We are pleased to share that the culinary room we sponsored in 2022 has now become an integral part of the children's life skill learning experience at Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres. Today, the culinary room is actively used by Grade 9 and 10 students, providing them with hands-on experience and opportunities to develop culinary skills that could shape their futures. The Home is also working toward a partnership with Bulacan State University. Once established, this collaboration will enable the facility to serve as a testing center for NCII (Cookery) certification, opening even more doors for the students to pursue their aspirations.

This culinary room is more than just a place to cook, it’s a space where young minds gain confidence, discover their potential, and dream big. Seeing how far this project has come and the impact it has made on the children’s lives fills us with gratitude and hope. We are honored to be part of their journey and look forward to what the future holds for them in this special space.

Children create opportunities and build dreams in the culinary room at Bahay at Yaman.

Our CEO & President, Carl Schou, and COO, Haakon Lenz, recently visited the culinary room. We are privileged to have had one of our chief cooks, Mr. Sesinando Herraruda III, perform a cooking demonstration with the children. Under his guidance, the children prepared tuna pesto pasta and pizza. It was heartwarming to watch them work together, carefully following instructions while adding their own creative touches to the dishes. Their pride shone through when it was time to share their creations. As we sampled the food, we were delighted, not only was it delicious, but it also reflected their hard work and passion.

The children had a fun and educational cooking session with Chief Cook Sesinando, learning new skills and creating delicious meals.

Mr. Sesinando shared his personal recipes, inspired by the comfort food that brings a taste of home to those onboard. For anyone who would like to try recreating the pizza and tuna pesto pasta, here are simple recipes you can follow:

Family Table Pizza
Ingredients for making dough:
All-purpose flour
1 tsp yeast
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp oil
1 cup warm water

Other Ingredients:
Onion
Bell pepper red and green
Sauté Minced beef
Tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Grated mozzarella cheese
Dry oregano

Instructions:
1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add oil and water, then mix until the dough comes together.
2. Transfer the dough to a flat surface and knead until smooth.
3. Oil a clean bowl, place the dough inside, and cover it with a dry cloth. Let it rest for 1 hour.
4. Place the dough on a pizza pan, stretch it out, and spread tomato sauce over the top.
5. Add a layer of cheese, followed by beef, onion, red and green bell peppers, and another layer of cheese. Sprinkle dry oregano on top.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 100°C for 30 minutes.
7. Slice, serve and enjoy!

Homestyle Tuna Pesto Pasta
Ingredients:
Oil
Garlic
Onion
Tuna in brine
Pesto paste
Whipping cream
Fusilli pasta
Grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:
1. Boil water with salt, then add the pasta. Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente (not overcooked).
2. Heat the oil in a pan, then sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add the tuna in brine.
4. Mix in the pesto paste.
5. While mixing the pesto paste, slowly add the whipping cream.
6. Stir to combine and ensure the sauce stays creamy, do not let it dry out.
7. Remove the pan from heat.
8. Toss the pasta in the creamy sauce until evenly coated.
9. Serve the pasta topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

About Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres Inc.
The Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres Inc. (BYSMPI), formerly known as Saint Martin De Porres Soup Kitchen, started as a feeding center in Bambang, Manila in 2002. In 2003, BYSMPI relocated to Bustos, Bulacan and has been serving as a temporary shelter for children.  BYSMPI cares for children from 11 years of age who can stay in the center until 18 years old before they transition to a semi-independent living (SIL) program. 

At present, BYSMPI houses 43 girls and 63 boys. Its programs and services include Temporary Home-Life Shelter; Case Management; Health and Nutrition; Education; Personality Development; Semi-Independent Living; Spiritual and Values Formation; Technical-Vocational Skills Training; and Community Participation and Outreach. BYSMPI is registered to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a licensed social welfare and development agency (SWDA) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The shelter is affiliated with UST-Angelicum College and is one of their Re-Entry Education Agenda for the Poor (REAP) sites.