It's GROW time!

My childhood dream was to be a doctor. My teenage dream was to be an actor. My ideal job was to be an engineer like my dad. It did not happen. I am a teacher becoming a facilitator.

The last trainer's training I participated was in 2011 in YMCA Manila. The last seminar workshop I organized and facilitated was The First Bicol Social Media Workshop in 2011 and The First Bicol Street Style Photography Workshop in 2012. For the succeeding years, I let my students organize seminars as their project. I was a speaker at times also. 

Now, I am a Program Facilitator for the Getting Ready and Organized for Work (GROW) of Children's International Philippines- Legazpi. I conducted the trainer's training for GROW Youth Volunteers last April 26 and 27, 2014. I was very busy for two weeks organizing the event. 

The day before the event, Ms. Weng Brizuela, went inside our office with a cup of coffee and sat beside my desk. We were talking about GROW and I suddenly thought of inviting her to be a speaker. She accepted the invitation.

Also, the night before the event, I met Grace Imperial at Albay Viejo for the writer's meeting for The Procession of Faith Coffee Table Book Project. I immediately invited her to speak also for the trainer's training happening the next day. Despite the short notice, she too accepted to be part of my first ever Train the Trainer! 

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank every one who was part of another historical first. You know who you are! It's GROW time! 

Sa Bicol, Sa Bigg's!

I was in third year high school when Bigg’s oldest branch opened in 1997 at the corner of Fr. J.L. Bates St. (formerly Ma. Clara St.) and Rizal St. Old Albay Legazpi City. My classmates and I would spend our extra allowance on Bigg’s Classic Burger and Rock n’ Roll Iced Tea, which is a secret blend of sugar, lemon and real brewed iced tea. Some of my classmates even became part of Bigg’s television commercial aired on the local news.

With my St. Agnes' Academy High School friends
again in 2009.

Bigg's Goto for Five High School Friends.

After high school, I would always order my favorite meal, Cordon Bleu, before I take the bus back to Manila to start another semester in college. Sometimes I order it to go and make Bigg’s Cordon Bleu as my baon. Bigg’s is the first restaurant in the Bicol region to serve Cordon Bleu.


Every time I am home in Albay for semestral break, Christmas and Summer vacation, I would always catch-up with family and friends from high school over Bigg’s Goto especially after a night of drinking. Bigg’s Goto was a landmark of Nald’s, a previous Pinoy fast-food concept which was later fused with another concept of  fast casual restaurant selling pizza and western dishes renamed to Carl’s Diner. Carl’s is a common name among the sons of the three founders, Nena Bichara, Nienie Buenaflor and Maricar Manjon. From its original name, Mang Donald’s to Carl’s Diner, it is now known as Bigg’s Diner, the first successful local restaurant concept to receive international recognition in Asiaweek.

Mom and my cousin from Manila at Biggs - Pacific Mall 2010

With Korean Students at Bigg's Embarcadero - 2010

Korean ready to order at Bigg's Embarcadero - 2010

Back then there were only two Bigg’s in Albay – Bigg’s Old Albay and Bigg’s Bichara Mall.  To date, Bigg’s Diner have four branches in Albay  - Bigg’s Daraga, Bigg’s Embarcadero, Bigg’s Pacific Mall and Bigg’s Old Albay, which is open for twenty four hours. It has 12 branches across Bicol and 2 in Calabarzon – Lipa and Batangas. The first Bigg’s franchise was Bigg’s Goa. The youngest Bigg’s store is Bigg’s diner Sorsogon which opened last May 2012.

#BiggerBetterBiggs at Bigg's Diner Pacific Mall Legazpi

After a month‘s hiatus, Bigg’s Diner – Pacific Mall Legazpi opened its door once more last March 5, 2014. Located at the first floor, it set itself apart from other quick-service restaurant through the fusion of American cuisine and Bicol influence. Those who remember its traditional American Diner look will be happy to see that the new Bigg’s Diner still maintains its classic ambiance. Its industrial interior with a vintage flair makes your every day dining experience – from hearty breakfast, power lunches, midday snacks to romantic dinners - suit your current mood. It continues to attract more and more Albayanos, local and foreign tourists to eat good food. It also features a function room where you can hold fabulous parties, seminars and other events. 

Image by Karen Hobi-Wong

At its grand launch and blessing last April 4, 2014, guests could not get over the absolute marvelous modern vintage concept. Bigg’s Diner has synergized the classic with contemporary sensibilities. I enjoyed having conversation with the creative team, Mr. Ben Nasayao and Ms. Rica Buenaflor as we were seating on the high wooden stool matched with an elevated wooden table. I found out from them that lofty tables make your mind more active. So expect a lively conversation when you take a seat at Bigg’s Diner combined with lights from Edison bulbs that hang over the dining area.

With the creative team of BiggerBetterBiggs during the
Grand Opening.

Bigg’s Diner menu is composed of tempting choices. An eighteen inches giant burger with a thickness of two and a half inch was the main attraction during the grand launch and blessing. For starters, the Bigg’s Crispy Chicken is a must try. It is served with a side dish and gravy. It is MAS MALAKI and MAS MASARAP.

Having been eaten in Bigg’s Diner for years now, their right mix of space and food is taking over Bicol. Bigg’s Diner has indeed proven the testimonial that “You have never been to Bicol, if you have never been to Biggs” is definitely true.  Sa Bicol, Sa Biggs!