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Last Monday, October 28, the country's newest kapitbahay, Mikee Quintos, finally started her kitchen raids for Lutong Bahay, and visited the home of Filipino YouTuber and chef Ninong Ry.

As expected, they shared lots of laughs and stories together, including Ninong Ry's humble beginnings and dreams before he became a chef.

According to Ninong Ry, he started cooking around the second or third grade and his mother asked him to cook arroz caldo.

“Nagawa naman,” Ninong Ry laughed, “Naluto naman 'yung arroz caldo nang maayos, tapos nagustuhan ng tita ko. Doon ko naramdaman 'yung joy ng pagluluto para sa ibang tao.”

Ninong Ry then affirmed that he would not have pursued cooking if it wasn't for his mother asking him to cook arroz caldo.

“Baka scientist na ako ngayon,” he told Mikee, “[...] sinulat ko noon sa yearbook ko noong Grade 6 [na] pangarap kong maging scientist to help mankind have a better life.”

Of course, his mother supported him throughout his cooking career and shared with Mikee that she even bought his iconic chopping board.

“Itong sangkalan na 'to ay nandito na noong ano, siguro mga isang buwan na akong nagva-vlog,” Ninong Ry shared, “Si mama, pumuntang Balintawak tapos nakita niya na mura 'to.”

“Ever since, nandito na talaga siya,” Ninong Ry told Mikee.

“Isa 'to sa mga unang regalo ng nanay mo,” Mikee commented, “Iba talaga 'pag galing sa nanay ang regalo.”

“Talagang sinuportahan niya ako,” he said.

SOURCE: GMA Public Affairs

But before experiencing the high of being a successful chef and food vlogger, Ninong Ry openly shared that he faced challenges, such as six-digit debt due to splurging and misuse of his credit card.

“Alam mo na, bata, hindi pa marunong mag-handle ng finances,” Ninong Ry told Mikee, “Ang dumali sa akin, credit card. [...] akala ko libreng pera.”

Fortunately for Ninong Ry, he was able to pay his debt through his earnings from vlogging and social media.

Aside from Ninog Ry, Mikee Quintos is set to raid more kitchens and homes of the country's most-loved celebrities and personalities together with a new generation of celebrity chefs.

Catch them on Lutong Bahay, weekdays, 5:45 p.m., on GTV.

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