Recovering Filipino

Why is my tita wishing me Merry Christmas in August?

Jim finds out why Christmas is such a big deal in Filipino culture, and why the festive season kicks off before summer ends. Jim will try to crack this yuletide mystery with the help of his guide to all things pinoy - his mom Yolanda.

Am I still a bad Filipino, Lola?

Jim’s family history is the quintessential immigration story of hard work, sacrifice, and some heartache. Jim’s mission to recover his Filipino identity comes full circle in a call with his lola in the Philippines. Did he finally make his grandma proud?

How is Filipino life like a boxing match?

Manny Pacquiao is the pride of the Philippines. He rose from poverty to become, arguably, the greatest boxer of all time. How did an ‘underdog’ mentality fuel the nation’s boxing supremacy? Jim gets into the ring to reveal how boxing changed his life.

Isn’t karaoke supposed to be fun?

Karaoke is often considered the Philippines' national pastime, but, as Jim learns, it’s not always a recipe for good times. What one karaoke song has brought singers to fisticuffs, and worse? Meet a singer whose karaoke performances led her to Broadway.

Ouch… Why couldn't I have a debut?

Jim gets real about Filipino rites of passage. It’s tuli (male circumcision) vs debut (a mega-party for girls). Jim's dad shares his "old school" tuli experience; Jim discovers a toxic masculinity connection; and relives his cousin Jerilyn's epic debut.