Rediscovering Beth: From Legal to Baker’s, and Traveler’s Notes

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 ...

  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 ...

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...

  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...

  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...

    My 43rd blog:  Of Whisks and Warblers: A Karaoke Night to Remember   There are bakers, and then there are bakers who can sing their hearts out like butter never burned. Our karaoke night got even better thanks to Aidan, the karaoke queen diva himself. He didn’t just bring some serious vocal skills, but also whipped up a spread that could give any fancy brunch a run for its money. From lots of laughs to great food, the whole evening was filled with good vibes, bold singing, and that special feeling you get when everyone’s sharing their passion and dough.   A few weeks before our casual gathering, Aidan—our karaoke queen diva—dropped a well-crafted invitation in our bakers’ group chat, announcing a “brunch” party that would begin at 1:00 PM. My fellow baker Rosalie and I chuckled at the timing— A 1 PM brunch? It was more brunch-ish than brunch—but we didn’t mind.   Still, the two of us showed up quite on time. Everyone else? Let’s just say the...

  My 42 nd blog: Avocado Redemption, Part 2: Grace Comes in Green   This is a continuation of my little avocado saga—the one where, in a moment of weakness, I didn’t share the stash with my brother. (Bro, I hope you’ve forgiven me by now. I’ll give you a slice or two of my avocado sans rival once it’s done.)   In my previous blog, I came clean. I admitted the misdeed and even added a lighthearted appeal to my sister, Cecile:   “…if your backyard tree happens to be feeling generous again, this slightly more enlightened sister wouldn’t say no. LOL.”   Turns out, honesty has its delicious rewards.   A few days later, my sister—who read the blog—messaged me: "You’re very lucky! Today, my driver plucked out loads of avocados again and filled up a big 'palanggana'.  I will bring some more to the office on Monday."   And true to her word, she did...at an earlier date.   The avocados that had once rotted—sad casualties of...

41st Blog: The Story of the Avocados and My Selfishness   About a week ago, my sister, who happens to have an avocado tree in their backyard, generously gave me six large, beautiful avocados. The idea was simple: I’d share them with my brother. But I didn’t. Before I get deeper into the story, let me pause and define what I mean. Selfishness is the quality of being concerned only with yourself, with little or no thought for others’ needs or feelings. It’s the unwillingness to give, even when you have enough to go around. In this case, I hit the nail on the head. Those avocados felt like treasure. All I could think about was making avocado sans rival—a dessert I’d been craving. I didn’t hesitate. Without blinking, I decided: I wouldn’t share them. Did I end up making that avocado sans rival? Sadly, no. The avocados were still unripe when I received them—vibrant green and hard to the touch. So, I tucked them away in a quiet corner of my kitchen, thinking that in a few da...

My 40th blog: From Eye Appointment to Elegant Indulgence: A Day at The Manila Peninsula Today I played supportive sister and accompanied one of mine to her eye check-up—with none other than my dear friend, the brilliant and ever-thorough Dra. Mizzi Zabala Meriales. Got a problem with your eyes? I know just the woman to help you see clearly—in every sense of the word. Mizzi doesn’t just examine; she explains, explores options, and gives her patients the kind of care that feels like a warm hug for your vision. You can find her at Makati Medical Center, where she works her magic with kindness and clarity. Thank you, Mizzi, for giving more than 100%—you always do. Since I played moral support to my sister at her eye appointment, she treated me—and our other sister—to a charming afternoon tea at The Peninsula Manila, where one of our talented nephews just so happens to be a chef. The three-tiered afternoon tea stand arrived in all its elegant glory, carrying a delightful assortment of pet...