Regina Troy Barrios

A Heartbroken Guest Tried to Cancel Valentine’s. This Chef’s Response Restores Faith in Humanity

Article (news)

<p>A young lady had booked a table at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/modan.mnl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mōdan</a> for Valentine’s Day. Then she and her partner broke up, and suddenly the reservation felt meaningless.</p><p>So she sent a message to the restaurant:</p><p>&quot;Hi Modan. Is it possible to cancel my reservation? And refund my payment? I don’t really have a valid reason for this, just that me and my partner broke up, thus no more Valentine’s Day date. (sad face). Thank you for considering my request.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771205104137Workbench Thumbnail.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771204748242B.jpg" style="width:860px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>The young woman, whose TikTok handle is @hey_merie, expected the usual dry, procedural reply about cancellations and refunds. Instead, she received a heartfelt message from Modan’s chef-owner, Jorge Mendez, who was recently seen on Pinoy Big Brother and whose restaurants we previously featured here on Metro.Style.</p><p>The restaurant explained:</p><p>&quot;When he heard about your situation, he immediately called and asked me to let you know that he will be refunding you the full payment. More than that, he would still like to invite you to dine with us on Valentine’s Day or on any date you prefer. You’re very welcome to bring a companion of your choice, whether a friend, a family member, or anyone you’d feel comfortable sharing the experience with. Chef simply wants you to still feel love in another form.&quot;</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771204786045C.jpg" style="width:860px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>It was an empathetic, compassionate gesture. The chef offered a rare kind of grace, showing just how sincerely he cares for his guests.x    She posted on TikTok the next day: </p><p>“Valentine’s plans changed last minute, so I reached out to cancel dinner at Mōdan. Instead, I was met with so much kindness and generosity [sic] shoutout to Chef Jorge for the incredible heart behind it all. Sometimes love doesn’t come the way you expect it to, sometimes it comes through really good food and genuinely good people. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Thank you, Mōdan and Chef Jorge. Grateful beyond words.”</p>

<p>A Valentine’s Day reservation turned emotional when a guest tried to cancel after a breakup, and Chef Jorge of Mōdan responded with an act of unexpected kindness that captured hearts online.</p>

A Valentine’s Day reservation turned emotional when a guest tried to cancel after a breakup, and Chef Jorge of Mōdan responded with an act of unexpected kindness that captured hearts online.

A Heartbroken Guest Tried To Cancel Valentine’s, The Chef’s Response Restores Faith In Humanity

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A Heartbroken Guest Tried To Cancel Valentine’s, The Chef’s Response Restores Faith In Humanity

Metro.Style

Published Feb 15, 2026 09:30 AM PHT

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Updated Feb 16, 2026 09:28 AM PHT

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Modan

Jorge mendez

valentine's day

viral valentine story

tiktok viral story

manila fine dining

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