Jiggy Manicad
Self
Overview
Embark on a journey to celebrate all things Filipino — from art and architecture to culture and cuisine — in this immersive series.
Seasons
- Status
- Returning Series
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 5 episodes
- First aired
- Jun 12, 2025
Cast
Reviews
4 min readThe Things We Carry
I’ve been thinking about the way we hold onto things—not just in our hands, but in our mouths, our ears, the spaces we build. I Love Filipino is a series that understands this. It’s not a travelogue, not a history lesson, not even really a documentary in the traditional sense. It’s a quiet, insistent argument that culture isn’t something you visit.
It’s something you carry. And in five short episodes, it makes you feel the weight of that.
The first thing that strikes you is the food. Not the food itself—though that comes later, in slow, glistening shots of lechon crackling under the sun, of tapsilog sizzling on a cast-iron skillet—but the way the camera lingers on the hands that prepare it. Episode 1, Pinoy Altanghap, opens with a close-up of fingers kneading dough, flour dusting the knuckles like a second skin.
There’s no narration yet, just the sound of the dough giving way, the rhythmic slap of it against the counter. It’s a small moment, but it sets the tone: this is a series about labor, about love, about the things we do without thinking that end up defining us.
Jiggy Manicad, the series’ host, is a curious choice. He’s not an actor, not a chef, not a historian. He’s a journalist, and you can tell.
He asks questions like someone who genuinely wants to know the answer, not like someone reading from a teleprompter. In Episode 4, SawsawJuan, he sits across from a woman who makes banana ketchup in her backyard, and you can see the moment he realizes he’s never actually thought about how it’s made. “So you just… boil it?” he asks, and the woman laughs, like he’s just asked how the sky stays up.
It’s a small exchange, but it’s the heart of the series: the idea that we take so much for granted, even the things we love the most.
Audience Opinions
Audience 8.1/10
"A heartfelt celebration of Filipino culture that resonates deeply with its audience."
Viewers praise the series for its authentic portrayal of Filipino traditions, language, and values, making it a meaningful watch for those connected to the culture. The documentary-style approach and Jiggy Manicad’s engaging presence are frequently highlighted as standout elements. latestnetflix.com's view is that Some note that the pacing can feel slow, but most agree the emotional and cultural payoff justifies the investment.
What viewers praise
- Authentic cultural representation Delivers a genuine and respectful depiction of Filipino heritage, language, and traditions.
- Engaging host performance Jiggy Manicad’s charisma and connection to the subject matter enhance the viewing experience.
- Emotional depth Strikes a chord with audiences through its heartfelt storytelling and personal narratives.
- Educational value Offers insights into Filipino culture that many find enlightening and enriching.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Some viewers find the documentary’s rhythm too leisurely, especially in earlier episodes.
- Niche appeal May not resonate as strongly with those unfamiliar or less interested in Filipino culture.
Recommended for
Filipino culture enthusiasts Documentary lovers Families exploring heritage Language and tradition learners Jiggy Manicad fans
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside I Love Filipino: The Manicad Duo’s Netflix Love Letter to the Philippines
Netflix’s newest Pinoy docuseries, I Love Filipino (2025), isn’t just a travelogue—it’s a deeply personal project for the husband-and-wife team behind it. Created and directed by Marnie Manicad, with her husband, broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad, as host, the five-part series dropped on June 12, 2025, timed to coincide with the Philippines’ 127th Independence Day 
. But the timing isn’t the only thing that feels intentional. latestnetflix.com's view is that this is a series born from a shared mission: to explore what it means to be Filipino in a rapidly changing world.
A Family Affair
I Love Filipino marks a rare on-screen collaboration for the Manicads, who are better known for their individual careers. Marnie, a seasoned director and producer, has built a reputation for hard-hitting documentaries, while Jiggy is a household name in Philippine journalism, known for his award-winning work in broadcast news . Their partnership here feels like a natural extension of their personal and professional lives—though it’s unclear if this is their first time working together on a major project.
The series is produced under Team MMPI, their production company, suggesting a level of creative control that’s unusual for a Netflix original . That autonomy likely explains the series’ intimate tone, which blends Jiggy’s journalistic rigor with Marnie’s directorial flair. Sources describe it as a "love letter to the Philippines," but it’s also a love letter between the couple, who use the series to explore their shared roots .
The Mission: Defining Filipino Identity
What does it mean to be Filipino? That’s the central question I Love Filipino sets out to answer. The series doesn’t just showcase the country’s landscapes or cuisine—it dives into the complexities of identity, culture, and history, all through the lens of the Manicads’ own experiences . Jiggy, as host, brings his journalistic background to the table, interviewing a mix of experts, artists, and everyday Filipinos to unpack the nation’s collective psyche.
The timing of the release—on Independence Day—hints at a broader conversation about sovereignty, both national and personal. The series reportedly touches on themes of colonialism, diaspora, and the evolving definition of Filipino identity in a globalized world . While specifics about the episodes remain scarce, early buzz suggests a mix of travel, history, and personal storytelling, with Jiggy’s on-camera presence adding a layer of authenticity.
Behind the Scenes: A Labor of Love
Details about the production are thin, but what’s clear is that I Love Filipino was a passion project for the Manicads. The series was filmed over an unspecified period, with Marnie at the helm as director and Jiggy stepping into the role of host—a departure from his usual behind-the-scenes work in news . The couple’s dynamic is palpable in the series’ promotional materials, where they’re often seen side by side, promoting the show as both a professional and personal milestone.
There’s no word on whether the series will return for a second season, but given its open-ended exploration of Filipino identity, there’s plenty of room for expansion. Rumors suggest the Manicads may have already started brainstorming follow-up episodes, though nothing has been confirmed [unconfirmed].
Why This Series Matters
I Love Filipino arrives at a time when global audiences are increasingly hungry for stories about identity and belonging. For the Philippines, a country with a rich but often overlooked cultural history, the series offers a chance to shine on a platform as massive as Netflix. It’s also a rare example of a Filipino-led production that isn’t just about spectacle—it’s about substance.
For the Manicads, the series is more than just a career highlight. It’s a testament to their partnership, both on and off screen. As Jiggy puts it in one of the series’ trailers, "This isn’t just a show—it’s our story, too."
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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