Michael Palin Embraces Chaos and Controversy in 'Michael Palin In The Philippines'
At 83, the veteran traveler confronts political unrest, dangerous food, and a presidential fan of Monty Python.
Michael Palin, 83, continues to embrace adventurous and often unsettling experiences in his latest travelogue, "Michael Palin In The Philippines" on Channel 5. The program sees the seasoned explorer confronting political demonstrations, tasting questionable local fare, and even meeting with the nation's president.
Despite his age, Palin retains a youthful energy, expressing a desire to join children leaping into a sea wall. However, his travel style has evolved from the spontaneous adventures of his earlier career. While no longer leaving entire episodes to chance, his recent journeys have not shied away from challenging environments. In Manila, he was immediately immersed in a large-scale political demonstration, where he noted the widespread nature of protest.
His travels took him to a resort catering to the wealthy, and he joined the coastguard on a mission intended to provoke Chinese warships patrolling the coast. The documentary also delves into the grim realities of the Manila slums, including a visit to the mother of a teenager killed by a police death squad. This incident is placed in the context of the previous administration's controversial drug war, led by former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity.
Palin's itinerary included an unexpected summons to the presidential palace by the current president, Bongbong Marcos. Marcos, an Anglophile educated in England, is the son of former rulers Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Notably, the president revealed himself to be a fan of Monty Python, a nod to Palin's comedic roots.
Throughout his travels, Palin has sampled a variety of unusual foods, including shredded cobra and its gall bladder liqueur in China, fried spiders in Mexico, snails in Nigeria, and camel liver in Algeria. However, in the Philippines, he drew the line at "pagpag," described as reheated chicken scavenged from restaurant bins and sold from street stalls. He acquired two bags of the food but did not consume it.