This Independence Day, a new kind of patriotism takes centerstage—not with flags and parades, but with flavor, rhythm, artistry, and heritage.
Enter ‘I Love Filipino’, a five-part Netflix documentary series hosted by veteran journalist Jiggy Manicad, premiering June 12, just in time for Araw ng Kalayaan.
At a time when global influences dominate our screens, plates, and playlists, ‘I Love Filipino’ is a refreshing call to return home—to rediscover what makes being Filipino so beautifully distinct. Produced by Team MMPI, the production outfit led by Marnie Manicad, the series is a love letter to the country’s unsung icons: from tapsilog and lechon to sculptors, singers, and even the humble bahay kubo.
“Basically, it’s about showcasing the richness of our heritage and the brilliance of the Filipino spirit,” Jiggy explained during the recent launch at the National Museum of Fine Arts. “It’s an advocacy piece, a way to promote our own.”
Each episode of ‘I Love Filipino’ shines a spotlight on a different aspect of Filipino culture—culinary, musical, architectural, artistic, and emotional.
The opening episode, ‘Pinoy Altanghap’, dives into the comfort foods that fuel our daily lives, such as sisig, tapsilog, and lechon Carcar. But beyond the craving lies cultural significance: these dishes are stories on a plate, rich with regional identity and family legacy.
‘SawsawJuan’ explores the world of sawsawan—Filipino dipping sauces. Yes, sauces! But here, they represent more than flavor. They speak of the Filipino trait of adaptation: blending influences, adjusting to taste, and always making things our own.
In ‘Himig’, the series tackles the soul of Filipino music. Can OPM survive in the age of K-pop and Western dominance? The answer lies in its resilience. The episode pays homage to music as the heart of our collective memory—from ballads sung at karaoke to anthems that stir hope in the face of adversity.
Perhaps the most striking episode, ‘Bahay Kubo’, brings architectural pride front and center. What was once seen as a symbol of poverty is reimagined as a blueprint for sustainability and resilience. Filipino architects interviewed in the series draw direct inspiration from the bahay kubo in their modern designs, proving that heritage can guide innovation.
And then there’s ‘Juan with Art’, a tribute to visual artists like Leinil Yu, Ronald Ventura, and Michael Cacnio—Filipino creatives whose work resonates globally, yet remain rooted in local truth.
“I was blown away,” Jiggy shared. “I thought I knew these things. But seeing how deep the roots go—from architecture to music—makes you realize how much we overlook.”
What ‘I Love Filipino’ does so well is shift the narrative. Instead of dwelling on hardship or foreign validation, the series celebrates what’s already here: the joy, depth, and flavor of Filipino life. It dares to ask: What if our national identity isn’t something we need to build, but something we need to remember?
For Marnie Manicad, who directed and executive produced the series, the mission is personal. “I believe positive content can uplift our spirit as a nation. We wanted to contribute something that adds value—not just entertain, but empower.”
“We didn’t create this series for foreign recognition,” she adds. “We created it so Filipinos—especially the youth—can see the beauty in their own backyard.”
As the host, Jiggy traveled across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, immersing himself in local stories, dishes, and traditions. His takeaway?
“In a world full of influence, it’s time we make our own identity loud and clear,” he said. “There’s no shortage of things to be proud of—we just need to pay attention.”
At its heart, ‘I Love Filipino’ is not just a documentary. It’s an invitation—to reconnect with our roots, to celebrate our everyday, and to carry the torch of culture with pride. It’s for the lola who makes the best sinigang, the tita who sings Kundiman, the young artist dreaming of a gallery, and every Filipino who’s ever asked, “Sino ba talaga tayo?”
So, this June 12, trade the firecrackers for stories. Grab a drink, call your family, and hit play on ‘I Love Filipino’. Because loving the country doesn’t always have to look like protest or politics. Sometimes, it looks like pride—served with a side of sawsawan.
