Etiquette de Manille honors Maharlika Women

Maharlika comes from the words maha, meaning great or noble (as in Taj Mahal or mahatma), and lika, meaning creation or expression.

Watercolor painting by Penk Ching

Gawad Kalinga cake decorating with the
Housewives of Barangay Bulaklakan

 

 

Chinese brush painting by Penk Ching

 

On Juggling Roles & Responsibilities: When my two boys were young, I would guide them on how to do their tasks, and encourage them to be independent. During school holidays, we would always go on trips. We love to eat! Meal time is bonding time for our family. So eating out remains at the top of our list. Now that they are all grown up, I have more time to do many other things. I belong to several groups (from eating to spiritual!) and have maintained ties with classmates from high school, college and MBA/MSM, both here and in the U.S. I do charity work for St. John the Baptist Parish Feeding Center, Gawad Kalinga, Kythe Centers, and I am a mission supporter of Fatima Shrine in Barrio Bulacan. I reach out to a lot of people through the Regina Rica programs and the Marian Missionaries Sisters. I belong to a group of foodies, and each year, we would go to different provinces to judge at competitions, and learn about the local cuisine and specialties. I also like judging competitions at the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show in the U.S. I welcome my role as coach of the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines.

 

 

Cupcake decorating for
Philippine Children’s Medical Center for Kythe Cancer Kids patients 

 

 

Time management is critical. Knowing and keeping one’s values is the key to putting your life in order. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Look at the big picture and long term goals. Choose your battles. ~Penk

 

Penk’s Favorite Books: I enjoy books on cake decorating, wedding cakes, meditation and spiritual activities, and watercolor and Chinese painting.

 

Chinese brush painting by Penk Ching

 

2008 Beijing Olympic Bird’s Nest Cake by Penk Ching

 

Penk’s Inside-and-out Beauty Secrets: I always think about how blessed I am, and how I can be a blessing to others. I am humble and grateful for everything that happens to me and around me.

 

Inaugural cake for President Nonoy Aquino

As a Maharlika: The cakes and paintings I create are expressions of how I feel towards life in general.
Penk has been crafting masterpieces since 1986, and has been commissioned to do cakes for events that marked history. She created the inaugural cake of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, lovingly crafted UST’s 400th anniversary cake, and made a detailed Cirque de Soleil cake. One of her highly-acclaimed creations is the intricate and beautiful bird’s nest gum paste and fruitcake featured at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.