Thank you for uploading this. I have a daughter in the Philippines, I am going to see her for her birthday in March. I also have my GF in Cebu. One of the nicest women I have ever met in my life, always positive, always smiling. I got caught in the Philippines during the pandemic; was expecting to be there for three months, ended up staying there for fourteen months. Also got caught in typhoon Odette. Part of my accommodation was destroyed, a steel beam hit my head and fractured my skull. Also, I was without phone, electricity and running water for three months. And I ran out of money. Survived on eating rice and chilli corned beef once a day, and also assisted citizens with the damage from the typhoon. At no stage did I see ANYBODY moping around and feeling sorry for themselves. I get pissed off in Australia when people complain about things like how much unemployment benefits they get paid. I would like to send them all the the Philippines for a month, see if they can survive (probably not). I learnt to appreciate even the most basic things in life. I thank the Filipino people, they actually helped me to appreciate life more, even the most basic things. Can't wait to go back.

I’m a Phil-Am living in the US at least for 45 years. I was one of the thousands who graduated with BSN and left for my American dream in the 70s. One thing I need to drop as a nuance is that not all parts of the Philippines have the same social and cultural ethos. We’re separated by islands and these islands are lumped into six regions by the federal government . And each region is as different in language and culture from the next. Even the food you’re eating is Greek to us depending on where a native is born and raised. I was born I a rural town of Iloilo province in Panay Island in the Bisayan region in the middle of the country. Ive never eaten the food you’re showcasing and have tried. We have totally different dishes growing up. I’ve never lived anywhere in Manila area except for visits. We have over 200 vernaculars so educating us with Tagalog as our national language came handy and during my elementary years adding English in our curriculum as the third language gave people like me the advantage when I came to the US. My own progenitors on both sides are 75% Spanish and the rest are Malayan and Chinese. We were raised with elders speaking a mixture of Spanish and our Bisayan vernacular. So it’s appropriate to say that Filipinos come in all shades of culture language and world views. We however share our love of country, patriotic ideals, and a nationalistic spirit when we are confronted with global competitions and aspirations. Thank you for making this video. Still you need to visit other regions to show full context.

Andy, Tondo is always pictured as the ugliest and darkest side of the Philippines but the way you described Tondo in such a very positive point of view greatly changed my perspective of the place. Hardwork. Productivity. Innovation. Creativity. Those are strong words that brings hope. Thank you for this documentary.

When a lot of people complain about their life, just watch these resilience, positivity and happy faces videos of Filipinos despite the life hardships they face every single day.

For those who don't know.."pag pag" is a Tagalog word meaning to brush off/dust off something. As you can see, in this way this is very literal.

That is one true genuine Pinoy warrior that fights daily for his living with one leg and still happy for everything he is experiencing. Amazing kababayan, mabuhay ka!

ITS NOT ABOUT WHAT FILIPINO'S EAT OR DO. . . I THINK ITS THE INTERACTION, HOSPITALITY, RESPECT, & HONESTY OF THE RESPONSES YOU GOT ANDREW. . . IT IS TRULY MEMORABLE. .

Hey Andy, This series was incredibly eye opening. It was also very humbling. I've been on the skids before myself but nothing like this. I do know what it's like to have no food and horrible living conditions. But I was living like a king compared to some of these people. They will see Heaven, they are the poor and oppressed that Jesus spoke of in the Beatitudes. In the USA my income level is considered poverty. I'm sure that inspiring kid who is missing his foot and eats out of garbage cans would like to be as broke as me. I hope everyone else has learned the lesson I have. Never look down on someone unless you are going to pick them up. ✝️📖🙏🛐

Simply incredible. My fiance is Filipina (Bulacan/Batangas) and I just returned from the PH a week ago. I feel a great sense of pride and gratitude watching your film. Thank you for uncovering the Philippines on a deeper level through the stories of the Filipinos. I will definitely reference your videos when the questions come up about the Philippines especially when they are wrapped in stereotype. Cheers from California.

Thanks for putting the Philippines in a positive light. I can't believe the amount of people who exploit, ( sometimes their own people on these videos ). You are doing a service foe every culture. I've noticed you bring alot of hidden subjects to a positive point of view. Keep up the good work. From a native Los Angelino, California, who's wife is in the Philippines....THANKS.

One of the worst governments in the world. I feel for the Filipino people.

Life is hard. But Filipinos never give up.

Thanks Andrew for loving our country, for featuring the reality, the food with the locals loved(average/poor), the culture. ✌✌✌

I have witnessed a lot of poverty in the Philippines and it's heartbreaking to see. I admire the resilience of the people over there, they don't complain and just get on with life. They are very family orientated and the most friendliest people I have ever met. I always look forward to going back over there and they make me feel so welcome.

Thank you, Andrew and your team, for all your hard work on the videos that you bring to the world. It's a eye opening to remind some of us of what we have that we take for granted. Your channel is more than just about food but in a way to give justice to this world. I wish and pray for you and your team for a success and safe journey.

I lived in Manila as a foreigner for eleven years. Had a condo there. It’s definitely a love/hate relationship. The people were generally nice. Friendly. Cheap to live there too. On the whole. I lived in Makati which was a bit more expensive. The downside of living there was the pollution. The horrendous traffic. The constant corruption (which is mostly from their government officials!), the weather (mostly hot/warm and humid), and having to see all these poor street cats everywhere. I love animals so this was tough to always see. The government doesn’t do anything to try and stop or curtail this. So you end up seeing so many cats. Everywhere. I tried to help as many as I could. The women can be so beautiful. With their mix of Asian and Spanish. It’s a single guys dream come true on earth. In that respect. They especially love American men. Then Australian and British. They would tell me.

Extraordinary content, Andrew. Thank you for your love and respect for my country and countrymen. More power to you!

Hands down Andrew,again this report has been fantastic! You might be my favorite journalist atm on KZfaq. The way you report,explain and show respect is amazing! Thank you again and keep them lining up sir. 🙏

I'm a Filipino but never had a tumbong soup. I'll try it next time I go back there. 😋

I lived in Philippines for 8 years and have been going there twice a year since 1990. Love the Philippines its the best country in the World.

Be cautious wherever you go in the Philippines 🇵🇭 for your safety and your cameraman.

Andy, your recent journeying is exciting bro 💖💚💙 It's really not that weird or hard to consider "pug pug" safe, especially given the ways in which it is re-worked. This is going to sound like a weird reference, but, especially after I had significant rendezvous with "sacred earth fungi" when I was away studying in Oregon, I was sort of re-awakened to what I think is universal, root, human "genius" or just natural understanding. Culturally, modern humans tend to get very conditioned to be in awe of the modern cultural "artifacts" being generated around them, and accept some sense of mystery as to how those things are produced, assuming that "experts" and "professionals" and even institutions populated by them, are producing things we couldn't do ourselves. Somehow my experiences with the mushroom melted that away, making more basic dynamics of nature clear, as well as the understanding of how we ourselves can engage with nature and produce things, where the real thresholds or barriers are, if any. This definitely relates to microbiology as well, relieving inherent fear of bacteria or fungi. Printed expiration dates don't matter anymore. Just look and smell. We can pretty much assume all microbes are obliterated via high heat, natural chemicals like acetic acid as you mentioned, oils, etc... The only question then, is if fermentation occurred before killing off the microbes, and if through that fermentation any unsavory or even dangerous chemicals were generated, but as far as transferrence of living microbes, and risk of infection.... unlikely. Then of course the whole subject of immune system making mere exposure not necessarily a problem. Filipino people, are definitely mushroom people. I think we all are, but Filipinos have had perhaps more active symbiosis with the mushrooms through history, and to this day. Drop all cultural facades... Filipinos are genius/adaptive souls. Mexicans are similarly so, and also have extensive, exceptional history with the mushrooms. I am not advising people to go eat psilocybin mushrooms 🤣but I think they are significant and actually factor into all of this more than people typically recognize or talk about. EDIT: I guess another simple way to put it is this: "looking past the presented context that something came from a dumpster, and looking through to whether or not that material is ACTUALLY compromised or actually still okay and valuable, is sort of what this is about." Not needing something to come in a box or from a fancy/clean company/institution, in order to recognize what it is and what can be done with it.

Beautiful documentary. Simple but captivating.

These people are so resilient and are happy and grateful with what they have ❤. Western countries are less happy because we always want more material things to make us happy.😂. Poor countries are all about family 🙏👌💕.

I really love this series. Very eye opening but amazing adaptability of the people.

5:00 one legged hooper, yeah!!! basketball is love

Reporter seems like a genuinely nice n respectful guy tbh

Thanks for this video. As Filipino, we are spiritually tough. That's why we survived to any difficult situations in life. We have a lot of survival skills. Life is too hard, we always find ways to survived and be happy with God's faith 🙏

amazing look into philipino life tradesman at a incredible level hopefully war does not come to thier door locals happy smiles and grateful for what you have blessings to philipines

I am an ex-pat Brit living in the Philippines. The truth is that if you dont work you dont eat that is why Pinoys are tough, hardworking folk. If you complain about the noise etc. They will tell you IF YOU DONT LIKE IT HERE go back to your own country...The Philippines put their own people first.

Hey andrew thank you. Im from the Philippines also. i hope this video will reach out to our leaders. may you continue this kind of passion to open the eyes of all the leaders in the world.

I came here for all your thumbnails, but stayed for the content.

Slavish admiration and loyalty to the US since 45, and once again since Bongbong was "elected", and what has it gotten them?

Great respect for this man.

In the 80s, we in Tondo area, we are renting an apartment at that time. My father told me that when I was around 5 years old, I used to follow him in the streets whenever he was invited to a drinking session. Then he realized that he had to do something so I would not grow up in that environment. The next year, we moved to the province.

how good is this! thanks for sharing!

I admire your drive & professionalism on journalism. that's all I've got to say.

This is the result of decades of corruption and neglect of the government to address social issues such as birth control (overpopulation), social welfare (poverty), access to education, misuse of public funds (corruption), access to healthcare, mediocre infrastructure, etc...This country has become a huge mess that will take generations to fix and need leaders who have the proper dedication and political will to actually fix it. I am never proud that Filipinos are being called "resilient". Resilience is being used to romanticize tolerance of Filipinos to suffering.

Been there to many times to count. Married to a Filipina woman for almost 18 years now. 4 children and I have learned to cook Filipino foods, which I do several times a week and love it.

Where can I get my sword? What is the name of that place and lication? I want the authentic sword here in the Philippines 🇵🇭!! Thanks, gracias, grazie, danke, merci, Salamat po ( tagalog filipino for Yes)

That's fascinating, never knew that the Philippines had a sword making culture

Very interesting! My wife is a Philipina! From Cainta,Rizal,we have never been here but these people no matter what they have or don't have they r happy people! 😊 I love going to the Philippines her,I'm amazed, very,very interesting country!

The swords makers are so cool! I'm so glad they are keeping the heritage alive.

Wow! You inspired me! You didn’t hesitate to try what they eat. You’re amazing!!!

- 12:20 wow that dish looks phenomenal 😍. I appreciate the fact that she && her folks take great care into cleaning && prepping all of the food as well. ❤ Much love && respect.

I used to complain about my life in Australia all the time until i visited my relatives from my mums side in Tabogon Cebu, Philippines. They really are resilient and find happiness and community in their collective hardships.

New goal in life: reserve a bolo from these gentlemen and pick it up in person. Those blades are exquisite.

This video is really well made; clearly some serious effort went into this production. Also really enjoyed the content and had a chance to learn more about the real Philippines through this video.

You are so different and non-racist compared to most aussies I've met and because of that, I've subscribed! Thank you for your unbiased journalism showcasing Asia, its people and its beauty.

That is insane!!! I'm a Filipino living in the Philippines since I was born but I have never eat pagpag in my whole life. Pagpag is not food of poor people it is a food for immortal being only we called them SAKALAM reverse from the word MALAKAS. if you have a weak immune system don't eat you will die .

That kind of positivity level was make me amazed, geez, we need more like you brother. Positive is the right mental attitude, this is what we need today. A big thanks to you.

Realistic and Respectful!

IVe watched a lot of travel youtube videos docuemnting the harsh life in areas, and i would say this is one of the rare ones that I feel like the people are actually wanting to hang out versus getting paid to be on camera talking about their life

And this is why Filipinos thrive wherever they immigrate to (Not so sure about how the next generation does since they would've been born in the new countries or grew up there). However, most Filipinos who immigrate do well for themselves.

Amazing documentary about the Philippines. Thank you

Tondo was an old hindu kingdom during the pre-colonial philippines.

Love you Andrew more Power to you and to you channel❤😊

Glorifying and romanticizing Filipino resilience. Poverty porn 101.

In the Philippines we consume every part of the animal being slaughtered, nothing is wasted, even the blood of the animal is cooked. You have to try dinu gu an. Dinuguan. Its everything internally of the pig cooked in pig blood made into a stew using ginger, garlic, onions, basil, lemon grass, soya sauce, vinegar, salt etc. All the organs are chopped fine into the mix. Its a blood pudding/stew. Its one of my favorite dishes.

Lived with a kali instructor in Cavite (Manila) for 6 weeks, learning the stock and knife art. Spent the time travelling around Manila and Batangas, and absolutely love that place and people.

Andy, you might be a former seminarian or community organiser. You were able to immerse to our Filipino culture

wow as a foreigner who lived in the philippines for 20 years, you nailed it in one video, i learned so many things that even i didnt know lol. Amazing video.

I would like to go to Tondo for a tour, but the wife says it's too dangerous. She's always taking me to the province, but I think next time I will visit that place. We have a couple small lots in Cavite and on the way, I notice people living in what appears to be houseboats or floating bamboo homes. It's very interesting, but the family doesn't want to talk about it.

Watching this right now! What a quality content! ❤ Tondo is just an hour away from me (traffic inluded) Now I want to try that tumbong soup.

Would really love to see you visit an indigenous tribe in ph, preferably somewhere unbelievably beautiful… and without disclosing the location.

You’re the goat of Phil blogger,, you had covered lots even eaten garbage 🗑 foods, I pilipino never tried eating those … the swords 🗡 making are amazing… I had collected 2dozen of those, but I didn’t know we’re making it here in my country ❤ thank You sir, you did great job😂

nice , theres so many beautyful places in your country,, thnks to your sharing, i will do my best to creat a good and Quality of my content, i will share the extra ordinary places in our country..

I think you are a wonderful human being, the world needs more people like you.

Great quality content Andrew. Those swords are HECTICCC 😮

- I love your videos && channel. So glad I found you. I am blessed enough to not have to eat trash but you put it in a whole different light. I appreciate you && your travels my friend!

You have a heart of gold dude, you always see the best in everyone😃

I love the Philippines 🇵🇭 because of my wife of 5years, showed about her daily life and life in the Philippines 🇵🇭 and god GOD, FAMILY, RESILIENCE, GRACIOUSNESS AND BEING FRIENDLY DESPITE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, GOD AND JESUS AND FAMILY IN THE PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭 NO STRESS LIKE IN THE STATES, I LOVE MY COUNTRY SERIOUSLY, BUT MYSELF GOING TO SEE THE OTHER SIDE OTHER THAN WHAT IM GOING THROUGH IN THE STATES, I CANNOT WAIT TO GET TO CEBU BLESSINGS ALWAYS ❤️

Thank you very much it’s great to see the best part of our country, Filipino are very hard working people, very friend and hospitable ❤❤❤❤❤

Finally a good documentary on the philippines. There was no finger pointing of scorn. No cry baby tears. No complaining about the government. No pompous attitude that we need westerner help ect. mahusay na trabaho. salamat

He certainly knows the formula in creating a successful vlog in the Philippines

I like this guy, he is humble and humane... very open

Super high quality production. Very interesting to see the Philippines people adapt to different conditions. I like seeing Filipinos be successful.

Im British white i go to the Philippines every year for a month, i have yet to see anything you have shown. I stay at roxas City, and they are a caring nation, I have seen poor people, I have a garden party, and invite everyone for food. I have never seen anyone make or ete Pad Pad before.

Thank you for featuring our beloved country =)

How do you manage your stomach with the bacteria it is not used to? I can never visit PI without inevitably getting digestive issues.

The way those crabs 🦀 are cooked is amazing! I wish to try.

Being Vegan in the Ph is pretty difficult, I respect they don't waste anything - but seeing this makes me glad I remain so after three trips and nine years. When in Manila -I'll stick to Vikings and local Vegan restos.

thankyou andrew. we are amazed how you explain, respect our culture. other foreign vloggers are disgusted when they encounter strange foods of pinoys, a chase for clicks and subs. but you. you are different thankyou so much. subscribed you are my fave now

its expensive to be poor in the Phillippines, the gap between the rich and the poor is so wide, its hard to even put food on the table nowadays, we're developing country but most of us are still in the poverty line, we;re living paychecks to paychecks and our healthcare services are expensive too, inflation is too high and it gets highier every year thats why most Filipinos prefers to work abroad, even being homesick kills them, they got no choice but to survive, in order to save their family, you got sacrifice and live within your means,but Im still positive that our country will prevail in this trying times, as a Pinoy whose also a bread winner, I have to look on the positive side of things and believe that everything will be alrigjht

Andy mate, will there be any trouble getting that sword through Aussie customs?

- 16:13 What I'd do to get a hold of one of these swords I'd love one of my own. I doubt I could find one without going there which is disappointing 😞. 🗡

Bless this man! Thanks for showing the two sides of the Philippines and having an objective opinion on it, hope youtube algo would be kind to you and subs flood it.

Is it really sinking because of rising sea levels? I just looked at the US Government's climate website and it shows a rise of 5 inches in sea level since 1980. Or is the land sinking down?

Adobo or pagpag? 2:55

Andy, you are the successor to Tony Bourdain. You get to know the people, their culture, and you share their experiences and struggles, just like Bourdain did. Also, I have realized that I have NOTHING to complain about.

Bro, we are mid powerty line and the middle class yet this is quite extreme eating pagpag. Kudos to you for trying it, i might not for the rest of my life and my family. Eat our exotics like sisig and baluts but dont eat pagpag again. Take care.

I live in Makati when I am walking down the street with a Can or Bottle someone will follow me usually a Child, they stop when I stop then walk when I walk, there waiting for me to throw the Can or Bottle away then take it out the Bin. People there think I`am rich because I can go in Starbucks and McDonalds everyday, looking at it from there point of view the Lad with one leg earns about 500peso for a days work, and I spend that every Morning just for Breakfast. What I find with the Food there is its best not to ask what your being given just eat it if it tastes OK. Some of the street food there is very good and very cheap so if your on a budget try it, if you don't like you've not lost much money. I tend to eat a mix of local and Foreign (western)food, Filling Station every other night. Got to say there's a lot of travel videos on here about the Philippines, but Andrews are better than most.

I went to the Phillipines alot,, I'd run down the street get an AC room. Then go across the street & order bullfrog with ice in the pitcher I'd drink the pitcher feel cramps,run back to my room for 45min of " body flushing," fever then I'd be ready for the next two weeks.

Hello Andy great documentary. Do you have the name of the place you went to get the swords and knives made?? Really would like to go. Thanks.

Hi Andrew Can I please get the address and more information on Pao and his sister Daisy for their workshops would love to see more about them and their business ❤🙏

The precious cat carefully analyzing at 8:35 . Omg my heart he’s probably starving 😢

its amazing to see in Mississippi a rice farmer used mud crabs with their crops, now Indonesia does the same, awesome.

Philippines indiginous itak skills,.. my grandad told me story...bolo to bolo fight... holding stocmack cut while on a swrods fight

Ive had that soup at Rados. It wasnt that nice to me. Maybe the bar was set too high from everyone vlogging it. I really enjoyed Ugbo st though. How good is it?!

Wow, ive travelled extensively across Indonesia 5 times, its amazing how people adapt. Yes i know this is the Philippines, just saying ok 😂