''Di na 'to scam!': These Michelin Guide PH returnees finally make it to the stage

They finally made it to the Michelin awarding ceremony!

Two of last year’s honorees, El Poco Cantina and Chie Chie’s Pancit Batil Patung, shared their excitement as they officially received their latest recognition held during the Michelin Guide Philippines 2027 awarding on Oct. 29 at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Newport World Resorts.

"[D]i na 'to scam!! finally, naka-attend na siya," El Poco Cantina wrote on Facebook. "[T]hank you so much again for everyone's support!!! thank you MICHELIN Guide (official)!"

It can be remembered that owner Richard Ken “Tots” Ramirez was at home when he found out his restaurant was mentioned during last year's awarding ceremony.

"We got Michelin Selected without me even knowing because I blocked the email. I thought the email was a phishing scam," he wrote.

"Yes I’m at home and I am in tears and shock. Thank you so much El Poco fam for making this happen. Akala ko scam yung Michelin," he captioned the post.

Meanwhile, another Michelin Selected returnee Chie Chie's Pancit Batil Patung also attended the event for the first time. 

"Hanapin si Ate Chie! Thank you once again to the.. Michelin Guide! This time we made sure to be present! Good job Ate Chie," they wrote.

In a post last year, they reflected on their slow start and how few people were familiar with pancit batil patong—a Tuguegarao miki noodle dish served alongside a bowl of soup.

"Exactly 10 years ago, when we started in food bazaars here in Manila, kulelat talaga kami kasi di nila alam," they wrote. They recalled people asking, "'Ano yan, binabate muna, bago pumatong?' parang pinagtatawanan."

"What kept us going is, pag natikman naman nila after alot of convincing, nasasarapan naman sila," the restaurant continued.

Chie Chie's Pancit Batil Patung shared how they endured the initial hardships, recounting: "Lahat ng hirap, losses, tiniis namin. May time na mas malaki pa binabayaran namin sa stall kaysa benta. Maiiyak ka na lang talaga. Mahabang istorya, pero after a few years nakuha namin ang customer base na kailangan to survive!"

"Michelin selection is a validation of all our hardwork, passion, dedication and belief that an obscure cultural dish deserves a national and even global recognition," they wrote at that time.