PAG PAG - Cucinare la spazzatura per sopravvivere a Manila 🇵🇭

Summary

The video script explores the phenomenon of 'pagpag' in Manila's slums, where discarded food from fast-food chains is collected, re-cooked, and consumed by thousands due to its affordability. Despite the harsh conditions and the risks involved, the script highlights the resilience and ingenuity of the people, who find happiness and a sense of community in the most unlikely ways. The story of pagpag serves as a stark reminder of the world's food waste issue and the contrasting realities of abundance and scarcity.

Takeaways

• 🚮 Over one billion tons of food are discarded annually, with Manila's pagpag culture re-purposing this waste as a staple for thousands.
• 🍗 Pagpag is a traditional dish in Tondo, Manila, made from leftover fast food, collected and re-cooked, symbolizing resourcefulness amidst poverty.
• 🌅 The pagpag trade begins early, with collectors sorting through garbage bags at dawn, highlighting the industriousness of the underprivileged.
• 💊 The slum's harsh reality includes drug addiction, with Shabu, a dangerous mix of meth and caffeine, posing a threat to residents' safety.
• 🐀 The living conditions are challenging, with rats and cockroaches being common, and the environment being filled with garbage and discarded items.
• 🔍 Collectors meticulously sort through trash, salvaging food remnants, which are then transformed into pagpag, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Despite the tough circumstances, there's a sense of community and generosity, as seen when collectors share their finds with children.
• 💰 The pagpag sellers make a modest income, selling buckets of the re-cooked food for around 100 pesos, emphasizing the economic realities of the slum.
• 🍗 Pagpag is a dietary necessity, not a choice, for many who cannot afford fresh food, and the vendors play a crucial role in providing affordable sustenance.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family is a central theme, with individuals working to support their loved ones, including children's education, through their challenging work.
• 😊 Happiness is found in simple pleasures and the ability to provide for one's family, as demonstrated by the pagpag queen and other residents of Tondo.

Q & A

What is the alarming figure mentioned in the script regarding unspoiled food waste?

More than one billion tons of unspoiled food is thrown into the trash every year.

What is 'pagpag' and where does it originate from?

'Pagpag' is a traditional dish from Tondo, the largest slum in Manila, Philippines, made from leftover fried chicken collected from garbage.

Why is pagpag considered the staple food for thousands in Manila's slums?

Pagpag is considered the staple food because it is cheap and, according to the locals, tastes great despite being made from discarded food.

What is the significance of the 05:30 in the morning mention in the script?

05:30 in the morning signifies the time when pagpag is prepared and eaten for breakfast by the people in the slums.

What is Shabu and why is it dangerous in the context of the slum?

Shabu is a drug popular in Asia and the Philippines, made by mixing meth and caffeine. It is dangerous because it keeps people awake and aggressive, and there have been cases of violence, including stabbings with used syringes.

What does Ryan do and why is his job considered important in the slum?

Ryan sorts through garbage bags, separating food from other trash. His job is important because the food he finds becomes pagpag, providing a source of nutrition for the slum's inhabitants.

What is the process involved in making pagpag according to the script?

The process of making pagpag includes three washes with hot water to remove any garbage stuck to the food, followed by frying the chicken with added soy sauce, MSG, and Sprite to enhance the flavor.

How much does a typical house in Tondo cost, as mentioned in the script?

A typical house in Tondo costs around 2,000 pesos, which is approximately 30 euros.

What is the role of the 'pagpag queen' in the slum?

The 'pagpag queen' is a vendor known for having the best pagpag recipe in the slum, making her very popular among the locals.

What does the script suggest about the concept of happiness in the context of Tondo?

The script suggests that happiness in Tondo is found in the small joys of everyday life and the human spirit's ability to smile and find strength despite adversity.

What is the significance of the script's mention of the United Nations data on global hunger?

The mention of United Nations data serves to highlight the global scale of food scarcity and malnutrition, contrasting it with the privilege of abundance experienced by many, and emphasizing the importance of appreciating resources.

Outlines

00:00

🍗 The Pagpag Phenomenon in Manila

The script introduces the concept of pagpag, a dish made from discarded fast food in Manila, Philippines. It reveals the stark reality of food waste and the resourcefulness of those who repurpose it. The narrator, Giuseppe, embarks on a mission to explore happiness and encounters pagpag, a cheap and surprisingly popular dish among the slum dwellers of Tondo. The script delves into the daily life and struggles of pagpag collectors, the dangers of the slum, and the resilience of its inhabitants.

05:13

👶 The Reality of Life and Work in the Slums

This paragraph delves into the harsh realities of life in the slums, where children and adults alike sort through garbage for sustenance and income. It highlights the risks of consuming pagpag, the careful selection process to avoid spoiled food, and the potential hazards of the job, including encounters with drugs like Shabu. The narrator observes the living conditions, the communal efforts to survive, and the economic dynamics of selling pagpag, revealing the complex social fabric of the community.

10:16

👨‍👧‍👦 Family, Work, and Resilience in Poverty

The script presents an intimate look at the life of Toti, a slum resident who, despite the challenging circumstances, finds happiness in providing for his family through his work. It discusses the daily grind of collecting recyclables, the income derived from it, and the importance of education for Toti's children. The narrator visits Toti's home, gaining insight into the living conditions and the family's resilience, as well as their contentment with their modest lifestyle.

15:17

🏠 Life in Tondo: A Glimpse into the Community

The paragraph explores the living conditions in Tondo, from the makeshift homes built from trash to the communal aspects of life, such as the coin-operated WiFi center. It paints a picture of a community that, despite its poverty, finds ways to connect and maintain a semblance of normalcy. The script also touches on the role of children in supporting their families and the collective struggle to improve living conditions.

20:18

🍗 The Art of Pagpag: A Recipe for Survival

This section focuses on the process of making pagpag, from the initial collection and washing of discarded food to the final cooking that makes it palatable. It introduces Evelyn, known as the pagpag queen, who shares her recipe, which includes ingredients like soy sauce, MSG, and Sprite to enhance flavor. The script highlights the economic and social significance of pagpag, as well as the joy and pride Evelyn derives from her work.

25:23

🌍 A Global Perspective on Happiness and Scarcity

In the concluding paragraph, the narrator reflects on the broader implications of the pagpag story. It emphasizes the privilege of abundance in contrast to the reality of global hunger and malnutrition. The script celebrates the resilience and spirit of the people in Tondo, suggesting that happiness is a state of mind that can thrive even in the face of adversity. The narrator is inspired by the stories of individuals who find joy in simple pleasures and the strength to smile despite their circumstances.

Keywords

💡Pagpag

Pagpag refers to a dish in the Philippines made from discarded leftover food, typically from fast food restaurants. It is a significant part of the video's theme, illustrating the stark reality of poverty and resourcefulness in Manila's slums. The script describes pagpag as a re-cooked meal that is both 'delicious and inexpensive,' highlighting the irony of finding sustenance in what others consider waste.

💡Tondo

Tondo is identified as the largest slum in Manila and the birthplace of pagpag. It serves as the backdrop for the video, providing a real-world context for the discussion on happiness and survival amid poverty. The script mentions Tondo to emphasize the resilience of its inhabitants and their unique way of life, which includes the consumption of pagpag.

💡Scrap

In the context of the video, a 'scrap' refers to the leftovers or discarded food items that are collected and repurposed into pagpag. The term is integral to understanding the resourceful nature of the people in the slums, as they turn what is considered waste into a means of sustenance. The script describes the process of collecting scraps from garbage to make pagpag.

💡Shabu

Shabu is a drug mentioned in the script, which is a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine, prevalent in the slums of Manila. It is relevant to the video's theme as it represents the darker side of life in the slums, where addiction and aggression are part of the struggle for survival. The script warns about the dangers of Shabu, including its contribution to violence.

💡Rats and Cockroaches

The mention of rats and cockroaches in the script serves to emphasize the unsanitary conditions in the slums. These pests are depicted as part of the daily life and struggle, symbolizing the harsh environment in which the inhabitants of Tondo must find their happiness and means of survival.

💡Trash Collectors

Trash collectors are individuals who sort through garbage to find recyclables and food scraps, such as pagpag. They play a crucial role in the video's narrative by showcasing the ingenuity and determination of people in the face of poverty. The script describes their work as a necessary part of the community's survival and economy.

💡Happiness Project

The Happiness Project is the overarching mission of the video's protagonist, Giuseppe, who travels the world to explore the concept of happiness among diverse individuals. It is central to the video's theme, as it prompts a reflection on what constitutes happiness, especially in the context of the slums and the consumption of pagpag.

💡Poverty

Poverty is a recurrent theme in the video, depicted through the living conditions and struggles of the people in Tondo. It is the driving force behind the creation and consumption of pagpag, as well as the various challenges faced by the inhabitants. The script uses poverty to contrast the abundance of others and to highlight the resilience and spirit of the people.

💡Resourcefulness

Resourcefulness is a key concept in the video, exemplified by the way people in the slums turn discarded food into pagpag and recycle waste for income. It is a testament to the human spirit's ability to adapt and survive in the face of adversity. The script illustrates resourcefulness through the various ways people in Tondo make use of what others discard.

💡Dignity

Dignity is a central theme in the video, as it explores how people in the slums maintain self-respect and worth despite their circumstances. The script mentions dignity in the context of the work done by the trash collectors and the pagpag sellers, who, despite their jobs being looked down upon, take pride in their ability to provide for their families.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. In the video, resilience is demonstrated by the people of Tondo who, despite living in poverty, continue to find joy and purpose in life. The script highlights the resilience of individuals like Ryan, Toti, and Evelyn, who, through their work and attitudes, embody the spirit of overcoming adversity.

Highlights

Over one billion tons of unspoiled food is discarded annually, with Manila's pagpag being a striking example of repurposing this waste.

Pagpag, a dish in the slums of Manila, is made from leftover fast food, recooked and consumed by thousands due to its affordability and taste.

The process of collecting pagpag involves scavenging through garbage for discarded food remnants, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty.

Pagpag's popularity is rooted in its low cost and surprisingly pleasant taste, despite its origins from waste.

The slums of Manila are not only a place of poverty but also a hub for resilience and survival, with stories of people making ends meet.

The dangers of the slums, including drug addiction and crime, are juxtaposed with the community's efforts to survive and find happiness.

Ryan's role in sorting garbage to find food for pagpag illustrates the lengths people go to provide for their families in impoverished conditions.

The pagpag preparation process includes careful washing to ensure the food is safe for consumption, despite its initial state.

Economic necessity drives the consumption of pagpag, with families unable to afford fresh food relying on this recycled dish.

The pagpag queen, Evelyn, shares her recipe and fame, demonstrating how even in poverty, there can be a sense of pride and joy in one's work.

Evelyn's pagpag recipe includes unconventional ingredients like Sprite and MSG, reflecting the resourcefulness of the community.

The Happiness Project explores the concept of happiness in the face of adversity, challenging conventional notions of what constitutes a happy life.

The transcript reveals the importance of community and mutual support in the slums, where people help each other despite their own struggles.

The harsh living conditions, including the presence of rats and cockroaches, are part of the daily life for those living in the slums.

Toti's story of maintaining happiness and dignity despite working with garbage underscores the resilience of the human spirit.

The transcript emphasizes the value of every job, no matter how menial, in providing for families and contributing to the community.

The use of technology, such as coin-operated WiFi, in the slums shows the community's adaptability and desire to connect with the world.

The Happiness Project's visit to Tondo serves as a reminder of global issues like hunger and malnutrition, urging viewers to reflect on their own privilege.

Transcripts

Every year more than one billion tons of unspoiled food

is thrown into the trash.

This is an alarming figure, but here in Manila,

the capital of the Philippines,

there is a place where this food, which to us is garbage,

is re-cooked and becomes the staple food of thousands of people.

I'm talking about pagpag.

When we got here, it looked like the worst job

was scrounging around for discarded spoiled food.

but there are the people who reach inside the sewer

to try and collect what is left, the scraps of other peoples' leftovers.

It's 05:30 in the morning.

But now it's time for pagpag!

Because they eat it for breakfast.

I'll wash it.

Chicken, soy sauce, MSG, Sprite.

Yummy!

Delicious and inexpensive.

My name is Giuseppe and I have a mission:

to travel the world, to meet the most extraordinary people on the planet

and to ask them a simple question.

What is happiness to you?

Welcome to the Happiness Project.

So what exactly is pagpag?

Well, it's the traditional dish of Tondo,

which is the largest slum in Manila.

Everyone here goes crazy for it,

but I'm sure that none of you have ever tried it.

And do you know why?

Well, because it's garbage. That's right.

It's basically the leftover fried chicken from fast food chains

which people have thrown away,

scavengers collect it from the garbage,

and it's then rinsed and cooked once more.

I know it's hard to believe, but here in the slums of Manilla

this is everyone's favorite dish,

because it's cheap and apparently it tastes great.

Today our mission will be to follow the trucks that collect garbage bags

to find out where they end up and to hear the resilient stories of those who

survive day to day feeding off the scraps of the more fortunate.

Everything appears to be tranquil here,

but actually they are all telling us to be very careful,

especially in the dark alleys,

because so many people here are addicted to Shabu.

Let's move away a bit because they're working here.

They are addicted to Shabu, a drug that is very popular here,

in Asia and especially the Philippines,

and it's made by mixing meth and caffeine.

It keeps people awake but very aggressive.

And there have also been cases where

these people stab other people with the same syringes they use to inject.

So it is very dangerous.

Situations can get out of hand at a moment's notice,

but everything is under control now.

Everyone is very nice,

but we always have to keep our eyes peeled and be very careful.

I don't think it's a huge surprise that the slum is infested with rats and cockroaches.

They're everywhere, eating the remains

of the garbage that the pickers bring here.

Once you're inside Tondo,

it is not at all difficult to find the trash collectors,

they're in virtually every corner.

The first trucks are arriving in the slum.

Over there is Ryan, whom we just met.

And he's sorting these bags of miscellaneous trash.

There's a bit of everything.

He explains that there's some plastic,

some cans, but there is also food in there.

So Ryan's job right now is to separate the food

from all the other trash in these bags

and then that food will become the pagpag.

So now we're getting a look at how they do it.

They search with bare hands without problem

and they are looking for any food remnants.

Is this one good? Pagpag?

Yes, it's pagpag.

Dry chicken.

Can I see?

Okay, this is an example.

This piece of chicken will become pagpag

and it's simply a piece of fast food

that someone in the city ate and threw out the rest.

I don't think I will ever look at my leftovers the same way again.

Ryan, isn't it hard putting your hands in the garbage?

Sometimes it is exhausting, other times it is almost fun.

Especially when you find some money in the trash.

There is no other job that pays enough for me to cover my family's expenses.

This one here, which is actually new,

he won't eat it because it's gone bad.

It had an air bubble inside, the packet was swollen

and so they give it to the pigs.

As I said, they have to be careful as well

as to what they choose to eat,

because sometimes the wrong choice can be deadly.

Wow. Look at that.

It's full, full of food...

This is good, too. Good.

These are other pieces that are added to the pagpag.

It all gets mixed together.

Just put it here?

This bag is an exception, because it is full of new food.

New food that, as we said, surely must be expired, but...

January 11

Ah, the 11th. Yesterday.

Okay.

It is still good.

It's good.

Yes.

Dumplings.

Still good enough to eat.

It's been a long time since I've been at a loss for words

to describe something that I've seen in my travels,

but this is one of those moments.

It is complex. It is complex recounting to you what we're seeing,

the conditions under which these guys are working,

The pungent smell and injustice that...

that's in front of us.

And I'm almost ashamed to ask him if it doesn't gross him out

to put his hands inside these piles of garbage,

in this rotten food that he is touching right now.

I don't think it matters much when your one and only goal is to survive.

Some you give to the pigs.

In absence of abundance there is also always room for generosity:

he's finding snacks and giving them to the children.

Actually he could even sell them, but he's giving them to all the children.

Because in a community like this one, they all have needs,

so if you can help each other, you do it.

And we are seeing it right here, before our very eyes.

How much can you sell this for?

100 Pesos (about $1.80) per bucket.

For every bucket of Jollibee?

Yes.

Okay.

They sell it by the bucket, about the size of a Jollibee basket,

filling it with all of this, so not just with leftover chicken,

but with all the good food they find,

they sell it for 100 pesos, which amounts to almost 2 dollars.

Does touching anything in the garbage gross you out or are you ok with it?

Sometimes broken glass.

Broken glass.

Yes.

Have you ever found gold, money, rings?

Money.

Money, you've found money?

Yes.

How much?

203 dollars.

203 dollars!

Wow!

Is it good?

Delicious.

Yes?

It's not bad.

It's very good.

What is it? Jollibee?

Yes.

Can you tell if it's KFC or Jollibee?

Yes.

Have you ever felt sick eating this stuff from the garbage?

No no! It's healthy.

It's healthy. Very good.

This stuff doesn't make me sick because I'm tough.

Do you ever think about how the food you are eating is other people's waste?

Maybe it was in their mouths and you are eating their leftovers.

For me there is no problem. I'm going to eat it.

I'm not picky, and besides, I'm always hungry.

You want some?

Actually we don't eat it like that. We re-cook it and then we eat it.

We cook it in boiling water.

Have you ever had a real meal at Jollibee's, for example?

A meal freshly made for you?

No no, always from the garbage.

Always from the garbage.

Yes.

I've only ever eaten it from the garbage.

Are you ready?

Dinner time!

Would you like some?

When the sun goes down, the slum becomes a veritable open-air landfill,

where entire families sift through trash piles nonstop until sunrise.

It is continuous. All night long, they scavenge, they sort.

There are no working hours here.

These young boys and girls spend the whole night

sorting through all of this garbage.

To Fill this bag requires about 30 kilos of recycled plastic.

Do you know how much they sell it for?

2 euros.

In these situations there's always the poorest of the poor,

there's someone who has the worst of the worst jobs.

When we got here, it looked like the worst job to have

was scrounging around for discarded spoiled food.

There's someone who collects the plastic, divides it.

And then there are the people who reach inside the sewer

to try and collect what is left, the scraps of other peoples' leftovers.

I peel off the labels from mineral water bottles

then we will sell them by the kilo in the morning.

This is our livelihood, every day we do this.

Life is hard, we don't have other jobs, only this one.

We have no choice.

If this is the only work around, we simply have to endure.

This is our daily sustenance, you know.

My children go to school.

They are my family, all of them are my family.

There are four of us.

Life is hard here; we cannot afford not to work every day.

Otherwise we would have nothing to eat during the day

And plus, my family needs it, for my children's school tuition

so they can study.

It all comes from this.

But in the end, even here we manage to find happiness.

If you can scrape together 2 bucks, you have an honest job,

you can make your family happy.

You have something to feed them every day.

And you don't have to try every day to survive.

Without any of these certainties, your life is a sad one.

You know why? Hunger.

I assure you that an empty stomach hurts if you don't have a job.

And any work, even one like this, we endure and we appreciate,

because it allows us to live with dignity

and allows me to pay for my daughters' schooling and for my family,

along with my wife's work.

Toti's gaze is reminiscent of someone who has not been hardened by the trials of life.

And even in adversity he manages every day

to find a reason, albeit a small one, to be happy.

His story particularly resonates with me,

which is why I gladly accept the invitation to have tea at his house at the end of his shift.

Hi, how are you? Hey.

Hello!

Toti?

Ah, there he is. Found him.

Hello, may I?

Hello.

You good?

Oh, he also has a dog.

Hello.

Where do you sleep?

Upstairs.

Can I see?

Yes.

Oh, watch out!

Already bumped...

Ah, are they sleeping?

Ah, no, no, it's fine.

I don't want to bother.

How many kids do you have?

There is another one, so you have...

He is not my son.

He's not your son.

Okay, wow!

Okay.

I didn't want to bother them.

They are too kind.

But this... this is a typical traditional house here.

Tiny, it's absolutely tiny.

And you eat there?

Yes.

You eat there and cook there?

Yes.

It's a nice house. How many people live here?

Ah... Six.

Six?

Yeah.

We have been living in this house since 2004.

It is a simple life.

It is what it is.

Did you build this house or was it....

No, it is my own home.

But did you build it?

No.

You bought it?

Yes.

How much does a house like this cost?

2,000 pesos.

Two thousand?

Yes.

2000 pesos is 30 euros, it's impossible.

Is it comfy?

Yes, I am comfortable.

There's no bathroom.

But you can go to the common one outside.

Do you ever wish you had a house like in the city?

This house here is fine.

We're more comfortable here because it's close to work.

It's 05:30 in the morning and I'm this close to joining these guys

and sleeping in the middle of the road.

But now it's time for pagpag, because they eat it for breakfast.

Asking around, though, I discover that it's still too early,

so I take the opportunity to discover Tondo by day.

We are about to enter a traditional house,

meanwhile these boys are showering.

Hey, what's up?

Everyone here is very welcoming.

They gave us permission to go up and have a look around.

This is how they live in Tondo.

The most affluent in Tondo live right here inside this structure,

a former port warehouse where each family has somehow managed

to create a decent home for themselves with what they have found among the trash.

Never in my travels had I seen a cluster of houses, of shacks quite like this.

They are piled on top of each other,

and you get the feeling that they could fall at any moment.

In addition to that, you have to be careful of everything,

because there are spikes, cables, wires that can hurt you.

Although the children seem quite at ease, as they always are, even in the streets.

Let's go in and see what it's like.

This is the most curious thing of all.

Basically this here is a WiFi center, but it is coin-operated.

So people come here to connect to the Internet

and pay one peso for 6 minutes of Internet connection.

There are some people who are on social media, on Facebook.

Now I see that they are using the Internet with tokens.

It is extraordinary.

Okay.

This is the signal.

Yes.

Just wait.

Okay.

Okay?

One peso.

It didn't go in.

Okay, 29 minutes and 53 seconds.

Okay.

3 pesos.

We have found that the Internet here works by coin operation,

and I don't think there is an angel looking out for them

as they surf the Internet.

For us, though, the solution is very simple and very cheap: NordVPN.

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to try NordVPN and finally surf the Internet in total security.

But now sit tight, because I am going to tell you a truly incredible story.

What this child is doing, however, is truly impactful,

because he is not just collecting the plastic,

separating it from the label.

He is also collecting the water that was left inside these bottles

which will probably be used for drinking, cooking, or bathing.

So really, every little bit is important.

Everything that we normally throw away has a new life here.

If I were to ask you what happiness is to you,

what would you say?

For me it is being able to help my parents and family.

But what would really make me happiest is to become a policeman...

So I can catch thieves.

Are you happy that your son is helping you?

Yes.

Because I know he cares about it.

Do you think a person can possibly be happy in Tondo?

Here in Tondo people take it for granted that their lives cannot change.

But unless they do something to change it, nothing will ever happen.

It's up to them to improve their lives.

In the Tondo community there is no doubt:

pagpag is the best-selling street food.

Everyone eats it because it costs pennies, it's tasty, and it fills your stomach.

But among all the vendors there is one lady in particular

who has earned herself the name of pagpag queen.

Because hers is the best of all.

She agreed to show us

her secret pagpag recipe

that has made her so famous here.

Now I pour it.

Jollibee and McDonald's mixed.

Mixed.

It is a little bit dirty.

There are pieces of...

First, I will wash it.

Everything is washed.

Thank you.

After that we will wash it once more.

How many rinses?

Three.

So the process of making pagpag is: first of all, three washes with hot water,

so that Evelyn can remove all the parts, the plastic, the paper,

the garbage that remains stuck to food.

She does this three times, dumps the water.

You can still see the bite marks of the people who bought this.

There's a piece of hamburger.

Patty.

Is this worth more?

More?

Yes, more.

Finding an intact piece of hamburger is definitely a delicacy.

You see, in this rinse bowl there is a whole hamburger

but that will be mixed with everything else,

so you'll see it's all random.

If you're lucky you'll even get a hamburger.

The second step is frying the chicken that's just been washed.

Soy sauce.

Soy sauce.

Yes.

Okay.

What is it?

Sodium glutamate.

MSG.

Ah, MSG.

Glutamate to give it a much stronger flavor

and cover all those flavors that aren't so pleasant,

from being in the garbage.

Maybe not the healthiest, but I think that's the least of our worries in this recipe.

Sprite.

Sprite, yes.

Why Sprite? Is it good?

To enhance the flavors.

Yummy!

So you use chicken, soy sauce, MSG, and Sprite.

Sprite. Yummy.

Folks at home, write this down, this is a fantastic recipe

for using yesterday's leftover chicken.

Yummy.

I used to sell typical Filipino food like adobo,

But then I realized that my customers could not afford to buy real food,

and so one day they said to me:

"Evelyn, why don't you try cooking pagpag,

that really is our favorite dish."

And so I tried it, and then I became famous.

And now they're raving about my pagpag and if I'm not here,

they come looking for me and say:

"It's time to cook," and I get to working at the stove.

Everyone likes it, because it's clean. And delicious and tasty!

Evelyn, could you tell us your secret to being happy?

My secret to being happy... Simply cooking.

I just keep cooking for others.

When I am here I can't help but smile. I just keep smiling!

People say I have an easy smile. I guess am very cheerful while cooking

because I do this for my Filipino brothers and sisters,

because this is what they can afford.

It is within their budget and basically it is the Filipinos' favorite dish.

Delicious and inexpensive.

For a family of five you only need 50 pesos

to make sure everybody is fed.

A price like this allows one to feed himself.

Because people here are very impoverished

and this is what they can afford to eat.

Cooking makes me happy and gives me the opportunity to help those who have little.

I'm always smiling.

Even when there are problems, smile, so you don't grow old.

Is it good?

Good.

Yummy!

Yummy?

Uh...

I am really full.

I've tasted a lot of stuff in my life,

but I think I had better skip this one, guys.

It is not very safe actually.

Maybe their stomachs are nice and strong, but it is not so safe.

But I'm really glad that Evelyn here can make so many people happy with her pagpag.

But I'm not risking it this time.

Yummy!

Delicious.

The best.

Evelyn's infectious energy and smile almost make me forget

that I am in one of the poorest places on the planet.

But if there is one good thing that can come from pagpag,

it's to remind us, to remind us every time that we eat,

because the abundance we have is an immense privilege.

According to United Nations data,

more than 820 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger.

And in the Philippines, for example, the statistics are terrible.

Thirty percent of children under five suffer from malnutrition.

But even so, the stories of Evelyn, Ryan, Toti, Toti's family,

and of all the people that I met in Tondo

reminded me that happiness can flourish even in the most unthinkable places,

from the smallest everyday joys.

And perhaps in this simplicity lies a universal truth:

that happiness is not defined by one's external circumstances,

but from the human spirit that finds the strength to smile despite adversity.