The Best Laid Plans...

I apologize for the lack of action in this space last week, but I was in the midst of shooting an epic motion picture adventure.

And by "epic motion picture adventure" I mean "mediocre home video" that I submitted to the No Reservations FAN-atic Casting Call. For those of you not familiar, Anthony Bourdain is giving one of his fans a chance to be his traveling companion on an upcoming episode of his Travel Channel TV show: No Reservations. And on top of that, the winner would also be able to choose the travel destination. To enter this casting call, all yous had to do was submit a 3-minute video detailing where you would take Tony and why he should choose you.

Obviously, I wanted Tony to visit the Philippines.  I'm sick and tired of all the TV shows that use Balut (a Filipino delicacy consisting of a cooked duck embryo in its egg shell) to shock its viewers.  I think a visit from the esteemed chef and author would do wonders for the promotion of Filipino cuisine--there's more to it than just duck eggs. So I had to think of a creative way in which to convince Tony to choose the Philippines as his next destination. But when I first learned about this little contest, the slide show in my mind flicked through a million and one ideas.

None of these ideas were good.

I originally wanted to film a skit of a Filipino celebrity chef/superhero that battled the forces of evil by slaying the various Tourist show hosts that perpetuate negative perceptions about Filipino food. If you thought that was a long sentence, you should've seen my entire storyboard for that idea. I even had my little brother (AKA Jean Luc Monstroso, AKA The Big Depression) create some photoshop magic for me (see the awesome picture at the top of this post). Ultimately though, I figured that this was a convoluted and corny scenario. So I nixed it.

Then, I had an idea to spoof this scene from Kill Bill Volume 2, where instead of a sword fight there would be an Escrima duel to the death (my weapon of choice was the wooden fork). And instead of plucking out my adversary's eyeball, I'd blind him with a spritz of Kalamansi Juice. There was even a scene where old Pai Mei was killed by way of poisoned pinakbet rather than poisoned fish heads (although fish heads would've worked too).

So me and my older brother (AKA Claudeezy, AKA Claudizzle fer Shizzle) filmed this grand idea of mine, but it turned out terribly. Even though we were only screwing around, neither my brother nor I could act our way out of a soggy balikbayan box.

So I finally decided to just tell Tony a little bit about myself and hope for the best. This decision was more like a Plan C than a Plan B, but I thought it was the best route to take. The 3-minute time constraint was a bit tough for me to deal with, there was a lot more that I wanted to say. Anyways, although I wasn't completely satisfied with my final video submission, I was happier with it than I thought I'd be.

I'm fairly certain I won't be chosen, but I figured I'd give it the old college try. The winner will be announced sometime in April.

What?

Oh. You want to see my video.

OK. Just promise to laugh with me and not at me (I'm very sensitive, you know). And feel free to leave your comments and rate my video at the Travel Channel site where my video is located.

Friends, readers, kababayans, lend me your eyeballs:

Click cheesy image below to view my video.

Comments

[Janice]

NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!!!
major props, Marvin. major props.

[Katrina]

*claps hands* Magaling, magaling, magaling!!! (from a local TV commercial which I'm sure you've never heard of, but it came to mind)

I like your video! It's very YOU, complete with pop culture references, self-deprecating humor, and sincere Pinoy pride. :-) You made the right decision about those other ideas. They WERE kinda corny, and I'm sure many others will come up with similar approaches. You were also right about your not smiling very often, though, weren't you? ;-)

Best of luck, Marvin! I really hope you win, so Filipino food (and Filipinos) can get more positive attention. Though I must admit, I also want you to win so Bourdain can come over and I can find a way to meet him. :-D

[Elaine]

Hiya! Long time lurker...first time commenter here. Kudos on your video submission! I hope you win =)

It's nice to finally put a face to the words. Your blog has always made me laugh.

[elmomonster]

Oh I sure hope you win! You know what's ironic? You have an ad for Andrew Zimmern's show right underneath this post right now. He did a show on the Philippines (which I'm sure you've seen), where balut was prominently featured.

[darbunk]

Marvin, your submission is very entertaining. He's a loser if he doesn't pick you :-)

Good luck!

[raissa]

Loved it!! Simple and yet sincere! Woohoo Marvin! I hope you get chosen. I have long wished that Anthony Bourdain features Philippines and have been waiting and waiting and waiting for that episode. Who knows this time around. Good luck!

[Krizia]

REPRESENT!

[NJ Julie]

Heyyyyy not bad! I loved it--thought it was earnest, simple, & direct to the point. And I agree, there is so much more to Pinoy food than just balut! Good luck...hope Anthony Bourdain chooses ya! And it was good to "see" you. =)

[Babette]

I love Tony Bourdain and I am an avid watcher of No Reservations. I've been wondering when he is going to do a piece about the Philippines. Have you seen the piece by Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods) on the Philippines? I hope Tony chooses you, he has been to most Asian countries except the Philippines. I like that story line where you squirt calamansi juice on his eye. LOL Love the costumes too. :)

(completely off-topic) I'll be in Florence this summer and I will look for that restaurant you wrote about (and the waiter). Did you go to any other Italian cities? Just wondering if you have any recommendations in Rome, Pisa and Venice.

[desie the maybahay]

that was great! galing!
all the best, i hope you win :-)

[White On Rice Couple]

Marvin, our man, you video covered everything that a producer is looking for! Humor, entertainment value, honesty, enthusiasm and great information on Filipnio food! You proved your knowledge, wittiness, along with cooking experience and a genuine love for your food that has not been covered by his show yet! This is a great video! and it's a top contender for the prize!! Good luck, we're rooting for you and for the love of Filipino food! :)

BTW- We were so busy, we missed the deadline but are planning on submitting our video anyways, just for fun. We'll let you know when we submit !

[Julie]

Oh man, I hope you win. That would make me happy for like a week. Great video!

[oggi]

The video is great Marvin, I love it! I hope Anthony picks you and the Philippines, it's about time.

[Pat]

It would be awesome to see both Marvin and Tony Bourdain on screen in the same TV show!! Hope you get it!

[bernadette]

Thumbs up, Marvin! You make us proud just by living in the islands!

[Burnt Lumpia]

Thanks for the props, Janice.

Thanks very much Katrina. I actually think all of it was corny. I was very close to not submitting anything at all, but I already put in a lot of work for it, so I figured why not? And btw, I WAS smiling;)

Hiya Elaine! Thanks for de-lurking and I'm glad you enjoy the blog. I hope you stay in de-lurked mode.

That is very ironic elmo! And yes, I've seen the Zimmern episode. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with Zimmern, I just think he could've done more to promote Filipino food.

Thanks darbunk. But I'm not holding my breath to be chosen ;).

Hello Raissa. Yeah, I always thought the Philippines would be a perfect place for Bourdain. We'll see.

Thanks Krizzy Kriz.

Thanks NJ Julie!

Very cool that you're finally making that trip to Italy, Babette. Besides Terra Terra in Florence, go to Grom for gelato and go to Enoteca Fuori Porta for a nice wine bar. In Venice, try Gelateria Nico for gelato with a view. In Rome, Enoteca Cul de Sac was a good wine bar.

Thanks desie!

Thanks WORC. Do let me know when you post your vid, I'm sure it will be as well made as the videos you've posted so far on you blog.

Hi Julie. It would probably make me happy for like 2 weeks, possibly more;)

Thanks oggi!

Thanks Pat, although I'd be happy if I were on screen for even just a second, and Bourdain could take over from there:).

Thank you very much, bernadette.

[JMom]

Great job, Marvin!! I still want to see the kill bill spoof though :D

I love Anthony Bourdain! I hope you win and show him the other side of Filipino Cuisine. You're right, Balut is so overdone, there are so much more exotic foods to be had, if that is what they are looking for, other than balut.

Good Luck! If there was a voting for this one, you would surely win. We'd all vote for you.

[Cynthia]

The wireless here is making the video slow to load but I want you to know that I am rooting for you.

[manggy]

I hope you get chosen Marvin! I would love for a multiple-starred chef to yell at you halfway around the world! Kidding ;) But I do hope you get chosen. I know I don't cook much Filipino food (shameful, I know), but it's really a wonderful cuisine and I believe you're one of the best advocates for it :)

[Mila]

I so agree with you, the whole balut theme is over and done with. We have other food that is just as Fear Factor like!

Hope you win Marvin!!!

[Maxima]

In the words of my lola, I will pray for you! :) I hope you win!! That was a great clip.

[Em Dy]

I hope they choose you. Hasn't Anthony Bourdain been to Manila and offered balut? If he has, show him the real stuff and why Manila food is worth coming back to.

BTW, Harry Connick Jr's. was the last balut encounter widely publicized by media. and that was just a few days ago.

[Steamy Kitchen]

haha! you are hilarous! Good luck, my friend!

[foodhoe]

that's awesome! I love the ricebowl holding grey bearded look too. Good luck!

[Nan Slaughter]

Marvin - I'm so glad to have discovered your blog and your video...you have STAR power - as in star anise! My brother served a mission in Baguio - not sure how to spell that - and I would love to be able to cook him an authentic Philipino meal...so I'll be back! And good luck to you with the video - I hope you remember the little people on your way up!

[Burnt Lumpia]

Thanks very much, JMom. But trust me, you don't want to see that spoof;)

I appreciate it, Cynthia. Thanks!

Manggy, it would be an honor if Bourdain yelled at me;)

Thanks Mila!

Thanks Maxima, I need all the prayers I can get.

Hi Em Dy. No, Bourdain has not been to the Philippines, but he did have balut in Vietnam before. I also read about the Harry Connick Jr. appearance somewhere. From what I read, it sounded like he was pretty cool about everything.

Thanks Steamy.

Hi foodhoe! Yeah, the grey beard scene did not make the final cut, but it was still fun to do.

Hello Nan. I'm glad that you've found me as well. Star anise power? Nice! Thanks for visiting my blog.

[wildone]

hi!!! I love you Marvin!!! you got me at "I am Marvin..." Are you married? I hope you are not gay...you look like my brother, but you've got a clearer complexion! I'm you're no. 1 fan!!! (am I scaring you off , already?) btw, i browsed through the other videos and I think you've got the most hits! see what Pinoy power can do!!! Ramiele Malubay is still in the american idol finals despite bad (but unfair reviews) just because of Pinoys love to text (sms) you should win...I also wanna make a video for you of why I like you..but I bet you've received a lot already! love you like I love Razon's Halo halo...whenever you are in Manila...you've got to try it! then you will know how passionate I feel about you! hahaha