Marissa’s passions

TINA Monzon-Palma appreciating the taste of cassava creme royale.

AGDAO, Davao—The Gig and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation’s Read-Aloud program has already shipped more than 100,000 books to remote schools in collaboration with Books Across the Seas.

Over the weekend, I joined founder Marissa Oca at a read-aloud primer at the Gig Oca Robles Seamen Hospitals. The program has become Marissa’s passion. Serving needy children encourages her to move on after the death of her son, Gig.

Marissa’s other passion is to develop awareness and appreciation for the root crop, cassava. Recently, she opened three stores that specialize in cassava crème royale, a Filipino dessert that integrates the flavors of cheese, jackfruit, macapuno, pineapple and cassava. At 83 Katipunan rd., White Plains, Quezon City (call 560-8421); 277 Guevarra cor. Ibuna st., San Juan (571-8677), and at 8 Examiner st., West Triangle, Quezon City (921-7197).

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