It was in 1999 that Marvin Aguda went to Italy to find a job for his family. He started his life as overseas Filipino worker (OFW) by becoming a waiter, caregiver, and janitor in various establishments.
Three years later, he started working at a pizzeria or pizza restaurant as janitor, waiter, and dishwasher. Who would have thought that a lowly worker like him would later become the restaurant’s owner?
According to a special feature report on Aguda by ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reporter Mye Mulingtapang, the OFW observed the inner workings of the restaurant even as he worked odd jobs there.
Despite being just the janitor and dishwasher, he would soon learn how to make pizza from scratch. He was so good at multi-tasking and learning from his experience at the pizzeria that he would soon become an expert in creating pizzas and serving them on customers’ plates.
As luck would have it, one of the pizzeria’s owners passed. The remaining owner decided to sell the restaurant to someone who can be trusted. Seeing this as the best opportunity, Aguda quickly stepped in and made an offer.
Knowing how much Aguda had worked hard to learn the ropes, the owner agreed to sell the restaurant to him. The OFW was able to obtain a bank loan and would soon become the restaurant’s sole owner. Two years later, he was able to fully pay off the loan.
Aguda would also be recognized shortly as the first Pinoy pizza chef in Milan, Italy.
But he didn’t just focus on the recipes offered by the restaurant. When he became its owner, he began to introduce Pinoy flavors on the menu, something that attracted plenty of Filipinos to his restaurant. Surprisingly, many Italians loved his Pinoy-flavored pizza creations, including Sisig Lechon Pizza.
Today, Aguda and his brother make about 200 pizzas a day for the customers of Pizzeria il Postino.