Video: Is Ube Being Stolen from the Philippines?

Ube or purple yam is a quintessential part of being Filipino. This popular tuber is grown in different parts of the Philippines and has made headlines and appearances in mainstream media because of its subtle earthy taste. Ube renders its iconic deep violet hues unto almost anything: from breads, pastries, and other savory dishes that remind Filipinos of home no matter where they may be in the world.

Erwan Heussaff and the FEATR team wanted to learn more about how ube is being cultivated by the Aeta farmers in Pampanga and the third generation farmers of the Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) in search of answers to the problems that the ube industry is facing. Join us on this adventure as we taste the different varieties of freshly harvested ube straight from the source and listen to the stories of how it has touched the lives of households and restaurants around the globe.

Jump to: (0:00) Intro (1:28) Rize Up Bakery (3:38) La Kalidad (4:45) The Dilemma (6:33) Traditional Ube Halaya Maker Nanay Ipang (9:07) Where Does Ube Come From? (9:55) Finding Real Ube (11:15) Meeting the Aeta Farmers in Pampanga (18:04) Ube According to History and Science (19:50) Ube in Baguio City Markets (21:44) Taste Test (23:38) Conservation Practices (30:19) What Can We Do? (32:16) Ube in Bohol (39:42) Jojie's Bakeshop (41:09) Half Saints (43:31) The Conclusion/Outro

The team would like to thank everyone who made this documentary possible:

USA BAKERIES Azikiwee Anderson, Rize Up Bakery Angelica Nulud & Paul Faraon, La Kalidad Melody Lorenzo, Sweet Condesa

TRADITIONAL HALAYA MAKER Rose Marie Legaspi Felipa “Nanay Ipang” Legaspi

EXPERTS Ige Ramos - Food Historian, Writer & Artist Chef Jam Melchor - Founder, Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement Cynthia G. Kiswa - Director, Northern Philippines Research and Training Center (NPRCTRTC) Benguet State University Dr. Carolyn Mae Daquio - Former Regional Director & Training Center Superintendent, Agricultural Training Institute ATI-7 Gracia F. Arado - OIC Training Center Superintendent, Agricultural Training Institute ATI-7

AETA FARMER Aiza Lansang - Aeta Ube Farmer

BOHOL FARMER Esmeraldo Maligsa - President, Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) Celencio Maligsa - Vice President, Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA)

BOHOL SNACKS MAKER (JOJIE’S) Ella Adano - Jojie’s Bakeshop

HALF SAINTS Chef Joanna Arciaga - Half Saints

USA TEAM Chad Santo Tomas - Producer

BOHOL TEAM: EJ De Guzman - PM/Researcher Chester Impang - Director of Photography Mon Peter De Pedro - Camera Operator Riche Ceasar Balijon - Camera Operator Jesse Alfie Estaca - Camera Operator, Drone Operation Christian Paul Naparota - Gaffer

Special thanks to: Northern Philippines Research and Training Center (NPRCTRTC) Benguet State University Rose Anne Mananghaya-Aya of DOST-PCAARRD Operation Share-A-Blessing - Chef Christopher Gomez, Cheme Gomez Original Musical Score: Leo Saballe

We are looking for collaborators, content producers, brands, and anyone who has a story to tell. Email us at [email protected]

The Fat Kid Inside Studios

Erwan Heussaff - Founder Kashka Gaddi - Content Producer Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer Edel Cayetano - Story Producer Harold Singzon - Story Producer Kleo Balares - Editorial Producer Julius Rivera - Videographer Steven Sune - Editor Lorraine Santos - Editor Dana Blaze - Editor Ivan Christian Cocjin - Editor Martin Narisma - Food Editor Kathryna de Bustos - Content Manager Chester Velasco - Production Assistant Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant Dustin Dagamac - Colorist Sofia Paderes - Graphic Designer Kim Manuel - Graphic Designer Roanne Salvacion - Accountant Donalyn Aranda - Accounting Assistant Interns: Mary Lournette Baligod Patricia Beatrice Te Seng Hans Rivera Mary Zarrahmaiden Cabrera Alyssa Gwyneth King Christine Crisostomo

Social Media: http://www.instagram.com/featrmedia http://www.twitter.com/featrmedia http://www.facebook.com/featrmedia

http://www.instagram.com/erwan http://www.twitter.com/erwanheussaff