How Michelle Cojuangco Barrera found the perfect balance
MICHELLE Cojuangco Barrera is one of the country’s most successful equestriennes. But more than just a successful Filipino athlete, Michelle is also a doting grandchild, a loving daughter, a loyal friend, an avid traveler, a dedicated coach, and an entrepreneur. Michelle is the perfect embodiment of today’s 21st century woman — she is more than just one thing, she wears variety of hats with grace, elegance, and feed and you will instantly be drawn to her zest for life that is depicted by her authentic photos that display her passion
Michelle, who was born in the Philippines but also spent time in Australia and Canada, has represented our country many times over in both the prestigious Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.
“Perhaps three most memorable moment of my equestrian career was walking into the opening ceremony at the Asian Games with my cousins and tita. There was just a different energy in there. I think the opening ceremony really gives any that 100 percent we need. Hearing the roar of the crowd, then looking up to see every Filipino in that stadium, it makes us so
incredibly proud,” Michelle began.
“It is in that moment that we remember every trial — all the blood sweat and tears that got us there. It’s the time we remember all those who said we were too small to make it, or too weak to get compete and are struggling to keep up or feel like we have nothing left to give. It is what helps us defy the odds and push into victory. After that, the next most memorable moments were qualifying for the world cup final and finishing as the highest placed Asian; and winning Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games silver medals for the country,” she shared to The Thought Junkie.
And while Michelle has always loved horses as a child, her initial childhood dream was to become just like her mother.
“Believe it or not, my childhood dream was to be my mom. I loved her energy and all the things she did for us, and I loved how happy she always seemed to make people. Her food was always exceptional and so I wanted to learn that too.”
Ironically, Michelle did make both of her dreams come true. Today, aside from being a light to those around her, she also started Cucina MichiQuita, a business that initially started in her very own kitchen.
“I was looking for a job here in the Philippines away from horses and kept getting turned down because of ‘a name.’ I just started baking and cooking for friends and when they started to ask me to prepare more and more each time, I decided that perhaps, I wasn’t be was then that I began baking and selling through word of helped me a lot and eventually, I expanded into small gatherings and parties.”
Cucina MichiQuita offers a wide array of sweet and savory treats and is most known for Heavenly Bites and Mozart Cupcakes named as such because it “does to your taste buds what Mozart does to your ears,” Michelle explained in jest.
She also added that while being an equestrienne and coach may limit herself to just special orders during the year except Christmas time, she says that her life is pretty much dedicated to the kitchen.
As for the middle ground between two seemingly contradictory passions, Michelle is quick to see similar skills being an athlete teaches a person a lot about discipline, dedication, and patience. All of that applies in the kitchen too, since sometimes things do not run as smoothly as expected or orders mean I cannot leave the kitchen for weeks.”
She also noted how important it is to have a good balance in life, “It’s important for people to indulge from time to time because everything in life is a balance. If you do too much and stress your body too much, whether in sports or work or even simply staying up too late, something always gives. I treat my baking as a chance to unwind. I turn on some good music, invite some friends over, or use the time to be alone and slow things down a little. It’s healthy ‘me time.’”
A large part of Michelle’s success story can be attributed to her family’s support and lessons she has learned from them.
“Our parents and grandparents spoiled us with time and love but not so much with monetary or material things. We have always been told to work hard to get what we wanted out of our own lives. My parents always stressed that the best gifts they would ever be able to give us would be a good education, a strong moral foundation, and skills in the kitchen. They have always taught us to treat others equally and with respect, because we all come from the same place. I admire my parents a lot for really making sure we grew up with that — see a little bit of God in everyone,” she concluded.
To know more about Michelle, you may follow her on her social media sites, IG: @michellecbarrera, @cucinamichiquita, and Facebook, Michelle C Barrera.
*** www.carlabiancaravanes.com