British television presenter and former Monty Python star Michael Palin drew the line at eating a local recycled chicken dish known as “pagpag” while filming his travelogue series in the poverty-stricken Tondo district of Manila. Broadcasted on Channel 5 on September 28, 2026, the documentary captures the 83-year-old explorer encountering stark socio-economic divides across the Philippine archipelago.
During his visit to the impoverished neighborhood, Palin observed vendors gathering discarded fast-food scraps from restaurant bins to reboil, clean, and resell to local residents as budget-friendly delicacies. While known for sampling diverse local cuisines throughout his four-decade television career, Palin admitted that encountering the reprocessed chicken was a bridge too far for his morning schedule.
Encountering Extreme Inequality in Manila
Reflecting on the experience, Palin explained that seeing the preparation of pagpag offered a powerful window into the region’s severe economic disparities. He noted that the practice represents the ultimate form of food recycling, where meals left behind on plates are collected and repurposed.
Speaking about the local vendor, Palin shared his observations with reporters:
“I’ve never seen anything that illustrates poverty quite as clearly as half-eaten fried chicken, which has been taken from the bins of fast food restaurants and then re-cooked. So this is ultimate food recycling. Food that’s already been on someone’s plate has been left behind, and this nice lady goes and collects it. Seeing this, I’m starting to understand why so many people are angry about the inequalities here.”
Despite declining to taste the dish himself, Palin expressed respect for the vendor, describing her as a trusted, middle-aged pillar of the community who had safely practiced the routine for years without apparent health consequences.
Broadening the Journey Across the Philippines
The new Channel 5 series, titled Michael Palin In The Philippines, follows the veteran broadcaster as he navigates various landscapes and complex social environments. Aside from exploring the urban challenges of Manila, Palin’s itinerary included traveling through underground rivers, swimming with thousands of sardines in Moalboal, touring the remains of Marawi under military escort, and visiting the island of Jolo.
Reflecting on completing the physically demanding journey at age 82, Palin remarked that the experience proved rejuvenating. He attributed his endurance more to the long-haul flights and airports than to the on-the-ground adventures across the Philippines.
