Filipino-American Doctors and Restaurateurs

By: Bob Boyer

 

Two items in particular caught my attention in the January 2016 issue of “VIA Times Newsmagazine.” One is an amazing feature I call “the Medical Mayugas.” It’s about the six members of the Mayuga family. Both parents and three of their four children are medical doctors; the fourth child is a Medical Administrator. The other item is a letter from a proud mother about her visit from Chicago to the Washington, D.C. restaurant recently opened and co-owned by her daughter. By coincidence, I had just posted an entry on my blog (anamericaninmanila.com) about a popular new Filipino restaurant in Brooklyn.

The six Medical Mayugas, along with the four childrens’ spouses, could pretty much operate a complete medical college, covering as they do practical medicine, research, teaching, and management. The parents, Rupert and Amelita (Amy), a cardiologist and pedeatrican respectively, emigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines 34 years ago. Daughter Myttle and son Kenneth have both specialized in areas of cardiology. Daughter Aimee is a Rheumatologist, and daughter Rachel with her advanced degree in Healthcare Administration and Finance manages “multiple clinics” and recently opened a Fertility Clinic. One of the spouses manages a medical supply company, while the other three are MDs. In classic Filipino fashion, the final feature photo shows M’am Amy (Amelita) standing next to President Barack Obama, with the rest of the family gathered around. Mr. Obama’s signed inscription reads, “To Amy, Congratulations!”

The letter from the proud mother about her daughter’s Washington, D.C. restaurant echoes what I had read and posted about a Filipino restaurant in Brooklyn. The letter refers to the many positive reviews and notices about the Bad Saint Restaurant, notably in “The Washington Post.” I read the two reviews in the “Post.” The first appeared on September 11, shortly after the restaurant opened on September 3, 2015. Just as the proud mom had, the review reported on the long lines and long waits for the 24 places in the small restaurant. The lines and wait were just as long on January 6, 2016, when the second review appeared. Both reviews praise the food selections (including the traditional pancits and adobos) and emphasize the seasonings. Both also mention niceties such as drinks to suit the food and friendly servers who are happy to help with suggestions and explanations. The second review singles out the two owners, Nick Pimentel and Bibi Villamora. Bibi is proud mom’s daughter. She provides culinary insights while Nick (who hails from Mindanao) helps in the kitchen. I will be in D.C. for a few days beginning on March 10, and I definitely plan to get to the Bad Saint Restaurant.

The other Filipino restaurant will have to wait until I get to Brooklyn. Like Pimentel, coincidentally, this chef is also from Mindanao. The restaurant sounds great, as I noted in this January blog. “If you live in the vicinity of 2 Hope Street (Roebling Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, you might want to consider sampling Philippine Cuisine. Check out the article in the “Hungry City” section of the Jan. 6, 2016 section of the “New York Times.” The title of the article, ‘Spam to Foie Gras: Filipino That Rambles,’ suggests the variety of dishes available, prepared by Chef Bjorn DelaCruz. He is the Filipino who has rambled from Manila to New York to Bratislava, Slovakia. His food selection is eclectic Filipino, with its origins in a ‘shack under a narra tree, not far from his grandmother’s orchid farm in Davao Oriental, the Philippines.’ Don’t be put off by the “shack” reference, most likely an exaggeration. Rather, imagine ‘a clef of foie gras, gone liquid inside [that] rests over noodles tangled with nubs of duck leg confit.’ They take reservations for dinner.”

I cannot resist concluding with a reflection prompted by an article I read in today’s “USA Today” (March 2, 2016). The article referred to the paper’s interviews with sixteen prominent economists. The sixteen disagreed frequently but were unanimous about one issue: the value of immigrants. All agreed that immigrants bring youth and vigor to the work force and outnumber the standard population in new business ventures. The U.S. needs them. Hello!

Comments welcome at Robert.boyer@snc.edu or on my blog.