As the countdown to Christmas begins, Lucas Lepri Philippines, the country’s premier training center for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, got into the spirit of giving by partnering with the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPS).
Together, they hosted the Bilibid or Not Cookout, a special event to provide educational scholarships for deserving children of inmates of the Bilibid National Penitentiary.
The Bilibid or Not Cookout is a novel feeding program that will feature the special participation of Chefs JP Anglo of Sarsa in Manila and Kooya in Dubai, Chavi Romawac of the Baguio Mountainman Roofdeck Kitchen, and Ninong Ry of his eponymous YouTube channel.
The three chefs prepared meals for over 2,000 inmates of the Medium Security Section on Dec. 16, 2023.
A makeshift kitchen meeting the chefs’ requirements was set up in the sunken garden beside the PJPS office within the Bilibid compound.
By hosting this special cookout with the help of celebrity chefs, Lucas Lepri Philippines not only provided inmates with a sumptuous meal but, more importantly, also helped to raise funds for the scholarship program for the children of chosen beneficiary inmates.
The partnership aims to send 12 scholars to school next year and start an endowment fund that will sustain the program into the future.
“This project presented the opportunity not only to give out food but to support kids and allow them to continue with their schooling,” Chef Anglo said.
(Join Lucas Lepri Philippines and PJPS in making a change for those in the corrections community by raising awareness on social media or supporting them with a donation. It only takes P4,000 to send a child to school next year. To learn more about the Bilibid or Not Cookout Project or how to sponsor a scholar, go to www.pjps.org.ph/support-us)
