Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes, they wear a hat that matches the color of their T-shirt. Here is one of the most popular Filipino chefs on the internet, Ninong Ry, if you haven’t heard of him yet. Formerly known as Ryan Reyes, Ninong Ry’s backstory is worthy of a superhero. Before becoming an internet sensation, he started selling goods at the palengke (local market).
In your twenties, it’s common to feel useless. It’s the best time to put out (live with) the flames that produce burnout and fight the everyday impulse to quit your job. Plus, you may think everyone else in the world seems to have their act together except you. Ninong Ry, content creator and trained chef, is fully aware of this. Recently, he was questioned by an Instagram follower if he’s ever worried about his career progress. Even while things are going well for him professionally at the moment, they haven’t always been that way in other areas of his life. In Ninong Ry’s humble path, you might find the inspiration and drive to get through your own job and personal problems.
The expressive, even chaotic cooking style Ninong Ry is famed for is well-known. It’s very unlike the methodical online cooking videos that may be seen elsewhere. His videos are not only instructive and packed with valuable tips for the kitchen, but they are also founded on solid scientific research.
Reyes earned a BS-HRIM from De La Salle College of St. Benilde with a major in culinary arts. Before his meteoric rise to fame as “Ninong Ry,” he worked as a cook at a hotel and a restaurant. He’s always had a thing for the kitchen, even as a young lad. His academic background and professional expertise allowed him to produce the engaging works that we love today.
Filipinos often used the phrase “Baka naman” as a fun way to ask for a favor or show interest. Some early movies by Ninong Ry prominently featured such promotional material, which could take the form of a gift, brand sponsorship, or anything else.
While his later films have amassed millions of viewers, his earlier ones never did. His enthusiasm for the kitchen kept him going, and he continued to produce content. To a certain extent, he is trying to get brands to sponsor his work by casually mentioning them every time he uses one of their products (by stating “beke nemen”).
We all know that he now has a million subscribers on YouTube and that some companies responded to his “beke nemen” with a “sige na nga!” And he made history by being the first guy to appear in the White Castle Whiskey Calendar.
What should we learn from Ninong Ry?
If you don’t achieve overnight success, don’t give up! Building trust is a process that requires time. Everyone has to get their feet wet and then work their way up. If you want to get better at what you do, you have to keep challenging yourself.
Your credibility should be the foundation of your professional life, whether a new manager or a self-employed consultant. The possibilities expand along with it.
Reyes, though, stresses the importance of “grinding responsibly.” While it’s beneficial to keep working, it’s also essential to remember why you’re working and taking care of your health.
