Mexican food in a pop-up mobile truck, with kitchen?
YES, that’s what brothers Emphil and Edralde Pascua do and it is paying off.
They remembered how fame slowly dawned on their business when Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia visited and interviewed them sometime in 2021, as the official’s way of helping Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) like theirs.
De Venecia often goes around his district and showcases small businesses via his Facebook and other social media accounts and offers some suggestions to the owners to boost their sales.
Em and Ed are the owners of ‘Malastog ala Bwag’ (similar to voracious eater), a Mexican restaurant in Barangay Buenlag, Mangaldan that started only with pull-up chairs. It has a unique design and Instagrammable mural on its fence.
They offer vampiro de birria, tacos, quesadillas, burgers, burritos/wrap, wings, rice meals and mac and cheese adjusted to Pinoy palate at an affordable price. They drew inspiration from the successful Fil-Mex restaurant Silantro in Dagupan City.
“That interview we had with the congressman was very helpful. Many learned about our business and came to try it,” Edralde or Ed for short, said when this reporter talked to him during the Galila Arts Festival’s Sunset Sinehan at the Tondaligan Park on March 17.
Ed added that De Venecia and some of their friends suggested that they try to have a customized mobile truck with kitchen to go around, especially during big events like fiestas, to boost their sales.
After thorough thinking, the brothers acceded to it and are now making their presence felt in Fourth District town fiestas and in other big occasions. Other towns in Pangasinan also invite them to their fiestas.
The congressman also brings to the Pascua house, converted into a small resto of Malastog in Buenlag, some of his VIP guests. During the recent Galila Arts Festival, among those who dined at ‘Malastog ala Bwag’ were Tourism Regional Director Jeff Ortega and his girlfriend, showbiz personality Jasmine Curtis.
This early, part of their plan is to branch out in San Juan, La Union following the success of their business venture.
“Events like this Galila Arts Festival push us to market our business simply by word of mouth,” Ed said. (Eva Visperas)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
