Filipina chefs share advice, break stereotypes, and champion women's place in the culinary industry

By Jessica Pag-iwayan

Published Mar 7, 2026 09:42 am

This 2026 marks the 115th year of observing International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s achievements and their continuing fight for equality. More than a century since the movement began, women across industries continue to break barriers, using their voices and influence to pave the way for the next generation and ensure that more women have a rightful seat at the table.

In celebration of this milestone, several brands and organizations have launched initiatives that spotlight the talent, leadership, and creativity of Filipinas. One of them is Starbucks Philippines, which introduced its “From Her Table to Yours” campaign. The initiative features limited-edition pastries co-created with three women chefs: Miko Calo of Taquería Franco, Cara Davis of Halong, and Amanda Hao of Seva.

During the launch, the three chefs shared words of encouragement and advice for young women who aspire to carve their own paths today.

"Your voice and your perspective are your strengths. Trust your instincts and truly believe in what you can do. There’s space for you at the table, there’s a room for each of us."

"It could be frustrating and tiring along the way, but if it is truly your passion, work will become your playground. Work hard and keep pushing. Learn and absorb what is taught to you in culinary school and from your internships. Explore new flavors by eating out and experimenting at home. This will help you find your culinary voice."

"There’s a misconception that women are not fit for the professional kitchen because we’re emotional and get mad easily. Why shouldn’t we have emotions? It’s part of us. It’s healthier to express emotions. Another one is being weak physically. Anatomically, we are very different from men, but there are things that we’re good at and strong at. But we can lift things, work in the heat of the kitchen, and we’re very resilient. And these are just misconceptions."

A healing encounter

 

By Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa, OP

Published Mar 8, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Mar 7, 2026 03:27 pm

THROUGH UNTRUE

There are times when we experienced something so unexpected and life-changing that afterward we could only say, “I am never the same again!” Something like that happened to the Samaritan woman in today’s Gospel story. After her encounter with Jesus, she ran back to her town and told everyone, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.” Actually, Jesus did more than expose her past; he helped her see her true self (John 4:29).

That is often how grace works. God confronts us in surprising ways, not only to reveal who He is but also to reveal who we really are. For people who live with denial, guilt, or hidden wounds, this encounter can be both unsettling and liberating. God breaks through our defenses and invites us to a new beginning. Very often, He uses other people as channels of that grace. Consider the story of Paolo.

When Paolo was in high school, he was frail, sickly, and small for his age. One classmate constantly bullied him. He mocked him, pushed him around, and humiliated him in front of others. Yet Paolo never told his parents. He simply endured the daily abuse in silence, crying alone and carrying the pain within him.

Secretly, Paolo sometimes wished he could be like his tormentor—strong, athletic, and feared. But his better judgment prevailed. He wanted to be respected and loved, not feared.

One day the bully went too far. He brutally assaulted Paolo, and Paolo had to be hospitalized. Alarmed for his safety, his parents transferred him to another school.

Paolo went on to study medicine and eventually became a surgeon in a respected hospital. Colleagues admired his skill, but patients admired something even more: his compassion and gentle bedside manner.

Years later, one evening in the emergency room, a man was rushed in with a bullet wound in his chest after a shootout. His condition was critical. Paolo happened to be the attending physician and immediately led the surgical team. After hours in the operating room, the surgery was successful.

When the patient regained consciousness, the first face he saw was Paolo’s. Grateful to be alive, he thanked the doctor and asked his name. But the moment he heard it, the man’s eyes widened in terror. He suddenly recognized the physician standing before him. Paolo was the same boy he had once bullied and nearly killed.

Paolo looked at him quietly and said, “I know you. You bullied me in high school. See this scar on my neck? You caused it. I almost died because of it. When my parents transferred me to another school, I vowed that someday I would exact my revenge on you.”

The man panicked. Weak and helpless on the hospital bed, he confessed that after Paolo left the school, he had been haunted by remorse for what he had done. He had carried this guilt for years but had never found the courage to ask for forgiveness. Closing his eyes, he told Paolo to take his vengeance so that he might finally find peace.

But Paolo gently touched the bandages covering the man’s wounds and said softly, “This is my vengeance. When I became a doctor, I promised myself that I would fight violence not by inflicting more wounds, but by healing them. This is the revenge worthy of a merciful God who restores life instead of destroying it.”

The man slowly opened his eyes. Something inside him had shifted. It felt as though an invisible chain that had bound him to his cruel past had finally been broken. For the first time in his life, he felt healed, not only of the bullet wound in his chest, but also of the pride, remorse, and violence that had shaped his life. With tears in his eyes, he whispered, “Thank you, Paolo. After meeting you today, I know I will never be the same again.”

Perhaps that is another lesson of today’s Gospel reading. True encounters with grace do not merely heal our past; they transform our future.

March started with 'breaking news'

 

By Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid

Published Mar 7, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Mar 6, 2026 05:46 pm

PAGBABAGO

The month of March is known as a time for celebrating culture, women’s rights, social causes and of course for introspection reflective of the 40 days of Lent.

But this year, it was superseded with “breaking news” starting with the conflict in the Middle East that started six days ago. All the media – local and international TV channels like CNN, BBC, and AlJazeera, carried news on the US and Israel strikes on Iran which killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini. Iran subsequently attacked Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

Iran describes the US and Israel attacks as “unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate” and carried out missile and drone attacks in response. The death toll since it started is estimated at over 1,000. An attack in a girls’ school killed 160. More than 30,000 people had been forced to flee their homes. Iran has accused US and Israel of targeting nine hospitals. Analysts foresee the far-reaching effect of the recent conflict not only in terms of disruptions in global travel through airport closures, global trade but also in regional security and international alliances. At this time of writing, the conflict continues to escalate.

The impact of the recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on the Philippine economy is considerable. We have 2.2 million Filipinos in the region, many of whom are based in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. The Department of Migrant Workers is ready to bring home 1,200 of our overseas workers. The Philippines, according to Nomura Global Research Portal, may emerge as one of Asia’s economic losers because of high oil prices which would rekindle inflation and erode the peso’s recent gains.

Other “breaking news” on the local scene include the recently concluded hearing on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte by the House Justice Committee sufficient in form and substance. It was endorsed by 54 members with one dissenting vote from Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay who was also asked to face the House Committee on Ethics for his sexist remarks about actress Anne Curtis.

For the past seven months or so, we have been deluged with front page news.

Since the flood control mess scandal broke out, our media has been coming out with “breaking news,” a mix of incredulous accounts and pleasant breakthroughs.

The “trillion march,” held several times in varied locations, and the last one during the EDSA 40 celebration, promises hope as it encouraged our citizenry to come together in addressing current social and political concerns.

Last week the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague held four pre-trial hearings which found reasonable evidence of former President Duterte’s participation as a co-perpetrator of the extrajudicial killings of thousands of suspected drug addicts. We look forward to the final deliberations. (Florangel.braid@gmail.com)

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Building businesses, not just relief for OFWs

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Mar 7, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Mar 6, 2026 05:43 pm

When global tensions escalate, like the latest Middle East conflict, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are often among the first to feel the consequences. Economic disruptions, geopolitical conflicts, and labor market shifts in host countries can abruptly displace thousands of Filipino workers, exposing the fragility of livelihoods built far from home.

Against this backdrop, the government’s newly launched ₱2-billion OFW Negosyo Fund is an important and timely intervention. More than a financial safety net, it presents an opportunity to strengthen the long-term economic security of OFWs and their families.

Administered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Small Business Corp., the fund allows qualified OFWs to borrow between ₱30,000 and ₱20 million, with a one-year grace period on both principal and interest and repayment terms of up to five years. The waiver of collateral requirements for loans up to ₱5 million further lowers the barriers to entrepreneurship for returning workers. These features demonstrate a clear intent to encourage enterprise development among OFWs who may suddenly find themselves rebuilding their livelihoods at home.

This financial facility is one way of honoring our OFWs who have been helping sustain the Philippine economy with billions in remittances each year. This is why we hail them as modern-day heroes.

Yet access to capital alone will not guarantee success. The true value of this initiative will ultimately depend on whether it produces sustainable businesses capable of generating stable income beyond the life of the loan.

For this reason, government support must extend beyond financing. Many small enterprises fail not due to lack of effort or determination, but because entrepreneurs enter markets without adequate preparation or strategic planning. To address this, the government should complement the fund with comprehensive mentorship and business incubation programs. Returning OFWs could be linked with experienced entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and academic institutions that can guide them through feasibility studies, market analysis, and operational planning.

Equally important is the provision of reliable market intelligence. Government agencies, in partnership with universities and research institutions, should help identify industries with genuine growth potential in various regions of the country. Sectors such as agribusiness, food processing, logistics, tourism services, and digital commerce may offer viable opportunities, but these must be carefully matched with local demand, supply chains, and available skills.

The private sector can likewise play a vital role in strengthening the prospects of OFW-led enterprises. Large corporations, financial institutions, and technology platforms can support these businesses by integrating them into broader commercial ecosystems. Retail chains, for example, could provide shelf space for locally produced goods from OFW entrepreneurs. Digital platforms can assist small enterprises in accessing wider markets through e-commerce. Meanwhile, banks and business associations could sponsor training in financial management, marketing, and operational efficiency.

However, the success of this initiative ultimately depends on the discipline and foresight of OFWs and their families themselves. Financial assistance must be approached not as temporary relief but as a carefully managed investment. Families should undertake thorough planning, prepare realistic business models, and ensure that borrowed funds are used strictly for productive purposes. Without careful stewardship, even well-intentioned programs can fall short of their transformative potential.

More than a credit facility, the OFW Negosyo Fund represents a strategic opportunity for the country to convert the vulnerabilities associated with overseas employment into a pathway toward domestic entrepreneurship and economic resilience.

If supported by sound guidance, strong public-private collaboration, and responsible participation from OFWs themselves, this initiative could help many Filipino families move from dependence on overseas work toward stable and sustainable livelihoods at home.

That would be the most meaningful protection of all.

Remolona warns BSP may raise rates if oil hits $100/barrel

 

Stocks fall as Middle East conflict drags peso to 59 Stock benchmark tumbled to end the week on a somber note, joining the regional retreat as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East drove the peso back toward record lows and clouded the outlook for domestic inflation. Read more Possible LPA may bring scattered rains to Visayas, Mindanao in coming days — PAGASA The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, March 6, said a low-pressure area (LPA) may form east of Mindanao in the coming days and could bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to parts of Visayas and Mindanao. Read more Rockfalls, lava flows continue as Mayon Volcano eruption enters 60th day EFFUSIVE eruption at Mayon continues to generate incandescent lava flows, pyroclastic density currents or “uson,” and rockfalls. (Photo from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) Effusive unrest at Mayon Volcano reached its 60th day on Friday, March 6, with persistent lava flows, volcanic earthquakes, and occasional explosive bursts, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. Read more Remolona warns BSP may raise rates if oil hits $100/barrel BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may need to raise interest rates if global oil prices surge to $100 per barrel, as such a spike could push inflation beyond the central bank’s comfort range, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said. Read more

When our votes gamble the future

  By Jade Nicole M. Gatchalian

The sound of vehicles blaring their horns echoes across the highway. Tires roll endlessly on burning roads, while the city continues to move as if it has no time to look down. Yet on the sidewalks, and sometimes even between lanes, people stand still, holding their small livelihoods in their hands.

Plastic bags filled with food. Folded rugs. Handmade crafts. Bottles of water. Sampaguita garlands.

They smile, not because life is kind, but because they must.

Some people say, “Poor people are poor because they are lazy.”

But if they only dared to look outside their tinted windows, they would realize how cruel and ignorant that statement is. Poverty in the Philippines is not a punishment for laziness. It is the outcome of an unfair system, one that rewards privilege and leaves the struggling behind.

Filipinos are known all over the world for being hardworking and warm. We are praised for our diligence, resilience, and ability to endure. Many of us even leave our own country, not because we want to abandon our families, but because we know how difficult it is to build a stable future here. In the Philippines, hard work does not always lead to success. Sometimes, it only leads to exhaustion.

Every day, we witness “diskarte.” People do what they can to survive. They sell their time, grit, and talent. They offer pieces of themselves just to earn enough for one meal, one day, and one more chance to continue. What breaks my heart the most is seeing the elderly still working in the heat. Their backs are bent, their steps are slow, yet they continue. It is as if rest is a luxury they were never meant to have.

But should life be like this?

Should those who have worked their entire lives still be forced to beg, sell, and struggle just to stay alive?

In a country where a lot of taxes are collected, budgets are announced, and promises are made, people should not have to suffer this way. Yet, instead of protection, we are neglected. Instead of progress, we get excuses. Instead of service, we witness greed.

Funds meant for the people disappear. Projects turn into scandals. Programs become tools for campaigns. And while ordinary citizens count coins in their palms, politicians count wealth that cannot be explained by salaries alone. They are surrounded by luxury, defended by supporters, and shielded by speeches filled with empty promises.

Some say, “The Philippines is poor.”

But I do not believe that.

How can we call ourselves poor when our land is filled with natural beauty, rich culture, and people who never stop hoping? We are the Pearl of the Orient Seas. We are blessed with seas, mountains, forests, and a spirit that refuses to die. We are not lacking in resources or hard working citizens. What we lack is honest leadership.

The Philippines is not poor. The Philippines is being robbed. Our nation is being plundered.

What makes it worse is that many still believe the ones who are stealing from them. The vulnerable cling to promises because sometimes hope is the only thing they have left. But hope should not be weaponized. It should not be used as bait to gain power.

I often wonder what would happen if corrupt politicians lived one day as an ordinary Filipino? If they had to wake up not knowing if there would be food on the table. If they had to commute under the heat, work endlessly, and still come home with barely enough. If they had to count every coin, calculate what to sacrifice, and choose between needs. Would they still steal?

Would they still smile onstage, wearing expensive clothes, while people beg for a chance to live?

Maybe then they would realize that being a public servant is not a title to be worn. It is a responsibility to be carried.

We must open our eyes and stop normalizing suffering and resiliency. We must stop treating corruption as something expected. We must stop accepting a country where survival is the only goal.

We see people working hard every day. We see vendors, laborers, street sellers, and the elderly continue despite the pain. They carry this nation on their backs. They deserve more than sympathy. They deserve justice. And justice begins with awareness.

Voting is not just a right. It is power. Every vote counts, and every voice matters. We should not be afraid to speak out when something is wrong because silence allows corruption to grow. To stay quiet while crimes are committed is to let them continue.

When we vote without thinking, we do not just waste a ballot. We gamble the future. We risk the dreams of the next generation. We risk the lives of those who have already suffered enough.

So may we choose wisely. May we research deeply. May we stop rushing decisions that will shape the country for years. And may we finally refuse leaders who treat the nation as their personal treasure chest.

If we want real unity, it must begin with truth.

And if we want change, it must begin with us.  

WHEN I THINK BACK SOMETIMES

 

Thinking back on the past is a natural, often emotional, process that can bring both comfort and sadness, fostering self-identity, or inducing feelings of longing. This type of reminiscence is a common, often nostalgic, reflection on past experiences, sometimes involving "ruminating" on past events, which can be a way to process old situations.

Not long ago, I passed a milestone marking 55 years since I began writing my first published article in a newspaper. I began keeping all the clippings since then. Time changed. Yes. I have my only online-archive. Believe me, it's like a book. As I reread my first articles, I was amazed, I ever kept them  up. 

Back to my clippings. Can you imagine that there are some benefits from keeping them? From life experiences, I see that progress and failure are both parts of my journey. My columns are mostly a view into a mirror. I am reminded of God's grace when I read (and wrote before) how He helped me to find solutions to problems. I also gained insight from past struggles that help with issues I am currently facing. I remember one of my previous columns entitled "If failures get results".

God has indeed been faithfully working in my life.

I read a story by Dennis Fisher, who didn't keep publishing clippings but a spiritual journal. He advised: "Journaling may be useful to you too. It can help you see more clearly what God is teaching you on life's journey. To begin a journal, record your struggles, reflect on a verse that is especially comforting or challenging, or write a prayer of thankfulness for God's faithfulness."

Our brains prioritize rewarding memories over others, and reinforce them by replaying them when we are at rest.

It may help strengthen bonds with friends and family. It makes me optimistic. Optimism is having the ability to think positively of the future, and recalling moments that made you feel courageous, happy, successful, or any other positive emotion gives you an optimistic lens to see the future through.This can help us live each day to the fullest or even help us see the beauty that is in everyday life.

Looking back can reinforce your sense of self and purpose, reminding you of growth and achievements.

It is common to feel a sense of loss or a deep yearning for the past, even if you are not currently depressed.

You might experience "restorative nostalgia" (a desire to go back and change things) or "reflective nostalgia" (accepting memories as they are).

Memories often surface during periods of low activity or loneliness. Music can also trigger these nostalgic, sometimes sad, reflections.

Yes, I am 73 now. I will complete my biography during these days in the middle of my wonderful Philippine family.

Übersetzerdienste - Translation Services

 

 Übersetzerdienste - Translation Services

Even after retiring as German Consul, I am still accredited as a German translator and interpreter for the German, Swiss and Austrian Embassy as well as for Regional Trial Court Davao City and all courts nationwide. Please pm for via doringklaus@gmail.com further information. I'll be answering your messages as soon as possible. Please be patient. Auch nach meiner Pensionierung als deutscher Konsul bin ich weiterhin als deutscher Übersetzer und Dolmetscher für die deutsche, schweizerische und österreichische Botschaft sowie für das Regional Trial Court Davao City landesweit akkreditiert. Für weitere Informationen senden Sie bitte eine PN an doringklaus@gmail.com. Ich werde Ihre Nachrichten so schnell wie möglich beantworten.

Truth is everyone's responsibility

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Mar 6, 2026 12:05 am

The signing of a memorandum of understanding between leading Philippine news organizations and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is a welcome step in confronting one of the most corrosive problems of the digital age—the unchecked spread of fake news. Yet while agreements and declarations matter, the deeper battle lies not in conference rooms but in the daily habits of millions of citizens navigating social media feeds.

Disinformation is no longer a fringe nuisance. It has turned into a structural and institutional threat to democratic life. Lies now travel at the speed of algorithms, wrapped in sensational headlines, viral memes, and manipulated videos designed to provoke outrage rather than understanding. In this environment, truth struggles to compete not because it is weak, but because it is often less dramatic and engaging than deception.

The consequences are profound. Governance suffers when policy debates are built on false premises rather than facts. Public trust in institutions erodes when fabricated narratives paint every decision as conspiracy or betrayal. Elections, the lifeblood of democracy, become vulnerable to manipulation when voters are bombarded with misleading claims disguised as legitimate information.

The economic costs are equally serious. False reports about companies, industries, or national policies can trigger unnecessary panic in markets, damage reputations, and discourage investment. Tourism can decline because of exaggerated safety scares. Businesses may suffer when rumors spread faster than corrections.

For the public, the damage is personal. Families and communities fracture over fabricated stories that inflame political or social tensions. Health misinformation discourages people from seeking proper medical care. In times of crisis—natural disasters, public emergencies, or national security concerns—misinformation can endanger lives by spreading confusion instead of clarity.

Stopping this cycle requires more than fact-checking after the damage has been done. Prevention begins with education.

Media literacy must become a national priority. Citizens must learn to ask simple but powerful questions before sharing any information: Who published this? Is the source credible? Are there multiple outlets reporting the same claim? Does the story rely on anonymous posts, maliciously cropped images and spliced videos, or emotional language designed to provoke anger?

The public must also recognize the responsibility that comes with the power to share. A single click can amplify falsehoods to thousands of people. Choosing not to share unverified information is one of the most effective acts of civic responsibility in the digital era.

The government, for its part, must lead through transparency. The best antidote to disinformation is timely, accurate, and accessible public information. It must always be open to scrutiny. When official communication is slow, vague, or inconsistent, rumors rush in to fill the vacuum. Credibility must be earned through openness, not enforced through intimidation or censorship.

Media organizations must continue to uphold the highest standards of journalism. In an era when speed often competes with accuracy, credibility remains the most valuable currency. Rigorous verification, clear sourcing, and swift corrections when errors occur are essential in rebuilding public trust.

The private sector—especially technology companies that operate digital platforms—also carries responsibility. Algorithms that reward sensationalism over accuracy have helped misinformation thrive. Platforms must strengthen content moderation, support independent fact-checkers, and redesign systems that currently favor virality over reliability.

Ultimately, however, the fight against fake news will be won or lost at the level of individual conscience. Truth survives only when citizens value it enough to protect it.

The spread of misinformation is now a societal problem, and not merely a technological one. Ending it requires a collective commitment—from government, media, businesses, educators, and ordinary citizens—to slow down, verify, and choose truth over convenience.

Democracy depends not only on the freedom to speak, but on the discipline to seek the truth before we do.