It was the late 60's in the Philippines when the US military base provided a supple source of income to a lot of Filipinos who are trying to find a better life while working for the military troops and their family stationed in the different military bases. People from all over the Philippines have decided to move and settle by the US bases in their search for greener pastures. It was there at Subic Naval Base where Tony and Linda met. Tony worked as a tricycle driver and Linda serviced people at home for manicures and pedicures. Both have high hopes for their future, working long and hard in the hopes that someday they would have a better life. Eventually, Tony and Linda fell in love but it was not an easy journey. It was a May-December love affair. Linda was 10 years older and Tony was only 18. It was hard for Tony's family to accept that he was in love with a woman who's alot older than him. But Tony was in love and bound to prove that Linda and him would make it somehow. Tony and Linda decided to move in with each other and start a family. It was that faithful day of March 14 when Tony and Linda were blessed with their first child. A bouncing baby boy they named Henry. But just like any family starting anew, Tony and Linda found out that it's not always a bed of roses. Life was hard and they've realized that staying with each other would just make their lives miserable. Henry was just a 3 month old baby when Tony and Linda decided to part ways and live separate lives, and the battle for Henry's custody begun. Tony took baby Henry to his home town of Sapang Bato, Angeles, Pampanga. Linda did not want Tony to have Henry but Tony would not let Linda have Henry either. The harder Linda tried to steal Henry away from Tony, the more Tony keep Henry away. Tony entrusted Henry's care to his family to ensure that Linda does not steal him away. It was a long court battle where the judge,eventually,summoned little Henry to the stand and choose between his mom and dad. Little Henry, who never had a chance to know his mom, eventually, chose his dad. Tony and Linda, eventually, pursued their own happiness and settled down with other people. Henry, on the other hand, was left in the loving care of his grandparents,aunts and uncles. Henry grew up with his aunts and uncles, a family that put alot of love and pride in cooking their food. Henry saw how the day begins and ends in the kitchen. Everybody cooks and have their own specialties. Holidays are always extra special. Henry still remembers the rice cakes, all the good food and how the family catered for other people. The Pachecos took Henry in the midst and showered him with all the love that a little boy needs. Growing up in this environment paved way for Henry's love for cooking to blossom, which would be a significant influence in Henry's quest for his destiny. Henry did not have an easy life growing up. He grew up in a loving environment and yet something was missing, he felt incomplete. He still vividly remembers how he yearns to have a complete family. He still remembers when he was 7 years old.He saw one of his friends walking, holding hands with her sister, mom and dad walking side by side with them. He remembers his tear falling and asking himself, "How can other kids have a complete family and I don't?" He was well taken care of by his dad's family...But they are not Henry's own. Henry felt lost. Children can be harsh to other children at times and yet we grown ups never realized that. Henry learned how to be strong and tough at a young age because he felt the need to watch his back at all times. Growing up and going to school at Sapang Bato Elementary school proved to be a battle for Henry. He was not your average Filipino boy...He was different. Henry was the typical "tisoy", a mestiso.The word mestiso is originally used to describe a mixture of Filipino and another nationality. Later on, Filipinos have accustomed the slang "tisoy" to describe Filipinos with lighter skin. Henry was teased relentlessly about being tisoy. Kids do not understand how a light skinned Henry can possibly be a Filipino when he does not look anything like them. Henry was deeply hurt by the teasings but none hurt him the most than being called "adopted". Henry would always get into fights trying to stand up for himself and prove that he was not a weakling. It was a difficult battle but Henry's heart won't let him give up on life and his dreams.