‘You were a force of nature for good’
We were supposed to be in Negros together right now, like we agreed in December. You always spoke so passionately about your hometown that it made me want to see it through your eyes …
The day before, you messaged me that you were in Hong Kong and that you would be home soon… I waited…
When I got the news about your passing, I was going around Negros with our dear friend. The entire trip, even before we heard the tragic news, we had been talking about the pivotal role you played in establishing the Slow Food Movement in the country and your work in sustaining local communities here.
I realized, even after having spent some time with you, there were still so many remarkable things you were doing that I didn’t know about, alongside the countless other things I knew you were doing. But that was you. You were everywhere. You were larger than life. You were a force of nature. You had an optimism and energy that was contagious. Your generosity was boundless.
The culinary community in the Philippines wouldn’t be where it is today if not for your advocacy. You believed in what we could achieve even before we believed in ourselves. You inspired, opened doors, and made things happen. You were our champion.
Every moment I spent with you left me wishing I had the same energy and tenacity. To me you were not only a friend, a role model, and an inspiration, you were also a sister-inarms and a constant source of encouragement. Your presence made every moment shine.
I take it back, you weren’t just a force of nature. You were a force of nature for good.
Johanne Siy is Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023, the Filipina executive chef of Singapore’s Lolla. This is her tribute to Margarita Forés, posted on Instagram and reprinted with permission.
