MARY ROSE GEMMA RODRIGUEZ: Keeper of Antique’s culinary soul
CONTINUOUS LEARNING Mary Rose Rodriguez believes in continuous learning, as she equips herself with knowledge in chocolate and confectionery arts at École Ducasse in Bangkok in this undated photo. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
In the province of Antique, where the mountains cradle the sea and tradition whispers through ancient kitchens, one woman has helped immortalize the culinary heartbeat of her hometown.
Mary Rose Gemma Rodriguez, president of Advance Central College (ACC) in Antique and a passionate culinary heritage advocate, embarked on an ambitious project in 2012 in the hope of preserving the province’s culinary traditions in a book.
During a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that year, Rodriguez crossed paths with chef Aurora “Babes” Austria, the former executive chef of Malacañang Palace. The two women discovered a shared passion for heritage cuisine.
But, “I noticed firsthand the lack of documentation on our local dishes,” Rodriguez said. “I felt a responsibility to preserve the recipes, techniques, and stories before they are lost forever.”
With the help of 370 students from ACC’s bachelor of science in hospitality management, Rodriguez went on a mission to capture the stories, rituals, and recipes that defined Antique’s culinary identity.
For Rodriguez, every interview, documented recipe, and late-night review of student reports was a labor of love.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP), West Visayas State University, and Quezon City Science High School, Rodriguez’s academic rigor and cultural dedication became the foundation of this landmark project.
Her desire to contribute to the broader conversation about food as cultural heritage was also influenced by her personal experiences and childhood memories.
“My maternal grandmother, Felomina Dioso from Pandan, Antique, instilled in me a deep understanding and appreciation of the language and culture of Antique. She stayed in Metro Manila for most of her adult life, and yet spoke only Kinaray-a (a Visayan language spoken primarily in Antique province and parts of Iloilo),” Rodriguez said.
After devoting years of relentless dedication to writing the book, Rodriguez launched “Culinary Heritage of Antique” on Dec. 9, 2024.
The book was her “love letter” to the province, and a tribute to the women who had long been the silent carriers of Antique’s culinary wisdom.
Dr. Mary Rose Rodrigues, Culinary Heritage and Folk Culture Advocate, receives the award from Rudyard Arbolado, President and CEO of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Juliet Labog-Javella, Philippine Daily Inquirer Associate Publisher, Joseph Voltaire Contreras, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Executive Editor and Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, Inquirer Group of Companied Head, during the Philippine Daily Inquirer 3rd Women of Power Awards with the theme “Seizing the Day. Strenghening the Future.”, at the Hilton Hotel in Pasay City on Monday, March 24, 2025. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Voice behind every dish
At 54, Rodriguez continues to perform her roles as a wife, mother, educator, and researcher. She is married to Rani Rodriguez, chair of the board of ACC and the current president of the Antique Chamber of Commerce.
The couple met as students in UP Diliman and got married on April 21, 1994.
Rani has been her most steadfast supporter. He inherited the land where ACC now stands, being the only child in his family.
Rodriguez is also a proud mother of two: Ricci, who is set to graduate from her master’s program in health sciences at Ateneo de Manila University this June; and Rajah, who is in law school after completing management economics at the same university.
“I was lucky that a family friend owned a midwifery school so we had midwives who helped me raise my kids (back then),” she said.
Her passion for continuous learning extends beyond writing. Just recently, she attended intensive chocolate and confectionery arts training at Ecole Ducasse in Bangkok.
Rodriguez brings these new skills to her students at ACC, ensuring that they stay updated with the latest techniques in the industry.
Her shift from being an aspiring medical doctor to food heritage advocate was a blessing, she said. Through her book, she is able to give voice to the stories behind every hometown dish, from the hands that prepare them to the communities that keep them alive.
Her story is a reminder that, through dedication and love for one’s roots, even the most intangible heritage can be preserved. Antique’s unique culinary culture will continue to be discovered and savored by new generations through her book.
“I knew I wasn’t doing this for myself. I was doing it for Antique, for the men and women who have kept these traditions alive, and for the future generations who deserve to taste and understand our history,” Rodriguez said.
