Ravalos Food and Music

As I open the door to the air-conditioned bar, I see Jay sitting by the table in the middle with his Mom.

“Good afternoon po,” I smiled at his Mom while I shook Jay’s hand.

Jay introduces me to her mom to which she replies, “Oo, naaalala ko palagi siya sa atin nung reunion ninyo.” And I thought my usual bashful self was stealthy enough for parents not to notice me in gatherings of a rowdy bunch like our batch’s.

It’s the blessing of Ravalos Food and Music, Jay’s latest business venture and, as I would find out a bit later, a dream-come-true for this budding entrepreneur.

Jay and I sit by the table near the entrance door. I was purposely early since I told Jay that I also had to leave early ‘coz I had another commitment later that night. And for the first time, I think, someone has beaten out the dynamic duo of Bong Estrada and Cocoy Del Prado for the Early Bird title of coming to Ravalos.

“Naglagay ka na rin pala ng LCD TV,” I notice as it is the most visible addition to the bar’s interior from the last time we hang out there.

Jay shares his thoughts on how he envisions the bar to feel like – a sports and music resto-bar seamlessly fused into one. There’s the billiard table in the middle that was installed a week earlier which the Rigmarolers got to “baptize” with their friendly nine-ball matches after their opening day games at the KBBL. The drum set and guitars have already been set by the stage, just waiting for the band which would provide rocking music on weekends. And now, another addition which I initially failed to notice was a black piano by the corner to provide acoustic music on some nights. To spice up the interiors of the place, Jay displays his electric guitar collection, which numbers to around a dozen, by the wall greeting one’s entry, accentuating the party atmosphere of the place. Then, as I mentioned earlier, there’s the LCD TV on which I hope to watch some Manny Pacquiao fights or some NBA play-off games very soon – some suggestions to which Jay was passionately receptive to. He really wants this bar to be the ultimate hang out place.

But right now, there is Santana exhibiting his guitar-playing wizardry on DVD being played on the LCD screen. Min (Jay’s sister and the other half of Jaymin Breadhouse, for those who do not know her yet) arrives with a glass of blue drink that she invites us to take a sip of. Not that I didn’t trust her, but I am usually wary of alcoholic beverages with such funky colors. They seem so inviting to the taste as their appearance looks to seduce you like a pretty girl in a pastel-colored skimpy dress, only to knock you out of your wits once you taste its concealed alcoholic kick when you drink it straight up.

I was more interested with the food. The booze can come later anyway. This is a blessing after all. And with the reputation of the Ravalos, not only in good food (Jaymin’s uberly famous Garlic Bread is a testament in itself), but also with hosting parties such as our reunion, I knew we were in for a treat. (I would have my chances to taste the different items on their menu in the days to come, but for now I have only tried their beef tapa and it is definitely recommended for the discriminating taste.)

Jay’s mom, whom I had the pleasure of talking with later that night, is truly glad with the recent turn of events in Jay’s social life. With Jay having been re-acquainted with some long-lost batchmates, and volunteering to host the latest reunion of the batch last February, Jay’s mom feels glad that he has reconnected with a good set of friends who would not lead him astray. Of course, I tried to conceal my comments and contrasting reaction. But given that I was talking with a truly loving mom, I just let it be. Somehow, some of us already feel like being adopted children to the Ravalo extended family (what with the weekly sessions we spend at Jay’s place). Some of us even jokingly tell each other that we are somehow expecting Jay’s mom to finally remind us one day pretty soon that we should remember that we should also go home and spend time with our respective families. But at Ravalos, we are family.

Looking back at our student years in Kumbento, it isn’t really surprising that Jay decided to put up this venture. Music has always been in his blood. He wasn’t the Freddie Aguilar of our batch for nothing. Memories of old singing contests dating back to our grade school days when Jay would usually be pitted against the likes of Bong Estrada and Eric Aprecio come flooding back to our minds. And do you still remember that it was Jay, together with his best buddy in high school, John Andrew De Guzman, who composed our Graduation Song? And unknown to many, it was also music that Jay turned onto during the dark moments of his life. Music became his outlet, his refuge, his creative channel to be able to get back on the right track. And now, Ravalos Food and Music becomes his way of paying back to music which hasn’t really left him all his life. It is a dream-come-true for him. What could be better, right? A business venture about something that is really closest to your heart.

It is good, clean fun that Jay stresses he wants to promote at Ravalos Food and Music. And I couldn’t agree with him more. The previous tenant of the building (which Jay also owns, by the way) has made the place known for a different type of bar – the type where GRO’s serve men and sing videoke with them. Of course, we wouldn’t be familiar with such places that are the breeding grounds for immorality, would we? And Jay would definitely want Ravalos to erase that image of the place and replace it with a new concept of a hang out. Still fun, but the clean, wholesome, and even family-type of fun. And anyone who knows Jay quite personally wouldn’t be surprised with his thrust towards wholesome, family fun. He has been a very active member of the Marriage Encounter community for quite some time now. And he is just living out what he believes in.

So, whether it is music that you are into, or you just want to have a taste of good food and relaxing ambiance, or you just wanna hang out and play a game of nine-balls with your buddies, Ravalos Food and Music is the place for you. Food and drinks are great and are available at very affordable prices. And the place is very accessible for most of us who just live in Pasig.

Come to Ravalos Food and Music where we are family.

Now, who says being wholesome cannot be fun?