WIA Episode 8 | MADRID: Rediscovering the Pinoy’s Spanish Roots

Join me on an extraordinary journey to a country with deep influence on our history, culture, and taste. I am your Woman in Action, Gretchen Ho, Welcome to Spain! Hidden treasures of La Union. "There’s a cable, watch out!" "Black hawk helicopter..." They want to introduce another face of Jolo. "We are at the center of the Bible story right here in the old city of Jerusalem." “You can’t traverse this going downwards. It looks like the camels need more training.” [Theme song playing] From the Phil

ippines, we are heading to Spain. Spain is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. In 2022, more than 30 million tourists visited here. The beautiful beaches, pleasant climate, delicious food... Here we are. And the chill lifestyle… are not the only reasons why tourists keep coming back to Spain, but also because of its historical vibes Here in Puerta del Sol is where you'll find the heart of Spain. So from here at kilometer zero, in front of City Hall, they measure the distances from

various parts of Spain – whether it's Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, or anywhere else. This is similar to our Luneta (Rizal Park). However, we journey here not just as tourists. In celebration of the 125th anniversary of our independence, we are here to discover and further understand our connection with the country that colonized us for over 300 years. Where has history taken the relationship between Spain and the Philippines in modern times? So, let's go! Good morning, Madrid! The adventure beg

ins here in the largest city and capital of Spain Madrid. Back in the 9th century, Muslims established the town of Madrid. However, after two centuries, it was conquered by Christians until Madrid became part of the then burgeoning Spanish empire. In the year 1561, it became the center of the Spanish kingdom under King Philip II the King from whom the Philippines derived its name. We are currently here in the heart of Plaza Mayor, the center of most activities here in Madrid, Spain. Since the 15

th century, significant events have been taking place here, such as coronations, bullfights, and even beheadings. AS you can see here on my right, that's the statue of King Philip III because its construction began during his time. And behind me, where the flags are, that's where the announcements of the former king used to take place. This area remains the center of activity here in Madrid. Surrounded by restaurants, hangout spots, and recreational areas, this place has become a favorite destin

ation. During the olden times, the "Ilustrados" also frequented this area, so it's highly likely that Dr. Jose Rizal also visited here. Plaza Mayor is surrounded with numerous eateries. One of them is this restaurant, known for its specialty: a sandwich filled with calamares or squid. Since we're here in Spain, let me try if what I learned in my college Spanish class works. Let me see. Excuse me! Good morning! The menu, please. Right? Very good." Coffee? Latte. Yes, yes, yes. Thank you very much

. See? I survived! I hope I got the order right. While waiting for my order to arrive, let's take a quick rewind. How did we end up here? There are no direct flights from Manila to Madrid, so we had to take connecting flights. Usually, the travel time is around 20 hours, especially with a short layover at the connecting airport. But because of our travel hack, also known as “cost-cutting”, our journey lasted for nearly 28 hours. From Manila, we first landed in Singapore. We had a five-hour layov

er at Changi Airport. We'll be boarding Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi. I think the flight is around seven hours. And from Singapore, we flew to the United Arab Emirates. We waited for more than three hours at Abu Dhabi Airport, and finally, we had an almost eight-hour journey from Abu Dhabi to Madrid. After 18 hours of flying and 12 hours worth of layovers, we're finally here in Madrid, Spain. Welcome! So, if you're planning to visit Europe, allocate at least a whole day or more for your flights t

o and from your destination. For Filipinos, a Schengen Visa is required to enter the EU or European Union. The EU consists of 27 countries, including Spain. Here is your Calamares Calamares? Wow! Their calamares here is unique Filipinos are used to having calamares as "pika-pika" or skewered on a stick. But here in Spain, they utilize it as a sandwich filling. Is this for breakfast? I didn’t know it can be used that way The calamares filling isn't fishy. It pairs well with the bread. This combo

is actually good As part of the EU, Spain uses the euro as its currency. Excuse me! The bill, please. Bill, right? That's how we say it in Filipino. How much is it? Ten fifty. 10.50. Ah, 10.50. Make it free? What? Okay? No, no. Nothing is free here. Just like other countries in the Northern Hemisphere, Spain also experiences four seasons Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring. We arrived during Spring, and they say it's the best time to visit Spain. The days are longer and it's warmer compared to Wi

nter. But of course, being Filipinos used to hot weather, it still feels cold for us. The weather is lovely. Just right. Earlier, it was 3 degrees Celsius. Now it's 15 degrees Celsius. It's bearable. I have a jacket and coat. I think I kind of blend in. We are currently in Calle Gran Via, or the Great Way, which serves as the New York Times Square here in Madrid. As you can observe, it is surrounded by shopping centers, hotels, and various theaters. That's why it is also known as the Spanish Bro

adway. But what's truly fascinating here is not only the flow of people from different parts of the world. If you look at the buildings, they have maintained the same design that dates back to the 19th century. Can you believe that Cines Callao and the Capitol are both over 100 years old? Even though it has become a center of commerce and modernization, the Spanish people have managed to preserve their historical monuments and buildings. In fact, it is enshrined in their laws to protect and m

aintain these heritage sites. This is the Palacio Real de Madrid, one of the largest palaces here in Europe. It's twice the size of Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family used to reside here, but now it only serves as a venue for important events like state ceremonies. The power of the Royal Family isn't as extensive nowadays since they have a President. But there was a time when Spain was considered one of the most powerful countries in the world, especially when it still had its colonies like Cu

ba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. However, when the United States took control of these countries, the empire eventually ended. These monuments bear witness to Spain's significant contributions to our civilization and their appreciation for their rich history as evident in their preserved buildings. It's hard not to feel a sense of regret if we only placed more value on our past, we could have also preserved all the legacies of our history to ensure that we don't forget them. We've already

walked the entire Grand Via, and at its end, you'll find Plaza de España. Can you believe it's already 7 o'clock in the evening? It's nighttime, but there's still sunlight. While walking in Plaza de España, I met some young Filipinos who are auxiliares de conversación or language teachers here in Spain. Teaching English here in Spain... What brought you here though? Why did you choose to do that profession? The program was offered at Ateneo. Same, same. The program was offered at Ateneo. How

long will you stay? What's the offer exactly? Will you become residents? No. No. No. It's a 9-month contract, yeah. And then? Then you'll teach. And it's the adventure of your lives? Yeah. Wow! Spain has accepted auxiliaries. Auxiliaries are supposed to be Filipinos that come here. They're teaching the Spaniards to speak English. For me, that was a big asset for me. There are about 450, 500 of them right now here, which has helped also the embassy our ambassadors that go around. Can you believe

that Filipinos are now the one’s teaching the English language to the Spanish people? Joaquin? Hey Gretchen, Hello!" Joaquin! Joaquin! Oh my God hello! Welcome to Madrid! Hello, hello! Hello, hello! How are you? How are you? Very well! How are you? I'm good! You're improving your Spanish! We've also met Joaquín de Jesus, who is also an auxiliares [English Teacher]. But we're not here to get English lessons from Joaquin. Instead, he will accompany us to revisit the life of our national hero, Dr.

José Rizal, here in Madrid. We will start here at Hotel Ingles, Gretchen, because this is the place where Dr. Jose Rizal gave a speech celebrating the Filipino genius through the triumph of, as you can see on this plaque, Juan Luna and Felix Resurrección Hidalgo. These were the first Filipinos who actually articulated their demands, their dreams, and their aspirations for the Philippines to be recognized as equals to the Spanish. When Rizal arrived in Madrid, he saw the two faces of Spain the li

beral Spaniards in Europe and the abusive Castilians in the Philippines. Rizal and the Ilustrados aimed to have the Philippines recognized as a province of Spain and for Filipinos to be granted equal rights as its citizens. This is a sign also of how Spain recognized the contributions of our heroes, these people, to their own long, long colorful history So now, Gretchen, we are here at Viva Madrid, one of the oldest taverns and bars here in Madrid. Jose Rizal and other Filipinos used to freque

nt here. Let me try to translate. Sure, go ahead! En este lugar,” “Here in this place” “El Hero Nacional.” “National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, reunited with the compatriots, “Reunia con sus compatriotas para la elaboracion, para” to discuss ” “de su actividad” “activities” “conjunta en favor” “about reforms, liberties for Filipinos” “Las reformas libertarias para Filipinas” Very good, very good. Rizal was an immigrant. They feel lonely, they feel... they miss their families, their friends, from wher

e they came from, they would seek pleasure or entertainment.. companions Companionship. I'm sure they look around for people... They meet... women and also women, right? Inside Viva Madrid, you can see Rizal's alleged favorite spot. I'll take a seat as well, and who knows, maybe I'll be inspired by his brilliance. Right here is where he used to hang out... This very corner. Dr. Jose Rizal. Cheers! We should not forget that Rizal was a scholar, right? And he had a purpose when he went to Madrid,

when he went to Europe. We're now approaching Ateneo de Madrid. Whoa! "As in Ateneo, Ateneo, Ateneo University [like the one in Manila, Philippines]. No. No. No, that isn’t the case. Is this a Spain-branch of Ateneo? [a Philippine university] No no. [Both laughing]. Ateneo is the Spanish word for ateneum. Ateneum is Latin for a place where people gather to exchange their thoughts and ideas. Most of the major figures in the political, cultural, and intellectual life of Spain were members of the A

teneo de Madrid. You can put that in the context of Rizal, our national hero, who really made an effort to be a part of these types of clubs. It was the leading intellectual socio-cultural club of Spain. To promote us Filipinos— that we can be in those circles. Exactly. Rizal was only 21 years old when his brother Paciano sent him to Spain to study medicine at the Universidad de Madrid. Every month, his brother would send him an allowance of around 50 pesos. And for a medical student studying ab

road, this amount was definitely insufficient. Now, we are here at Calle Amor de Dios, number 13 to 15. In one of these flats, this was the first place where Rizal lived here in Madrid. Now there's one thing that you must remember that when Rizal stayed in Spain, he didn't just live here. He didn't only reside here [in this street]. He almost lived in nine places, you know? The main reason why Rizal kept moving from one place to another was that he was trying to save money. But Rizal's frugality

wasn't just about rent expenses; it was because he wanted to immerse himself in the culture. Wherever he went, Rizal would immerse himself in the culture. So, he was spending for this. He was spending because he became a member of various clubs, [particularly] social civic clubs, and he would attend conferences. Of course, there were expenses for transportation, etcetera. One of the reasons why he only lived in this area, in this particular neighborhood, is because it's close to the university

. So Gretch, do you still remember La Solidaridad? The newspaper publication of Jose Rizal [and the Ilustrados]. Yes, Yes, of Rizal and the Ilustrados. Their office was here in Madrid. Rizal's most famous, most important contribution to La Solidaridad was this essay called 'La Indolencia de los Filipinos' The Indolence of the Filipinos. Wherein Rizal tried to disprove this common misconception that the reason why the Philippines is backward is because they say Filipinos are lazy. Rizal stated in

that essay that it's not true, Filipinos are not lazy; Prioritizing education for Filipinos was really important. Rizal cites above all, true freedom, there should be access to quality education. If we have España Boulevard in Manila, here in Madrid, there's Avenida de Islas de Filipinas. In one part of it, you can find a replica of Rizal's monument in Luneta. This one's to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the revolution and at the same time the centennial of the Philippines in 1998. Here,

you have the perfect, perfect representation of the friendship between Spain and the Philippines. Despite Spain being our colonizer, we also have many connections with them. They still see that connection with Rizal. There's a Rizal Park in Spain. They also hold him in high esteem, even among the Spanish people back then. It's like he's also part of the Spanish legacy. He's part of Spanish history. If other countries value the stories of our heroes, who are we not to value the stories of our own

heroes? Each one of us, first and foremost, has the spirit of Rizal in us. The challenge for us is to bring that out. We need to be ambitious. We need to dream big, both for ourselves and our country. And that's exactly what Rizal fought for that Filipinos push themselves to excel. Rizal's life in Madrid showed that he was not a superhero with superpowers. He proved that age, poverty, and social status are not barriers, to fight for and love our country. And if Rizal could do it, we can do it t

oo. So that's how the procession is here in Spain. It's Holy Week now, and I finally witnessed where our customs, the processions we're accustomed to during Semana Santa, originated. They cover the faces of the participants in the procession with pointed masks called kapirote to better focus their attention on God. This is a symbol of their humility and penitence. But if you notice, it's mostly tourists. For us, it holds religious significance, but here, this kind of procession is part of their

culture." Compared to our neighbors in Asia, Catholicism is the predominant religion in the Philippines. This is perhaps the most significant influence of the Spanish on us. Filipinos are creative. So what they did was they embraced certain aspects of the culture from Spain. Look at our worship practices, the colorful festivals throughout the Philippines. They all have a Spanish element, but you can also see this is the dance of our Filipino ancestors during worship and war. It became more colo

rful. In a way, the blending of Spanish and Filipino culture during that time gave our culture a more vibrant dimension. Many of the influences from the Spanish legacy that we have embraced can also be found in our cuisine. One of them is bread, or "tinapay" in Filipino. La Mallorquina is one of the oldest bakeries here in Spain. It may look modern now, but if you look closely, it dates back to 1894. We were not yet independent as a nation that time. And did you know, our favorite Ensaymada act

ually originated from Mallorca, Spain. Because I'm hungry, let's give it a taste. Did you know that even before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, we were already using the word "tinapay"? It was the ancient term we used for various kinds of rice cakes back then. The Spaniards adopted this word to not only introduce the concept of bread but also to represent Christ. How are you going to tell Islander residents about bread? They went back to the dictionary or the word list of Pigafe

tta and they came across the word 'tinapay,' and maybe the 'tinapay' then was really that circle. Because then they used 'tinapay' to mean Ostia. And so they started talking about Christ as the 'tinapay ng buhay. Bread became one of the avenues for the Spanish to spread Christianity in the country. This includes our favorite Ensaymada, which is one of the earliest bread invented in Europe. Una Ensaimada, por favor. [One Enaimada, please] My favorite is Ensaymada What's interesting here is that

if you look at their ensaymada, during its early days here, it didn't have cheese! It's sweet and delicious, right? Very tasty. The way it's baked, even without the cheese, you still feel like it's complete. What do we Filipinos do to transform a Mallorcan Ensaimada into a brilliant Filipino, different kinds of Ensaymada? Look what we did. We changed the kind of bread in some cases. And we added cheese on top. We made it our own. It's not Spanish anymore. It's Filipino. Marco! How are you? I'm

okay. How was the journey? It was tiring. Of course, we needed a navigator for our trip here to Spain. So, I brought my friend and former cameraman from PruRide London, Marco Pajo. He came all the way from London to be here in Spain because he is originally from here, right? You're a Spanish citizen? Yes. So, this is what you'll be using for your trip in Madrid, for any stops. Can I use this for all the trains? Yes, you can use it for all the lines. Only for trains? Trains. Trains and buses. B

uses included. Ah, that's great. When it comes to length and breadth, the Madrid metro ranks second among all the metro and subway rail systems in Europe. Even though it was opened to the public back in 1919, it remains modern and reliable for the Madrileños. Currently, the Madrid metro has fifteen lines and over three hundred stations throughout the city. What's great about the metro here is that it's clean, on time, and there are excellent connections between the lines. There are so many tra

ins running every minute, maybe every two minutes. Did you notice that? I hope we can adopt this kind of convenience. System. Where everything is accessible by train. Every journey is fast and on time, which is why we easily reached another attraction in Madrid, the Parque del Retiro. Despite the city's advancement, they ensure there are still plenty of green and open spaces like this, where Madrileños can stroll, have a siesta, and bond. Amidst the fast-paced life in Madrid, the 140-hectare

Parque de Retiro provides a place for rest. Its land area is equivalent to over 3,000 basketball courts. It used to be an exclusive retreat area or resting place for the royal family. In fact, mock navy battles were held in this square during the time of the monarchy. Now, it is open to the public, and millions of Madrileños can enjoy and benefit from its beauty. Did you know that Spain is the 4th country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Among them is the Parque del Retiro in Madrid.

And we Filipinos have a connection to the rich history of this park. In the middle of the park, you can find the Crystal Palace. It was built in 1887 to showcase the colony of Spain, the Philippines, to Europeans. But it wasn't just products and animals from the Philippines that were displayed here. It became like a Human Zoo when 43 indigenous Igorot people from the Philippines were included in the display. The walls are made of glass and transparent, and when you look inside, it appears empty

, as if the artist wanted to portray a ghost from that historical era. But they were actually Filipinos being displayed here, and some of them died due to the cold weather in Spain. I am pleased that, in some way, there is recognition of the wrongdoing that happened in that dark chapter of history, and a desire to correct the mistakes of that time. We may have bitter experiences in Spain symbolized by the Crystal Palace, but instead of dwelling on them, let's engage in the necessary conversati

ons to understand each other and prevent such events from happening again. While exploring the park, I see a familiar face. Hi! Hello. Oh my God! I'm a huge fan. Hello. Burst into a song! How have you been? As a 90's baby and OPM music fan, I know Kitchie Nadal's songs by heart, [singing] Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin (Kitchie Nadal’s hit song) That's Kitchie Nadal's hit song, plus this one called "Bulong"! [Kitchie Nadal and Grtechen singing] I couldn't forget those afternoons, just watching her m

usic videos. I just found out now that Kitchie is actually living here in Madrid. She got married to Spanish journalist Carlos Lopez in 2015 and they were blessed with a child in 2017. In 2021, amidst the pandemic, she decided to settle here in Madrid. Why did you decide to stay here in Spain? Because my husband is Spanish. And when we had our child, we thought it would be perfect for me to take care of my child and my family here. So, love was the reason. [Laughs.] Well, sort of. Wait, how did

you meet your husband? We were both volunteers during the time of Typhoon Yolanda. Why did I like him? I think because Spanish culture is somewhat similar to Filipino culture close-knit families, close to friends, and the food. How's life here for you? I mean, don't you miss the Philippines? Don't you miss all those gigs, being well-known there, and having so many opportunities? But you left all of that. I think the only reason why I don't miss it that much is because I have family here now,

so being a mom, I need to focus on that. That's probably why I don't miss the Philippines too much because there are also many Filipinos here, and they're kind. Approximately 300,000 Filipinos are currently in Spain. Most of them are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), but many Filipinos, like Kitchie, have chosen to migrate to Spain. What is a day in the life of Kitchie Nadal? Very simple. That's what I can really say. Very simple. The quality of life here is good because of the public health sy

stem, and the safety, their nature. Because of the public health system? it's all free? Yes. Really? Yeah. That sounds wonderful. How was the transition from being a musician to a mom? That was the most challenging for me because it's a physical, emotional, and mental challenge. But it also helps you grow, so it's worth it. I was surprised because when I went back to the Philippines, it's like I came alive again. The fire for….. OPM (Original Pilipino Music) Yes, OPM was reignited. I was encour

aged to start writing songs again. Even though she found a new home in Spain, Kitchie continues to serenade her fans in this new chapter of her life. [Kitchie singing in Spanish] Isn't it amazing? The Filipino talent is truly world-class. The influence of the Spanish on our cuisine is significant, and some of these dishes have been enjoyed for centuries. In Madrid, you can find the restaurant that holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. Buen

os dias! You can really feel the history in this place. I can just imagine all the important people in the world who have dined here from 1725 up to 2023. I'm glad I got to experience it while it's still open. But now, we're going to meet someone who played a key role in the success of Restaurante Botin. Hello, Chef! How are you, ma'am? Welcome! Filipino, Tagalog. We don't need to speak Spanish now because Chef Roel Alim understands us. He has been in the kitchen of Restaurante Botin for 23 y

ears. Can I see how you cook and what the secret of this restaurant is? Let's go to where we cook the cochinillo. Wow! This oven is 300 years old. This oven? Yes. In 1725, the Frenchman Jean Botin established Restaurante Sobrino de Botín on Calle de los Cuchilleros in Madrid. Cochinillo is their specialty. We also know it as Lechon de Leche. "Leche" means milk in Spanish. The pigs used for cooking cochinillo are only 21 days old and still suckling from their mother pig. The cochinillo must be

fatty. When it isn’t, it is hard to make the dish crispy. For example this pig is fatty, and so it is easy to make crispy. That’s how you’ll know a cochinillo is good And it's indeed something to be proud of that one of the selected master chefs or "ornero" for cochinillo here is a Filipino. Were you also a chef in the Philippines before? No. You learned it here? Yes." Impressive! The owner asked me, 'Do you want to work here?' I said, 'Sure, I'll give it a try.' How many of you handle the coch

inillo? There are three of us. Because we always need someone on duty in case someone has a day off or if there's someone on vacation And you handle the specialty! Amazing! It's so impressive and makes me proud. So, what's the secret of this 300-year-old recipe? The cooking process starts like this. We make cuts in the middle. Then, we sprinkle it with salt. They call it 'pimenton,' which is dried chili crushed into powder. But it's not spicy. We mix onions, garlic, and parsley. Olive oil for t

he cochinillo. Next is the white wine with estragon (tarragon). It adds a fragrant aroma. Let's add some water so it won't stick, ma'am. Now we'll put it inside for about 1 hour. After taking it out, this is what happens… there you go. We'll put it back in for another 45 minutes. Ah, the other side now. It's getting crispy. It's almost done. This is the finished product. There you have it. It still needs about 15 more minutes and we put it back and serve it again once a customer orders In the

17th century, roasted suckling pig or cochinillo became popular in Spain due to its crispy skin and the method of cooking it, where the whole suckling pig is roasted in an oven or horno. This cooking technique was introduced by the Spaniards to their colonies, including the Philippines. However, even before the arrival of the Spanish in the Philippines, the ancient Filipinos were already grilling and eating pigs. Instead of roasting a whole pig, they would divide and cook it. We have no oven.

The oven or horno was introduced from Spain. Being Spanish means being Roman Catholic. They celebrate it by eating pork. It's a religious statement. And at the center of their tables, even in Intramuros, that is documented. The little lechonillo. That's why it became a tradition that during fiestas, there should be a pig ready to highlight their Catholicism. However, in the Filipino context, instead of using suckling pigs, we used larger pigs for cooking. We didn't want to sacrifice a small pi

g... It's a matter of economics, you know? Because then it would feed the entire community. Eventually, this dish came to be known as lechon. And the use of bamboo as a skewer for the whole pig was seen as an easier way of roasting, as bamboo naturally grows in the Philippines. According to Chef Roel, there were initially no Filipino chefs at Botin. However, due to their hard work, dedication, and skill, the cooking of Botin's specialty was entrusted to Filipinos. Are there many Filipinos here

in the kitchen or just you? I am here, and there are two more inside. So there are three Filipino chefs currently working at Restaurante Botin. What is the secret of this restaurant that allowed it to endure as the oldest restaurant in the world? The old style of cooking, the way we do it. On the other side, there's charcoal, we call it charcoal mineral. It's not just any charcoal. It's dug up and mined. Really? So is that what makes the food here delicious, in your opinion? Yes. Originally fr

om Pampanga, they, along with their parents, were brought to Madrid to work as domestic helpers for the owners of Restaurante Botin. He started as a dishwasher and waiter at Botin before becoming a chef. Chef Celso, who hails from Ilocos, had a similar journey. This is our cooking area, and we use carbon, which we call carbon mineral. It's a mineral. He has been here in Spain for 34 years and has become one of the chefs at Botin. He handles main courses and appetizers. Chef Celso says it's an a

dvantage that because of Spain's influence on our cuisine, we are somewhat familiar with their taste. Mostly at the cocina or restaurants, I'm sure you have gone to restaurants around here. I guarantee you, no other nationality can replicate the unique taste. The underground dining area of Botin is even older than the restaurant itself. It was built in 1518 and originally served as an inn or lodging house. And under this area, there is a wine cellar that existed even before Magellan's journey

to the Philippines. What you see now is the oldest part of Restaurante Botin, located underground of the underground. This is the wine cellar featuring 17th-century wines. But would you believe that in the past, it served as a hiding place for the Spanish during wars even before World War I? It's like my voice has an echo. Hello, hello For nearly 300 years, many VIPs have dined at Botin. It is likely that Rizal and the Ilustrados also dined here in the past. Aside from being the earliest restau

rant in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records, founded in 1725, did you know that in this corner, the writer Ernest Hemingway used to sit? And it was here that he wrote his novel 'The Sun Also Rises.' In fact, the main hero and character of that book praised the cochinillo of Restaurante Botin. Now, this is Chef Roel's roasted cochinillo." Wow, can you hear that? That sound, that's it! It's perfectly cooked! If you notice, it's not greasy, it's like water. Mmm! Tastes like 1725.

So flavorful. It's delicious! Mmm! Mmm! It's so delicious! Time check! It's 12:49 already. As you can see, the line outside Botin is already long because it opens at 1 pm. We're lucky that we got in ahead of everybody else, but the restaurant is open from 1 pm to 4 pm. They change customers every hour because it's in such high demand and everyone wants to eat here. After that, they have a short break and then they open again from 7 pm to 11:30 pm in the evening. Hi! Hello! How many days have

you been here? Second day in Madrid. We came from Barcelona. How did you reserve and hear about this place? Our tour guide. Ah, okay. Okay, the Cochinillo is so delicious. Enjoy! Let's go! On to our next destination. When you're in Madrid, be prepared to do a lot of walking because everything is just a stone's throw away. Every corner, you can visit. You'll definitely get tired, but the good thing is, you won't run out of places to eat. Just like the one behind me, Mercado de San Miguel. This is

the oldest food market in Madrid. And because I'm hungry from all the walking, we have a fellow Filipino here in Madrid who will help us choose what to eat because I heard that all the best Spanish food is inside. So, to be smart about it, we have Susie with us. Hello! Hello, Susie! Hello! How many years have you been here? Eight years. Eight years! Yes. Suzie is working... Yes, as a waitress. So, you're an expert on food. Uhmmm... kinda. But you love finding budget-friendly options? Yes, of c

ourse. Okay, can you help me find some tapas? I know that's famous here. Sure, let's do it. Tapas are the signature appetizers of the Spanish. They're different from the tapa we're familiar with, which is dried beef. Tapas are served in small portions and are often paired with drinks. Why do the Spanish like small portions? They like it because when they're drinking, they prefer to have... ...a little bit at a time? Yes, they eat little by little so they can try many different dishes. That's wh

y they created these small tapas. This one is delicious, the anchovies. Yes, it looks like a favorite of mine too, like bottled tuyo (dried fish). Is this Susie's favorite? Yes, it's my favorite. Of course, the anchovies are salty as expected. But the kick of pepper underneath balances that. It's very flavorful. Maybe it's right that it's not served in large portions because the taste is so powerful even in a small serving. But it seems like the serving size is bigger here in Spain. In the Phil

ippines, tapas are really tiny. Yes. It's delicious, isn't it? Now, this is salmon. It's raw, right? This one is not too salty. I like this one better. From being a waitress, Susie and her partner Ruben now own three bars in Madrid, including their Freedom Karaoke Bar. When I arrived here, Ruben already had a restaurant. It's a mix of Filipino and Spanish customers. That's where I started, where I learned, where I learned to speak Spanish. So Ruben and I decided to open a Karaoke Bar in an area

where there are many Filipinos. It became a hit because Filipinos, you know, when they hold the mic, they really love to sing their hearts out. During our visit to Freedom Bar, they were hosting a Hamon Night, and in the midst of the celebration was the first-ever Pinoy Maestro-Cortador, Michael Lopez. This wasn't the first time I met Maestro Lopez. We previously crossed paths when he visited the Philippines as a guest chef at a restaurant in Makati. So this is the best ham in the world. Okay

, so this is the 100% pure Iberico. Okay, so the Iberico is the breed of the pig. It's 100% because it came from the same father and the same mother, so there's no crossing of breed. Okay, so pure. The Iberian hams of Spain come from premium-quality pigs raised exclusively in the Extremadura region. These pigs are primarily fed with acorns, which greatly influence the taste and texture of their meat. How did Iberian ham influence your life? During that time, when I was looking for a job and now

that I've reached the restaurant Cinco Jotas, I thought I would start as a waiter. From being a waiter, Michael was given the opportunity to learn to become a cortador or ham slicer for Spanish hamon. It was in the year 2000... I started at a restaurant that served Iberian ham. I didn't know they would train me to slice and carve the hamon, to present it. Based on that experience, until now, I'm known as the Filipino maestro cortador. The price of Iberian ham can reach up to 200 euros or 12,00

0 pesos per kilo. The meticulous process of making this ham is the reason for its high price. This ham is not cooked. It is preserved by wrapping it with salt from the Atlantic Ocean. Then, it is air-dried for three to five years. This is the ham knife. It's long because you have to use the knife from here to here. Okay. The swing of the elbow is very important. It's like you're playing the violin. Because you start slicing when you're pulling, not when you're pushing. When I put the knife here,

I have to lift the upper part, like 10 degrees. And then to get that paper-thin slice of the jamon... As thin as that? Almost paper thin. Almost transparent. You must see the light at the back of the slice. It has the same property as olive oil. So that is why it also prevents heart disease. So all the oil you see here... all of those oils, it's good. Pork that's good for the heart? "Yes. If lechon is the star of our fiestas and gatherings, hamon is the equivalent for the Spanish. The Spanish

love for ham has also been passed down to us Filipinos. But over time, we have developed our own version of it. This love of ham that the Spanish have and the love of ham that the Chinese community here have and the love of ham that we, Filipinos, came to also acquire. And this was teaching us to make them locally. So then, we started making ham locally, Chinese style, European style. So to prove that you sliced it thin [enough]. If it's thick, it will fall. If you cut it too thick, it will be

heavy, right? So, there's a tendency for it to fall. So, even if I turn it around, it won't fall. Wow! Delicious. So normally, it's sweet and salty at the same time. It's really delicious. And although you already ate it, it still lingers in your mouth so you keep on eating it. There are some hams that don't have much flavor. But this one, you can really taste its richness and saltiness. Because it was wrapped in sea salt from the Atlantic. Melts in your mouth. It's not too fatty either, right

? No. It doesn't get overwhelming. And I feel like when you're in a good conversation, you can keep eating it. You just keep eating, and you don't even notice. The slicing of ham is truly considered an art form by the Spanish, so it's really something to be proud of that there are Filipino maestros in this field. Has anyone else [Filipino-wise] followed your footsteps? Yes, my brother Mark followed in my footsteps. He's now in the Philippines, and we are supporting our customers there. I also k

now two other Filipinos who have become maestro cortadors, and I've been able to work with them. When they see a Filipino maestro cortador slicing or carving the hamon... We have the best chefs. Who's the best chef in Spain? It’s Filipinos! Definitely Pinoy. Yes You must be really proud. "Professional. Maestro. Cortador. Filipino. One of my favorite things to do when I'm in another country is to explore the small streets while jogging. This way, I get to see and observe a lot of things and dis

cover surprises along the way. And here in Spain, one of the beautiful surprises I found is the success of Filipinos in various fields. Who's the best chef in Spain? It’s Filipinos. Amazing! It gives me so much pride. It's phenomenal! Indeed, we share many similarities with Spain, from culture to cuisine. Mmm! It's delicious! And as time goes by, we are no longer seen as a colony "Cheers!" But as equals and partners in progress. Did you feel short on time? Stay tuned! Join us again in the next

episode, only here on Woman in Action. How much did you win back then? Is that a secret? 15 million! My question is, why hasn't this church been completed yet? Not only can you live, work, and study in Spain, but you can also travel in the 27 EU countries. This is what they call the Golden Visa. Welcome to Barcelona!