Today we feature Duterte’s Kitchen, an answer to the cries of the hungry masses. Brought to you by Kasangga mo ang Langit, every Sunday at 10:30pm on PTV4.
Under the MRT Terminal In Cebu, you will find Duterte’s Kitchen. This place opened this October and claimed that it was inspired by the president’s own endeavor back in Davao when he was still a mayor. He used to give out free food to feed the poor.
Those who own Duterte’s Kitchen wish to remain anonymous. Their goal at present is to find ways to serve the poor, that is to help ease hunger, even if it is just temporary. One of their wishes is to make sure no one sleeps hungry.
It started with them serving rice porridge. As the donations came in, they started serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now they have other items on the menu.
OUTREACH!
JR Langit, along with the team of Kasangga Mo Ang Langit Foundation Inc., with the assistance of 8 TriMedia Network on DZRJ under Ms. Kaye Dacer. They were able to share Christmas gifts with the less fortunate.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
One of their frequent customers is Dina Altavano. She lives and sleeps along the bus terminals in EDSA. She sleeps on the benches, sitting down and leaves at 6am. The free food offered helps them save whatever money they earn. So instead of paying for food, the money goes to rent. They are grateful for the help Duterte’s Kitchen has given them.
In the beginning, most of their customers were street children. Specially those that beg in the bus lines. They’re called nanonobre – those who give out sobres, or envelopes that people can put money in. They’d go to the kitchen to eat or hang out.
Duterte’s Kitchen prioritizes children. They are fed first before the old people then adults. A lot of people thought that Duterte’s Kitchen served Duterte’s favorite food. What they didn’t realize what that it was a ‘soup kitchen’. From the less fortunate to students who don’t have enough allowance to buy food. They are all welcome at this place.
FUTURE PLANS
The owners of Duterte’s Kitchen are documenting what they do so that they could replicate it when they open in Pasay and Manila. They hope to keep the goal of serving clean, tasteful and healthy food.
They also hope to coordinate with Mocha Uson to create their own food truck. That is, they provide the food, Mocha Uson will bring the food to where it is needed most.
The volunteers that the kitchen accepts do not just render basic services – they also share their other talents – like cutting hair for free.