Marian uses cooking skills to help front-liners

Marian Rivera prepares food for front-liners.

One of the things that helps Marian Rivera pass time while in quarantine is cooking—the passion for which she developed as a young lady growing up with her Lola Ingkang.

“My interest in cooking started early. My lola, who raised me, would make sure I was by her side whenever she was preparing our meals. I’m the one who chops the ingredients,” she recalled in a Facebook Q&A session organized by Regal Entertainment.

“And just by observing her, little by little, I learned how to cook,” she said of her maternal grandmother, who also instilled in her the value of Godliness and resourcefulness; as well as self-trust and resourcefulness in reaching one’s dreams.

Now that she has more free time, she has been busy experimenting with food and whipping up with new dishes for her loved ones. Her baked salmon teriyaki and “ube” cheese “pandesal,” in particular, were a hit, especially for Dingdong.

“I’m trying out new things. Don’t worry, kapag nakabwelo ako, maybe I could share a recipe with you. I don’t want to put up anything I haven’t perfected yet,” she said.

“Maybe after the lockdown, I will have my own catering business,” she quipped, laughing.

But in these trying times, cooking has become more than just a hobby or a way of showing her love to her family. It was also through cooking that Marian showed support for the front-liners dedicating long hours to containing the new coronavirus di­sease (COVID-19).

“It was my first time to cook that much food. And I’m so happy I’m able to help in my own little way,” said the Kapuso star, who prepare packed meals—“tocino,” spaghetti and her grandmother’s “heirloom” menudo recipe—to medical professionals working in various hospitals in Metro Manila.

Marian Rivera
with kids Zia and Ziggy

One of the recipients, the Natio­nal Center for Mental Health, is especially dear to the actress, because she worked there for a while, after earning her psychology degree at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

“We hope to extend our help to the front-liners. We want to let them know that we’re thankful to them, from the bottom of our hearts, for all the work and sacrifices they make,” she said.

Of all the roles Marian has played, being a mother was the most rewar­ding. And she couldn’t be more grateful about being able to spend quality time with her children, Zia, 4, and Ziggy, 1.

“Sometimes we would just stay in our room … rambulan kami. I surround the bed with lots of pillows to make sure Ziggy is safe. And then we would watch a movie and eat together,” the 35-year-old actress related.

Marian also goes over lessons with Zia, who has been missing going to school already.

“She tells me that she misses all her classmates and teachers. Every night, she prays for the virus to go away soon,” Marian said. “She also wants to go to the mall and that she misses ea­ting her favorite spinach dish.”

Marian has the same prayer. But while we’re still not in the clear, she reminded everyone to continue being cautious.

“As much as possible, let’s not go out of the house. But if we have to, let’s always wash our hands and immediately change our clothes. I’m hoping that this challenge finally ends. We’re all praying for the safety of everyone,” said Marian, who also intends to continue using her social media platforms to spread positivity.

“That’s all we have now and I hope we can use them to give inspiration,” she said.