Bully’s Bistro in the Philippines

Having known Dr. Myline Cornel for more than a decade, I was aware of her son Kean. I knew he had graduated from a maritime university in the Philippines and that he was struggling to get hired by one of the country’s shipping companies. Sometimes he wrote me e-mails stating his frustration, wondering whether he would have to give up and join the many other Filipinos working overseas. At least he had a cute GF, Bey Jalbuena. Also a recent college grad, she was working the front desk at a hotel in Bacolod on the island of Negros. One or the other made an off-hand comment to me about wanting to open a bar/restaurant. I listened. Although neither Kean nor Bey had actual experience in the business world, they thought they could make it a success. Their confidence was striking.

A business plan, a good start

I told them to come up with a solid business plan, and maybe we could collaborate. They followed through and found a place at the corner of Galo and Locsin streets that seemed ideal; the owner of the building was willing to lease it for a reasonable rate. Myline, while grateful to me for throwing them a lifeline of sorts, urged me to think carefully about it. We all knew there were countless potential problems and that most such ventures flop. Nevertheless, I decided to trust these two young people by making them an interest-free loan of $9,000.

Bey quit her job, and they started the long process of turning an old grocery store—which had gone out of business—into Bully’s Bistro. They implemented their business plan almost to a T, designing a place that people would want to patronize on a regular basis. They followed every procedure dictated by the local, provincial and national governments. They came up with the right menu, portions, prices and so forth. Following my advice, they got an accountant to keep a close watch on the bottom line. They made good use of social media to let people know about Bully’s. Finally, on August 29, 2016, the doors opened.

Never a slow day

I am enormously pleased to say it got off to a good start and has never really slowed down. Bully’s Bistro, closed only on Sundays, has been such a success that Myline is amazed. And so am I, and so are Bey’s parents and her sister Krystelle and husband Dupert. I suspect the owner of the building is too; she has seen the value of her property rise but has kindly kept the rental rate down.

Kean and Bey, on the premises just about all the time, have five employees who prepare food, take orders, bus tables and wash dishes. They have live music on weekends, and their clientele is loyal. College students come in often, eating and drinking and doodling on their smart phones. Bey estimates that half of their business comes from gay and transgender people; the Philippines has a far more accepting attitude about such matters than Korea. But more prominent are the bikers. Somehow, a group of locals who love riding and racing motorcycles made Bully’s their unofficial headquarters. It is common to see a long row of Hondas, Kawasakis and Yamahas parked outside. Kean has a cool-looking bike and often rides with them. He once had an accident that drew a gentle warning from Uncle Richard.

Payment in full

Despite having been to the Philippines twice, I have never met Kean or Bey. I was willing to believe in them, and time has proven me right. Every month, without exception, they put a portion of their profits into an account the purpose of which was to repay me. I got my $9K back in January 2019.

Why has Bully’s Bistro made it while so many others did not? I have a theory, and it pertains to the two principals. Kean and Bey make a remarkable team. I have seen numerous photos and a few videos of this pair, and their love and respect for each other is hard to miss. I think they create a synergy that draws people in. It’s positive, warm and accepting. At midnight or when a rainstorm or even a typhoon is raging outside, there is nothing but blue sky and sunshine under their roof.