Michael Palin in the Philippines

Oct 5, 2026

Michael continues his adventure on the island of Palawan, where he explores the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, but discovers the environment is under serious threat from a huge nickel mine suspected of poisoning the area. He then flies to Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines, and visits its detention and rehabilitation centre, a large prison where he witnesses the dazzling, if bizarre, synchronised disco dance routine performed by hundreds of smiling inmates.

Oct 12, 2026

Michael begins the final leg of his journey on the southern island of Mindanao, which is on the UK Foreign Office do not travel list due to the risk of Islamic terrorism. After tasting mangosteen and the notoriously putrid-smelling durian fruit, he arrives in Marawi, which was destroyed in a battle between jihadists and the military. He explores the bomb-damaged city and meets Queenie Pacalundo-Mamacotamo, who has returned to live in her damaged house, despite her entire street being destroyed.