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  My 50th Blog Sizzle Without the Sugar: Chef Ave’s Keto Magic   About four or five years ago, I found myself determined to lose weight. That was when my dentist introduced me to something I hadn’t heard of before—the keto diet. Curious and motivated, I began researching. Simply put, keto is a low-carb, high-fat, moderate-protein way of eating that helps the body burn fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel.   I followed the diet faithfully for three months and successfully lost 16 pounds—a personal milestone I was genuinely proud of. But as time passed, the limited food choices started to wear me down. Eventually, I gave in to my old love affairs with rice, bread, and sugar. Unsurprisingly, the weight I had worked so hard to lose crept back in—and brought friends.   One day, staring at my reflection with a familiar sigh, I knew I had to hit reset. But this time, I vowed not to go back to a version of keto that felt like punishment. I wanted it to be reali...
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  My 49 th blog Your Eyes Deserve the Best—Here’s Who I Recommend, Dr. Zita Zagala-Meriales                                                 “The eyes are the window to the soul,” they say—and sometimes, even to one’s health. Today, I had the pleasure of watching an insightful interview at UNTV with Dra. Zita Zagala-Meriales, a seasoned ophthalmologist at Makati Medical Center. Fondly known as Mizzi, she is not just a respected medical expert, but also a dear friend and batchmate from our days at the School of the Holy Spirit.   Beyond the interview, I’ve witnessed her compassion firsthand when she graciously accommodated my sister at Makati Med for a cataract evaluation. Her calm demeanor and depth of knowledge left me in awe, as she explai...
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My 48 th Blog Where Flour Meets Fire: My Return to the Kitchen   After my Bread and Pastry Class, I wrapped up that chapter with flour-dusted hands and a quiet sense of accomplishment. I figured I had the basics down—no need to return for another TESDA-accredited course, especially not in Cookery. I knew my way around the kitchen. Or so I thought.   A few good friends who I gained in my baking class egged me into attending this cookery class, although they knew I was more interested in dressmaking.   Yet somehow, I found myself once again at the familiar doorstep of MCHA. This time, I was suited up in black—a humble apron and hairnet replacing the pristine chef’s coat. It wasn’t just a shift in attire, but a shift in mindset: open, curious, ready.   It turns out this wasn’t a step backward. It was a continuation. A renewal. Perhaps even the beginning of something richer than just learning technique—a quiet rediscovery of why I cook at all. Then reality checked ...
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  My 47 th blog A Letter to a Friend Who Sees Me   I sent a message to my male friend admitting that I’ve been feeling a little down in the dumps lately—maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the weight of circumstances I’ve been quietly carrying. He asked what I meant, and I replied, “Maybe mid-life crisis; maybe being alone syndrome. Haha.” He answered with striking candor:   “I do get that, and you shouldn’t be alone—there is no reason on earth why you should be, especially since your marriage ended till now. I can surmise that as a financially independent Filipina, you could easily be a target for local Filipino men, so you needed to be careful. And also, plenty of ass-wipe types of men everywhere in the world too, so it’s not so easy in the past, but far from impossible going forward.   Nevertheless, you’re too bright, vibrant and intelligent to have nobody to bounce things off and to love and to be loved back. I was just thinking of a woman around ...
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My 46 th blog: When Online Shopping Shrinks Expectations: The Scam Sisters Saga   I usually trust my gut and scroll past sketchy Facebook ads like it’s second nature. But this time? The scammers were probably smirking, thinking, “Let’s see her fall for this one.   There it was—an ad for a rotating, tracking, flashlight-equipped, borderline sci-fi cellphone stand. Supposedly, it could follow my movements, extend like a transformer, and light up my selfies. As a blogger and selfie taker, I was intrigued, and readily I filled out a form.   Days pass. The package arrives. Cue excitement.     Drumroll please…   What I got: Two plain black cellphone stands. No rotation. No flashlight. Just two glorified paperweights that wouldn’t even pass for decent giveaways at a tech event.   So yes—I didn’t just lose Php600. I lost faith in online ads, a bit of pride, and definitely the right to brag about my “scam radar.”   I told my Php...
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  Grace on a Hot Plate: The Blessing of RCF Foods Incorporated’s Food Venture   On the rainy afternoon of July 24, as Metro Manila was hardly recovering from a passing typhoon and bracing for another, the Fernandez family—joined by relatives, friends and supporters—gathered for a celebration filled with heart and hope. At around 3pm, beneath steady rain and overcast skies, we marked the inauguration and blessing of a new food venture: PEPPER LUNCH at SM Marikina, franchised through the family-run corporation, RCF Foods Inc.   My sister Cecile, her husband Mon Fernandez, and their children poured their energy into making this dream a reality. Leading the launch as General Manager was my nephew Nico Fernandez, whose composed leadership lent a quiet strength to the day.   Each plate arrived hot and sizzling, catching everyone's attention. The sound alone hinted at something delicious. On iron trays came generous portions of beef, chicken, or salmon—pepper-s...
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  My 44 th blog: Baking Bonds on the Tracks   Today, my fellow bakers and I made our way to TESDA Pamamarisan to claim the second batch of checks representing our training allowance. Instead of asking my driver to take me to Marikina, I chose to ride the LRT from V. Mapa Station to Marikina Station with the group—a first for me. I had my qualms, unsure of how it would go. But to my surprise, the ride turned out to be smooth, clean, and unexpectedly enjoyable. Sharing the journey with my fellow bakers made it even more memorable.   Sometimes, stepping out of our routines leads to small joys—and today’s adventure reminded me of that.   When we reached TESDA, I was surprised to see deductions in my check, even though my attendance had been perfect. I scratched my head and shrugged my shoulders, unsure of the reason. Still, I was grateful. The TESDA classes were free, after all, and I truly appreciate this government initiative for those seeking new skills and...
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