A new batch of graduates recently completed a Cookery NC II class at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Women’s Center (TWC) last October 19, 2019. Focused on traditional Filipino food, the specialized curriculum designed in cooperation with the Mama Sita Foundation (MSF), provided Filipino men and women with basic culinary, life, and career readiness skills.
Mama Sita Foundation, carrying on the culinary legacy of Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes, helped design the program that featured Philippine cuisine and various cooking methods and skills needed in making various traditional dishes. The program also included food safety, plating, sampling and assessment, and cleanup.
Held once-a-week (every Saturday), the 5-day program combined classroom learning with hands-on culinary experiences under the guidance of TESDA-accredited culinary and pastry trainer and assessor, Ms. Charmaine Fider.
While most of the students sought careers and other opportunities in the culinary industry, others like 38-year old Anna Parreño joined the program as a way to cope with the depression she suffered after her battle with breast cancer.
Breast cancer survivor, Anna Parreño (left), together with her TWC-MSF Traditional Filipino Cookery classmates making vegetable lumpia.
Now on remission, Anna found cooking as a therapeutic activity that allowed her to heal emotionally from the experience. Having a day job in a major technology manufacturer, she says she is now confident in her cooking skills and plans to use them at home cooking for her family and her fiance.
The second batch of the TWC-MSF Traditional Filipino Food Cookery Class that graduated with Anna are:
Andal, Juliene Kate
Atienza, Herminia
Ayap, Pamela
Baylon, Ivee
Bigbig, Julie Ann
Calimbo, Ma. Cecilia
Costillas, Danjelyn
De los Santos, Maria Andrea
Fragato, Carmencita
Ignacio, Luz
Imbong, Maria Lerma
Ligutan Jr., Leonardo
Lindo, Kevin
Lorenzo, Christian Irvin
Luna Nelson
Ocampo, Liliy
Permison, Fredierick
Publico, Lorna
Rengel, Rosalinda
Ricopuerto, Juvy
Romero, Laudemer
Sabandal, Marie Jo
Salazar, Ofelia
Tronzal, Ailyn
The TWC-MSF Traditional Filipino Food Cookery Class is open to women and men ages 18 and above. New session runs from November 9 to December 14, 2019. For inquiries on how to be part of the next batch, please contact the TWC via landline at 887-7777 or 817-2650 and via email: twc@tesda.gov.ph.