True to its name, John Dangca's Salu-Salo restaurant in Australia brings Filipinos down under together for a taste of home.
Salu-Salo in the capital, Canberra, is a testament to 27-year-old Dangca's perseverance. He started out as a cleaner when he arrived in Australia as an exchange student when he was 19.
When Dangca's father died, his mother had to come home to the Philippines from working abroad.
At the time, he and his sister quit school and he started working as a fastfood service worker. But he felt the need to do more for his family, so he took the risk.
"Yung pinakamahirap sakin yung nahiwalay po talaga ako sa family. Sobrang hirap po 'nun kasi ilang taon po ako nung kinuha po ako ng tita ko, ilang months po ako na-homesick," he said.
While studying, he worked multiple cleaning jobs so he could save money and eventually bring his family to live in Australia with him. When it finally happened, he began working towards their dream of owning a restaurant.
"Nangutang ako kani-kanino para makuha yung resto," he said.
While Salu-Salo offers a taste of the familiar to overseas Filipinos, it also aims to introduce the cuisine to Australians.
People from all over would go to their restaurant just for their adobo, he said.
"Sobrang hirap po sa umpisa yung mga kababayan po na nag-aabroad, mahirap po talaga pero siyempre kailangan magtiis. Balang-araw po talaga yung paghihirap, makakamit po talaga yung success basta po meron pong dedication, determination, at magpasalamat din sa mga taong tumutulong sa inyo," he said, thanking his aunt who brought him to Australia more than anyone.
