Bulalo, one of the most loved Filipino dishes especially during rainy season, is not simply a comfort food that provides a nostalgic value for others, but a life changer as well.
As a street child, Roy Villegas never imagined that this dish would be the answer to all of his prayers.
Villegas left behind a wealthy life and ran away from home when he was 6 years old. He was devastated after his mother met another man after being separated from his father.
He slept inside jeepneys and tricycles just to have a roof above his head.
Villegas worked as a bakal-bote boy (garbage collector) to support his own needs.
A teacher eventually decided to adopt Villegas and support his studies. While studying, Villegas also served as watcher in a billiards place.
One time, Villegas spotted another street child trying to rob a billiards place. He called him out and out of fear, the kid ran away.
As a reward, the owner of the billiards place treated Villegas with a hot bowl of bulalo.
“Talagang gutom na gutom ako. Pag alok na pag alok niya sa’kin, ayon kumain ko. Hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yong bulalo,” he said.
While studying, Villegas discovered his passion and skills in playing basketball.
Villegas financed his college education by playing for the University of the East (UE) and the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) collegiate basketball teams.
Aside from this, Villegas was also busy doing different sideline jobs to support his daily needs. He polished shoes of his teammates and sold lunch to his classmates.
In 2011, Villegas tried to enter the professional basketball league, to no avail.
“Siguro kahit na sabihin mong hindi ka quitter, mayroon lang talagang bagay na hindi for you,” he said.
After working as a basketball coach for a while, Villegas decided to return to one of his sidelines in college – cooking and preparing food. This time, however, he wanted to venture into something bigger. With only Php5,000 in his pocket, Villegas decided to enter the food cart business.
His burger business started slow until the band Parokya ni Edgar noticed his business.
From that moment on, it was one success after the other for Villegas. He managed to build two restaurants under his name.
One of his specials? Good old bulalo.
“Don’t be hesitant, No doubt ka dapat sa lahat ng haharapin mo. Pag naisip mo, find a way kasi malay mo ‘yong naisip mong idea na ‘yon could make a difference,” he said.
