The Philippines Featured on "No Reservations"

Initially appeared on vox.com on 2/17/2009.

Last night i caught the tail-end of the Philippines episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations.  Of course the beauty of the country and scrumptiousness of the food is not news, but it's nice to see them featured on such a mainstream stage.  At the very least, i thought it was fair and accurate in representing the culture and cuisine.  Although i absolutely love Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods, i think focusing on balut and similar fare may portray the local cuisine in a rather unfavorable light.

I never imagined that lechon would even be comparable to other countries versions of roast pig, but it looks like i'll have to try it in Bali and Puerto Rico now.

On another note, it's interesting to me that Bourdain points out (although doesn't quite give a name to) the Filipino phenomenon of "blending in" to other cultures, which is something i've always considered tragic.  While i do consider it a virtue to a certain extent (i.e. magaling tayo makisama and we do not foist ourselves onto other people), it's sad to see how quickly Filipinos are willing to give up their own culture and even language just to "fit in" with others.  If foreigners fall in love so easily with the Philippines when they come over once or twice... why do some Filipinos try so hard to leave it all behind?