Calajo captures the heart and soul of Benguet
Dokto Cream
Calajo is a popular restaurant in La Trinidad that has become a destination of locals and city folks alike. For husband-and-wife business tandem Danny and Eunice Wong, Calajo breathes new life to the popular tourist destination of Benguet.
It started as a small eatery in Pines, the first grocery in La Trinidad that Eunice’s mother put up in 1980. When she retired, Danny and Eunice acquired the grocery, while Calajo went to Eunice’s sister. In 2009, her sister had to migrate to Canada and sold them the business as well.
Calajo already had a loyal following by then, and people waited in line for their delicious and affordable fast-food meals—the daily queues for lunch and merienda, in fact, were very long but their customers didn’t seem to mind.
“We started from scratch. We didn’t know anything about the food business,” says Eunice. “We just love to eat,” Danny muses. Ideas kept pouring in, however, and according to the couple, hard work was one of the key ingredients to their success, plus team effort. They were each other’s support system.
“You also have to find that thing that will make you different from the rest. You have to know your customers—and really talk to them,” explains Danny.
Calajo is a native Ibaloi word that means “welcome,” and by chance also stands for the combined names of Eunice’s parents, Carlos and Josefa.
“Most of our menu is based on native Benguet cuisine. But we introduce new things, too,” says Eunice. Both Danny and Eunice have roots in the region.
A management background allowed them to re-invent the existing operations of the restaurant. Danny also put to use his learnings and training from his first job at a multinational company. Soon, they were also accepting catering jobs. “With change, there’s resistance,” says Danny, who shares how employees reacted to the new system. “We needed to be efficient so we re-organized,” adds Eunice.
“The change in job descriptions had mixed reactions from the staff,” he says about the initial struggle. When the dust settled, things were running smoothly.
Danny and Eunice Wong, the husband-and-wife tandem behind Calajo restaurant in La Trinidad, Benguet.
“We love our employees; they have malasakit and we trust them,” says Eunice. They now have a total of 50 employees from Pines grocery, Calajo, and their other businesses—a bakery and a water station. They are even opening a second branch of their water station, right beside the Calajo restaurant itself.
“We started accepting catering jobs, always looking for something to add on to it, and now we deliver,” she smiles. When they saw the opportunity to grow, the Wongs did the calculations and trusted their instincts.
It was their Plantersbank account officer that helped them push through with acquiring a property for a stand-alone restaurant. “Plantersbank is our partner. The bank even helped us conceptualize the store,” says Danny.
Calajo Restaurant first opened in May 2012 with a three-story building to accommodate weddings and other big events. They have been fully booked ever since.
“They just go out of their way to help you,” shares Eunice. It was because of Plantersbank’s officers that the store mural came to be—a wall full of visually stunning and heartwarming photos of Benguet. “They suggested that we show what Benguet is all about,” says Danny. “They even suggested what kind of flooring to use, and we listened!” laughs Eunice.
Calajo is located at La Trinidad Valley along Halsema Highway, a short walking distance away from the strawberry fields, and fronting Benguet State University. With a clear view of Benguet and on the way to Sagada, Calajo has also since become a favorite stop for tourists.
While Danny and Eunice have fun, they are also aware of the trade-offs. “You’ll face obligations that seem insurmountable. When you grow, you’ll also face bigger responsibilities because so many people will now depend on you,” he says. “We were given this blessing. Do you just let it go to waste, or grow it?” asks Eunice simply.
Courage and fiery spirits, combined with trust in God, help them serve their community and family. Danny and Eunice Wong, true children of Benguet, have since lived up to their Ibaloi ancestors and are definitely making them mighty proud today.
