Dishes on Screen

 Dishes on Screen

From supplying food tours across the country to styling dishes for a film set, this is Procy B. Balasoto, 53, from Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Cooking for her was once just a way to make ends meet. But today, it became her pathway to opportunities she never thought were within her reach. 

First opportunity 

A single mother of three, Procy had no steady source of income and was looking for ways to support her family. In 2013, Procy became a client of CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc., a microfinance-oriented rural bank under CARD MRI. Through business guidance in their center meeting and her first loan, she began a small charcoal and rice suppiy business.

But even then, her passion for cooking was already simmering in her ways. She prepared home-cooked dishes and placed them in front of their house to offer them to neighbors and passersby. To augment her earnings, she also became a reseller of personal care products. 

But she didn’t stop there. Procy also attended livelihood seminars where she learned to make homemade products that she sold personally. During weekly center meetings, she would bring her cooked dishes and offer them to fellow clients and their Account Officer, Drawn by their good taste, her co-clients showed their support by consistently buying her products. After the meetings, she would continue selling house to house. 

She didn’t mind this routine. For her, as long as she was able to cook and sell her products, and as long as it sustained her family’s needs, everything was worth it. 

A table of new possibilities 

In 2023, the CARD MRI Hijos Tours offered a culinary scholarship to microfinance clients. Because Procy’s cooking is known in their area, their Account Officer referred her to Hijos Tours. Without hesitation, Procy seized the opportunity and enrolled in the program, completing her culinary studies within the same year 

This training opened doors she had never imagined. She began preparing food for Hijos Tours’ participants during various activities and tours. With the guidance of a chef specialist,she was able to contribute to menu formulation for the Kasadya Fine Dining food tour experience and served as a food stylist for food tours. Her role allowed her not only to cook but also to present Filipino dishes in ways that showcased their heritage and appeal. 

More than enhancing her cooking skills, Procy felt a strong sense of community. Through joining the tour company as a cook, she met people from different backgrounds, which helped her develop confidence, social skills, and adaptability. Interacting with diverse groups also deepened her appreciation for the wide variety of Filipino culture 

By the following year, she was appointed as Hijos Tours’ head chef partner in Laguna. The role enabled her to learn heritage recipes from different regions in the country. Among her most memorable experiences were learning to cook the dishes of other regions in the country and preparing meals for events serving more than a hundred participants. Through her travels, she gained not only culinary knowledge but also a deeper understanding of simplicity and resilience in life. 

Despite her growing career, Procy remains deeply committed to her role as a mother.She makes it a point to stay closely involved in her children’s studies and personal struggles, even when her work requires her to travel for tours. 

Reaching the screen 

This year, another shift in her journey occurred. After being busy during one of Hijos Tours’ events, she was tapped as a food stylist assistant for the film production of Bente Productions, a multimedia company under CARD MRI. The film highlights the story of a blind cook,so it features food and culinary culture, making the assistance of chefs and food stylists on set crucial. The opportunity came as a surprise, but Procy accepted it with gratitude and excitement, carefully preparing and styling every dish for the film set  She admits that seeing her food featured on screen is something she never imagined Tor herself.”Ang laki po ng tuwa, sobrang galak na galak, kasi syempre, bilang simpleng nanay, hindi ko akalain na aabot sa ganito ang kakayahan ko at yung niluluto ko,” she shared.”Hindi kayang presyohan ang saya.” 

Procy plans to continue dedicating her time and skills to preparing food that promotes Filipino cultural heritage. She remains committed to improving her craft and serving others through her cooking. 

To fellow cooks, Procy offers simple yet heartfelt advice: “Do not be afraid to try and discover new things and potentials.” For her, cooking is not only about following recipes but about embracing creativity, being open to learning, and finding beauty even in the simplest dishes. From selling food in front of her home, Procy never thought that she would one day be styling dishes to be shown on screen. This experience reflects how determination and a passion for one’s craft can open unexpected doors. When paired with community support, even the most modest beginnings can grow into a journey filled with meaningful opportunities.(Jireh Pearl)