Rosena N. Palabay is a Vegan Coach from the Philippines. She is an educator for over 12 years, specialised in mathematics. She was born and raised in the Philippines, where she practiced her profession for over 4 years.
Then she moved to Thailand to do the same. After 2 years, she moved to UAE where she taught pre-KG to pre-university maths for 6 years.
She is now back in her home country, living a simple vegan lifestyle. Meatless Movement recently had a chat with her.
Tell us more about yourself, please
I’m Rosena, from the Philippines. I’m an educator for over 12 years and was previously teaching in Dubai (where it all started).
I have been vegan since May 2018, and it started in UAE. I was living alone in Dubai, UAE and I lost my job in 2018. I had a lot of thinking to do with how I’m living my life, and how my decisions affect my life. Since I was unemployed, my health insurance from my company will then be canceled, and due to the weather I always had cold (almost all year round, especially when the season changes).
Someone suggested that I watch the documentary, “What The Health” and it was a wake up call! I didn’t want to wait until I’m too old or very ill to do something about my health (although I was already very conscious with my health then). I started plantbased. Then I did a lot of research on plantbased diet vs vegan lifestyle. I went vegan after a week or so. I thought, why go plantbased when I can become vegan and enjoy the most benefits?
Through my researching, I came to realise how going vegan can affect the planet, and how I can help save lives. I may not be particularly an animal lover, or have animal friends that I live with, but I do feel for them.
That was the greatest decision I’ve ever made, and I have no regrets!
Rosena Noble Palabay
Finding vegan food in Dubai was never an issue. I was so into preparing my food that I almost didn’t have to buy, eating with colleagues was not a big issue too. They made sure there’s at least a vegan option whenever we eat out.
On my first vegan birthday (March 2019), I ordered donuts from Il Dinaccino. They were the first vegan treat place that I found. I have a massive sweet tooth.
Pizza was from Freedom Pizza. It’s more like a cheat food to me. Pasta, by yours truly. It’s my go-to nobrainer meal. Lol!
Soul Santé Cafe in Dubai Marina. They offer meal plans, which I’ve availed once. They offer whole foods, which is amazing!
Retreat The Palm Afternoon Tea. I love tea and I love to eat!
I’ve been unemployed for over a year since I decided to come back home (I’m still vegan even when I’m unemployed, so there’s no reason to say it’s expensive or not sustainable), and recently came up with my very own online course called “We’ve Only Just Vegan: An easy and step-by-step guide on starting a vegan lifestyle”. I came up with this for my vision of making vegan lifestyle known to everyone, with my mission to be the change I want to see in the world. Check it out here We Have Only Just Vegan
Vegan Night, Eat Well Gluten-free Restaurant in Dubai. They offer unlimited starters and desserts. Need I say again that I love sweets?
Cauliflower Biryani, Eat Well Gluten-free Restaurant in Dubai. Great food, always!
Atlantis, The Palm
This place used to house my favourite burger place, Bareburger. Unfortunately, it’s not operational anymore from what I’ve read when I left Dubai.
Vegan donuts on my first birthday as vegan. From original glazed, to ring and filled donuts – they’re to die for! Heaven!
House of Pops (Dubai, UAE)
Interesting flavours of vegan popsicles with sustainable packaging
Sumo Sushi & Bento, Dubai. I love sushi and ramen
Hidden Brunch in Taj Dubai offers vegan options
Just Vegan Jumeirah, Dubai (with branches across Dubai)
They have invited me a number of times to their branches to try their food. I order from them for delivery, and amazed at how they always come up with new options.
Veganerie in Siam Paragon Bangkok, Thailand
Love their whole food options and desserts. I even bought bamboo straws from them to give to my friends when I returned to UAE.
Siam Paragon, Bangkok
You’ll find Veganerie somewhere here!
Shan Noodles. In Burmese language, “thatalo” means “no living things”
I probably had these noodles more than twice when I went to Myanmar. It looks different from one place to another.
With friends, we would usually go to the food court so each can pick whatever one would like to eat. They were also considerate that they would even cook for me separately, or put aside food that I can eat before they add animal products. It was a bit of a challenge attending parties. So what I usually do is eat beforehand.
After all, I’m attending to socialise and not to eat. I have a friend who would always send me the menu since she would prepare for her children’s parties months in advance, and let me pick what I can eat (she’s amazing!).
When I’m with my boyfriend, he’d send me menu from restaurants we would possibility go to so I can check if I have options. Overall, not much of a challenge!
Anything is possible. When you explain things, people will surely understand (not necessarily do the same, which you also have to accept).
When they ask me questions about being vegan, how to go vegan, and the like I just answer them according to my experiences
Rosena Noble Palabay
I don’t tell people to try (apart from when I share posts about vegan recipes, or about my course). I have been to places, been with family and friends, and what I do is let them try my food (they’re always happy to try and never said my food tastes nasty or whatever).
I usually cook my food and share recipes on my social media so do check them out! I have recently started cooking more Filipino food to inspire more Filipinos to try vegan and let them use available resources in the Philippines.
Breaking Myths about Being Vegan
The most that I hear about is that it’s expensive. It’s a no brainer for me to educate people about this because I’m just the perfect example. I’m unemployed and I’m vegan, and I still am! I don’t think that needs more explaining.
Another is that vegan food is boring. I simply show photos of food I cook and eat, and that’s it!
Research is key! I started alone with my journey, but I came to find a great community (Vegans in Dubai
are the best!). So find a group who can help you (check out Manila Vegans if you are in the Philippines).
I have never been so into food until I went vegan. I became more conscious about preparing my food, the ingredients, and nutrition in general. Now that I’m vegan, I’m cooking Filipino food more often so that I can share recipes to my fellow Filipinos.
I started vlogging my vegan lifestyle to inspire others. I get to try different cuisines, and discover that there’s plenty out there which are accidentally vegan. I now eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and food in general. I became so fascinated about the vegan frozen foods in the Philippine market – they’re unbelievably delicious!
Vegan Brownie – No Milk, No Egg
Crispy Fried Breadfruit (or Jackfruit)
Native delicacies, buko juice in Davao City (Philippines)
Rice cakes and coconut is just the perfect combo!
Fresh produce in Davao City (Philippines)
Bec&Geri’s and Emvassy Pub in Davao City, Philippines
They serve classic Filipino appetizers Ms. Bec (on the background) is the owner, and has survived cancer since she adapted a plant-based lifestyle.
Chilla Gorilla Plant-based Burgers Davao City
Tasty plant-based burgers, amazing owner
Circle Hostel and Kahatea in La Union, Philippines
Mushroom-based dishes and vegan milk tea
My Eurthlin handbag from Dubai and Vegcharon at Little Milkyway in Baguio City, Philippines
Buhay Gulay (Vegetarian Carinderia) in La Union, Philippines
They offer wheat-based, soy-based, and whole vegetable options. They’re vegetarian, but mostly vegan with decadent vegan desserts.
Vegan slider and vegcharon in Baguio City, Philippines
Sultan Kudarat Milk Tea from Kahatea PH (local milk tea place)
They feature places in the Philippines through their milk tea flavours. Isn’t that amazing?
Seabuds San Juan, La Union (Philippines)
I love the smoothie bowls and toasts
Garden City of Samal (Davao City, Philippines)
Bioskin Coco Life&Nature from Davao City
The review of each of these skin care products are found on my social media accounts. I have uploaded shorts on my YouTube account too. They’re amazing!
Bioskin Coco Life&Nature Pink Blush Sunblock Cream from Davao City
HariBowl Plant-Powered Grocer Ultimate Snack Overload (La Union, Philippines)
This snack overload costs 299 pesos ($6) includes two scoops of vegan ice cream, siopao (Chinese buns), shawarma, burger, empanada (turnovers).
Watch my review on my vlog
Likha Diwa (Quezon City, Philippines)
I ordered vegan food from them during my stay in Marikina City. The whole food plant-based options are heavenly.
It’s rewarding! I’ve never felt better
Rosena Noble Palabay
Being vegan is amazing! It’s not just about the food one eats. It’s the feeling of becoming part of the greater good. It is such a beautiful feeling to feel good from inside, and be able to affect lives. It is never a sacrifice to become vegan. It is something you can celebrate every single day, because life is always something to be celebrated!
I’m always happy with the thought that I’m able to save a life, and that I don’t contribute or pay for cruelty, to jeopardize my health and harm the planet.
Rosena Noble Palabay she/her
Digital creator
Proud Pinay 🇵🇭
Educator|Life Coach|Digital Course Creator 👩🏽🏫
Passion for life and well-being 💚🌱
📸 ✈ 🇵🇭 🇬🇧 🇹🇭 🇱🇦 🇰🇭 🇲🇾 🇸🇬 🇦🇪 🇮🇷 🇴🇲 🇦🇲 🇬🇪 🇸🇨 🇲🇺 🇲🇲
all images courtesy of Rosena N. Palabay