LONGTIME UST concessionaire Eva’s will still supply meals to Thomasian student-athletes even after the end of the operations of businesses inside the Multi-Deck Parking (MDP) Building on Nov. 15, according to one of the eatery’s owners.
Cyndi Pascual, daughter of Eva’s founder Eva Adalia, said the UST administration has given an assurance that the eatery would still serve food to UST athletes even after the carpark’s closure and renovation.
“So sinabihan kami [ng UST administration ] retain na [at] huwag mag-alala,” Pascual told The Flame.
(“The [UST administration] told us that we would be retained and not to worry.”)
“Dahil nga concessionaire rin kami ng athletes… hindi naman kami basta bigla-bigla nalang magsara.”
(“Since we’re also the concessionaire for the athletes… we can’t just suddenly close down.”)
However, the owners of Eva’s, which has been serving meals to Thomasian athletes for 16 years, remain unsure as to where to relocate their dining operations.
“Wala pa talaga [kami] plans [on where to relocate] ang pinakamemo lang namin is from the carpark,” she said.
(“We really don’t have any plans yet [on where to relocate]. The only memo we’ve received so far is from the carpark.”)
Pascual said all the carpark tenants received the notice from the Selegna Holdings Corp. through the carpark management on Oct. 21.
Selegna Holdings, a firm engaged in property development and management, entered into a deal with UST in 2004 for the construction of a multi-level carpark building within the campus.
Under the build-operate-transfer deal, the company will manage the facility for 15 years before turning it over to the University.
“[P]ursuant to the contract of lease, your tenancy at UST Multideck Parking (UST-MDP) shall terminate on November 15, 2025, which… is co-terminus with the expiration of the contract between Selegna Holdings Corporation and the UST Administration,” a copy of the memorandum seen by The Flame read.
The 13 listed carpark tenants were required to settle dues of their accounts last Oct. 30, but they have until mid-November to process their permits for the pull-out of store items.
“We strongly encourage your cooperation to ensure a smooth and orderly turnover process,” the memorandum added.
According to Pascual, the University has yet to officially notify the concessionaires regarding the shutdown of their carpark stalls.
“Walang sinabi si UST na kailangan na namin mag-evacuate… We trust the university on their plans for all of us,” she said.
(“UST has not told us that we need to evacuate… We trust the University’s plans for all of us.”)
Formerly known as “Ate Eva’s Grill,” Eva’s was founded in 2004 and has provided catering services to various UST offices and organizations. It became the official meal provider for UST athletes in 2009 under then UST rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.
Its eatery in the carpark has become a go-to-spot for Thomasians and visitors looking for lutong bahay or home-cooked meals.
Some avid patrons of Eva’s cannot help but feel anxious about their looming separation with the name that has become part of several important occasions in UST.
“A lot of people have been messaging us, ‘Are you closing down?’… They’re wondering where they’ll eat next… We also feel bad for our fellow vendors there,” Pascual said in Filipino. F
