Why Ninong Ry Says There's No Such Thing as Enough Time

SPOT.ph recently held its Media Day featuring June 2026 cover star Ninong Ry, one of the Philippines' most influential digital content creators.

​Ninong Ry shared his humble beginnings, love for food, and the highs and lows that shaped his journey as a content creator.

Ninong Ry is now one of the country’s top digital creators, known for his deep knowledge of food and his down-to-earth personality that resonates with millions.

​His success didn’t come easily. Every setback demanded determination and grit, traits that continue to define him.

That same philosophy extends to his approach to fatherhood. Rather than shielding his eldest son, who is currently in Grade 4, from life's inevitable challenges, Ninong Ry believes in allowing him to experience and overcome them on his own. During the Media Day, he recalled how even something as seemingly simple as opening a bottle of water became a teachable moment. Instead of immediately stepping in to help, he encouraged his son to keep trying, believing that the value lies not in avoiding difficulty but in developing the resilience to push through it, rather than giving up without making the effort.

SPOT.ph’s June 2026 cover goes beyond profiling Ninong Ry, also highlighting his hometown of Malabon as a key influence.

Ninong Ry shared how Malabon shaped him, with its stories and culture leaving a lasting impact on his life and career.

Editor-in-Chief Jerome Gomez said Ninong Ry’s stories of overcoming obstacles and Malabon’s influence made him the perfect cover choice.

"I liked those stories, na dun talaga siya pinalaki sa streets and market ng Malabon, and that's what's so fascinating to me and that has been the hook of this story”, said Gomez.

The Media Day also offered a glimpse of what’s next for Ninong Ry.

His next milestone is releasing his second book, “Hindi Pa Rin Ito Cookbook Ni Ninong Ry”, which, like his first, is filled with stories and memories behind each dish. Becoming an author was a long-held dream, now realized with two published titles through Summit Books.

He has also taken up powerlifting and hopes to compete in the Masters Division before turning 40.

With many ongoing projects, Ninong Ry and his wife, Belle Cruz, are also expecting their third child. With so much happening, balance is a constant challenge.

"There is no such thing as finding because we don't have enough time. We don't find time, we make time," Ninong Ry shared.

Success, for Ninong Ry, is not about perfectly balancing every role he takes on but about intentionally making time for the things that matter most. Whether as a chef, content creator, actor, author, powerlifter, or father, he approaches each endeavor with the same unwavering passion and wholehearted commitment.

Whether talking about food, his newfound love for powerlifting, the fulfillment of writing, or the joy of raising his children, Ninong Ry told each story with an unmistakable sense of purpose and genuine love. Hardship, ambition, family, and passion come together to create Ninong Ry’s unique recipe for the perfect bite.

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