Augusto's Reservations

“What is a Filipino?” Anthony Bourdain asks his Philippine host in a recent Travel Channel episode set in that country.  Anthony may have very well posed the question to the wrong person.  After all, though from Philippine lineage, Augusto Elefanio was born and raised in Long Island, New York.  He concedes lacking in expertise on the subject matter, having visited the country only once—two years ago, and only for a week.  Furthermore, Augusto confesses he’s still trying to figure out who he is.

“I’m not entirely American.  I’m not entirely Filipino.  I’m kind of stuck in the middle and that’s a hard thing…for a lot of Filipino-Americans.”

In Augusto’s audition tape, he comes off as a strong contender—lively, enthusiastic, and confident.  While Augusto’s performance in the tape may have been strongly influential, the decision to enlist Augusto may have come from gut—and Mr. Bourdain’s desire to savor the best-tasting slow-roasted whole pig rotisserie-style (a bait craftily incorporated in Augusto’s audition presentation).

The choice has raised some chatter in Philippine blogs; many concur Augusto is not qualified.  However, as Anthony points out, the show is all about the food.  Right or wrong, Augusto has tickled his palate in search of that elusive definition of Filipino cuisine.  (After all, he features other local food experts in the show.)  In fact, Augusto’s selection is appropriate; his story serves as an elemental counterpoint—a complimentary side dish—with the lad’s own quest for identity.  Anthony laments that, “however badly Augusto wants to be a Filipino and reconnect with his roots…he’s still American.”

Anthony eventually tastes his “best pig ever”, thanks to Augusto.  And thanks to Anthony, Augusto gets a timely nudge to answer the question of his Filipino identity.

Comments

[EO]

I think every Asian American feels like that
or even kids who were born and raise in the US
It's not only our feeling but all people around us too
They look at us Asian Americans as Asians

I, for example, sometimes find myself not Thai anymore
As a Thai, I am comfortable to do curtain things
that I was used to do when I was living in Thailand
but I can't do like American like, either
because parts of me are still Thai

Or languages,
My Thai is getting worst when my English is bad