At a time when globalization is at its peak and the Philippines is confronting a lot of social, cultural, and political change, the question of identity rises to the surface: What does it truly mean to be Filipino? Is it in the food we crave, the music we hum, the homes we build, or the stories we pass down? As the world grows louder, it becomes more important to hold on to the quiet, powerful truths that define us.
This is precisely the mission behind I Love Filipino, a five-part documentary series created and led by seasoned director, producer, and journalist Marnie Manicad. Premiering on Netflix today, June 12, 2025, the series is a timely love letter to the Philippines—launched with purpose on the nation’s Independence Day. Marnie, alongside her husband and longtime collaborator Jiggy Manicad, has poured heart, soul, and decades of storytelling experience into what she calls their most personal project to date. “We want people to see that being Filipino is something to be proud of,” she shared. “This series is our contribution to the country—a reminder that there’s so much beauty, strength, and brilliance in who we are.”
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Marnie Manicad: Behind the Lens
While I Love Filipino is a collaboration, it is Marnie who truly stands at the forefront of this cultural voyage. Given her sharp creative eye, drive, and years of experience directing both local and international productions, she led the series from concept to final cut. “We knew early on that we had to dish out everything we had on the table to produce this,” she said. “Tinodo na talaga namin ang lahat ng nalalaman namin—to be able to extract the purest form of love for the material.”
From pre-production research to post-production color grading and sound design, Marnie was deeply involved in every detail. “Binuhusan namin ng pagmamahal,” she emphasized. “Para naman kapag napanood na ng mga tao, masasabi mong ‘nakaka-proud maging Pilipino.’” Her clear vision and emotional intuition gave shape to each episode, guiding her team to craft stories that resonate with authenticity and soul.
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A Series of Stories, A Portrait of a Nation
Each of the five episodes of I Love Filipino spotlights a distinct aspect of Filipino identity—food, music, art, architecture, and even sawsawan (dips or sauces)—and weaves it into a deeper cultural conversation. It starts with the question: “Ano nga ba ang tunay na Pilipino?”
In “Pinoy Altanghap,” the series explores the flavors that have become Filipino staples—like lechon CarCar and tapsilog—not only as food but as identity markers. “SawsawJuan” goes beyond the table, showing how vinegar, soy sauce, and calamansi mirror our resourcefulness and regional character. “Himig” asks how we preserve our music heritage in an age of K-pop and global streaming. In “Juan with Art,” world-renowned creatives like Leinil Yu, Ronald Ventura, and Michael Cacnio demonstrate the global brilliance of Filipino artistry. Finally, “Bahay Kubo” reframes the iconic hut not as a primitive structure, but as a model of sustainability and native intelligence—often misunderstood, but inherently smart.
“Ang dami ko pong natutunan,” award-winning journalist Jiggy said. “For 23 years, I’ve worked on current affairs and documentaries, but never did I explore Filipino architecture this deeply. This series made me see the country in a new light.”
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Family-Fueled, Nation-Built
For Marnie and Jiggy, I Love Filipino is a family mission. Their children contributed thoughts, concepts, and inspiration, helping shape a production that reflects multiple generations of Filipino love and pride. “Sa bahay po namin, lahat ng opinyon pinapakinggan,” Jiggy shared during the media launch at the National Museum. “Talaga pong ang dami naming natutunan sa isa’t isa—and from the people whose stories we tell.”
As a director, Marnie also made sure to bring in voices from across the archipelago—artists, chefs, farmers, architects—making sure that the Filipino experience was shown in all its nuance and depth. “Hopefully, it’s something Filipinos here and abroad will appreciate and support,” she said.
Jiggy added, “Ang daming magaganda pa sa Pilipinas na puwedeng gawin. Kailangan lang talaga maging conscious tayo. Huwag tayong mapadala sa napakaraming isyu na hindi na natin nakita yung art natin, yung nature natin, yung talent natin.”
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Why “I Love Filipino” Matters Now
In a media landscape dominated by negativity and sensationalism, I Love Filipino offers a rare and essential perspective: joy, dignity, and love for country. “This is our way of contributing to the country—to promote our nation in a more positive light,” Marnie said.
“Sa I Love Filipino, bubusugin namin kayo ng inspirasyon at ideas na ang bottom line masasabi nating, ‘I Love Filipino,’” she added. With every frame, she reminds us that to love the Filipino is to rediscover what’s beautiful in our daily lives, to see through a lens of hope, and to tell the stories that matter.
Through her direction, I Love Filipino brings culture to life. It is a call to celebrate who we are, to preserve what we almost forget, and to fall in love all over again with being Filipino.
Towards the end of the media launch, Marnie left us with this powerful request, “Help us pray we make it to number one. Not because we want it for ourselves, but honestly and truthfully, this is our way of contributing to our country, to reignite lively discussions, and to promote our nation in a more positive light.“
All five episodes are NOW STREAMING on Netflix.
WATCH highlights of the media launch:
