What's setting Mango Square abuzz?

What exactly is the buzz all about this new strip that has given some bigger bars a run for their money lately? Upon the invitation of Jun Sia, an old family friend from Ormoc, I went there to find out for myself last Thursday night. Bars looking like innocent burger stands greeted me as I entered Mango Square. I immediately recognized a sign on the far corner of what was called Open Plaza 2. It read: Numero Doce. (Literally, slot number 12.)

One look at it and you'd say it should belong somewhere else posh with its modern architectural design mimicking a yacht. Yet surrounding it were simple mono block chairs and tables, which made everyone feel "welcome." I later found out that this translated to food reasonably priced-everything below P100 (except for Crispy Pata) which enough for four to share. The menu offered everything from sandwiches to tapsilog, making it easier for those wanting to get an all-night dinner and yes, an after-gimmick bite without driving anywhere else. The place served not only one's usual round of beer, but a whole array of cocktails as well, reminiscent of Cebu's top joints. But the difference is they're made affordable for those wanting to get a sip of something beyond the ordinary. (Must-try: Blue Kamikazee and Strawberry Margarita).

I had expected but a few people to show up. But as the night wore on Doce, as habitués prefer to call it, sprang to life. People from all walks of life took their places amidst low-key music and pleasant chatter. Jun said it was a different thing altogether on weekends so I decided to see that for myself. It was past 1AM Sunday when I arrived and what met my eyes wasn't what I was expecting! An outdoor group of mini-bars is nonchalantly dishing out their own flavors, contributing to the excitement of the evening as if it were a Sinulog night. Folks danced as they made their way to their favorite bars, literally rubbing elbows and hips. It took a while for me to get to Doce, and when I did, I just had to agree with Jun. The place was jampacked!

Here, there isn't any battle between different musical genres. I learned that Doce and the three other bars surrounding it would hire DJs on weekends to give in to partygoers' need for dancing to "clean" sound. Thus, house music drifted in the air amid cheers from the lovely crowd-some came "dressed to kill," while others were comfortably "be-sandled"-all having a grand weekender. But what made it even more interesting was when I interviewed the owners.

With the kind of success the bar has enjoyed over the past three months, you would think they were experts in this line of business, but surprise, surprise! None of them had ever engaged in this kind of business before. Dr. Rhoel Dejano or Doc DJ specializes in Rehabilitative Medicine and when asked why he got into this, he answered with a quick laugh. "It's very unusual. Initially, we agreed that I was going to be a silent partner," he said. Doc, however, found himself doing hands-on work in the kitchen especially during their first month. "We just had to work double time, testing the food ourselves and getting feedback from the customers to further improve our menu." His family used to own a catering business as well as restaurants in Ormoc. His mom also worked for the United Nations in the US as manager of the Dignitaries' Lounge. "So you see the food we serve here are family favorites, food we grew up with," he added.

Jun is the other kitchen master. "These are well-loved family recipes," he described the menu. He has had a diverse list of ventures as well-from a car shop to an Internet café-but none of this kind. Doing Doce, according to him, is very interesting. "It's definitely a change of lifestyle. We have had sleepless nights not only during weekends but almost everyday. I'm definitely enjoying myself," he quipped. "It's earning and I'm enjoying at the same time," added Doc DJ.

The only lady of the pack, Chinkay Floro, is probably the only one among them quite "into" the club business. She is Sales Supervisor of Premier Wines and Spirits and has been in and around the city's bars for five years now. She has been given the reins of Doce's marketing and promotions. "Every month we try to come up with something new. We understand that we can't just depend on the food and drinks that we serve. Sound system definitely plays a big role here. And it is quite important to come up with something exciting all the time," she said. "Yes, Cebuanos easily get bored," Doc offered.

Another very important aspect to consider in running a bar would be the general operations. In charge of this is Arcel Verra, whose current businesses range from buy-and-sell to trucking and land-sea-air cargo services. Plus, he runs Chicken 2 Go at Urgello with Chinkay and Jun. According to him, Doce has been taking about 70% of his time. "I'm in charge of physical arrangement, but other transactions have to be done in the afternoon. In the evenings I'm busy supervising the people, sige lang kog tudlo!" he exclaimed with a smile. "Improvements on the bar of course will have to be done during the day."

Doce currently boasts of their own rest rooms for males and females, an edge over the other bars. Arcel also alternates cocktail mixing with Doc DJ whose other assignment is finance. "As much as possible, we want to treat each customer as if he were a king," he stressed. Perhaps, this is why Doce is successful-personalized service no less by the owners themselves. Chinkay added, "It is highly important to have a relationship with the customers. And definitely, there is no discrimination here." Dedication and teamwork coupled with great service and an interesting menu of affordable food and drinks are definitely spelling success for Numero Doce.

The future is indeed bright for bars like Doce at the Mango Square. Nowadays, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been getting much attention from the government because they do provide hope for the country's economy what with the kind of passion put in by this new class of entrepreneurs. Small is indeed powerful. According to Doc, the Larsian principle works at Mango-humble little stalls are all co-existing, earning and staying where they are because of their accessibility and affordability. People actually hail Mango Square as the metropolis' new entertainment Mecca for the fun offered less the cost. So what's the buzz at Mango Square? You gotta be there to find out.