Jaehwa Bernardo

Photo from Jelyssa Marañon Freyman on Facebook post

Article (news)

Stranger's kindness changes Pinoy chef's life

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17738166036112026031705038_e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Photo from Jelyssa Marañon Freyman on Facebook post</div>Help does not always have to come in grand gestures or huge amounts of money. Sometimes, it is found in the simplest acts of kindness that leave a lasting impact.For Filipino chef Jovel Bante Jr., one such act happened five years ago, when a stranger believed in his determination and perseverance.In a Facebook post on March 6, Jelyssa Freyman shared how a small gesture she made in 2021 became a turning point in Bante’s journey. The post came after Bante recently reached out to thank her for the support she gave him when he was still a student.His journey has since taken him from building a makeshift oven for a school project to working as a professional chef in Europe.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773723864653image6.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Jovel Bante Jr., now a professional chef working in Europe. Courtesy of Jovel Bante Jr.</div>Freyman first learned about Bante through a social media post in February 2021 that quickly gained attention online. In an online interview, she recalled how the post moved her.At the time, Bante was a Hospitality Management student at Holy Cross of Davao College who had innovated a makeshift oven using only a large biscuit can, sand, and chicken wire. Despite the limited resources, he proudly shared his creation online.“Everybody was so inspired by the post. And just like me, too, because all I could see was a student who was working really hard just to pass the class that he needed to,” said Freyman.What touched her was Bante’s positive attitude in the situation. “If you see the post, he was actually smiling, and he was so proud of what he did. So that made me cry because he was so grateful,” she added.<div>WHAT INSPIRED HER TO HELP</div>Freyman said what struck her most about Bante was that he was not asking for help in his post; rather, it appeared to be meant to inspire others. “A lot of people find it easy to make excuses or complain. Not everybody reacts that way. He just decided, ‘Okay, I can make it happen.’ And he did it with a smile on his face,” she said.Moved by his determination, she decided to give him an oven so he could continue pursuing his passion for cooking.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773723898153image4.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773723912974image1.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Freyman admitted she believed the small act could have an impact on Bante’s life because she saw potential in him. “I think he did use it as a stepping stone to where he is now, and maybe that’s why he stood out with me,” she said.Helping others was something she grew up witnessing. She recalled how her father regularly extended help to people in their community, from sharing groceries to giving small treats to neighborhood children.“Kids outside our house would call him Santa Claus because he would always have something for them,” she said.Because of this upbringing, offering help came naturally to her.<div>A MESSAGE FIVE YEARS LATER</div>After giving Bante the oven, the two did not stay in touch regularly. Their last exchange happened shortly after the help was given. Over the years, there were only occasional reactions to social media stories, but no further conversations.It was only recently that Bante reached out again.“I woke up around 7 a.m., and I saw that he had messaged me around 6:30 a.m. So when I woke up, it took me a minute to process because it was 5 years ago,” she said.“I honestly don&#x27;t remember [him] because we&#x27;re not even friends on Facebook. I don&#x27;t have any updates on his life. I didn&#x27;t know that he had already graduated, that he was over there. So I started scrolling and rereading our old messages, and then I saw the date. It was 2021,” she added.As the realization sank in, Freyman said she found herself crying again just as she did when she first saw Bante’s post. Curious, she later checked his social media and saw how far he had come.“I started to see pictures and videos of him in Germany, working as a chef,” she said.The moment filled her with pride. “I was so proud, like he was family. He could have forgotten about me, but he reached out,” she added.<div>THE LASTING IMPACT OF KINDNESS</div>Looking back, Freyman said the experience made her realize that even small acts of kindness can change someone’s life.“When I helped Jovel back then, I didn’t expect anything in return,” she said. “[But] it made me realize that kindness and helping someone can really have a big impact on someone’s life.”She also shared that helping others does not always have to involve money.“Help is help, no matter how big or small. Sometimes it’s just believing in someone or supporting them,” she explained, “It feels good. It could help them motivate, you know, to work hard, or it could add meaning to their life.”

Help does not always have to come in grand gestures or huge amounts of money. Sometimes, it is found in the simplest acts of kindness that leave a lasting impact.

Help does not always have to come in grand gestures or huge amounts of money. Sometimes, it is found in the simplest acts of kindness that leave a lasting impact.

How a stranger's kindness changed this Pinoy chef's life

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How a stranger's kindness changed this Pinoy chef's life

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Cher Kelsey Ramos

Published March 18, 2026 02:50 PM PHT

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Jovel Bante Jr

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