> For the record, I am not dissing their food. It is an absolutely unique food culture but it will never lend itself well to be served in a restaurant.

I think "never" is an ignorant thing to say here.

There's a new generation of filipino chefs who are working to change the food itself, as well as its perception in the states. Lasita in LA, bad saint in DC come to mind. The fact that we're talking about filipino food at all, when it wasn't on any gourmand's radar in the aughts, shows that it has changed and (probably) will continue to change.