RalphJoy’s Restobar, located at Barangay Bambang, Nagcarlan, Laguna, is owned by the Encarnacion family since October 2008. Cooking was just their simple family bonding until they turned it into a business as suggested by a family friend.
Joyce Ann Encarnacion, the family’s unica ija, is the one managing the business since she took up a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She used to work in a hotel but left her job when they put up a restaurant and dedicated her time to managing the family’s business. Just like any other business, she also encountered problems. She found it difficult to be the “boss” of her employees because she is not used to giving orders to others. However, as time went by, she developed a strong and great relationship with her employees. One of her employees, in fact, has already been working at the restobar for a decade.
When COVID-19 started in 2020, RalphJoy’s Restobar stopped their regular business operation, which resulted in a decrease in sales and income. Suddenly, there were no longer dine-in orders accepted, very few take-out orders coming in, and no more events celebrated in their restaurant. Luckily, the Local Government Unit of Nagcarlan, Laguna, assigned them to deliver food for the volunteers during lockdown. During the pandemic, Joyce also participated in various seminars offered by the Department of Trade and Industry.
As a thoughtful boss, she never let her employees lose their jobs. She decided to think of another strategy to boost their business. She added another meal to their menu (individually packed), considering the importance of health protocols, and started endorsing it to the customers.
Joyce did not mind the additional expenses just to make sure that all customers entering the restobar are safe since the family’s goal is to fill their tummies with great food in a comfortable and safe place. The COVID-19 pandemic thought her to be tougher, to never settle for less, and to not be complacent that everything would always be alright. It’s a delight for Joyce to bring happiness to the faces of their customers by serving delish foods that they will truly love. ♦
Date of Release: 5 October 2022