Plates, Cups and Slices of Success

Before we ate at Arabela, we took some time first for a short chit-chat with Bobbie Camello, the owner of the restaurant, to tell us about the story of how Arabela came to be. Who would think that this small elegant restaurant that serves the best Italian foods and beautiful cakes was just a bodega (stockroom) before?

Some years ago, he and his wife Tonette Camello owned a garments factory for almost 12 years also in Liliw until the year 2000 when they had to shut down because of the increasing cost of labor of exported products. Shutting their business was a big loss to them and they had to find other ways to earn again immediately.

Because of this they decided to create a small restaurant where they would sell brownies which their family has been doing for almost 50 years to some people in Liliw. However, since they do not have much money they decided to sell their garments machine for P120,000. With this amount they started by buying just 6 tables with chairs, a refrigerator, a stove, an oven, and the employees were only Bobbie, his wife and one hired person to do the dishwashing. They used the small bodega of bananas and palay of Bobbie’s parents and they called their restaurant Arabela, from the names of their two daughters Ara who is 14 years old now, and Bela who is 12 years old now.

Bobbie recalled that their first day of opening was frightening because he thinks that people might not enter and try their food. There were also many people discouraging him from having hope and here he learned that he must have courage coming mostly from himself because as he quoted “hindi ka bubuhayin ng Liliw”.

Fortunately, many people went to Arabela. It was a sign of success that continued until now. Bobby then told us about a poor woman who went in to try their food but she was not able to pay because she did not have money, however Bobbie still felt so happy that she went into their restaurant so he just made her eat for free. Now, Bobby thinks that this woman could have been the lucky charm that led to the success of Arabela.

Today, Arabela still stands very successfully--now with a very wonderful interior, with more than 6 tables and 13 employees. They also now have pasta, coffee and more cakes in their menu. They have really reached so much success. Now, tourists from other towns, from Manila and other countries are making it a must to have a stop in Arabela. Also, they had been featured in many newspapers and magazines such as Star, Inquirer and Metro.

While Bobbie was telling this story, he was not able to stop from tearing because of joy from this success they had reached and did not expect at all. Before ending up our conversation with him, he left us with some inspiring words “basta kapag gusto ni Lord mangyayari at mangyayari ang mga iyon”. I believe that Arabela was really destined to reach this far. They have worked hard so much for this. Every customer there would really be full not only by the plates, slices and cups of their tasty foods but also by its very sweet story of success.