Even before Rustica Alano opened this carinderia along Don Antonio Roces Avenue in Quezon City six years ago, she knew it would be a hit.
Her confidence was founded on a family recipe for grilled bangus (milkfish) which she serves topped with chopped green tomatoes, onions and celery.
Alano named the carinderia after her daughter, Pochok, who now helps in managing it. Business has been good—it has sent a family member to college and now partly funds the school fees of Pochok’s children.
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The grilled bangus is a beautiful and eye-catching dish and was one of the dishes ordered by Regina Abuyuan, an accomplished journalist, book editor and learning center owner when we visited last week. She also got a big bowl of bulalo, which she likes because it doesn’t use artificial flavoring.
Abuyuan says Pochok Bangusan is one of her favorite carinderia eateries—this is where she buys dinner when she doesn’t feel like cooking food at home for her family.
WHAT GINA ATE: Bulalo, grilled bangus, cup of rice and soda for PHP295.
WHAT SHE THINKS OF THE FOOD: She enjoyed the bangus because she loves grilled seafood. She says that everything is fresh—from the fish to the vegetables. She also likes the bulalo because it is rich and she did not taste any hint of artificial flavoring.
WORDS OF WISDOM: “How do I juggle my schedule? I attend to what’s urgent and I make sure to have time for myself. Dati hindi ako ganoon, I just keep myself busy all the time. I realized this year that it’s important to have time for yourself.”
Pochok Bangusan, 739-C Don Roces Avenue, Quezon City; Daily 7am to 10pm.
