Alejandro Badilles, a longtime resident of this island, now runs a small restaurant and catering business, a bakery and a flower shop.
He started grilling chicken barbeque on sticks at affordable prices for students and the community every afternoon some years back.
It was not an easy job — from preparing the sticks to marinating the chicken, grilling, setting up the place each day, and everything else involved before money started to trickle into his pockets.
But Badilles kept going, fighting the daily battles of the unpredictable weather, the economic recession and other challenges for over three years.
His barbeque eventually became a part of the daily fare of the students and the people of Rota, and his hard work paid off. But he did not stop there.
Encouraged by the satisfaction of his customers, Badilles finally found a permanent place where the people of Rota can enjoy his culinary creations in comfort and convenience.
He opened BBQ House Restaurant, Fastfood and Catering Services across from the Dr. Rita Inos High School a couple of years back.
Since then, the place has become a favorite hangout for students, tourists and other members the community who want to eat home-cooked lunch or dinner while browsing the internet — WiFi is available.
In October last year, Badilles hired bakers and started Rota’s Bakery, the home of hot pandesal (salt bread), cakes and pastries.
Using local and imported ingredients, Rota’s Bakery cakes and pastries have become a household word not only on Rota but on neighboring islands as well.
Badilles is always coming up with new ideas on how he can incorporate Rota’s sweet potatoes in products that can be exported.
He is already marketing sweet potato tarts, sweet potato doughnut and, his latest product, the papaya and sweet potato turnovers.
Badilles has also opened a small flower shop right behind his restaurant.
“In times like this, when the economy is not doing good, we need to diversify our businesses to attract more customers and respond to the needs of the community,” he said.
Despite his busy schedule, Badilles also tends to his plants — many of which are used as ingredients for his special dishes.
“Business for some of us will have to start very small, but with determination and dedication, we can all make it grow,” Badilles said.
When on Rota, don’t miss the chance to visit BBQ House and Restaurant to get a taste of Badilles’ latest creations. It’s like tasting and bringing back a piece of Rota with you.
For more information, call 532-2539.
