Unrequited love no more...

So yes I'm a big fan of Tony, his show, his insights, humor, writing (his wit --  sharp at times, nevertheless honest and real) and his open-minded way of immersing into a culture. But that's not why his picture is up here. Last night, hubby and I finally saw him featuring PHILIPPINES in his show. 

It's about time...

He mentioned that there has been a consistent clamor among Filipinos for him to feature Philippine culture and cuisine..."like a steady drumbeat", he said. That makes sense. Despite his travels throughout Asia, the Philippines has always been bypassed which was rather unfortunate because that meant missing out on a very rich culture and its delectable cuisine, a delicious melting pot of different influences.

I'm delighted that he finally made it.

He came to the Philippines with a baffled thesis in his mind on why Philippines seems to be a blank page in the wide gamut of international cuisine. In his show, someone knowledgeable in Philippine history and culture said that his take was that the Filipinos are very adaptive people. With millions of Filipinos migrating all over the world, it is easy to lose the unique attributes of the culture. My take is that Filipinos are inherently easy to please, flexible and unconditional.

Anthony Bourdain seems to agree. He said, "I think you guys are just nice.  You guys are too nice."

A tendency to be push-overs sometimes has found its way in our repertoire of habits. But factor in the colorful past of great sociological value:  377 years under Spanish colonization, 40 years of American colonization, 20 years under a corrupt dictatorship among others, at least we have psychologically developed altruistic ways in our hearts in contrast to other nations who can be bitter and rude, mean, egotistic and proud.

"I think you guys are just nice.  You guys are too nice." 

I'm taking that as a compliment. As when he also said that the Filipino "Lechon"  (Roast Pig) is THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

Anthony Bourdain is NOT GOD so his judgment is not "THE" JUDGMENT.

But take it from someone who has been enjoying a wonderful career of travelling across the globe and getting to know each unique bunch of people, a person who has seen, shook hands, conversed and eaten with different races, colors, ethnicities and backgrounds. Him saying that speaks greatly of Filipinos not because it is coming from an American/New Yorker, not because he is taller and fairer, but because he is a budding icon in food and travel. He has first-hand information to compare and draw passionate conclusions.

While the episode barely scratched the surface - that ever proverbial tip of the iceberg (we Filipinos would know), he nailed what was essential. "Nice" is always a good thing. And yes, it's true. We, Filipinos, are nice people. That's what truly matters.

And for it to come from someone whose acerbic wit sometimes stings...

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