Today we’d like to introduce you to Arneson Sambile & Jawses Ecaldre
Hi Arneson & Jawses, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
During the early 2000’s both owners of BUBOY’S moved to San Diego at a young age. However the trajectory of how they both ended up in San Diego entails two different stories. Arneson was born in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and relocated to San Diego in 2007. Jawses was born in Olongapo, Philippines and immigrated to the United States and migrated to San Diego in 2008. Both their experiences are a common theme for many Filipino Americans in San Diego, California as many immigrate from the Philippines or move coast to coast due to a familial military background. With this in mind, they also both experienced unique circumstances that allowed them to cross paths. Arneson’s mother relocated him and his older sister to San Diego in 2007 during the great recession and after the incarceration of his father. They initially moved to Mira Mesa often referred to as “Manila Mesa” with his mother’s sister. Jawses’ father was originally petitioned to immigrate by family members in San Diego and was only able to bring one child with him to the United States. This child ended up being Jawses, leaving behind four siblings in the Philippines. They initially moved to Imperial Beach when first arriving in San Diego. With the majority of both their other family members being in Southeast San Diego, National City, and Chula Vista, Arneson & Jawses were exposed to a broad range of the city. Their exposure to different parts of the city allowed them to gain a strong sense of community. Arneson and Jawses both crossed paths while attending church at First Christian Church National City as did many of both their families who were members of the congregation. They continued to grow up together and became close family friends as part of their upbringing was designated to spending time with family and attending church in National City. Outside of church they both continued to navigate life as Filipino-Americans growing up in San Diego, with both coming from single parent working class homes, much of their time was spent learning in the community and alongside peers as both of their parents were often busy working. Throughout their adolescence while growing up in San Diego they both consistently moved around as they experienced housing instability in their respective single parent homes. Arneson experienced various living situations while growing up in Mira Mesa, as his Mother made countless sacrifices raising him and his sister. After high school graduation, being a first generation college student, he completed his Association’s degree at Miramar College, and later moved out to the Bay Area where he attended San Francisco State University. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Asian American Studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, he relocated to Seattle, WA for two years and moved to Los Angeles County for a year before returning back home to San Diego. Jawses also experienced various living situations during his upbringing, his father was often working in Alaska and he was left to live with other family members. After leaving Imperial Beach he moved around different parts of the South Bay region from Paradise Hills, National City, and Chula Vista. After high school graduation, also being a first generation college student, he attended school at Southwestern Community College and the San Diego Community College District. During the pandemic he spent a year living in Orange County and moved back to San Diego to continue his college education. Throughout both of their journeys they worked in the food industry as teenagers and throughout their college careers in order to support themselves. Through their employment history and an aspect of Filipino culture that embodies food, they found an interest in cooking food and shared this passion with their loved ones. Overtime they had shared the goal of bringing their skills and creativity together and wanting to start a food business as partners. Although they had this shared goal, like many other business owners early in their journey they did not know where to begin. In 2023, their peer Timmy Tran, owner of Neverless (also featured on SDVoyager), another local San Diego small business, was celebrating their one year anniversary and were in need of food vendors. This was a full circle moment as they were given the opportunity to have their first pop up in National City, CA at Neighborhood Barbershop (@nghbrhd.sd) owned by another peer of theirs, Jeremy Peralta. From that first pop up they were able to gain traction and interest from the community. More opportunities arose and today through the support of the community, they are able to be a consistent food vendor for local car shows, breweries, private events and even continue to collaborate with other businesses and cater for public schools and colleges within the city of San Diego.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to where BUBOY’S is today has taken many different ups and downs along the way. Being a business that grew organically through the support of the community has had its blessings as well as its challenges. Arneson and Jawses are both children of immigrant parents, like many others with similar backgrounds they were left to navigate many things in the U.S. that their parents did not experience back home in the Philippines. While growing up in San Diego both owners were left to navigate the societal and cultural pressures experienced in their communities/households. Both coming from working class homes they were often left trying to figure out financial literacy on their own, but through the help of mentors and the support of the community they continued their business journey. Like many others who have ever started a business, they initially experienced pressure from both their families and peers, often questioning what their intentions were in their careers. In Filipino-American culture it is often assumed to pursue a career in either the medical field, STEM field, or the U.S. Military, as they are stable sources of income that align with the “American Dream”, pursuing anything else, especially an entrepreneurial path is often questioned or even looked down upon. While working in restaurants and gaining knowledge of the industry both owners were often questioned about what they were doing with their careers and why they continued to stay in their choice of employment. In times of uncertainty the owners often even questioned their own intentions, but stayed committed through the support of one another not just career wise, but also in other aspects of life. After years of working in the food service industry from working entry level positions to obtaining positions of management, they were both able to gain the experience and the confidence to take a risk at starting their own business. In the early stages of their food business things often did not go as planned. Like any other business a lot of growth was achieved through trial and error. In the beginning stages of the business many mistakes were made and money was lost, but ultimately lessons were learned. Today both owners are learning and unlearning everyday as they continue to grow their business. Through the resilience learned during the upbringing of both owners and support of their family, peers, and community, BUBOY’S continues to expand and is an entity that supports Arneson and Jawses financially as they both continue to pursue higher education.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
“BUBOY’S is a project that sheds light on a deep-rooted culture, a unique yet familiar cuisine, and an always growing community. It is a continuation of a history and culture that came before us and will continue long after we are gone.” BUBOY’S embodies three important qualities, culture, cuisine, and community, with each respective aspect having their own importance to the business. CULTURE, one rooted in the Filipino American experience here in San Diego, while also connecting it to roots back in the islands of the Philippines. CUISINE, that encapsulates the traditional flavors of Filipino food while also having a unique twist that is still familiar. COMMUNITY, a facet of the business that allows it to continue to grow and thrive, and the basis for why it was created in the first place. The name “BUBOY” pays homage to a childhood nickname that the owners were called while growing up. “BUBOY” is a nickname that can come from the name Boy, and is a common way to show affection and kinship in the Philippines. The repetition of syllables in Filipino names is a sign of endearment. A nickname that the owners at times used to be embarrassed of while growing up in American culture, but found pride and nostalgia in hearing in adulthood. BUBOY’S is a business entity that has been organically created through the experiences of the owners and continues to grow alongside them. Arneson and Jawses continue to share their experience through the business as an act of love for the community, hoping to inspire others to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors or just simply resonate with their own story. This is shown through the food they serve, the signs, decorations, and books they display at their vendor booth, or even the tattoos they have on their skin, all portray their story and that of many others. Specializing in pop-up vending and catering of Filipino cuisine, catch BUBOY’s at a local community event/business near you, and contact for any services needed for your own personal events!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The food industry is one that is ever changing and fluid, and with the rise of Filipino Food in popular culture there is no telling where it may show up in the next 5-10 years. Filipino food was once something only shared in family households or communities with large concentrations of Filipino Immigrants, but can now be found in grocery stores, restaurants, and portrayed in media across the United States. As Filipino Americans begin to enter non-traditional career fields and break barriers into art, music, and food the presence will only continue to grow. With personal experience working within the food industry the owners understand that it is one of the most difficult industries to become successful in, taking into consideration the slim profit margins, competition, and ultimately the high-risk associated with starting a food business. Despite this the owners continue to pursue their entrepreneurial goals and stay rooted in the idea that what they are doing is bigger than themselves. They understand that when starting a business there is always the risk of failure, but find peace in knowing that even attempting to start is an achievement in itself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: buboys.sd
