When a pandemic hits the Philippines, Davao City economic drop to its lowest rate and it really affects the financial system of the businesses.  There are many restaurants in Davao City with thousand of workers, owned by local entrepreneurs, and most of the companies are having problem on how to maintain their income despite pandemic, that's why some food establishments open their services online through mobile app food delivery like FOODPANDA.

Disclaimer this is not a sponsored post, this is based on my personal experience with FoodPanda.

When FoodPanda invites me to their media launch in 2017 here in Davao City,  I already had a clue that this kind of food online service will be a great hit here in Davao.

I can still remember,  when calling my Lolo's favourite restaurant and a rude host will answer, whether you will be put on hold too long or having to scream your order through a loud noise. This time no more hassle, thanks to the amazing on-demand food delivery service apps like FOODPANDA. With just a few taps on the screen, we now have access to hundreds or new and delicious restaurants by using the FoodPanda Mobile App.

I admit at first I hate their service. Not once, but twice. I've ordered online using FoodPanda mobile app, and they always decline my order. First reason, no rider is available in my area. Second, they accept my order, but it takes them almost an hour in preparing my order, and suddenly they message me that they cannot deliver in my area and I already paid it through debit card, the sad part is that they don't have a system that time on how to resolve the problem in repaying or refund money. It takes them days to return my money and that experience made me STOP ordering online using their app.

FOOD PANDA: STAYING AT HOME DURING A PANDEMIC IS A LUXURY

When World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020, the Philippines make a new normal protocol, allowing a stricter COVID 19 measures. Cancellation of flights, the closure of establishments and schools and more restrict movement was implemented and we experienced national lockdown.

Everyone stayed home, because it's hard right now going to work and live like normal as we used to, worried about getting ill from the virus. That's why food and other services are available through online transactions. FOOD PANDA becomes one of my trusted online food service now, so much has changed in their app and I congratulate them on their service. I also commend their riders, for their hardship and sacrifices. Their tasks are very difficult, the danger is everywhere. They move around delivering our food, while we who are staying home, living a luxurious life limiting our exposure to the corona virus and we are lucky. Although people are moving less compared before the crisis, more people are staying home the most, especially weekends that's why food delivery apps are very useful nowadays.

Beginning March of 2020, people in my country started limiting their movements as the virus spread. From Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, people used their mobile phone as their means in ordering food online and one of the most trusted online food delivery apps in the Philippines is FOOD PANDA.

Filipino just loves food! This I've heard from my Professor in Marketing, that if you want to build a business here in the Philippines,  then venture into food business.

Hence, food delivery is popular now, with fast foods and other food services hotline numbers bursting with calls all the time, food delivery services apps like FOODPANDA, made online ordering and delivery of food & services much more convenient.

One of the highlights in FOODPANDA that I loved is the FOODPANDA PRO. Wherein you have the chance to claim great deals from them. All you need is to SUBSCRIBE for P50/month.

For payment method, you can pay via bank, GCash, PayPal, and Cash on Delivery.

Plus, FoodPanda is operating 24/7. Yes, if you are craving food in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning, FoodPanda is there to satisfy your cravings.

HOW ABOUT FOODPANDA SHOPS

This is FoodPanda online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Here you can order numerous products from a variety of your favourite stores on one platform.

After downloading the app and finish registering, just tap in your address and go to the "SHOPS" tab on the top of the listing. Then you will see the listing by browsing through your favourite shops, choose your products and go to checkout.

You can also PICK UP your order for your convenience. 

It is very easy to use FoodPanda app.

First, you need to download the app on your smartphone. Or you can order via their website, you can use a PC or laptop to order food as well.  

Second, launch the app, then register. 

Third, put all your detailed information,  especially your exact location to avoid problems later. Or you can also sign up using your Facebook account, in order to save time by filling out the online registration form.

And after registrations,  you're all set to order.

Flex your home cooking with Rekado Restaurant quality dishes "Easy to heat, Ready to eat" meal.

When pandemic hits our country, many changes have been made and new normal adapted, especially in the field of the food industry. Rekado make a plan and decided that the best way to enjoy their menu during quarantine was to let the people cook their famous recipes right in their own home. This means you exactly eat the same as what you'd get from their restaurant. Their menu is freshly cooked and frozen pack, all you have to do is to heat it in a boiling water for 6 minutes and that's it — their signature meals are now ready to serve.

When dining out in Davao City, there's a shadow of undecided look and sneaking eyes roaming around the corner. Once you get past the overwhelming question of where to eat, you're still faced with the menu: WHAT TO ORDER?

VINES by Garden Cafe, is the new Thai restaurant in Davao—owned by Chef Rayhan William Teo.

• College: Institute of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (ICHEF) Davao City

• Additional Studies: International Culinary Center (formerly: French Culinary Institute)Manhattan, New York City

Chef Rayhan started cooking way back High School, he cooked for his family and friends. Just a simple dishes that usually learn from the internet as nothing was accessible during that time, unless they would go out to eat as a family in local restaurants in Davao City. His knowledge of food was very limited but cooking was his go to thing on Sunday's. His parents noticed that he did fairly well with it and decided to let him choose what he wanted to do later on in life.  He timidly answered "to be a chef". But of course he had already taken other entrance exams to different colleges. Some were for I.T. and one was for Biology, which was kind of funny since he was not the type of person who would sit down and read a books. Even so, his parents were very supportive and told him, he should go and do what he wanted to which he was to enroll in a culinary school. He was very lucky to have a supportive family who saw what he wanted and gave him the chance to do it. Every opportunity he had in life would not have been possible if it wasn't for his parents and family.

Vines offers family-style meals—provides an easy answer to both of these questions, where to eat and what to order.

There's a lot of Thai restaurants in Davao,  but sad to say some didn't survive. One of the factors is the difficulty in finding some of the ingredients in the city. So, the decision of having a Thai restaurant was diverted to a cafe that is to cater students and their parents since the cafe is just fronting the school. Sadly, pandemic came and almost businesses were closed. And during the hard lock down and the lowering of the quarantine level, the cafe opened however sales were still low and customers are rarely to be seen.

The cafe suffered a lot that's why they started to sell and market online a few of their original Thai dishes that were supposed to be there from the beginning. And noticed that a larger portion of their sales was from PAD THAI and SATAY.

PAD THAI

PORK / CHICKEN SATAY Photo Credit to Anna Alfafara

A sign that they need to change in order for their cafe to survive, so Garden Cafe become VINES—a Modern Thai Restaurant. There menu is small at the moment but slowly planning to add more item, made it more pleasing to the Filipino taste, while still trying to keep the Thai food essence.

It's a very Thai way to eat, a new experienced in Davao City. A modern style, but countryside Thai. Very homey and unmodifiable, served dishes that's good for two.

Even your Filipino palates will find solace with their Hot & Spicy TOM YUM SOUP (SHRIMP).

One of my favorite,  THAI BAGOONG RICE. What I like about this dish is that it may taste a little different because of the herbs and spices used for this recipe.

It taste like our owned home-made fried rice, but it cook different because of its ingredients. The taste of a shrimp paste, dried shrimp, green mango, chilli peppers, tomato, onion, dried minced garlic into one dish. You have to simply mixed it together on a plate, and the delightful aroma of different ingredients will surely hit your nose.

Every bite, you will feel the crunchy fried dried shrimp and the mixed combination of sweetness & sourness of the mango. For me, it's more than just a dish!

By the time you get to dessert, the choice is especially easy: as of now they serve simple menu, which will change eventually. Who can't resist MANGO STICKY RICE? The taste of this tropical rice pudding is irresistible—love to eat it again and again.

Order this! It taste heavenly and scrumptious

And for drinks, the famous THAI ICED TEA and FRUIT REFRESHER. 

Fruit Refresher

THAI ICED TEA

Located at The Coral Quays Building, Ground floor. V.Mapa Street corner Panganiban Street in front of Davao Christian High School

FACEBOOK: VINES by Garden Cafe

INSTAGRAM: @vinesbygardencafe

For delivery,  please call (082) 293 3392 or mobile number 0928 353 1845

Open from Monday-Saturday

10:30am - 7:00pm