Recovering Filipino

4.9 (159)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED WEEKLY

Host Jim Agapito is a "bad Filipino." The Filipino-Canadian filmmaker can't speak Tagalog and is stumped by some of the things Filipinos do and believe. Join Jim on this enlightening, joyful, and surprising 10-episode mission to recover his culture.

2022-12-20 · BONUS

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.

49 min
2021-08-10

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?

27 min
2021-08-03

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.

28 min
2021-07-27

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.

26 min
2021-07-20

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.

28 min
2021-07-13

Why does mom keep giving me packets of rice and salt?

Filipinos take their superstitions seriously. But why? Jim taps his fellow pinoys for their superstition stories. He discovers how Catholicism and folklore intersect. And Jim’s mom lives up to her title as the family’s reigning superstition queen.

28 min
2021-07-06

Why do they always give me leftovers?

Filipino feasts are legendary. No special occasion necessary. The spreads are epic and no one goes home empty-handed. But as Jim finds out there’s more to it than just hospitality. He also recounts his own saga with near starvation.

28 min
2021-06-29

Do we really need to finish the bottle?

Jim dips into his own family lore to understand the Tagay ritual - taking shots until the bottle is empty. Meet a mixologist infusing Filipino flair into cocktail culture. And Jim has an overdue conversation with his mom about his struggles with alcohol.

28 min
2021-06-22

Where are all the vegetarian Filipinos?

For one decade, Jim was a very bad Filipino, aka a vegetarian. His lola wasn’t proud. Jim discovers the Hobbit connection and makes a meat revelation. He navigates modern Filipino cuisine with Jeremy Senaris, of Master Chef Canada fame.

28 min
2021-06-15

Fried chicken and spaghetti. How is this a Filipino love story?

Jim isn’t a big fan of Filipino food, especially sweet spaghetti. Jim digs into the yuck and yum of Filipino cuisine with the help of expert Patricio Abinales; delves into his relationship with a popular bee; and gives a hated dish one more try.

27 min
2021-06-08

Why are my titas fighting over basketball?

Jim grew up playing basketball. He grew out of that passion, but his Filipino friends and family haven't. Why does the sport get his aunts (titas) yelling and flashing fists? Jim discovers the surprising origin of this love affair with basketball.

28 min
2021-05-27

Recovering Filipino — What does that even mean?

Meet Jim Agapito. When his lola (grandma) called him a "bad Filipino," Jim realized she had a point. Now Jim's on a mission to recover his culture one conversation at a time. His mom Yolanda is his unofficial guide and chief lumpia maker.

2 min

TRAILER

Recovering Filipino — What does that even mean?

Meet Jim Agapito. When his lola (grandma) called him a "bad Filipino," Jim realized she had a point. Now Jim's on a mission to recover his culture one conversation at a time. His mom Yolanda is his unofficial guide and chief lumpia maker.

2021-05-27

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2 min

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4.9

out of 5

159 Ratings

So relatable!

2023-02-06

Jay_Smlz

I am a second generation Canadian. Growing up, kids called me a “coconut” (brown on the outside, white on the inside). As offensive as that was, I laughed along with them at the time…what was I going to say? I felt disconnected from my culture because I was listening to heavy metal and rock instead of calypso and soca. Having a son has made me want to reconnect with my roots and learn about my culture so I can pass it on to him. I can relate to so much of what Jim has experienced in terms of trying to find my own cultural identity. Not only relatable, this podcast is very educational! I have several Filipino friends and now things make so much more sense to me!! Definitely worth listening to.
Let me know I’m not alone

2021-10-23

Leo20140606

After my daughter was born, I suffered from an identity crisis. I realized my daughter would never get the same experiences as I did growing up (she’s half white and my side of the family is very small now). The large Filipino gatherings, getting the socials cues and seeing the subtle interactions between generations, or even the cuisine. I also realized I’m not qualified to teach my daughter about my culture and that her Lolo and Lola might not get the chance to show her the beauty of being a Filipino. Being immersed in culture from a young age is very different than trying to ”learn” culture after you’ve developed your identity somewhat. Thanks Jim for letting my know I’m not the only that feels like he left his culture behind. I’m now working my way towards becoming a Recovering Filipino.
It brings me back home

2021-10-08

jeiiciee

I listen to this podcast and it makes me feel closer to home as I’am missing the Philippines so much! The culture, food, generosity and hospitality ❤️ I would love to let my kids listen to this to learn the culture and not be a bad filipino 😅
As a bad filipino…

2021-09-16

Lola Elliot

I’m in love with this podcast!

Host Jim Agapito is a "bad Filipino." The Filipino-Canadian filmmaker can't speak Tagalog and is stumped by some of the things Filipinos do and believe. Join Jim on this enlightening, joyful, and surprising 10-episode mission to recover his culture.