The story behind the 'Food is Life' photo

(File Photo)
(File Photo)

ON A rainy Wednesday afternoon, April 10, fire broke out at a restaurant in Gaisano Mall of Davao along JP Laurel Avenue, prompting hundreds of mall-goers to vacate the mall.

The news made rounds in the city, but apart from the fire incident itself, there is another story that captured the attention of Dabawenyo netizens – photos of a student who brought his plate outside and continued eating while watching the Davao firemen put out the fire.

The now-viral photos of Eujay B. Regner posted by a certain Joshua Jamez garnered 15,000 reactions and 34,000 shares as of writing. It was also re-shared in SunStar Davao Facebook page and has since collected 2,500 reactions and a thousand shares.

In an interview, the 20-year-old graduating student of the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) shared that it was sort of a celebration when they – with his group mates - decided to dine in a fast food chain after their thesis defense in school.

“It was a very stressful day for us because it was our thesis-defense day. I skipped breakfast and lunch as I have to prepare everything. After our successful defense, we agreed to celebrate and eat out because we are very hungry, especially me,” he said.

But the group, he said, waited too long as the restaurant they chose had a lot of customers waiting in line.

“We waited for about 15 minutes to secure a table, then we lined up to the counter, afterwards we waited for another few minutes before the food were served, so imagine, gutom na gutom na talaga ako,” he said.

When the food was served, Regner was very excited to feast on his favorite chicken inasal when the mall’s guard interrupted and shouted something.

“Isusubo ko na sana yung kanin tapos may biglang sumigaw na "Labas! May sunog!”, na badtrip ako kasi isusubo ko na sana, so tumakbo kami palabas, nag automatic respond yung body ko, kinuha ko yung plato ko tapos dinala ko sa labas (I was about to eat when someone said: Move out! The restaurant is on fire! I felt sort of bad trip but, of course, we evacuated. I was so hungry that unconsciously I brought the plate outside),” he narrated and laughed.

He was enjoying his meal outside the mall while watching the Davao firemen putting out the fire.

“I was kind of ashamed because I was surprised why it was just only me who brought a plate. But I disregarded that thought because food is life. Until, people around me were taking videos and photos, some of the restaurant crew even teased and asked me: Extra rice, sir?” he said.

“I told them that I’ll just return the plate after eating. Actually, I also thought of also bringing my friend’s untouched ‘halo-halo’ with me outside,” Regner added.

Asked about what he felt at that moment, he said he was worried thinking about the possibility of some mall-goers getting trapped by the fire but he was honest to admit that he was more worried about his food.

“I was worried baka kasi may ma-stranded or nasaktan. Pero mas na worry po ako sa food namin kasi last money nalang po talaga namin yun. Napilitan lang kami mag gastos just to give ourselves a break we need from our thesis,” he shared.

Recalling the incident, the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in English student was glad because the fire was put out immediately and his stomach was full.

He initially embarrassed after learning about the viral post but he later considered it fun.

“I am glad to know that somehow that post generated positive vibes online. In situations like fire, it is very important to stay calm and of course bring the most precious thing that you can, in my case that time – food. Food is life,” he said.

Regner was born and raised in Mintal, Davao City and does modeling as sideline.

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