The House of Bustek and Bulalugaw (B&B) on Friday officially launched its new branch in Quezon City, with owner Alvin Bernales reminiscing on the humble beginnings of his restaurant.

B&B started as a small stall named House of Bulalugaw where some of the customers were members of the Philippine Military Academy or PMA-ers who were handling agencies in government, such as Metro Manila Development Authority’s Bong Nebrija and Philippine Navy Flag Officer Admiral Toto Ezpeleta.

“One day, they arrived at the store — PMA classmates, or ‘mista’ (mistah). Now, they each hold their own positions in government,” Bernales said.

The new restaurant is now far from a small stall on a street, now a two-floor restaurant with air-conditioning. The home vibe, however, remains.

The restaurant offers various food in their menu, including B&B Tapa, their original Bulalugaw, gising-gising and buttermilk fried chicken that truly comforts the stomach of a hungry gang.

A wall full of notes compiled during their launch shows how bonding among friends, families or dates were shared in B&B with Filipino dishes on every plate.

Their Bulalo with bone marrow that melts inside your mouth still proves B&B can hold the title as the house of “Bustek and Bulalugaw.” The place also pays homage to its roots where a wall shows a mural of House of Bulalugaw during its humble years with a verse from Colossians 3:33, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human matters.”

Bernales cited that his story isn’t as smooth as the bone marrow in their menu, but with the help of the Lord, B&B continues to be blessed.

“I just started reading and reading the bible repeatedly, until it gave me peace. After that, I never let go of the Lord, he is the main reason (for everything),” he said.

To show gratitude to their customers, Bernales announced that prices on their menu have been marked down, as they aim to cater to more diners.

The new branch of House of B&B is located at 138, Katipunan Avenue, St. Ignatius, Quezon City.