First time to experience such. I remembered feeling very nervous as the caller emphasized that her ancestor deserves to be cited as the origin of the name. But my focus wasn't on the history, it was more on the business side of the place, since it was an article made for the business section.
Anyway, her phone call was actually a great scoop for name registration. Was planning to write about it and publish it in the newspaper, but I ran out of time and my print internship was already over.
http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20090511-204365)
Larsian: Haven of grilled food |
Larsian in Cebu is synonymous to a place where tasty barbecue or grilled pork or chicken can be had at affordable prices. Situated in the center of the city, near the Fuente Osmena landmark, it has become a food haven for students, doctors and nurses working in nearby hospitals, and middle-income people for more than 30 years. Demus Manugas Jr., whose father owns one of the pioneering barbecue stalls in Larsian, saw first-hand the change of just a row of barbecue grills formerly facing the Fuente Osmena Circle to being a favorite food destination in Cebu City. Demus, who is in his 30s, said his father Demus Manugas Sr. put up the Dimlight Bar-B-Q stall in 1975 with an initial capital of P1,000. The stall was in the first floor of a building that has since been demolished and where the Banco De Oro Fuente branch is located. His stall, together with “Rex Bar-B-Q” and “Larsian's,” were among the first barbecue stalls in the area. Manugas said as people started to flock the barbecue strip, more people also put up barbecue stalls. The barbecue strip later got its name after a softdrink and beer advertisement was shot at Larsian's stall. After it came out on television, the whole place then became known as Larsian. “Nakita sa mga tawo ang pangalan nga Larsian’s, mao nga na-ila ang lugar nga Larsian (The people saw the name Larsian in the ad and so the place was known as Larsian),” said Manugas. With the exposure that the commercial brought, more people became aware of the place. In 2005, the stalls in Larsian was transferred to an adjoining lot by the Capitol. At present, Larsian has about 30 stalls selling grilled pork, chicken, and even fish. And Noli and Khits stall is one of the stalls doing well in Larsian despite the competition. The owner's secret – their location, which is near the entrance, and more vendors to usher in the customers to their stall. “Kinahanglan jud manawag og mga tawo para naa’y kita (We need to call the customers over so that we will be able to sell),” said Jennifer Tampton, a vendor of Noli and Khits stall. Tampton said each of the workers has their own specific tasks inside the stall. But when there’s no customer, Tampton’s fellow workers would position themselves in spots near the entrance so it would be easier to call the customers once they come in. The method has been adopted by other stalls as well after they saw Noli and Khits draw in more customers. “Nice vendors!” said a patron of Larsian, who was having dinner with his classmates after finishing their hours of duty at a nearby hospital. “Warm ang welcome sa mga vendors, ilugan jud ka nila (The vendors welcome you warmly, and they fight over you),” the patron said. Tampton also shared the most important secret of Noli and Khits – the flavor of their barbecue products. “Ginahan lang jud siguro sila sa among timpla (They just like the flavor of our barbecues.),” Tampton told . Tampton said on good nights, which are usually during weekends, the stall earns at least P5,000 while on slow nights the stall only earns P1,000. Their customers are usually doctors and nurses from nearby hospitals but foreigners are also seen visiting Larsian every once in a while. (Retrieved from: |
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