It was refreshing to see Priscilla Meirelles—a celebrity, host, and actress—busy behind the scenes.
At the recent opening of Feta Mediterranean Online Grocery and Restaurant at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City, the Brazilian beauty queen was spotted overseeing last-minute preparations before the program began.
She was seen giving instructions to the service crew and making sure no important detail was overlooked.
At one point, she even personally adjusted the uniforms of some female service staff.
The Miss Earth 2004 titleholder seemed to be everywhere at once.
And it was all part of new role: brand manager of Feta Mediterranean, an authentic Mediterranean restaurant and online grocery shopping.
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Mediterranean cuisine, widely regarded as one of the foundations of the world’s healthiest eating patterns, is being introduced to Filipinos through Feta.
At the event, Priscilla told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal): “So, Feta has its roots established here in the Philippines since 2014. So, we are more than 10 years in the business.”
The restaurant was brought to Metro Manila by Turkish businessman Kadir Ketenci and his Filipina wife, Michelle.
Now helping oversee the family business is one of their three children, Deniz.
Priscilla said: “They really are true to their roots. Just like any foreigner that comes to a country where the cuisine is different, they try to find a way of bringing authentic Mediterranean food to the Philippines.
"And they're very successful because Feta is as authentic as it gets.
Their other branches, aside from the one in Newport Resorts World, are located in Rockwell, Makati, BGC, and Greenhills.
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PRISCILLA’S job
So how did Priscilla become the brand manager of the restaurant?
The former beauty queen revealed that the Ketencis have been long-time friends of her family since she moved to the Philippines, as well as of her ex-husband John Estrada, who was also at the branch opening.
Priscilla continued: “I've been helping them in the past, not professionally, just like friends, just friendship…
“But they wanted to make it official, and they persuaded me to make it official.”
They came to an agreement on a schedule that would also work for Priscilla, since she has showbiz commitments.
“So, I said, ‘Okay,’ we agreed with the terms of schedule because I have a series, ongoing series, My Husband is a Mafia Boss, with Viva…
“And I have other personal projects, my podcast, my vlogs...
“I think at the end of the day, it's uso ngayon. I work in remote, so I need to show up in all the branches in a weekly basis, but not every day in all the branches.”
Priscilla told PEP that she assumed the post on May 4, 2026.
“I started right away as soon as I was assigned officially.
“I'm very grateful, first, for the trust given to me by Feta family.
“And second, it's exciting to be back in a business that I've done before the pandemic, and also what [we] used to do back home [Brazil].”
Pre-pandemic, Priscilla, who was still with John then, ventured into several businesses, including a restaurant. But they had to shut it down when the pandemic hit.
“A lot of the businesses suffered during that time. And then now, coming back in a different… with a twist, in this kind of industry that I do appreciate.
“I'm a food lover and I appreciate all kinds of cuisines and I love Mediterranean food.
“So, to be able to be on board, to bring my expertise in terms of brand managing, I'm very excited and grateful.”
Unknown to many, Priscilla already has extensive experience in business management.
Back in Brazil, she helped manage several family businesses, including real estate development, a car dealership, roofing, and rental properties.
She and John also put up a talent management business, which John continues to run to this day.
Priscilla likewise previously served as a director for a national pageant in the Philippines, as well as another pageant in Brazil.
“I did a lot. Anything I’m passionate about that I believe, I go for it, just have fun and always give my best."
She quipped: “So, somehow I grew up in that kind of business…the business of making real money."
PRISCILLA'S RESPONSIBILITIES AS BRAND MANAGER
As brand manager of Feta Mediterranean, the beauty queen said she takes a holistic approach to the business.
Beyond strengthening its market positioning, she also values customer feedback, particularly on how the dishes are prepared, presented, and served.
When teased about being very hands-on at work, Priscilla said she takes pride in being actively involved.
“Actually, natulog ako ng 4:00 A.M. to make sure that everything goes smooth and as I envisioned."
She also mentioned some of the products such as the “purest olive oil” in the Philippines and the home-made yoghurt.
“It's very healthy. It's a very healthy cuisine. We're also very proud to say we're halal, one of the very few restaurants in the Philippines that is a hundred-percent halal."
Halal means food that is "lawful" or "permissible" for Muslims.
Priscilla continued: “We have authentic chef from Turkey, Chef Beyto Koc.
“We just wanna welcome everyone to come and appreciate and enjoy the best that Mediterranean [food] offered in the Philippines.”
How's the pricing?
"Feta, it can be for super-elevated Mediterranean food to the very basic, the shawarma…
“We are very budget-friendly also, compared to other restaurants, competitors in the market. So, we can come with a good PHP500 and have a sumptuous meal.
“So, it's really good to be able to afford, to make the Filipinos afford great food all the way from the Mediterranean.”
There's more: the restaurant can also be tapped for catering services.
And with the current five branches, Priscilla revealed that the goal is to increase that number to 10 in the coming years.
“We have plans to even expand to Cebu and other provinces. We want to make sure that when people think of Mediterranean food, first thing they think it's Feta.”