A Mission in Motion

Location: Irosin, Sorsogon & Manila (Philippines)

January 6, 2025
A quiet Monday. But in the hearts of three young dreamers from Irosin, Sorsogon, it was anything but ordinary.

It was the day Jellene, Marcelo, and Jo Em boarded a bus bound for Manila with trembling hands, packed bags, and teary goodbyes. It was the day they left behind the only life they knew—rice fields, home-cooked meals, and the comforting rhythm of the province—for something unknown, something bigger.

That day marked more than just their first step into the world of culinary education.
It was the moment when BLL started breathing life into its mission—to give hope.

Hope Begins with Courage

Before they were scholars, they were children of farmers, store owners, and struggling families—facing limitations not of talent or will, but of opportunity. They had dreams, but no map to reach them. Until BLL found them.

Through the BLL Scholarship Program, those dreams were given a name, a direction, and—most importantly—a chance.

• Jellene and Jo Em began their training at Global Academy, where stainless steel counters replaced carinderia tables, and culinary terms slowly became second nature. With each knife cut and plated dish, they grew—not just in skill, but in confidence.
• Marcelo, on the other hand, stepped into the halls of Aleanza Institute of Arts and Sciences, where he discovered a deeper calling—not just to cook, but to use food as a tool for change in his hometown.

They were nervous. They missed home. But they never gave up.

Growth Beyond the Kitchen

In the months that followed, something beautiful unfolded.

• Jellene, once quiet and unsure, blossomed into a thoughtful chef who pays tribute to her roots through every dish she prepares. Her heart beats for the flavors of home, and her dream is to bring those traditions back, elevated and preserved.
• Jo Em, the ever-joyful spirit, became the glue in every room. In a world so fast-paced and competitive, his kindness and energy remind everyone that food, at its core, is about care and connection.
• Marcelo, reflective and steady, now speaks of food systems, sustainability, and dignity. He believes the kitchens of Irosin can feed more than hunger—they can feed hope.

A Mission in Motion

This is where it all truly began.
January 6, 2025.
The day BLL didn’t just promise change—it started making it happen.

These three scholars are living proof that hope grows when someone believes in you—when someone gives you not just a handout, but a hand to hold as you rise.

And now, with the upcoming launch of The PORCH: Center for Food Production and Distribution, they will return home not just as students—but as mentors, leaders, and trailblazers. They are no longer waiting for opportunities. They are bringing them home.

This is Just the Beginning

One day, a whole generation in Irosin will look back and say,
“That’s when things started to change. That’s when hope arrived.”

It all began with three young dreamers…
…a scholarship program fueled by purpose…
…and one unforgettable day in January

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