Beng Dee with Erika and Cheena
Sure, they look alike and aren’t that far apart in age Foodee Global’s youthful Beng Dee married at 18 and had her eldest at 19, but the banter between mother and daughters is no different from a barkada’s. Statuesque Erika is the family business’ managing director while the youngest Cheena, an Ateneo de Manila colegiala, is the more mischievous of the two. “Carino brutal” is how Beng describes the 15-piece family’s language of love even with her husband Rikki and older sons Cheeno and Eric Jr. — perhaps except while chewing, savoring Michelinstarred eats during their quarterly foodoriented travels. Even the most heartfelt declarations of love are sandwiched by teasing and sarcasm, especially among the girls. Care to join in on the repartee?
BENG
One advantage of looking like sisters is we get to share the same things, especially my clothes and shoes – which makes my shopping expenses worth it. My two daughters are like my minime because we laugh together at the same random stuff. They are my greatest joy. I wish my daughters would never stop spending most of their time with me. It’s my greedy wish. My daughters make me cry when Erika got married and moved out of the house. It is something I’m still working on. And please not the thought of Cheena moving out, too! The best thing I learned from my daughters is to be selfless because of them. The best thing about having daughters is having instant best friends!
ERIKA and CHEENA
My mom is so hip that... Erika: I can party with her, I can drink with her. And she self-invites a lot. Cheena: she’s the biggest Insta mom out there. She insta-stories more than I do. She knows her angles. The best lesson I learned from my mom is Erika: Everything I know, I learned from mom. She’s my mentor. We’re together every day. She teaches me about work cause we work together and now shes been teaching me how to be a wife. And soon to be a mom. Hopefully. Cheena: Cringe! Mine’s how to dress up. Erika’s sounds so deep! My mom asks me for my advice when: Cheena: My mom likes dressing up randomly even if she’s not going out that day but she prepares her outfits beforehand. Sometimes she goes into my room and asks, ‘Do I look fat? No honestly. Is it gross for my age? Are my arms gross?’ Erika: Do I look like I’m trying hard in this outfit? She’s always like that. I hate it when my mom... Erika: Sis, ikaw ulit. Cheena: There’s a loooong list! Erika: I hate it when my mom thinks she’s fat. I’m fatter than her! I wish my mom would... Cheena: This feels like a trick question. Erika: Sis, don’t say ‘allow me to go out every day!’ Cheena: ...allow me to go out twice a week. Erika: I wish my mom would be young in the face and at heart forever and thin forever because she loves eating. Cheena: We sound superficial... Erika: I wish my mom would be my best friend forever because she really is.