Songwriter John Borja gets busy with business ventures
SONGWRITING TO BUSINESS: Songwriter John Borja owns Dong Juan and Tongara Ramen which pioneered from Cebu expanding to different branches nationwide and now making names in the restaurant industry.
From entertainment to restaurant industry, songwriter John Borja has proven his interests not only in creating music but also bringing authentic restaurants into taste.
John Borja who wrote numerous OPM songs including the famous song “Ikaw lang” popularized by Chard Borja ventured into business for more than a decade and is now the owner two of the most loved restaurants in the country - Dong Juan and Tongara Ramen.
Dong Juan is making remarks to food enthusiasts serving their popular foreign-inspired dishes like burgers, pasta and pizza but with a Filipino twist at an affordable price.
”Dong” is a Cebuano slang term of endearment, usually addressed to a young man and this describes the food being served by Dong Juan that are luxurious, deluxe, lavish, and freshly-made not to mention its reasonable prices.
DONG JUAN LIVED UP TO ITS NAME: Cebu’s pride Dong Juan has paved its way to the restaurant industry having twelve branches nationwide serving authentic cuisines at affordable prices owned and managed by John and Aubrey Borja.
Dong Juan, originated from the family of John and his mutually food expert wife Aubrey Borja in Cebu, has proven its authenticity by branching out to different areas like Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao and of course Metro Manila having two branches in Quezon City and Marikina. It has 12 branches nationwide being regularly monitored by John together with Aubrey.
Cebu aspiring singer, model and actress Duchess Uybengkee together with aspiring Swiss model Timothy Merz join John and Aubrey Borja as they enjoy the cuisines being served at Tongara Ramen.
Another restaurant John and his wife manage is the Tongara Ramen - the first ever authentic Tongara Ramen franchise in the Philippines which originated from the "Ramen Master" Makoto Okazaki in Tokyo, Japan which is located at Central Mall in Cebu City.
1ST TONGARA RAMEN FRANCHISE IN THE PHILIPPINES: Tongara Ramen owned and managed by John and Aubrey Borja in Cebu City serves authentic ramen dishes straight from the “ramen master” Makoto Okazaki in Tokyo, Japan.
All of the main ingredients of the food being served are taken straight from the main branch in Japan by Okazaki not to mention the utensils being used here for the customers to taste and feel the real ramen experience.
“We really make sure to preserve the authenticity of the restaurant so that the customers will get to experience the real Tongara Ramen has to offer. Makoto Okazaki wants this franchise to be preserved as possible that’s why we also make sure to protect the identity of the brand”, Borja emphasized.
Same with Dong Juan, Borja wants to expand the franchise preparing to open another outlet at SM Seaside Cebu and eventually to other places.
