For too long, Filipino culture has been overshadowed by global narratives that either exoticize or diminish its significance. A new documentary series, I Love Filipino, premiering on Netflix this Independence Day, challenges that trend with an unapologetic celebration of the nation’s artistic and culinary heritage.
explores why dishes like tapsilog and lechon Carcar are more than comfort food
By shifting the focus from hardship to culture, the five-part series—premiering June 12—rejects what many describe as “poverty porn,” a recurring lens in both local and international media. Instead, it highlights music, food, architecture, and art as enduring expressions of Filipino identity.
Produced by Marnie Manicad under Team MMPI, the five-part series refuses to dwell solely on hardship, instead spotlighting the innovation and pride woven into everyday Filipino life.
“Personally, I have always believed that helping the country through the production of positive content and information can also uplift our spirit as a nation to face whatever challenges that we may encounter in the future. I hope to add to the creation of positive change for Filipinos by highlighting our heritage, culture, creativity, and talent,” she pointed out during the launch of the series held at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
“We were able to immerse ourselves in different facets of Filipino life,” she added. “The inspiring stories from our interviewees truly made this a memorable project.”
One episode, “Himig,” tackles a pressing question: Can Original Pilipino Music (OPM) thrive amid global influences? The answer lies in the enduring themes of love, struggle, and hope that resonate across generations.
Similarly, “Juan with Art” profiles world-class talents like comic artist Leinil Yu and sculptor Michael Cacnio, whose works defy the notion that Filipino creativity is derivative.
“For nearly two decades, Team MMPI has produced work that sparks nationalism,” Marnie noted. “I believe positive content can uplift our spirit as a nation and help drive change by highlighting our heritage, culture, creativity, and talent.”
The episode “Pinoy Altanghap” explores why dishes like tapsilog and lechon Carcar are more than comfort food—they’re culinary time capsules. Meanwhile, “SawsawJuan” elevates the humble sawsawan into a cultural metaphor: a testament to the Filipino knack for adaptability without losing essence.
“Our flavors are fearless because they’re tied to our history,” noted a featured chef in the series. “You taste the islands in every bite.”
The bahay kubo (nipa hut), often dismissed as a symbol of poverty, gets a redemption arc in the series. Architects argue its sustainable design and adaptability make it a blueprint for modern Filipino living—proof that tradition can inspire innovation.
I Love Filipino is a defiant love letter to local stories, reclaiming pride in the culture, creativity, and everyday life that define the Filipino identity.
“We have so much cultural wealth that we ought to pay attention to,” said Jiggy Manicad, the award-winning journalist who co-wrote and hosts the series. “It is important to bring them into every Filipino’s consciousness, and I Love Filipino can be one of those steps to do it.”