Wilma Doesnt is no stranger to the spotlight—but this time, it wasn’t on a glamorous film set or high-fashion runway. It was inside her own restaurant, Chicks ni Otit, where she welcomed international food show host Phil Rosenthal for the Manila episode of Netflix’s beloved series, Somebody Feed Phil.
In a recent sit-down with Julius Babao for his YouTube vlog, the actress-turned-entrepreneur recalled how her humble eatery made its way onto a global platform.
“Ang market ko masa—everybody can eat,” Wilma shared. “It so happened na ’yung producer dito sa Pilipinas may driver… ’Yung driver, rider, tropa-tropa, kumakain dito.”
What began as a casual tip from a loyal customer—her own driver—blossomed into a career-defining opportunity. The local production team dined at Chicks ni Otit anonymously, assessing flavor and consistency, before confirming that a “vlogger” (later revealed to be Rosenthal) would be visiting.
Wilma admitted she initially didn’t know who Phil Rosenthal was. Her husband and co-owner Gerick Parin, however, recognized the cheerful host instantly. When Rosenthal arrived, Wilma said the vibe was instantly warm and familiar.
“Para siyang tiyuhin mo na cool,” she said with a laugh. “Alam mong kalmado siya, playful din. Nakipag-usap pa sa mga anak ko. Parang meron ka talagang tiyuhin na dinalaw ka.”
During the visit, Wilma proudly served their best-sellers — crispy pata, chicken inasal, and other comforting Filipino staples. The episode ended up capturing not just the flavor of Tagaytay, but also the warmth of its people.
More than a cameo, the Somebody Feed Phil feature became a powerful moment of validation for the couple, who built their restaurant from scratch with grit and heart.
“This is a dream come true,” Wilma said. “Hindi lang local market ang naaabot namin ngayon. Through this platform, baka ‘yung mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa — ’yung mga hindi pa nakakakilala sa amin — makilala na rin kami.”
Since the episode aired, their restaurants in Tagaytay and Cavite have seen a surge of interest.