MANILA, Philippines — Motherhood has taught Phoemela Baranda the meaning of unconditional love and the value of patience.
The host and model is a mother to five-year-old Illya, whom she shares with her partner, businessman and professional race car driver Jason Choachuy.
“I’m a super hands-on mom,” Phoemela told The STAR during the opening of Viva Food’s Beanhound Cafe at SM Aura in Taguig City.
For Phoemela, one of the most challenging aspects of motherhood is learning to manage her patience.
“I guess when you lose your patience, na parang pagod ka na, you have to be patient pa rin. Never lose your patience,” she said.
On the other hand, the rewards of motherhood make it all worthwhile for Phoemela, like to simply hear her daughter say, “Mama, I love you.”
As for the greatest lesson motherhood has taught her, Phoemela pointed to unconditional love, the importance of being a good role model to her children and the need for patience.
“Unconditional love talaga, and you have to be the best example to your kids. Life-changing siya, lifestyle change and patience. Patience talaga ang lagi kong sinasabi,” she shared.
Phoemela is also a mom to her firstborn, Kim Nichole, who is now in her 20s. Phoemela gave birth to Kim when she was 19.
Despite her busy schedule as a mother, Phoemela continues to pursue her career in entertainment. She is part of Viva TV’s “Anong Ganap?” and has an upcoming show with Viva One. Her last show project was GMA’s first Viu Original series, “Slay.”
During the Beanhound Café event, Phoemela shared that she is a coffee lover who drinks as many as three cups of coffee a day. “When I wake up, sa bahay lang, we brew it. And then midday. Yung midday na yun hanggang two, so three cups.”
When it comes to her coffee preferences, Phoemela enjoys cappuccino and iced latte. “Dati black lang ako, but hindi na kaya ng tiyan ko ngayon. Haha!”
Meanwhile, Beanhound by Greyhound Café offers a selection of specialty Thai coffee and pastries, including Thai Es Yen, Mango Sticky Rice Latte, Cha Yen, Bangkok Floss Bun, and Cha Yen Dream, among other offerings.
Beanhound beverage innovator Mark Esmedio shared that the team underwent training in Thailand to further develop its offerings. He also revealed that they are preparing to introduce new menu items featuring Filipino-inspired flavors, such as ube and langka.
“Isa sa mga favorite ko na coffee culture is Thailand. Sobrang vast kasi ng coffee culture in Thailand. They also have coffee farms like in the Philippines, especially in the Chiang Mai region,” he said.
Adding to the Thai connection, the cast of the Philippine adaptation of “Pee Mak,” Bea Binene, Wilbert Ross, Jairus Aquino and TJ Valderrama, recently visited the café branch, where they served coffee to customers. Their visit was fitting, considering that the horror-comedy film is a remake of the 2013 Thai blockbuster of the same title.
Viva Films announced that “Pee Mak” had already surpassed the P100-million mark at the box office and counting. Now in its fourth week in cinemas, the film is showing in more than 150 theaters nationwide.