This is what I remember... It may be slightly different from what actually happened but it should be right for the most part.
When I was a kid my dad introduced me to Rodics, a diner found in UP Diliman. My first meal with them was a jumbosilog. For me at that time it was just "fair"; nothing special. Then at one point (I don't remember how) I ate their tapsilog and voila! My taste buds fell in love with its taste. The best tapa there is! I like it for its taste, serving size and the shredded meat. It's easier to eat and it's very much worth it for its price- P75.
Years after, before the start of my sophomore year in LSGH...
Days before the start of school my family and I ate dinner at Rodics in UP Shopping Center. As usual, like most customers, I ate tapsilog; my parents ate the same and my younger brothers ate barbecue/hotdog (jumbosilog).
First day of classes. My homeroom adviser raised some concerns for the year, including the class fair booth. She asked for suggestions, then Rodics came out of my mind. I suggested that Rodics be our booth. Asked if I have a contact I said no but I'll try to have one. Then there was the change of periods. She called for me outside and told me that I should go for it. By the way, she's a UP graduate and since then she had big faith in it. My classmates on the other hand were very doubtful as they haven't heard of Rodics and that the idea is very much out of the box. One classmate, however, was confident but with some concerns.
It's a good idea. It's June. So we agreed as a class to keep it a secret as we don't want others to get the idea and call for them; however, it was mentioned to a select few outside of our class, and their impression was favorable.
To convince my classmates I bought some tapsilog at Rodics Salcedo for them to taste the day after. Only a few did but they loved the meal after their first bite. Other batchmates saw it and I only said that it's "homemade, nothing special."
Months went by and February (month of the fair) was nearing. I asked my teacher if I can start working on it so my other classmate (that helps me) can do so but there's no furnished contract yet. December came and still no contract. I started to doubt with Rodics being our booth; my classmate and I badly needed the contract. January came and only then was the contract furnished. Now we have to catch up before it's too late!
I saw the contract and for me all of the conditions would be fine except one- the gross share. The school's kind of demanding a big percentage- that would be a problem.
I went to Rodics UP Shopping Center to supposedly meet with the owner (my classmate told me to meet with him [not the owner] there). I waited for some time but still no owner. I asked the staff if the owner was coming. They said no but they handed me out a calling card. I called the owner and told me that I should go to the branch in UP Village. Thankfully it's not that far so I went there. I talked to the owner and showed the contract. And like my thoughts the gross share was the only problem. The rest were fine. Negotiations had to be done.
I bought five tapsilog meals and went to my classmate's house after for a group project and I said the [so far] bad news. The ones I bought were for them, by the way. One told me to stop negotiating with them if they wouldn't accept the contract at all, or if possible raise the price. I thought of it and based on my calculations the price would have to be raised to P95 to favor Rodics. I asked my parents if they're willing to buy tapa for P95 and they quickly said yes.
Monday came and I referred the owner to my teacher (who will do the rest of the talking). My teacher still told me to negotiate with them so we can get Rodics. She's very confident with the idea...
So some days after I called the owner at home and told her of the idea of raising the price. During the conversation she was up for it but still thinking about it. "I'll need to do some pencil pushing" she said. P95 was okay but P100 is not. She didn't want to ruin the image of Rodics as a cheap diner. I stated my situation as the one responsible for the class booth. We had no other options but Rodics. I convinced her that it will be a success in school, most especially with the parents going on the second day of the fair (Saturday).
Days after (again)....
During our outbound orientation I (or I think she told me) asked her if Rodics said yes to the contract...
MUSIC TO MY EARS! RODICS SAID YES!!!
I was rejoicing inside... Finally! They said YES! My teacher told me that the contract will be signed some weeks after. The owner's son (who happens to be a former LSGH student) will be going to LSGH to sign the contract. Halleluiah! No more stress for me. Just some more tasks for the booth and we're off!
Still, however, some of my classmates are still doubtful of it. I understand, though...
We agreed to only spill the beans at the week of the fair. Even so, only a few knew about it 'till Thursday, the day before the fair.
So what happened next? Find out here! Rodics in Kabihasnan 2013
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