Episode 419.625 - Taste Test of ”Showpao”

On this week’s Taste Test episode, Sigi samples the documentary Showpao, currently streaming on YouTube. Sigi likens this film to a serving of halo halo, a mix of personal stories told from the perspectives of Carlito, Rosabel, Jean-Noel and Jash, four Filipino/a/x Canadians living in Montreal. Each candid reflection had common threads but were still unique in sharing the Filipino/a/x Canadian experience in Quebec. It was refreshing for Sigi to see the representation of several generations of our culture and their personal journeys take up space in a film.

The immigration stories ranged from Carlito’s accidental story of getting sponsored by his brother to Rosabel following her mother’s advice to change her path to create a better life for her daughter. As each person shares their unique story, it is so interesting they include discussions on a unifying thread of people and their connection to culture and food, whether it be Jash musing that she cooks when she feels alone, Jean-Noel sharing the origins of the name of his cafe and Carlito smiling and telling the interviewer, that eating adobo and pancit makes us Filipino. Each person shares a message of hope as they talk about what makes you a Filipino/a/x Montrealer, to connect and find community with fellow Filipino/a/x with your shared experiences; embrace your culture without fear and to grow; and to have empathy for future generations.

Halo Halo Podcast listeners, we highly recommend you all to watch Showpao to learn more about the Filipinix-Montrealer experience. Many props to the Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students (FOCUS) for sharing this film.