Received the Highest Distinction Award: Gold Medal, for Baking and Pastry Arts. Thank you Lord Jesus for this gift. I am sharing this blessing to my family, friends, and to my mom whos watchin me over from heaven. I know shes proud. I miss you ma. This was my speech during the graduation by the way: As the President of Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry Arts Batch 14, they told me to give a two minute speech... But I actually prepared a two hour speech so I hope you can bear with me. (Im kidding) I can still remember my very first public speaking is at the age of 6, and I was so nervous on stage but when I saw my parents in the crowd, I drew all of my strength from them. Since then, they have always been my rock every time I go up on stage and say something. But tonight is a bittersweet moment for I am speaking and yet the other half of my parents is gone. But at least I have my entire family back there especially my dad. Thank you for the support and I love you. Since the day my mom left me and be with our Lord, there was never a day that I have never thought of her. She was the one who literally taught me how to beat eggs and how to do my mise-en-place at the age of 3. The memory of baking beside her just feels so nostalgic and forever Im gonna miss that. Ma, wherever you are, I hope I made you proud. It took me a lot of years to realize what my heart truly desires. From killing sprees, becoming a nurse, a public servant, an activist, a writer, a musician, and a photographer, I really became the jack of all trades but felt so less than a master to none. It took me a while that all I ever wanted is to become an exquisite world class baker. It took me a lot of courage to follow my heart but eventually I did because my mom just taught me how to be brave when I was young. In life we are given the chance to obey our wills and choose whatever paths we take, some choose to become a doctor, an architect, a lawyer, me I chose a different path. I am a nurse by profession, finished my masters degree and about to enter medicine school, but unfortunately things went wrong and my mom passed away last year. So I got a bit lost. And started to question my intentions if I am really becoming a doctor because i love the profession, or i am just taking it for a different reason. Sometimes in life you will never be pushed in following what you truly desire if no life will be spared, and in my case, the price was so high that it took first my mother away, for me to realize what I actually want to do for the rest of my life. My moms a teacher and a baker, and I was literally her assistant when I was a kid. Probably thats the main reason why I loved cooking and baking ever-since. This is the same old story I always tell to people of why I decided to choose a different path. But whatever path you take its very important that you are happy with it. Now here I am actually chasing my dreams, and for those of you here who havent chased your dreams yet, probably this is now the perfect time. It will take a whole lot of courage, but believe me its all worth the fight. They call me a pastry chef now, but I believe that I am still too far from being one. I still have a lot to work on, and time will help me, to truly earn that title. But now at least I have taken that single step and I am just so overwhelmed by the fact that I have finally found a place where I truly belong and living the dream I have always wanted. My entire Monster Kitchen experience was so fun. You get to learn about your passion, perfect it, at the same time you get the chance to eat every kind of sweets there has to be eaten. And yeah I have just gained a whole lot of weight, thats the only downfall with this entire experience. But other than that, everything was substantial. Standing in front of you here just feels so right in my spirit. Forever I will thank my Lord Jesus Christ for guiding me all throughout this journey. They say you will never reach to the top, not until you learn how to look back and thank the people who helped you in achieving your place. So I would like to thank the following people my dear mentors, to Chef Jill Sandique, who supported me with my decision in giving up medicine school and followed my heart, the moment you said very good to my out put on the very first day of my class means so much especially coming from a master-chef and Ill forever treasure that; to Chef Albert, for assuring me that its ok to commit mistakes in baking and try again until you perfect it, probably applies in real life also; to Chef Cathy for teaching me the lesson that good attitude is far more important than mad skills; to Chef Geni, for believing in me that I have the hands that can create art; to Chef Mitchie, for teaching me that even if I feel so tired in the kitchen, the love of it will always be a reason for me to smile; to Chef Rachel, for inspiring me to always strive for perfection; to Chef Maggie, for teaching me that the true essence of greatness is humility; to Chef Mon, for showing me to have fun in what I am doing; and To Sir Jan, for teaching me, that what should drive me doing business should not be money but rather passion. To Kuya Dodong, Jojo, and Ate Luz for always preparing our ingredients even before we start baking. Thank you. To the admin staff of MK, Maam Janith, Sir Aevan, Maam Chai, Maam Juvie and the rest of the team. Thank you. To my 8 noisy but beautiful classmates, who made me appreciate more with the fact, that no matter how great you are, everything in life is worthless without friendship. And lastly, I want to thank the memory of my loving mother, whos watching me over from heaven, who charged my life everything she fashioned with the breath of her own caring and loving spirit in teaching me not only about baking and cooking but so much lessons about life, and one of that is, in everything that you do, always put your heart in it. To God be the glory. Have a great evening to each and everyone.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:20:11 +0000