Beijing, China - For two months since October, Gemmicah “Gem” Argonza, a Filipina artisan bread maker based in Beijing battled it out and ultimately outmatched nine (9) other young entrepreneurs from Afghanistan, India, the UK, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Mainland China and Macau in the Second Season of the reality TV show “The Day I Ran China” (TDIRC).

The contestants travelled all throughout rural China and met industry masters in the countryside who played crucial roles in creating or boosting domestic livelihood.

During the entire season, Gem exemplified the Filipino attributes of being warm and ingenuous. She managed being an excellent team player and leader. It may have taken her until the last individual task to win an individual challenge, but in each challenge, she was consistently creative and passionate.

TDIRC was co-produced by Discovery Media Group, Mango Super Media, and Mango TV, and broadcasted by the Discovery Global TV Network and streamed via MGTV.

Gem is a progeny of a Kapampangan Mom and an Ivatan Dad. She has fond memories of her grandmother’s kitchen especially her Kapampangan buro (pickled rice typically used as dipping sauce) on charcoal roasted catfish (called hito in Filipino). Her passion for food lead her to be a hotelier by profession, which she practiced for five (5) years in Singapore. She moved to China in 2016 with a thirst for new adventure. Right after winning TDIRC, being the true adventure-junkie, Gem will soon be opening Mesa Madre in Guomao. Gem describes Mesa Madre. as a shabby chic bakery cafe that produces artisan bread and fusion dishes she designed herself. Filipino adobo is on her caidan 菜单 and surely, this is delightful news to the Filipino community.

The Philippine Embassy in Beijing congratulates Ms. Gem Argonza for winning the Second Season of TDIRC and for being an immense source of Filipino pride to our community. END