TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Eight years after they set up their budget meal business, couple Edrick and Liezel Yao’s restaurant named Ocho has become popular not only among the locals but also among visiting personalities, such as President Aquino.
OWNER Liezel Yao entertains one of Ocho's customers. Photos by Joey Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas
Located just outside of Tacloban’s downtown area, “Ocho” came into existence as an offshoot to the budget meals offered by the couple to students—and their mothers who picked them up—inside an Internet café owned by a brother-in-law of Edrick.
The Internet café, which also has a billiard hall, was located at the ground floor of the family-owned three-story building.
“Since there were many people, mostly students, patronizing my brother-in-law’s Internet café, we thought why not offer food to them so they would no longer go out just to look for food,” 35-year-old Edrick says.
With an initial capital of P10,000, the Yao couple started their budget meal business in 2003, and recognizing the growth potential of their business, they opened a restaurant named “Ocho” in June of the same year.
CUSTOMERS enjoy their meal at Ocho Restaurant
They borrowed P400,000 from their relatives which they used to improve the space and acquire kitchen equipment, among others.
Thus, Ocho was born June of 2003.
“We opened without any fanfare. Some customers just came in curious about our restaurant, what we have to offer,” recalls Edrick, a computer engineering graduate.
They decided to specialize on seafood cuisine, as it was the rage at the time, and the needed supplies abound in Eastern Visayas, he explains.
In less than a year, their business picked up in terms of the volume of customers and before the year was over, they were able to pay off their loan.
“Of course, it never occurred to us that we will go this far. (We had) no inkling whatsoever. It’s our attitude to never give up plus our complete trust to Him above up could be the reason why we have succeeded in our business,” 34-year-old Liezel says.
According to Liezel, a business management graduate, she chose “Ocho” as the name of their restaurant located along Sen. Enage Street because it could be easily remembered.
“I am fond also of anything Spanish-sounding names. Of course, the number eight is considered to be a lucky number among Chinese. Thus, we chose it as our name,” she says.
It also helped that the song Ocho-ocho was a hit song at the time.
“Some people are even calling us as Ocho-ocho. Of course, we are flattered,” she says with a laugh.
THE FACADE of Ocho Restaurant. Photos by Joey Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas
Liezel also credited the continued patronage of their customers as having contributed to the success of their business. “We are thankful to them for without their patronage, we will not reach this far,” she says.
“Ocho” occupies the ground and second floors of the three-story building owned by Edrick’s family. The last level of the building serves as the residence of the Yao couple.
From only a handful of employees, the couple now employs close to 50 workers.
Edrick says he tries to infuse their employees with pride in their jobs.
“I always remind them being a waiter or a waitress is something that they should not be ashamed of. I see to it that they should be proud of what they are doing. In fact, I made sure that they undergo some trainings so they would be adept in their work,” he says.
Being in the food business is nothing new to Edrick as his family owns a restaurant located in Tacloban City’s downtown area.
He recalls that his father exposed him and his siblings to running the family-owned restaurant. While he earned a degree in computer engineering, Edrick says he has always been fond of cooking.
Edrick says that his greatest influence when it comes to cooking is his grandmothers, especially his paternal one.
“I also love experimenting how a food is being cooked,” he adds.
But at the Ocho, a hired chef prepares the food as he focuses on getting supplies, going as far as Samar just to get fresh fish. On the other hand, his wife takes care of the paper work, including doing financial reports.
The couple has become so busy they hardly have time for their family.
Liezel cites as an example, Christmastime, which is supposed to be spent with the family. “But not in our case, we are still working during this time. That is why, we really feel guilty that we are not with our children even during Christmas. But we try to make up with them and find time so we can be with them even only for some time,” Liezel says.
But their efforts have paid off as the restaurant has attracted well-known personalities who have patronized Ocho. Among them were President Aquino, former first lady Imelda Marcos, Leyte representative and television host and commercial model, Lucy Torres Gomez and several movie stars and basketball players.
Asked what they envisioned for “Ocho” in the next few years, Edrick says that they want to put up a branch somewhere in Metro Manila.
“That is part of our dream. Nothing concrete yet. But we really would like to branch out to Metro Manila, preferably,” Edrick says.
As they attained success in their business, the Yaos have decided to drop their plan to migrate to Canada for good.