Project Wheelchair celebrates good food for a good cause

MANILA, Philippines — For the past 10 years, a special project called Project Wheelchair has been raising funds through an annual charity dinner to buy wheelchairs that would be donated to marginalized communities around the country who need them.

Heading the group is the "Lechon Diva," Dedet dela Fuente, whose Pepita’s Kitchen has been known for its variety of stuffed lechons. With her is a strong support cast of distinguished chefs, food connoisseurs, and media and social media personalities.

The 10th edition of the Project Wheelchair Dinner, which took place at The Manila Hotel’s Champagne Room last November 2023, was no different. De la Fuente was backed by her usual support group, including chef, restaurateur and food columnist Angelo Comsti (who was there since Day 1, Year 1, of Project Wheelchair, and was the one who suggested they invite chef friends to get the ball rolling for the Project Wheelchair Dinners); influencer Spanky Enriquez (who usually co-hosted the program and helped in wheelchair distribution); Pearl Guzman of Baby Pat’s Ensaymada (who always gave ensaymadas for everyone’s baon); Sanju Gopaldas (who always made sure everyone was served food as quickly as possible); Stevie Villacin, Cyrene dela Rosa, and Our Awesome Planet’s Anton Diaz (who served as photographers and videographers); and Chefs Sharwin Tee and Edward Bugia (who expedited things from the kitchen).

Coming together to lend a hand in producing the dishes for the Project Wheelchair Dinner Year 10 were Chefs Glenda Barretto, Margarita Fores, Sau del Rosario, Myke ‘Tatung’ Sarthou, Datu Shariff Pendatun, Roselyn Tiangco, and Tanya Dizon. With a roster like that, the dinner would most likely turn out to be successful, and it did.

It raised funds that were used to purchase wheelchairs, which were distributed to several communities before Christmas, thus making life and mobility easier for a number of individuals who have, before that, been only wishing to have a wheelchair.

Project Wheelchair was borne out of a heartwarming mother-and-daughter love story and, yes, also two sisters’ love for their "ate." It was in 1997 that De la Fuente gave birth to her eldest, Lauren. She was