Since I have been talking about taking a virtual trip to soothe the mind and bring your senses to whole new world, this show was a fine example. It was the experience that I have been craving for awhile.
Last night, I went on a trip to a remote fishing village in the Philippines. Filipino director, Erik Matti takes us on a voyage through the eyes of a woman's triumphant expeditions in the heart of the pacific, as he starts off the first episode of the eight on HBO Asia. Other directors tell their stories that take place in Indonesia, Singapore, Korea, Japan & Thailand and how their connection with food is transpired into their relationships. It’s not a cooking show, which at first I thought it was. It ended up being better than a cooking show as it exuded a rawness and heightened vulnerability that can’t go unnoticed. Perhaps a "novella" with a connection to cuisine. You will see however, a display of authentic traditional Filipino dishes, (even the process of slaughtering a pig for the roast) but most importantly a story that’s heartbreaking but moving in such a way that makes you feel good. Truly inspirational.
It’s an intimate take on Asia’s cultural landscape. The first episode titled, “Island of Dreams” is accompanied with the reality of poverty, rich vs. poor, the difference between the social classes, themes on making sacrifices for loved ones, along with the many hardships that people face everyday. What makes this show compelling is witnessing the celebration of food.
Being a first generation Filipino American, there were some elements that were relatable and others that just made me feel connected to my ancestors.
In the first episode of Foodlore, the story took place in a fishing village Cartagena, in the Province of Negros Occidental, south of Manila. We see the story’s protagonist in a boat which tells the audience that she is straight up island hopping but it's not as glamorous as one would imagine as the main character brings a couple of large suitcases filled with presents for her family. It shows the painstaking voyage that only a few people will take to make sacrifices for their loved ones as Nieves, the protagonist leaves her children to work as an au pair in Manila for an affluent family for months on end only to return once a year for the "fiesta".
Director Erik Matti hit it home for me as I got to witness a joyous celebration in this quaint fishing village.
This fiesta takes place only once a year to celebrate the abundance of fish coming to shore for all to eat together. Sparklers, vibrant, colorful costumes and dancing under the moonlit beach filled the screen as I felt like I was there. I could almost feel my toes in the sand.
It really brought me to empathize with Nieves as I saw a lot of my mother in this woman. I saw my people, my lineage, and I indeed felt that connection to her purpose. I understood. It’s a story about food that made me get why my own Grandaunt had an obsession with it and why feeding everyone was so important. What I loved the most about the first episode in the series was that it taught me more about picking and choosing battles also as Nieves, does not lose sight of why she made her choices in the first place. Even though she said along the lines that 1x day is good enough for her not to be hungry, it was clear she was ambitious to explore the world and break the chains of starvation for her loved ones. And she didn't do it in a martyr way, she did it in a courageous heroic way so that's my take!
I highly recommend this show because it’ll take you to a different place each time but the same holds true to all of them, how food encapsulates intense vulnerability.
I dedicate this blogpost to my grand-aunt Mama Gene also know as Generosa Remolador who migrated here in Manhattan in 1957. She was is my Nieves.
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