Michael Palin in the Philippines

Episode 1

Manila and the South China Sea

The actor and broadcaster embarks on an epic 2,500-mile journey across the Southeast Asian country, which consists of more than 7,600 islands. He begins in the capital Manila at a political protest march marking the 40th anniversary of the day when Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda were kicked out of power after 21 years of dictatorial rule and financial excess. Nearly 40 per cent of the country's urban population lives in poverty and Michael heads to Tondo, a tough slum-like neighbourhood, before he is invited to the Presidential palace to meet the latest President Marcos, who turns out to be a lifelong Monty Python fan.