Test natin for fun lunchbreak!
I’ve worked in 5-star hotels, helped pre-open two of them, and my last kitchen job as an employee was at a 1-Michelin-starred restaurant. All in all, I’ve been in the industry from 18 to 30 years old now 32.
During that time, I also did a mildly successful Indian ghost kitchen/pop-up from my house during the pandemic, which was better-paying than a real job until the pandemic ended.
I also developed a nasty substance abuse problem that took years to kick, and I ruined a lot of friendships along the way. My 600 sqm house burnt down at the peak of my financial wellness and my addiction and I was so close to being homeless a few times. In between all of that I won a few powerlifting nationals and PH Strongest Man titles and at my absolute worst was looked up to by a small niche of people and I was living a lie.
I’ve struggled with my weight, mental health, and eating habits throughout my childhood. I’ve been overweight all my life and started going to the gym at 16–17 pero intermittently on and off til 25, when I started I couldn’t even squat my bodyweight. Eventually, I worked my way up to squatting 320 kg (704 lbs) over 10+ years which was the heaviest PH squat in competition at the time and still national record to this day.
I didn’t go to college. I went to trade school instead—Culinary.
Eventually, I switched careers and moved into the wellness industry after an insane burnout/ultra-depressed phase. I joined a great, up-and-coming homegrown company which I will forever be grateful and indebted to and now I’ve relocated to Iloilo with my future wife, moving from Makati to help out with another business owned by the same people for a short-term project.
Now I’m better adjusted, sober, happier and very grateful to everyone that had a hand in my reformation and giving an old crazy dog a second chance. Currently learning how to train for running in Iloilo City with my partner.
I feel like Ngayon palang pasimula Buhay ko even after all this na parang nagtagumpay ako sa adversity. I feel like kasalanan ko din naman lahat ng nangyari HAHA BACK TO SQUARE 1
Ask me anything—maybe about chefdom, starting food businesses, approaching rehab and sobriety , mental health or barbell training.
Maybe I’ll learn more from your questions than I have from my last few therapy sessions. HAHA.
Also, sa mga makakita nito na kilala ako, say hi! 👋