Josh Albelda is one of thousands of ABS-CBN workers who lost their jobs in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The burger joint that he set up with wife Alysa, initially conceptualized as a fallback, became their only source of income.
Both are photographers and while Alysa didn't lose her news job, the quarantines meant fewer job orders as events were canceled. They had to scale up their baby, Burger Garage.
"Noong nagstart yung pandemic we were still hopeful kasi alam naming meron pa kaming babalikang trabaho. Alam namin na pag natapos na yung lahat, meron kaming babalikang opisina, meron kaming babalikang work," Josh said.
Burger Garage's original space proved too small for social distancing requirements and the couple had to compete with delivery and takeout businesses.
"Ang pinakamahirap dun is sabay-sabay. Yung wala ka nang work, namamatay pa business mo. 'Yun yung malaking naging effect sa amin," he said.
The couple took a big leap and found their burger business a new spot in Makati, now with more space, open air, and more customers to accomodate.
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It's the perfect setup of the so-called new normal of dining.
"Naisip namin kasi since nawala yung work ko tapos nalulugi pa yung isang business, kung hindi kami magri-risk walang mangyayari sa amin," he said.
Know more about their story in this #SummitOriginals video:
