Carinderia owner who runs food drives gets pamper day, tributes from student customers in ‘Iba ‘Yan’

Nanay Gay Piadoche of Heaven’s Touch Cuisine. Image: screengrab via YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

The owner of a much-loved carinderia received a taste of the warmth and generosity that she has given to students and frontliners through Angel Locsin’s show “Iba ‘Yan”.

Nanay Ligaya “Gay” Piadoche has been operating Heaven’s Touch Cuisine in Sampaloc, Manila since 2006. The eatery has been a favorite of students, especially those in nearby University of Santo Tomas (UST), not only because of its affordable meals but also because of Nanay Gay’s kindness.

Heaven’s Touch was featured in “Iba ‘Yan” yesterday, Aug. 30 because of its food drives during the pandemic for frontliners and others in need, such as locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

Though the carinderia has lost its steady stream of customers, it has sustained its food drives with the help of students and graduates who want to help, as well as show their support for Nanay Gay.

During her time with Nanay Gay, Locsin helped with the food drive through packing food while the the “Iba ‘Yan” team added hygiene kits, relief packs and emergency bags to the donations for LSIs at North Port in Tondo, Manila.

Locsin ensured that the carinderia owner got some self-care too, starting with a pamper session at The Aivee Clinic. Nanay Gay was all smiles, even tearing up because of how happy she was.

Image: screengrab via YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

She was then brought to a restaurant to get a meal with her three kids where they each received gifts, and where Nanay Gay got the chance to reunite online with her loyal customers.

Students and alumni hailed her as their second mom, because of how she would welcome them into the carinderia even when it was late at night so they could study.

Image: screengrab via YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

She said she would always tell the students she loved them. She finally heard through their tributes and a video call that they loved her too.

“Sobrang saya ko, napatunayan ko na mahal ako talaga ng anak-anakan ko,” she said. (I am so happy, my kids really love me.)

The Piadoche family received supplies like rice, kitchenware, stoves and food containers, and also a sofa bed to rest on in the midst of their busy food drives. JB

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