The Team

Meet my team!

Alpha Regine A. Gil, Workshop Manager

Mom to Alcee and Allesza, an animal lover, and a former Hotel and Restaurant Management student, Regine has been with me since raw food class #1.  She started out as my all-around go-to person: raw food demo assistant, kitchen preparation assistant to photographer.

Now Regine manages the kitchen inventory and when not taking care of her babies, assists in my raw food demonstration and yoga workshops in and outside the city.  Or when she cannot be in my classes, she helps me in recipe development and class theme conceptualizations.  In out-of town workshops, Regine handles the finances and checks on the venue and other pre-workshop needs.  She works closely with me in developing new products for sale and in preparing the class manuals making sure that all dishes suit all palates.

For class and workshop inquiries, email Regine at RegineGil@RawYoginiSonia.com.

Mad Abril, Photographer

As a long-time friend, Mad is one of those few people who knows exactly how to capture my best angles in photographs.  He started out as an alternate photographer (when my all-around go-to person, Regine, has too much work on her plate) and eventually became the mainstay photographer in my classes.  He makes sure that all photos capture the true essence of my class – simple, healthy, happy, sexy, and full of passion.  When busy with work, Mad helps develop new products, checks the market, and advises on how to move forward in this journey.

Vegetarian since 1991, Mad runs his own vegetarian online store Veg Orgasm selling specialty vegan sausages.  He is the creator of the webcomic Generation Q.

Alcee Jhayne A. Gil, Apprentice

My 6-year old grandniece and greatest fan is always excited to hear about my upcoming classes, bazaars, and food festivals.  I would often bring her to the class with the initial agreement that she would just sit in one corner and watch while I teach, only for her to end up standing beside me taking photos and commenting on whether my food arrangement is appetizing enough.  Yes, she is the ultimate critic.  One word from her that my raw food does not taste good and I will be revising the recipes.  Kids, especially Alcee, don’t lie!

Alcee loves animals and movies.  Check out her blog at AlceeMovieList.wordpress.com.

Chingbee Templo, Workshop Guest Assistant

I met Chingbee in a Chi Nei Tsang (tummy massage) workshop.  She missed the morning session for a previous engagement so when she came in to class, I initially told myself, I’m not partnering with the late-comer.  But as fate would have it, we were standing side-by-side when the teacher asked us to find a partner.  We got along right away!  Since then she attended several of my raw food classes and have become a good friend.  Vegan for so many years, Chingbee shares my passion for creating special vegan dishes.  She is a freelance journalist and editor and manages a creative communication consulting firm.  Chingbee assisted in some of my #RawFoodIsTheNewHot workshop series at Healthy Eats Makati where she attended her 1st raw food class.  Chingbee says she’s “too shy” to include her photo here.

Christina Vergara-Manabat, Workshop Guest Assistant

Tin and I worked together in an environment non-government organization.  I’ve always known her as very health conscious, always making sure that her plate has healthy stuff on it only.  When she found out that I am teaching raw food classes, she volunteered to assist to which I initially said, sorry but I only accept former students as assistant.  But somehow when I needed an assistant for a class at my home, I thought of her and minutes later, I saw her!  I knew it wasn’t coincidence.  Tin assisted in some of my classes but has now moved to Canada to be with her husband.  She worked for an environment group, Ecowaste Coalition.   She is a vegan and is happily married.

Gale Villaflor, Intern

Gale attended my #RawFoodIsTheNewHot workshop series 2: Chocolates are Forever at Healthy Eats in Makati.  I didn’t hear from her after the class but we remained friends in Facebook.  One day, I needed someone to join me in class (it seemed like everyone else were too busy) that I had to shout out in Facebook that I needed an assistant/intern.  Minutes later, Gale said she’s in and I, of course, was elated!  Gale studied Anthropology at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.  She is a freelance researcher and development worker.  She travels a lot for work but now wants to focus on things that she’d always loved: crochet and travel.  Currently, she is trying to start a healthier lifestyle.

Cloyde Ingrid Dela Cruz, Workshop Guest Assistant (Philippine Senate class)

I met Cloyde a few years ago when she attended my raw vegan class in Quezon City.  Since then, we’ve kept in touch through Facebook and when she saw my post about needing an assistant for an upcoming class at the Philippine Senate, she volunteered right away.  She’s an advocate in food innovation and at the age of 22, she is currently a young entrepreneur running Meraki Meal Delivery, a delivery service in Manila that takes into consideration the calorie count of each meal.  A graduate of University of Santo Tomas in 2015 and a licensed Nutritionist-Dietitian who also seeks to provide knowledge on health and nutrition to her clients.

Donald Z. Lapez, Workshop Guest Assistant (Philippine Senate class)

Donald is a good friend of mine. We’ve met a couple of months ago when we partnered in a Dianetics auditing session.  One session and we declared, we’re soul brothers and sisters! So here he is exploring my raw vegan world.  Donald is also a make-up artist to celebrities.

Mary Ann S. Cristobal, Workshop Guest Assistant (Philippine Senate class)

I’ve first met Mary Ann via Facebook, perhaps through the Manila Vegans page.  I met her once when she ordered raw vegan Christmas fruit cake from my kitchen.  Mary Ann is a certified wellness professional, movement specialist, holistic life coach, vegan home chef, energy medicine practitioner and BhaktiYoga practitioner since 1987.  She has more than 15 years experience in food industry as assistant vegan/ vegetarian chef, line cook, catering services, and as vegan nutrition consultant.

Maynard Liza, Workshop Guest Assistant (Philippine Senate class)

I haven’t personally met Maynard before he assisted in my Senate raw vegan class.  It was his mom who volunteered her son and friends to assist in my class.  He sent an email after that expressing interest to be part of my class.  Maynard, is a 3rd year students of Lyceum Cavite studying Cruiseline major in culinary arts.  At the Senate class, Maynard proved that he is an asset in the kitchen especially after he volunteered to demonstrate one dish in front of the 60 Senate employees.

Jerome Kominami, Workshop Guest Assistant (Philippine Senate class)

Jerome is a 3rd year students of Lyceum Cavite studying Cruiseline major in culinary arts.  When he volunteered to be in my class, he said he’s not the best in the kitchen but can very well follow orders and would love to be assisting in my class.  He is indeed very helpful going beyond his tasks by sharing some of his knowledge during the students’ hands-on food preparation.

Eson Ramos, Workshop Guest Assistant (Philippine Senate class)

Eson is the last to volunteer to assist in my Senate class. He is a 3rd year students of Lyceum Cavite studying Cruiseline major in culinary arts.  I am glad that he was part of my class.  He, together with the other two volunteers from their school, made my class so much more fun and smooth-flowing. 

We accept interns and volunteers – people who love kids, animals, raw food, energy work, yoga, and batik painting.  And even those who just love to talk or silently connect, under the moon, over a cup of tea, or those who love Bollywood and Aamir Khan.

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