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Travel Channel Discussions Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Talk About the Show No Reservation Philippines
Travel Channel Discussions Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Talk About the Show No Reservation Philippines|
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Junior Member Registered: 02-18-09
Posts: 1
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Posted
This is my first post. I've never ever responded to a TV show. But after seeing this episode I felt that I needed to express what I felt.
What a big disappointment! I was so excited and told everyone to watch the show because Tony is finally going to my country and experience what The Philippines has to offer. Instead what the show showed us was the typical and still prevalent filipino identity crisis. I was really hoping a show that would showcase a new Philippines instead its the same old "Who are the filipinos" questions. It didn't help for sure that poor Augusto limped like a wet noodle when Tony and cameras showed up in his doorsteps. I believe that set the tone for the whole show. Augusto Im sorry to say dropped the ball. From his tape entry he was so full of excitement and convincing that Tony actually gave him or the Philippines another chance. From then on it was a disaster in my opinion. If it weren't for the other people featured in the show it would have been a full total bust. Shows like this is an opportunity to showcase your country albeit thru food. After seeing it, can you honestly tell me that people are just itching to come and visit the country? I don't think so. If you compare this show to other episodes, it is like a role reversal for Tony who usually takes the cue from the native of the country instead here, he had to show Augusto what the country can offer. Come on people, when are we going to take the bull by the horns and run with it??? I am proud to be a filipino but if we act (submissively or what Tony says at the end of the episode "we are just too nice") we are going to be left behind. Like some people's post here, its either go big or go home! |
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Junior Member Registered: 02-17-09
Posts: 4
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Posted
AMEN to you FLIPino!!!... very well said!!!
<clapping my hands> |
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Senior Member Registered: 07-16-08
Posts: 621
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Posted
your thoughts are sensitive. now, what comes to mind was that lady who took the big T to Saudi Arabia-- her enthusiam , her family..I was expecting at least something close to that-- but NO! anyway... what's done is done. am ok Mudfish. yeah... I still miss my Lola's cooking.. none of what i saw here made me want to fly over there..if Lola was alive? i know I will visit her often. I'll say this though--I love Manila's chinatown-- the sweet & sour I rarely get here abroad-- I think it's Hong Kong style when I get something close. |
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Senior Member Registered: 02-10-09
Posts: 128
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Posted
I know most of you are Filipino and I am not, so you realized everything that was missed. I've been to Manila a few times on business and I really enjoyed this episode. It made me think of all the great food and wonderful people I met there. You also have the best, freshest fruit I've ever tasted, believe me!
When a show travels to a place we know and love, it's hard to look at it objectively. But as an outsider looking in, I thought the food looked fantastic (I'm also a pig kinda guy) and I felt for the guy trying to connect with his roots. My first time there, I stayed at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel and was amazed at how "American" the mall was, and how easy it was to get along with everyone, though I don't think I've ever been called "Sir" so much in my life.  Not every show has to be bubbly and enthusiastic. Each one has it's own pace, style and feeling. I thought Tony was at his most empathetic on this show. For me, it worked. I saw all that I had missed, all that I enjoyed, I saw the smiles on the people and their graciousness. Yeah, the family was nervous and quiet. Isn't that what "No Reservations" really means? Not planning everything to the nth degree? I love the fact that you can get adobo in a million different ways, yet it's all adobo. When I arrived on my first trip, I was on my own the first night and asked my host where I could find something uniquely Filipino. They directed me to a good balut place and I thought it was pretty tasty, so don't apologize about it! You have a great country with kind, wonderful, friendly people. That came through in this episode very clearly. |
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Junior Member Registered: 02-18-09
Posts: 1
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Posted
As an Italian/American who spends alot of time in the Philippines, I am shocked at the reaction I have seen here.
The Philippines is a big, diverse place. No one can make a one hour T.V. show about it, and show what the Philippines is about. No one can make a one hour T.V. show, and show what YOUR experience with the place is. If I took Tony there, he would go to Ate Emma's on a Sunday. He would sit on her terrace, drinking a San Migel, while watching the lightning storms over the Gui Maras Strait. He would eat JenJen's adobo. Etc., etc., etc..... Face it people, he could spend the rest of his life doing shows on the Philippines, and never make all of you happy. |
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Senior Member Registered: 07-16-08
Posts: 621
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Posted
you know-it's so interesting to read what everybody says what bourdain should have done/eat etc.in Phil.
Fact is-- all these comments can be said for any country. and esp in SOUTH EAST ASIA.. hell.. by his own admission--he already 'fell head over heels' with VIETNAM.. & everything about it. ironically, I never read any Vietnamese person gloating about t his fact at this very forum..they just let him get on with it & mosey on.I'm sure another reason why he adores them. |
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Junior Member Registered: 02-19-09
Posts: 4
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Posted
flipino...it was my first time to comment here as well. and I had very much the same reaction to the show that you did.
while it's true that every show does not have to be "bubbly and enthusiastic", but if it's the country of your birth, a country of which you are proud, then it really stinks when the show featuring feels lukewarm in its enthusiasm. and for the person who wrote in Visayan here, I do not believe myself to be a better person than Augusto...a better tour guide of the country of my birth, perhaps (not unlike many who have commented here and at Tony's blog). |
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Member Registered: 02-17-09
Posts: 11
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Posted
^^^I think NR should be taken as Tony describes it to be, it's not telling people where to go or what to eat only because he did so (watch the interviews), it is what happened when he went there. Why are you guys so bent out of shape with Augusto? You think his demeanor will drive away tourists because of what he did? C'mon, people all over the world are smarter than that and the constant bickering about how it should have been done tells more about your insecurity, not about the show. To say that somebody's family is more fun than Augusto is not the point here. Tony is not the final word on tourism and culture so take the episode in the light that it should be. I stand by the message of my Visayan rant. |
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Junior Member Registered: 02-19-09
Posts: 4
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Posted
Rommil, I'm glad that you have such insights into my relative security/insecurity! ;-P
(FWIW, I think I'm the only one here not posting under his/her actual full name!) While you are right that Tony is not the final word on tourism, the show is definitely some people's primary window onto unfamiliar cultures. And it is, whether you agree or not, a tourism vehicle. Do you not think his show on Chicago spiked traffic to the minute "Calumet Fisheries" smoked fish store? Getting featured on the show is the ultimate advertisement. Alas, I did not happen to be very impressed with the Philippines as it was presented on the show. As for "taking NR as Tony describes it to be", here's a quote from the official site: "In the fog-shrouded highlands of Papua New Guinea, the last vestiges of a World War II cargo cult, or the jarring light show that is Las Vegas at night, "No Reservations" dives headfirst into life's colorful and rich pageant. Join Anthony Bourdain as he circumnavigates the globe on his conquest to discover the cities, villages and countries that provide life's truest surprises." To my eyes, this episode did not reveal the PI to be a "colorful and rich pageant" (that I know it is) nor did it provide any revelations about "life's truest surprises". I don't think this episode will keep people away...but I doubt it will stoke the fires of wanderlust as well as the show on Spain. Note, please, that I have not mentioned Augusto in this particular comment...until just now. |
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Member Registered: 02-19-09
Posts: 5
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Posted
I may be in the minority of this message boards, but....I actually like the Phillipines show. I thought the kid seemed pretty enthusiastic to me.
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Junior Member Registered: 02-19-09
Posts: 4
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Posted
bailey, there are many people in your court...just google the show or augusto...and be sure to check out the blog of the guy who did the lechon:
http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/augusto-is-my-hero For me, when it comes down to it, Augusto aside, it just wasn't as compelling a show as other episodes. And I'm that much more passionate about it because it was my home country. I wonder if any Spanish-Americans had similar issues with the Spain ep (probably not, nice they featured arguably some of the most famous/best chefs in the world). |
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Member Registered: 02-17-09
Posts: 11
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Posted
Alnavarro, most tourist will prefer Spain over the Philippines, that's a given. If ever the average tourist do make it to the Philippines, they will more than likely do the touristy bits and eat in nice restaurants and won't be eating goat eyeballs in Mila's Kambingan.That's why I say the Phils episode is just that, an episode of No Reservations, not some tourism plug. If you were not impressed by it's presentation then fair enough but like other non Pinoy posters have pointed out here, the show was able showcase "some" of the Filipino cuisine and very nice people. I walk away after watching the show feeling that(not that I need to be reminded). If you want people you know to be curious about the Philippines then I think their curiosity and motivation will normally start with you or maybe Samantha Brown could do a sugar coated version soon.
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Junior Member Registered: 02-19-09
Posts: 4
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Posted
Rommil...I appreciate the opportunity to debate this (perhaps to death?!?
 ) here. I'm just passionate about the ep because it's my homeland, that's all.Tony doesn't sugar coat much, but he does seem to have more fun on the majority of his shows...would you argue with that? BTW, it's really fascinating to see all the buzz that this one hour has set off across the Intrawebs... |
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Member Registered: 02-17-09
Posts: 11
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Posted
I agree that Tony seems to have more fun in other episodes. Ok this Philippines episode is devoid of a party like atmosphere but in that expense, it rather showed a more human aspect of a story that is Augusto. This show wasn't lively at all. It had more soul and depth.
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Member Registered: 02-17-09
Posts: 28
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Posted
I watched the Philippines show again and for all you folks that complain and bicker on how the show should be...just listen when Tony ends the show WITH HIS WORDS! Also, read Tony's blog "Hierarchy of Pork".... there's your answer. Great show!
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Junior Member Registered: 02-23-09
Posts: 1
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Posted
Anthony,
Regardless of dissenting opinions on the show you did in the Philippines, the point is YOU DID GO! The Philippines' rich history and culture cannot be covered in one show. Next time you're in the Philippines, be my personal guest. More than anything, I think what you did take back with you from your visit to the Philippines is the knowledge that Filipinos are the most hospitable people on earth and the food will always be great in whatever part of the country you visit. Kudos for a great show. I admire your spirit of adventurism. And to answer the question you posited during your visit as to why Filipino cuisine is not on the American map? I think it's because not too many Americans are as adventurous with food as you are! Too bad they are missing out on great food. |
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Junior Member Registered: 02-23-09
Posts: 1
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Posted
Hey Tony, I'm glad you went to the philippines and featured the dishes you ate. I'm a filipino/american also and grew up eating almost everything you showed. Oh, don't mind the hating filipinos on your message board, like all filipinos i know they are never pleased and always want more. So again thanks for the show it was very entertaining.
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Junior Member Registered: 02-23-09
Posts: 2
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Posted
Filipino,
I was so excited when finally Toni went to the Philippines and I'm still happy eventhough he only went to some places and ate just a few of the food we have there. About your disappointment, I think you shouldn't expect too much and be more broad minded. I'm not angry or anything but can't you just accept some things the way it is.Give more leway. Most Filipinos I know are shy.Yeah they will all look like they're outspoken or outgoing but deep inside in situations
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Junior Member Registered: 02-23-09
Posts: 2
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Posted
Filipino, Are you one of those always angry people that's never gonna be happy in anything anyone does? You have to be broad minded,I'm sure you're smart too,just give Augusto or Toni a break. I was very much excited and happy that finally after so many episodes, they did a show in our country and had a chance to eat some of our good food. Augusto is just shy because he doesn't know much about our country and shyness is one of the Filipino trait. I think that's also one of the reason why Filipinos are so good in adapting. We're like the tall bamboo grass, we bend,that's why we survive the storm. i know it doesn't make sense but my point is just be happy that Toni got a chance to eat our Lechon and try new(for him)dishes. I'm grew up in Manila,now living in South Texas, but I remember I always liked eating out of town and trying new dishes. That's always a good memory that I intend to keep and revisit. |
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Member Registered: 02-17-09
Posts: 28
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Posted
Please read Tony's blog titled "Not Fade Away." Here he talks about the Dissapearing Manhattan show (a great show by the way), but at the end he thanks Augusto and his family! Check it out. Thanks Tony and my boy Augusto!
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TravelChannel.com Home Travel Channel Discussions Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Talk About the Show No Reservation Philippines
Travel Channel Discussions Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Talk About the Show No Reservation Philippines