Ex-OFWs' fourth resto business is a 'gaming hub' in Laguna



Reaping the fruits of their hard labor as migrant workers, a Filipino couple has managed to put up three restaurants in the United Arab Emirates — and is now trying their luck in the Philippines.
Introducing Gamerspod, a "gaming hub resto bar" that couple Joseph Ronald and Len Gutierrez Calara have just put up in Pacita, Laguna, to test the water of the current Philippine business climate.
"Nagtayo lang kami kasi gusto namin subukan kung mas okay ba ang business sa 'Pinas compared dito," said Len, a former nurse in Australia, via email.
"Gamerspod is a gaming hub resto bar where you can eat and drink while playing console games (PS4, WII VU, family computer and SEGA), board games (jenga, chess, UNO), and some latest games (Pie Face and Bad Dog)," she added.
It is also a place to drink, although you have to be 18 years and old and above in order to be served alcoholic beverages, in accordance with the law.
The most expensive on its menu—costing P433—is the “Bucket + Appetizers,” which consists of five bottles of beer and an appetizer that could either be chicken wings, crispy tilapia, or 250g of potato wedges.
"As of now, we are the first one in the south of this kind of restaurant," Len said.
The couple's three restaurants in the UAE are The Filipino Kitchen Restaurant, Rice Overdose, and the Spoon & Bowl.
"Those restaurants are still operational," said Len, who gave up her job in Australia to join her husband, an electrical engineer, in the UAE. Like her, Joseph Ronald or Jayr, has also resigned from his job to focus on their business ventures.
"Ang restaurant lang namin ang source of income naming mag-asawa. [Kaya] kailangan namin ng alternative source of income na hindi maapektuhan ng market ng UAE," Len said in explaining their decision to put up a business in Laguna. —KBK, GMA News

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