Clips from the recent ‘People vs. Food’ episode featuring P-Pop girl group BINI have been making the rounds online — particularly those where they react to popular Filipino street food.
Sadly, instead of celebrating the inclusion of our local cuisine on an international platform, some netizens were quick to criticize. BINI was accused of being too “choosy,” “un-Filipino,” and even “elitist” — all because of how they reacted to certain dishes and because they spoke in English.
But the real question is: Did you actually watch the full video?
If you did, you’d know that each member of BINI was given a clear scoring system — 10 points per dish, and they all rated honestly. In fact, kwek-kwek came out as their top-rated Filipino street food — a favorite we can all agree on.
Stacey gave balut 100 points not because she misunderstood, but because it’s her personal favorite. That’s not disrespect — that’s genuine love for a classic Filipino delicacy.
As for betamax and isaw, yes, they scored lower — but here’s the context that many skipped:
- The isaw served was pork, not the usual chicken isaw that many (including the girls) actually prefer.
- More importantly, did anyone else notice how undercooked and unappetizing the isaw and betamax looked? Let’s be honest: even the most die-hard street food lovers might hesitate if food looked like that.
It’s unfair to reduce someone’s “Filipino-ness” based on what they eat — or don’t eat. Even here at LionhearTV, some of our team members don’t eat betamax, isaw, or dinuguan — not because they look down on it, but simply because it’s not their preference. And that’s okay.
Not enjoying a dish doesn’t mean you’ve betrayed your culture.
We all have different tastes, comfort levels, and experiences. Food is deeply personal — we put it into our bodies, so it’s completely valid to say no.
Now, let’s talk about the English-speaking “issue.”
‘People vs. Food’ is an English-language YouTube channel. Of course the guests are expected to speak in English. That’s the format. It doesn’t make them less Filipino — it means they understood the brief.
And if anything, the video showed that Aiah is an adventurous eater, happily trying unexpected combinations like bread with soy sauce. That alone shows how open their palates can be.
In the end, before jumping on a hate bandwagon or passing judgment, maybe take the time to watch the full context. Otherwise, it’s just outrage for the sake of it.
Being Filipino isn’t measured by what you eat.
Let’s celebrate our culture through respect, diversity, and understanding — not through tearing down others for what’s on their plate.
