Nonie Buencamino impressed many with his glorious performance in the hit inspirational series Huwag Kang Mangamba, validated by being named the national winner for Best Supporting Actor at the Asian Academy Creative Awards. But when he’s not busy acting, the screen veteran spends his time doing his other passion that’s also award-winning among his co-stars.
Their gustatory senses grew the bond of Huwag Kang Mangamba family. Luckily, they had someone like Nonie who loved serving them delicious recipes during lock-in.
Ask the show’s powerhouse cast and you’d hear stories about Nonie’s culinary talent. A week before this interview for Kapamilya Chat, his co-stars Dominic Ochoa, Matet de Leon, and Renzie Aguilar also graced the show and mentioned his love for cooking. They said Nonie and Sylvia Sanchez are quite the kitchen tandem, she as the supplier of ingredients and he as the chef, although he also provides sometimes.
Renzie said Nonie can even take as basic as sinigang to new heights, “Ang sarap sarap magluto ni Tito Nonie. Kahit ‘yung simpleng sinigang niya, napaka-special.”
Dominic takes it as Nonie’s act of love and service. “Maasikasong tao si Kuya Nonie. Siya ‘yung nagluluto. He provides kahit ‘yung hindi naman namin hinihingi. Minsan, may almusal na diyan, may kape na dito. ‘Yung ganun. Sinisiguro niya na okay lahat do’n.”
Reacting to these sweet revelations, Nonie smiled, saying cooking was his favorite pastime during his rest days or when he had no heavy scenes to prepare for. He added that his skills are just sharpened by experience. ‘Lutong-bahay’ meals such as the hearty sinigang and classics like adobo and spaghetti are his specialties but he also whipped up fancy dishes like rack of lamb, Hainanese chicken, and couscous salad for his Huwag Kang Mangamba fam.
Nonie does cooking really well, and with love that’s why seeing his friends and colleagues delighted is already enough of a reward. But of course, awestruck compliments fuel his culinary fire even more. And the biggest fan of his cooking, he thinks, is Kyle Echarri. “Sa unang tikim pa lang niya ng pagkain na pinaghanda ko sa kanya, sasabihin niya, ‘It’s so good, Tito!’ Masaya na ako.”
Sylvia Sanchez and Eula Valdes butted in to ask for ‘ayuda’ – his Hainanese chicken and couscous salad recipes. Surprised but happy, Nonie said he would accept their request.
Don’t miss the remaining episodes of Huwag Kang Mangamba The Healing Finale on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.