, not just Filipinos but to non-Filipinos as well. Better yet, invite some friends and family over for a home cooked Filipino meal, or bring a Filipino dish next time there is pot luck in the office.
The most disappointing part that I saw during the television show was when Bourdain had dinner with Augusto's family. Filipino food is meant to be shared and enjoyed... hence the huge portions served in large serving dishes. One of the essences of a Filipino meal, especially with family, is the gathering around a table and being boisterous, especially when there is a special guest. Augusto's family however, was shy and reserved, and dinner seemed like a procession. In fact, it almost looked like they were slightly resentful of Bourdain's presence. The fact that Augusto was almost as much a foreigner to his family like Bourdain did not help matters. I don't blame Bourdain for trying to let Augusto and his family crawl out of their shells. Is it the cameras? Contrary to Bourdain, I think the same thing would have occurred had there been no cameras there. There was so much potential to show true Filipino culture in this one segment and break through the stereotype that Filipinos are too nice (and shy). Instead, foreigners did not see anything new about us, since (let's be honest here) we are generally shy in the company of foreigners... unless we are the overwhelming majority of course!
Too nice and too shy indeed. We all know we Filipinos aren't like that when there are no non-Filipinos around. I think Bourdain should have visited at least one Fiesta so that he could experience how outgoing and festive Filipinos could really be. Then he would have a better understanding of our cuisines origins and why food plays a central role in our culture.
Kudos to Augusto for convincing Bourdain to visit the Philippines. Maybe Bourdain secretly chose Augusto as a symbol of the Philippine culture... A country colonized by so many others now struggling for its own identity.
I hope it won't be the last trip back for both of them, and that through this show, Filipino food will find its identity and rightfully find its place rightfully alongside other Asian cuisine.
Tony,
I have noticed that your "fan" shows (Saudi Arabia and the Philippines) are not your best. Just watching it I could tell that you were not that enthused, either.
I think you do better on your own, without the fans as your tour guides. It seemed as though both fans of the show wanted YOU to show THEM the authenticity of their native culture.
I suggest no more fan shows. Unless you find a fan who knows their native country inside and out, therefore giving us a more in-depth look at the culture.
It was overdue, But you finally made it to the Philippines. Thank you for a job well done. Now you see why so many people enjoy the Philippines. The food is great.
It was great to see an old FANatic on the show. If anyone is interested in such matters, another FANatic, me, will get his due at some point! Stay tuned! In the meantime, you might want to check out my own food show. It's the Buffalo sort 'o version of No Res except with this jackass in the lead. Come laugh AT me: "All Access Pass with Nelson Starr" at www.truebluebuffalo.com ...see ya later in the season!!
tanx so much Tony for visiting my country Philippines!! i am the fan of travel channel everyday i watch the no reservation and i was so happy when you go in Cebu because i came from Cebu city and now i miss the lechon and dried fish when i saw last week.Yes thats true lechon in cebu is the best.
Hey tony...you know when we heard that you and your crew are going to the Philippines, we were delighted but, having watching the show there was a feeling of dissapointment especially when you ate at Bale Dutung, theres a lot of dishes in Pampanga like the BURUNG TALANGKA
(Pickled Crabs), tagilo(fermented rice and fish)and Atchara but, salad?...yes salad as far as I know, we Filipinos are not used to eat salad as a starter..even if you asked a common Pinoys here in US, sisig is really one of the best and of course the best of all is lechon...but I was just wondering when I watch your show in Indonesia or Malaysia..which is which I do recall that you really stayed in this one area and really tasted their food and the rituals prior to prepare and eat, I am not saying that you supposed to do the same but, have you ever tasted the GOTO?
have you ever eaten some filipino dessert? have you ever had the famous LAMBANOG, BASI, OR TUBA, TAPANG KABAYO, or a fresh caght frog?. Chinatown? every country in the world has this...every city in US has this...they shouldnt send you there, instead you should have gone to many provinces in the Philippines to experience of what it said to be the true filipino cuisine.
Whoever your contact in your trip to the PI, you could tell it straight to his face that it is really a dissapointing trip...well anyhow we LOVE YOUR SHOW, im truly impressed on your show...hopefully if you could comeback to the PI, youll taste the real cuisine of the common Filipino not the High society Pinoys.....
nice episode. i'm a pure filipino and although you visited just 2 regions here i think i can agree w/ a lot of people here that the episode was great! the only thing i wished you tried was the "Balut" eggs, it's a delicacy and also a perfect complliment to a cold beer.
i've been watching your show since it started. more power to you, tony.
thank you for visiting our country! come back soon, there's more to taste!
http://regandmitzi.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/less-reservations-please/
Hey Tony and/or the producers of No Reservations!
I got something interesting that'll give you a great idea for another episode for the Philippines. David Byrne of Talking Heads is a frequent visitor of the Philippines. He actually rides a bike around downtown Manila and Binondo (Chinatown). He has a blog about the Philippines and is currently producing an opera with Fatboy Slim about Imelda Marcos.
Maybe you can hook up with him and he can show around as well. I know Tony's a Ramones fan and not sure if Talking Heads is his kind of thing but a fellow New Yorker and rockstar like Byrne going around Manila along with another rockstar like Tony would be such a dope scene!!
Anyways, hope someone gets to read this info. More power!
Tony, it's obvious by now how big your Filipino fanbase is, based on how many comments were left regarding your trip to the country. But I think a lot of those who commented totally missed the point of the show. Many of them wanted you to feature other foods and other places, not realizing the contraints of a one-hour show. The episode was a snapshot of you experiencing the culture, and not a dictionary of its cuisine. People's expectations were too much. Countries like Indonesia (with over 14,000 islands alone) and Thailand and Vietnam all have their countless regional variations, and it's unrealistic for anyone to expect you to introduce and cover each one. You came to our country and drank our beer. That's good enough for me. Nice job, my friend. I hope you return someday to enjoy it some more.
What no BALUT?
"Joseph M. Gardewin - February 17 2009 @ 1:06 pm
Overall, not a bad effort, but you were right to be nervous. You did okay with the food, but you did the wonderful Filipino people a disservice primarily because the local guides (hosts) and Augusto did not serve your program well. I can’t help, but wonder if the person who took you to ‘Chinatown’ in Manila was mestizo. He seemed as much Chinese as Filipino. Your very wealthy host in Pampanga seemed a bit contrived and hardly typical of the average Filipino. Augusto -- well Vinh got it right above. Nice guy, but boring at best and certainly not a foodie, but perhaps more damaging was that he did not seem comfortable in his own skin. The problem overall was that you made the Filipinos look boring.
Having been stationed at Clark AB in 1976-77, I know a little bit about the place. The Filipino people are incredibly warm and welcoming. You got a little of that. But they are also passionate. They sing, they dance, they write, they paint and they have great fun, great food and great parties. They are passionate about freedom and historically they resisted the Spanish, Americans, Japanese and Ferdinand Marcos at the cost of many lives. My wife and a Filipina who helped us used to go to the fish market at about 5 AM (right after the curfew – martial law). The prawns, lobster, clams, snapper and so much more they bought came from fishermen who had curfew passes. Yes, pork is king there, but the seafood is a big part of the royal court. Also, your references to pancit and lumpia were cursory at best. Finally, you made no mention of the incredible desserts and tropical fruits.
Perhaps if you had been able to attend a debut or christening you would have gotten a better feel for Filipinos. Perhaps if you had gone to a Negrito village you would have gotten a more realistic picture of the place. Perhaps if you had gone to Baguio you would have seen better markets. Perhaps if you had gone to the Banaue Rice Terraces you would have gotten a feel for the beauty of Filipino agriculture. Additionally, perhaps if you had read a bit of Filipino history and knew what “GOMBURZA” meant you would know more about Filipino passion. Finally, if you had read a bit about Jose Rizal, you would know how Filipinos influenced Gandhi and indirectly Martin Luther King. And, if you were aware of what William Howard Taft did in the Philippines and the American-Filipino war in which 20,000 Americans and many more Filipinos died you would be a bit more aware of how complex and interwoven US and Philippine history is.
Ayyy, sorry for the lecture, but I am very close to a young and incredible woman who is half Filipina and she was very disappointed in your program, so, in part, I am speaking for her and many other Filipinos.
I’d suggest that you read Stanley Karnow’s book, In our Image, America’s Empire in the Philippines. It is a bit dated and there may be something newer, but it will give you a feel for the place. Again, you were right to be nervous. You got some of the food right, but you missed out on the place and people. You are too good not to have done better. But, I suspect you know that."
I couldn't HAVE SAID IT better myself!...thank you Mr. Gardewin
l love your show Anthony but YOU definitely need to do another take and this time with People that know the Philippines REALLY WELL! Not your run of the mill street kids!
Anthony, there's more food to discover in the Philippines so I am hoping that you'll go back soon. Love your shows no matter what... :-)
No Reservation Philippines was great. Finally!!! I've been a fan of all these shows talking about food, culture and all that's within but also upset that no one really paid attention to our beloved country Philippines, until you =). I was born in Philippines but moved to California in 2002.
I agree that most Filipinos adapt so quickly to the cultures that's not their own because we embrace other cultures and treat it like it's our own (like what you said we're extremely nice). That is probably one of the reasons why your question "Who are the Filipinos?" and "Where the Filipino dish came from?" didn't have a clear answer and I don't think will ever have an answer.
About you only visiting Manila, Pampanga & Cebu: That gives you a reason to visit the other islands next time. RIGHT??? (No Reservation *Revisited* Philippines) But you did very well (like always)
BTW, Oxtail dish with vegetables is called "Kare-Kare"
Thank you for putting the Philippines on the culinary map
Lechon yummmmmmmm
Sisig the best
My husband and I just finished watching this episode and WOW...we are so homesick for some sizzling sisig right now--with some San Miguel beer, of course (I don't think it will taste as good with a Budlight. haha)
I just want to thank you for sharing our cuisine (and our culture) with the rest of the world. There really is so much to be said about all the yummy delights. Maybe next time you can do some of the desserts:)
Hope you go back for other 7105 islands:)
I looove your show, and was sooo glad that you finally visited the Philippines. I was born and raised in Pampanga, been here in US for 8 years only. If you ever missed the Filipino food you ate and try more of other regional foods you were not able to try, email me and you are welcome to visit us in Rock Hill, SC. We have a diverse group here belonging to different regions of the Philippines. We prepare our foods every time we have a gathering. But of course there's no place like home. I did not get to see the original airing, but was able to see a rerun, and I salivated every time you ate. Thank you so much.
As president-non-elect of the Philippines, I hereby grant you Anthony Bourdain honorary citizenship to my great nation for featuring such a sumptuous show. Too bad I was too busy handing out grease money to invite you to have a luncheon with me. Surely as I have eaten at the Legarda's Tita Moning restaurant everyday on taxpayer's largesse, I warmly invite you to try another of our patent Filipino petit-bourgeois cuisine. As my 3-cm mole would say, Cheerio!
Great episode. That pork was glistening - melts in your mouth, I bet. Keep it up, Anthony.
488 comments... I am sure this bit I'm adding in will just be another ripple in a pond forever disturbed with praise but I find it impossible to help myself. The Phils episode is the first one I've seen of No Reservations and I was, and still am, enchanted by the honesty and humility of it all.
The forever question of who and what is Filipino is still there but you gave it the most color and realism anyone else who has ever attempted defining it has been able to supply - we are rich in culture, hues, and life and nothing shows this best than our food. Just seeing the variations of adobo and sinigang on your show is proof of this I think. And here we're not even talking about multinational infusions or nouveau Philippine but just simple regional takes on two very versatile dishes. One thing's for sure, we Filipinos are not boring and our imaginations (at least culinary) are not limited. Thank you for re-introducing myself to what is as undefineable as Filipino, and allowing me to feel that immense pride of seeing and hearing you tell of how much you enjoyed your stay. All the best Mr Bourdain.
P.S. I was so inspired, I got Kitchen Confidential... your prologue already has me smiling...
Great job to you on doing a show about the Philippines! It was definitely a herculean task and you and your crew did it well. Your question about Philippine (and Filipino food) identity is a very valid one. While we are too nice we are also too divided, something I blame the 7,107 islands plus regional differences within those islands (more like tribes).
Your show's storyline struck a cord with me. As a Filipino-American, I feel for Augusto. I was fortunate to have traveled to the Philippines during college and had befriended many Philippine-born friends in college that helped solidify for me a definition of being Filipino. Many Filipino-Americans have assimilated into the traditional American way of life like children of other immigrant heritages. Others want to be proud about and have a tie to their motherland.
Thanks again and safe travels!
p.s. Whenever I'm near San Francisco, there's one restaurant in Union City that makes sisig the right way: crunchy and chewy. Just in case you get a craving for it.
Post 487 above...
Woah! You too funny.
Hello Garci? Izzat You?
Thank you for doing a show on the Philippines, Tony! I'm a filipina-american and my first visit to the Philippines was in 2006. Watching your show made me reminisce about my trip and the food! My family is from Pampanga so I'm glad you went there. I told all my friends to watch this episode. Thanks again!
Nice cover Tony. :) Now onto the rest of Philippine cuisine - adobo, sinigang, tinola, kare kare, pinakbet, dinuguan, nilaga... and the list goes on..
You must come back to the Philippines. :)
the show was great. you will have plenty of time to visit the other islands. keep it coming Tony! lookin forward to tonights show!
AT LAST!!! Thanks for featuring the Philippines. I'm an avid fan of the show and watches it everyday (even the repeat).
I've always been a big fan of your show. I'm really thankful that you went to the Philippines! Please visit again.
Thanks Tony for that episode. Please do a part II - and this time, you must try the dinuguan (pigs blood stew), puto (steamed rice muffin), chicken and pork adobo (never had shrimp adobo)and more!! Like Agusto, I struggle with my own Filipino-American identity, but unlike is very shy and quite family, ours is loud, boisterous and vain... I wish you spent a week with my relatives - they'll keep you fed, happy and fully welcomed!! Thank you again, I am now a true fan of you and your show.
Thanks for featuring the Philippines! I envy you I am so homesick especially all that yummy pork dishes you had:(
But I am happy for you and your crew..I'm sure you had wonderful guests and the hospitality was AMAZING!
Finally caught the show people kept telling me about...and yes, it made me miss all the great food that I had when I was there. And what was even better was that MR. BOURDAIN enjoyed the food!
Thanks a lot Tony for visiting the Philippines. I've been waiting for you to feature Filipino foods since I became an avid fan of your show more than a year.
That was great a show. Thanks to your crew too for doing such a good job.
ok i will put this to a comment#500 yay-yeah! THANK YOU!!! and awesomeness to Tony and crew for finally placing the Philippines back in the limelight, well at least for a period of 1 hour, and a few re-runs here and there in the future. I'm just glad that you were in good hands as far as the people showing you around the food places, except for that one dude who called the fishball a "chicken ball"??? i mean wtf??? and for a short time you got to cover quite a few culinary yummies, BUT you barely touched the surface, remember you've only been to only 2 out of the 7000 islands, which means you'll have 6,998 more versions of adobo and sinigang that you need to try hahaha, jk but you definitely have to make a round two for the Philippines...the Flips will always be watching...soo many food...so little time.
Thanks for the recommendations by way of pork. As soon as I disembark in the Philippines, I will, without doubt, head straight for the porky goodness of "sisig."
why vacation, when you can migration...
Tony,
Approved! No I'm no authority on this subject, but I was born and raised there kinda akin to Augusto's experience, only more deeper.
Bourdain, you get it man. The short feature of the Philippines has captured the cuisine, essence and the spirit of these wonderful islands. I taped it so that my kids can see for themselves their parents' homelands, being American-born Filipinos.
Kudos to the Travel channel, your producers, the post and the pre-production crew for doing their homework and just being able to do it, it's tough when the location is 8,000+ miles away and on a different time-zone.
Augusto, you have a beautiful wife and daughter, I wish I can cook as well as your Uncle.
Tony, as usual - loved your wit and being in a land where most people are not as tall as you are, what a sight to see when you were walking the streets of Manila, Pampanga, Angeles and Cebu!
I know I'm biased but of all the Travel channel series, I just dig the Southeast Asian tour & travel you've done so far, this is your legacy and your gift to all the expats like me.
Luv you man,
-Beboy
Hello Anthony!
So now I can rightly say that the Filipinos make the best roast pig, eh?
Thank you for finally going to the Philippines. Filipinos from everywhere sent out emails telling to watching the episode.
I'm a Travel channel addict and you're my number one favorite - Andrew and Samantha I love too but you're the one with the edge so you take the trophy.
I'm surprised you didn't imbibe (maybe no one informed you) the native whiskeys. There are two that come to mind,
one is syoktong, made from sugar cane and the other is lambanog, from coconut. Both are kick-butt. Maybe the Filipino hosts didn't think you could take it?
To tell you the truth, most Filipinos can't take it either. Now that's a challenge to you, Mr. Bourdain.
Next time you go back to Southeast Asia, take me with you.
There are so many places you still must see. There's way up north where the indigenous Ifugao and Igorot tribes are, they live and work the ancient rice terraces .
The place reminds me of the highlands of Peru in topography but everything else is different. The men still wear hand woven g-strings and headdresses.
The women chew beetlenut tobacco.They wear the hand woven sarong like garb. There are also towns where the architecture, cuisine and people are a hybrid of Spanish and Filipino, where the dialect is pidgin Spanish.I can go on and on so I'll just stop. But take me with you next time.
Too bad Augusto turned camera shy. He didn't let his true crazy Filipino Islander self come out. You showed a real sweet side and realized his reticence and turned it around and hosted him in his own country (well, country of his heritage, that is) and that showed me that you're one cool dude.
I was born in the Philippines but grow up in San Francisco and schooled and worked in NYC for 12 years. I'm a 109 lb. foodie who speaks fluent Tagalog and Italian and enough French and Spanish to get by. Tuscany and Philippines are my expertise. Okay, I said I'd stop but I went on hehe..
Email me, will work for food!!
Love,
Donna, foodie currently living in Las Vegas
Tony...!!!
Go back to Indonesia and I'll show you ard. Jakarta to find best pork...hahaha..:)
Too bad Ibu Oka's beaten..surely curious about this Filipino pork.
Congratulations Filipinos..Mabuhay!
Tony, you did the islands good! Every Filipino thanks you. One thing, you MUST visit again - a No Reservations Philippines Part Deux! You might theme your next visit around a quest for an even better 'lechon'. A life-long 'lechon' connosieur, I know of one, THE ONE, hands down very best. It can be had in a small, coastal town on the neighboring island of Negros. Call, and I'll take you there!
Two things about your Philipines show: 1) it finally gave this blogger with writer's block food for thought, and 2) I am officially addicted to your show and will now be seeking out your books as well. Thank you for keeping the dream alive for those of us that only dream of travel writing for a living.
Dear Tony, Your episode with the Philippines is just perfect,true that it is impossible to cover all the flavorful and variable dishes of one country but you covered the most important ones. Your inputs and comments are really great. It amazes me how precise you can describe the taste and texture of the dishes that are served for you. Thank you!
Tony - I wrote on your blog last year, wishing that you went to the Philippines with Augusto. Wish granted!!! Thank you for visiting such a beautiful country and putting us on the map. I haven't been back in Manila for over 20 years, I think it's time for a visit. Again,
MARAMING SALAMAT!!! (Thank you very much!!!)
Thank you Mr. Bourdain! Love your show! Even if you love sisig for all its worth, just would like to let you know that my brother is not a pig! My brother is not a pig! MY BROTHER IS NOT A PIG!
Hi Tony! I must say that I am very happy that you featured my country in your show. Could see that you're disappointed. I am too. You should have tried our Lambanog, Tuba and Syok-tong. It's a kick-ass drink! Those Filipino hosts where just so fixed on showing you our food they forgot the drinks.
A little exposure and a little respect is what makes us happy. Once again, Thank you!
Thanks for pointing out that pancit palabok sucks. It's what I've always thought.
There is a restaurant in Union City California Gerry's Grill that served Sisig. I love that food and so good with beer.
Dear Chef Boudain,
Congratulations it was a great show!!
You've made me miss home so much!
Thanks very much for putting your heart into this episode! The word is spreading like wildfire about this episode among us Fil/Am Moms. I'm making it required viewing for a little group of us here in DC.
If you ever get a Pinoy craving in NY, you might try Cendrillon in SoHO. Though I've never been, I use their cookbook to do the meals at home and their bibingka's are pretty good.
With best wishes,
Nicole Schauder
First off, I have nothing but love for you Mr. Bourdain!
I have watched every episode of yours at least 3 or 4 times since the Travel Channel is always on when I'm home (my favorite episodes so far still remains: Malaysia & Hong Kong).
I was excited to hear/read that you were finally visiting the Philippines and waited so long for the Philippines episode to air.
Overall the episode was good but not your best and Im probably saying this because i am filipino (being a bit biased!), to get it even more "regional" i am full Ilocano (the northern region of the philippines that wasn't part of your episode..i like to tell people that my family is from the "top of the Philippines" because thats literally where my family is from)
i've heard the same thing constantly about the Philippines episode from so many people (well..filipino-americans) "it was good but it was missing something" and yes, you did miss a lot of it...but hey, thats understandable, the Philippines is a complex country with too many damn islands, and within those islands, different regions, towns, provinces, etc. and each one being a little bit different. It's only a 1 hour show!! You can't get it all!
the funny thing about watching the philippine show, i almost felt "less filipino" because out of all the times I have been back to the Philippines, I have never experienced the majority of meals and areas you were able to experience on the show. Adobo shrimp? specialty lechon? pinakbet never looked like that when i was growing up.
i know the possibility is small that you may go back to the Philippine and film "Part 2"? (im crossing my fingers). Agusto was only in the Phiippines for 2 weeks? holler at me Tony if you need a real guide in the Philippines! I make an effort to go back every year to give myself a reality check. Your Malaysia episode reminded me more of the Philippines that I know than your actual Philippine episode.
Thank you Tony for taking me into places that I might never ever get a chance to see!
Watched the episode you did on The Philippines and I can say it was LONG overdue. One thing I want to bring up though is the lack of enthusiasm of Augusto, one of the runner ups of your FANatic competition. We uploaded a video for the competition in an attempt to entice you to go to those famous islands, but somehow it was NEVER considered. Especially since EVERYONE we've shown it to believes it should have won the whole thing...if not be a contender. Why don't you check it out for yourself:
http://yourtrip.travelchannel.com/clip.aspx?key=C747184F0B70A34E&type=video
Regardless of this oversight, I'll still think you all do a GREAT job! Keep it up!
Tony, I am a fan of your show, No Reservations. I am so glad that you enjoyed your visit here in the Philippines and I feel proud because of your new Pork Hierarchy! I hope Discovery Travel and Living Asia will air this episode soon. More power to you and the show! (I think the "more power" is a Filipinoism.) Mabuhay ka Tony!
Kudos, Tony. We enjoyed this episode taking the road less traveled...certainly cured my homesickness!
I so love you show. Thanks for visiting the Philippines!
I loved the show. I have eaten a lot of pinoy food over the years and it was nice to see a show on it. They do know how to do pork that is for sure. I haven't been to a family gathering like a wedding, cristening or anything like that with out the pig being there. It is an essential part of life for the pilipino family. The only place I have experienced it like that is with Samoans. Keep it up I just love your show!!!!!!
Tony -
I loved that you went to the Philippines, but as you noted on your blog you missed a lot. You missed a lot because of the half-ass tour guide you had. I even have an uncle who works for the tourism bureau that can blow that episode to bits. Yes...you had lechon, sisig, palabok, adobo...BUT you also missed silver fish (the smallest fish in the world only found in the Philippines), halo-halo, taho, turon, pan de sal, blood soup, puto, etc. You covered only a very small portion of the "real" Philippines. I appreciate you went, but because you went with someone who barely had a pulse on the beat of culture; you barely experienced the real thing. I love your show, but you need to do a part two of the Philippines. Let my family show you the real Philippines.
Anthony, love your show and thanks for a quick visit in Philippines
Tony, you're making all filipino wants to go home! Thanks for visiting my homeland Phlippines. Pinoy in Tucson, AZ
tony, im going to get married in the philippines this coming May 2009, you and your no reservation crew are invited to our wedding banquet...with "BEST PIG EVER".."LECHON" on the menu, me and my lovely wife will be very grateful if you could come, it would be an honor to have you as our guest.
Thank you for featuring and enjoying your experience in the Philippines.
Wish we could've shown you more
Tony,
Being a Filipino (thus being 'too nice',) I thank you for giving your stamp of approval on our great food. I feel very proud that somebody with your stature gave the deservedly high praises to our food heritage.
Putting 'too nice' aside, I demand a do over. Your fears were right. 'No Reservations: Philippines' is not 'right'. There is much to be desired in my point of view as a Filipino.
Here I am back being nice. (How can Filipinos be not 'nice'? The Philippines is a food paradise.) In defense of your script (you have to make this episode some plot,) you have to make this episode somehow revolve around Augusto's fan-atic video but (being 'not nice' here) I do think Augusto got the raw end of the deal in your episode. Well, you're just being brutally honest and you just presented just as it was (being nice here again) but please do another episode that will represent more of the Filipino culture.
A suggestion, try attending a Filipino fiesta wherein a town/city honors a saint and food are being provided to visitors/guests all around town/city, e.g. Cebu's Sinulog, Iloilo's Dinagyang, Kalibo's Ati-atihan.
With regards to Filipino food being a non-entity in the US is just a reflection of the Americans (or of westerners and Asians for that matter) view of Filipinos. Westerners reject Filipinos as exotic as other Asians since Filipinos are westernized as they come. Filipinos are thought as being trying-hard copycats and thus is just a second-rate copy of what westerners have. Having that in mind, what Filipinos eat or do is not worthy of a try. We just need the 'hook', man! (Somebody commented here about marketing.) We just need some (or maybe a lot of) positive endorsements and maybe your episode is a small step towards that end. (We still have to hear positive feedback here from non-Filipinos or from those who are not related to Filipinos.)
Some Asians don't even think Filipinos are Asians. To them, we are only Asians because the Philippines is geographically located in Asia. Our religion is a western religion (Filipinos are predominantly Catholic.) We don't have an ancient script like other Asian nations and the list goes on. Well, try to categorize our food. Is it Asian?
For the sake of us Filipinos, I do hope that your episode put a positive spin on us Filipinos. (Just imagine the treatment of the Filipino war veterans who fought alongside the Americans in World War II. These veterans are still not given their due honor.)
I tell you we are so due!
Victor of NJ
P.S. Maybe you can spar with Manny Pacquiao next time and feature his 'steroid,' the tinolang manok with lots of malunggay leaves
thanks tony, man i have to say youve missed a lot of food here in the philippines (theres more that lechon)
You shall return tony! you will.
xoxo
Tony, im an avid viewer of your show but i don't think you had fun doing this episode if compared to your visits in other countries.. also, i was somewhat disappointed of Augusto.. there were more stuff to be tried.. more places to go to..
Philippines is more than just the lechon, more than the 7,107 islands and more than just a 'melting pot' of different cultures..
i hope it won't be your last.. we appreciate you and your crew for visiting the Philippines.. more power to your show! :)
Pork brains = teh win!
i suggest you should go back to the philippines. not for the show, but for yourself. i really think you missed a lot. i mean you can't visit all of the major islands with just so little time. not that i did not like the philippines show but i was a bit disappointed. it was a bit plain or if i may say, it lacks flavor compared to the other episodes. you are right. cebu has the best lechon and you should have brought some home with you. you can freeze it and then you can fry it whenever you want to revive the crispiness on the skin. i love your show and your honesty. godspeed!
Tony, You know you have the hots for that little Rachel Ray Troll Doll! She is OK just a little sappy but a good kid!
i suggest you should go back to the Philippines and just go to the other provinces the i'm a filipino chinese living in chinatown we usually go on road trips during the holy week usually to tagaytay city or batangas which are quite famous for their bulalo and also the islands of boracay offers more variety of our local cuisine. and i advice you to just come back for yourself for a vacation maybe and go visit the beaches of palawan, boracay or maybe also bohol. Augusto didn't really do it for the show he didn't know much about his homeland and so the trip to cebu was actually quite a little pointless even if the reason for it was for the lechon. as a matter of fact lechon can be seen in a lot of places in the Philippines not only in cebu i know for a fact that batangas and antipolo has one of the most delicious lechons i've tasted. I was quite disappointed with the fact that the show didn't find something else to put on the Philippine trip rather than filling it with Augusto time for more than a quarter of the show. by filling the time that augusto time took with something else who knows what else you could've eaten there more to be tasted in this land... you have the halo halo, champorado, dinugoan, kare-kare which for me is delish! so anthony i so fully agree with the other people who have commented to this blog entry please i dare you to do another episode here in the philippines and pick up a better guide or something. oh well i suggest you do that but either way more power to you anthony and will always be a huge fan of yours and your show.
I can't believe you didn't eat balut on the show. As a European American (with a Pinoy wife), I can't get enough of it. I'm happy that I just recently found a store in Philadelphia that sells it so I don't have to wait until the next time I go back to the Philippines to get some.
Anthony,
How can you go to the Azores and not go to the best Island, Terceira!!!!
You'll find the best dishes there including pork dishes!
You must go to Terceira!!!!!
Augustos search is like ours.......Many of us couldn't really say which of the dishes we have are truly Pinoy.....that was augustos dilemna. but the show hit it right in the center.....papaitan and not embutido.......sisig not afritada..........lechon not bistek.....etc etc
I think your tour guides do not know much about Filipino food, except for Marketman, whom I highly respect. I suggest that the next time you visit, you try to join one of the fiestas or feature a wedding in one of the old provinces to capture what our culture really is and what Filipinos are like..
God job though in featuring the Philippines. I just feel it lacks the "true" Filipino-ness.
As a fellow world traveler and porker, I would have to put the suckling pig of Sardinia as my #1. Very underestimated cuisine here, very wonderful and hearty. Awesome place.
I love it when you comment about food...whenever I watch your show it makes me crave.... You should have attended one of our FIESTAS.... There are alot of great foods here that you did not show. Cebu is a large area in Manila. Next time try to visit other places like Mindoro, Quezon and etc... Try our papaitan (since you love to drink), Kare-Kare, Sinigang, Embutido, Kinilaw (since again you love to drink), Menudo, Adobo and alot more....
Hey Tony. Overall, you did well in your episode in the Philippines. It was direct to the point and you asked the difficult question of why Philippine cuisine is under the radar. Although you side-stepped the answer to it by saying "you guys are too nice" which was just you being nice. You did great on the ending, feeding the baby lechon! Ha..ha..
Your take on Claude's dishes was spot on. It was an upscale meal and I think no Filipino restaurant in New York offers that. Perhaps Kuma Inn does but I'm not sure as I still have to visit it.
Overall, I loved it in the same way I loved your Astoria,NY episode. Hah, I write this as if you'll ever get to read this.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the awesome phillippines episode. I was somewhat embarrassed for Augusto. He seems to look and feel uncomfortable in the episodes. Anyway, I hope you do more shows in the philippines
That's great, I never thought about Hierarchy of Pork like that before.
Good post, but have you thought about By Anthony Bo urdain on February 16, 2009 before?
Thank You for visiting our country. I'm an avid fan of your show and your blog. More power to the show.
Next time you go here, I am hoping I could see you in person.
God Bless!
Rather belated, but i thank you for the show. Been away from home for 10 years. After watching the show, i have to reacquaint my tongue with Philippines cuisine . Going back home this june. Got to eat all that you have shown. Hope you do another show on Philippines again.
Thank you for talking about the Philippines, Toni!
Oh how much I long for going there! The more I love various pig parts - yummi!
Helmut
Thanks for the great show Tony!
thanks for visiting the philippines though what you showed in your episode was just the tip of the iceberg. there are a lot more to discover in the philippines aside from the sisig, lechon, karekare, palabok, etc. With over 75 provinces in the country, each has its own unique food culture which I hope you can try to explore in your future shows. I think you should replace your Philippine contacts and try other people to show you around :) haha! thanks tony and your staff for that Philippine episode.
wow
I think that Tony is the man.
Why is Filipino cuisine sidelined? First reason, I agree with that lechon guy ---Filipinos are easy to adapt to their new homes, and therefore to new food. Whether its Dubai or Jacksonville, Florida or Rome, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, etc. The second reason, and this I hold dear, is that Filipinos treat local cuisine, some how as that sacred part of a close-knit family. Recipes are handed down through generations, an addition here or new ingredient there, but the essence of the cuisine remains, like a closely guarded secret only to be shared with the likes of Tony who, (clap clap) took time and effort to enjoy food the Filipino way ---among family.
I'm glad you made it to the Philippines but it's too bad you had to pick such a poor example of a Filipino American who doesn't feel comfortable in his own skin. Most Pinoys regardless of wether or not they've even stepped foot on Philippine soil have eaten Lechon more than once or twice in their lifetime. I have to admit, watching the dinner scene with Augusto's family was a bit unsettling because it was not a typical portrayal of filipinos. We're usually very loud and noisy.
It was an interesting show but there is more to philippines food. With so many provinces, the range is diversified
TONY, TONY, TONY!!! dang!!! didn't know you were here in Cebu a couple of months ago... we should've shared the lechon, and toasted bottles of cold beer... glad to know that you enjoyed lechon, like we do... because of your "very good praise" of the lechon, it is hailed as the best pig in asia... no praise can sound sweeter than yours... thanks for hailing our beloved lechon, and hope you can come back here in the Philippines to sample other great Filipino dishes... all my best to you, your show, and your crew... rock on!!!
yay!
thank you!
I've been biting my tongue for months, but now it must be told...
Tony, I don't give a crap about Augusto. He's a kid, he admittedly, knows nothing about the Philippines or it's food. His segment of the show was the same disapointment i had with the Saudi show (Saudi 2: The Augusto Story)
Yeah, I'm a Jersey born and bred Filipino, and I too have feelings of being an outsider in the PI...so what. I watch No Reservations for YOU dude, your impressions and insights into local cuisine, and for the knowledge brought to the table by local fixers. Don't get me wrong, thank you for putting time in with Claude Tayag. (also thank you for leaving Cafe Ysabel on the cutting room floor). And thank you for going to the PI in the first place. But for the love of St. Pete why, WHY, focus on this kid instead of say, hmmmm, i dunno, Marketman?! I mean really, lets eschew the local food expert for the 20 something with a virgin palate and an identity crisis. C'mon dude.
I taped the Philippines episode and I watch it every time I need a 'taste' of home. I've lived in the states for 5 years now and seeing the magic that is Filipino food come to life on TV just brings sheer, mouth-watering delight. I must say, the way you described sisig on the show was simply poetic. Seeing sisig and hearing it sizzle and crackle brought so many fond memories of my homeland. I never knew how much nostalgia tasty pig parts can bring.
And oohh... cold San Miguel beer. How I miss thee.
Thanks, Mr. Bourdain!
Everytime I think of Anthony Bourdain...Im still pissed at the Philippine episode, he totally missed out. It's hard to go see the country when your "guide" is totally clueless. I would love to show him the real deal of what Philippines is all about, not just Manila. I wouldn't mind paying my own plane ticket back there and I'll arrange Anthony's schedule for him. You here that travel channel? I'll even pay for his ticket back.
Nice going, Tony! Glad you had a good time and enjoyed the food. I hope you got to try San Mig Cerveza negra, it's the best one.
I came across your lechon and sauces that go with it from Time's Best of Asia. My mouth watered. Filipino lechon is like the Beijing duck (the real one) of the culinary world. Btw., lechon is Spanish in name but roast poark is a tradition of Pacific islanders.
Yes, the cuisine is very diverse, no particular characteristic that defines the country. For example, "patis" (fish sauce, stronger than the Vietnamese nuoc mam) is not used in the Visayas or the south. Instead they use soy sauce and call it "patis".
Pampanguenos are similar to the Ilongos of the south, predominantly meat dishes and fantastic sweets (Spanish type) while the people in the Visayas naturally are more into seafood. Bicol is known for their spiced up dishes, cooked in coconut milk, etc.
If you could come up with a cookbook of Filipino dishes (I'm not referring to the pancit, the lumpia etc which are really filipinized chinese or whatever dishes) but the real ones with a pic for each dishes, I'm sure you will sell 1 m copies at least.
Btw., I don't get your show up here in Toronto. Just seeing the lechon and your delightful description got me here.
One season of no reservations wont be enough to cver the food-ology of the Philippines! Mabuhay! Salamat sa pagpunta! (Thank you for coming!)
Anthony, me again...I don't get your up here in Toronto but managed to catch the episodes on You Tube. Your insights definitely nailed Philippine cuisine (and even the Philippines).
Btw., adobo the national dish is of Spanish origin (adobado), marinade - key ingredients should be vinegar, garlic, pepper corn and BAY leaf. Soy sauce is the most common addition, but I've had it with coconut milk and tomato in Bicol which I can never do right.
It's about time someone write a definitive cookbook on Philippine cuisine. Most Filipinos don't really know how to cook, traditional dishes, I have to admit or do it hit and miss. I nominate you to do that book. Think about it - 8-9 million people worldwide with Filipino heritage.
I am so happy that an international personality hailed our Cebu lechon as the best lechon ever. It only affirms my claim that Cebu really owns the title. I am a Cebu lechon seller myself here in Metro Manila (Manong's Tasty Lechon Cebu, tel. 7032133) and it helps a lot in explaining to my customers that Cebu lechon is really the best.
Food, glorious food! Where else in the world can you sample delectable and tempting delicacies if not in the exotic country of Philippines. It is hardly surprising that Filipino food is often labeled as somewhat strange but in its own way, a unique mixture of eastern and western cuisine. After all, with nearly 400 years of outside influences, the Philippine cuisine is a fascinating blend of Malay, Spanish and Chinese cultures. To the Filipinos, food is important as it is an integral part of local art and culture as well as communal existence.
Unlike its surrounding Asian counterparts that uses hot chilies liberally in their dishes, the Philippine cuisine is often labeled as bland and mild. This made Filipino dishes more suitable for those with sedate and sensitive taste buds. As with other Asian countries, rice is their staple food and will be served with most meals. To the Filipinos, simple cooking means fish of different sizes from the sea. They prefer their fish and other seafood such as crabs, shrimps and shellfish to be as fresh as possible.
Add on:
The Balut is just too old for my taste :-)
Hooray for my Beer and the Food I am used to. What can I say? I am German trapped in temptation tasting every nation's food and yet, i still compare
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Finally, you've visited our country, the Philippines, you're my favorite Chef, next to Mr. Ramsy and Michael Smith, you're the real deal chefs,unlike those pretenders, especially Rachael Ray hehehe hope you could come back, thanks for the article regarding our Lechon. I saw you on tv drinking San Miguel beer, that's cool.
The mighty lechon!!
You are the best, Mr. Bourdain!
To all people who did not tasted the roast pig aka "The Lechon":
- You just missed half of your lives.
Champagne delivery UK
Thank so much for visiting the Philippines. I've only learned of it when I watched a program on the internet, the 'Jessica Soho Reports.' I really miss my country now more than ever, and I've only been here in Canada for 8 months. I know you're thinking you missed out on a lot and you're not even half way in discovering our food culture, so maybe you'll find a way to visit and feature our country again. Thanks for featuring our lechon!
i thought your philippines show was great! went to cebu before and never even got to eat lechon!!! sacrilege, i know.
i don't mind that augusto didn't know a lot because you had some great guides anyway. and people! he got tony to go to the country, so give the guy a break!
my only complaint is that the chinatown guide said that adobo is anything with soy sauce and onions. completely wrong! adobo's main ingredients are vinegar and garlic. you can even make adobo without soy sauce at all. and never, ever with onions!
Philippines is really good, but it's very good article, I prefer to Turkey
Philippines! Such a great country! I just have good words to describe this country. I hope I'll go back soon to the Philippines :)
havent been to Philippines, but in Bali the food tasted splendid. Seems I have my next target for vacation :). Cheers!
Haven't been to the Philippines yet, but my filipino husband has cooked for me, the different dishes they have. My fave is dinuguan & caldereta with goat.
Hi, thank you for the information that you provide. tasarımcı
hi! i am a filipino, residing in the philippines and am a big fan of your show. i was able to watch the episode featuring the philippines. it was fairly nice, but i was wondering if you could visit the country again. as diverse as the filipino cuisine may be, there are a lot more food that haven't been featured that are representative of the filipino cuisine like isaw (grilled pork intestine), bibingka (rice cake), bicol express, puto, balut, and many other exotic food that are 100% filipino! well, if you guys would like to take a second glipse at the philippines and feature the food, it would be great! but anyway, more poer to your show and God bless! ;o)
Thank you for useful information. With love ...
reklam ajansları
Does anyone know where to find lechonera or Cuab pig in Los Angeles?
maybe next time you make a Philippine special (next time? haha), try and get away from Alfonso what's-his-face and hie off to places like Benguet, or Batanes, or Ilocos. and maybe get a real bad-ass Pinoy or Pinay to take you around what is hard-core Philipino like eat the balut, the isaw, or the durian. I almost felt like you were searching for something to set the Philippine apart, culture-wise. and Cebu and Pampanga are hardly the places to go to.
Philippines asks for a second chance. HAHA.
From viewing your show is obvious that you really enjoy pork and you should is delicious. You should really look into a trip to the Dominican Republic, is full of pork and really cold cold beer, you should into it.
because you rated puerto rico lechon as number 3 in the world, me, my girlfriend and her parents are visiting puerto rico in september to find out. culturally, puerto rico, the philippines and cuba are tied by an umbilical cord full of cultural nutrients from spain and america.
Thank you for coming to the Phils. Tony, i just hope you can visit every provinces & regions as well, because each of them have different kinds of personality(menu), like in Mexico we have a chili city too. Like our island we have thousands of food variations :D hope you can visit as again.
You should have come to the Ilocos provinces. As a missionary who went there before finally settling in Manila once said: "Ilocos? Ilocanos? They eat everything. We call them locusts."
I dare you, Tony. Go loco with the Ilocano.
Dric
Hey Tony!
Thanks for taking the time to visit my home country! Even though I was born in the US, it's hard to not watch this episode with pride.
I know a lot more could have been covered, but I'm glad that you even got to see some of the islands :)! And that you didn't stay in Manila made me very happy :). Take care and keep travelling and writing!
I have always been a fan of No Reservations ever since I saw your episode on New Orleans where you were looking for a rat in a canal. You are a very funny man with sharp wit and a poker face. Ranking the Philippine Cebu lechon on the top of the list of your pork hierarchy is an honor for Filipinos like me. When I saw the Bali episode I was wondering whether I should go to Bali to taste their roasted pig but when you featured Cebu lechon I changed my mind. Kudos to you and your staff. From your Philippine episode, I could tell that your staff really work hard in researching a place before you venture out.
i just wanted to be comment 585
It was an interesting show but there is more to philippines food. With so many provinces, the range is diversified
Tony, your the MAN. My family really appreciated your P.I. Show and I am really really HOME SICK now. Our kids love it and recorded the show. Yes, you only went to two places but there's more to explore. remember we have over 7100 islands so you have 7,098 islands more to go. CHEERS... Love your show.
there is still a lot to see here in the philippines! part 2 is a must!
Tony, just got back from an asian tour which included Korea, Phuket, Bangkok, Siem Rep, Saigon, and Manila. The very best thing I ate was Poke in the early morning hours in Seoul, it was three simply cooked ingredients with a sophisticated sauce which reminded me of a sirachi that had been tweeked to be sweet, salty, sour and spicy. The three simple items swimming in the etheral sauce was deep fried sliced sweet potatoes, long chewy rice noodles and hard boiled eggs. Pure bliss and about $3. In Manila where I had coquille st. Jacques made with coconut cream, instead of heavy cream an epifany. Love the awesome array of choices in viet nam so many great and exciting food adventures. In cambodia the Amok chicken jumped off the plate with pronounced ingredients. ASIA ROCKS TONY!!!!
Add another vote for your ranking of Lechon Cebu - this one from Boston!
Mr. Bourdain, would you like to try our bicol express and laing? prepare to bring a fire truck. i'll give you a reservation. Hope you can come and visit us here in albay. Maurag ka talaga Mr. Bourdain. Dios Mabalos!
Mr. Bourdain, I am a big fan from the Philippines. Just got back here after a few years as an expat in Singapore. Been faithfully watching your show from both countries in the Travel and Living channel. Yes, Cebu lechon is the best in the world. Glad you also tried the Pochero of Cebu. Keep em coming.
Dear Tony - love the show and you! The honest comments are soooo refreshing! Thank you! Sonya
tony , we like your interest in asian countries , and my wife is filipina , and from probably one of the most beautiful places in the area , u missed visiting one of place u should see in philippines = 100 islands park , and prepare to snorkel , while u r there
jt & viviana
thanks for featuring our beloved land, the Philippines. there are many Filipinos around the world that is watching your show, and I know that they will be missing the Philippines a lot. I hope you had a good time in there and as you've said, there are still a lot of places with different foods that you haven't tasted yet. Hope you'll be able to go back there and continue to show the world that we also have good tasting food.
Compared to others you've done, this episode lacked the research, depth and expansive view of world food that characterizes other visits to culinary capitals. I love Filipino food and you didn't even scratch the surface. You kept asking the question, "What is Filipino food?" and it was a bad decision to have Augusto (young newbie to the culture and food) try to answer that for you.
i thot your show was delightful
I recently bought the DVD boxed set -- all 60 hours of the show -- as well as "The Corner" the previous six part mini-series by the same writer/producers. I'm rewatching them all from beginning to end and just can't stop. It's like if I watch them closely, I'll somehow figure out how
It's funny, exciting, excrutiatingly sad and always, always feels real. Thank you good
Being a fifteen year old Filipino who lives in the States, watching this episode makes me want to move to the Philippines even more. I've only been there five times - two weeks at a time - and my family and I almost always head to eat at the fast food eateries. During the last week, we usually take a six hour long ship ride to Lubang Island, my parents hometown. During festival time, you can hear the pigs screaming as they pour boiling hot water on their skin. The end result is a delicious, crispy lechon. Thanks for heading out to the Philippines. (:
this is so amazing to see.
the Philippines definitly have the strangest food out there. I enjoyed alot of it when i was there. It is such a beautiful place to take a vacation. The food will definitely attract you there.
It makes me feel surprised that Philippines is in the first position. By the way, you got lots of comments here. Good job!
Hierarchy of Porc,? true!our Philippine lechon was the best. and if you want to taste just let me know.
Mr. Bourdain, I am a big fan from the Philippines. Just got back here after a few years as an expat in Singapore. Been faithfully watching your show from both countries in the Travel and Living channel. Yes, Cebu lechon is the best in the world. Glad you also tried the Pochero of Cebu. Keep em coming.
ezel izle
ezel izle
It was an interesting show but there is more to philippines food. With so many provinces, the range is diversified
ezel izle
travesti
good job! tony and a filipino boy, t.v. has not been this good since "will and grace"
xtragel
ob! tony and a filipino boy, t.v. has not been this good since "will and grace"uydu forum
Fantastic post I will let all the members of my consumer mailing list know about your website, I am sure everyone of them will be a fan even the link broker
as well, keep up the good work, well done!
this is so amazing to see.
ty man