“I think the biggest sacrifice in running a restaurant business or any other business as husband and wife is that the time that should be allotted for intimate conversations turns to discussions on how to run a business. Work doesn’t end in the office.”
THE Pearl Room, an elevated dining restaurant in the heart of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig, is not run by a well-known chef — the typical draw for most restaurants in the area.
“Of course, the biggest compliment is that the food tastes great,” said owner Dr. Anne Marie Bondoc-Irigo, who is also a dentist.
“Every dish is crafted by skilled cooks who developed their culinary talent under the watchful eye of a trained chef. Many are surprised that there is a restaurant in BGC that looks like a European bistro.”
Bondoc-Irigo’s first venture into the restaurant scene was in 2013, when she opened Jade Hotel and Suites along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati. It was a full-service hotel with a restaurant on the top floor and a function room on the first floor, where Bondoc-Irigo’s team catered to events for up to 100 people.
“In 2017, along with some friends, we created Silver Spoon Foodcraft Corp. and opened Estee, a bar and restaurant in Poblacion, Makati,” Bondoc-Irigo said.
“In 2019, our partners in Silver Spoon wanted to venture into another business and sold their shares to us.”
Running a bar and restaurant took a toll on Bondoc-Irigo and her husband, Jade.
“We opted to look for partners willing to put up a restaurant in Poblacion,” Bondoc-Irigo said.
“In 2020, Twin Flames Global Corp. was formed, operating Wantusawa in March and The Orient Pearl in April 2024. In October 2025, however, we rebranded both restaurants and officially launched The Pearl Room.”
The restaurant has two branches: one on Jacobo Street in Poblacion and another in Verve 2 Residences in BGC. The BGC location was the Irigos’ first venture into elevated dining.
“We wanted to open a restaurant with a very different vibe from our Poblacion branch,” she said.
“We wanted to cater to those who do not want the hassle of finding parking and prefer a more relaxed environment. I don’t consider it fine dining, but elevated dining, since menu prices are still very affordable.”
The Pearl Room’s main attraction is its oysters, which are flown in every two to three days from Aklan. It is among the few restaurants in the area serving fresh oysters.
“Our biggest challenge, aside from transport costs, is the weather,” Bondoc-Irigo said.
“Typhoons greatly affect the oysters’ availability, size and quality. At certain times, there are reports of red tide in the farm where we source our oysters. We make it a point to stay up to date with reports from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ensure we are serving uncontaminated seafood.”
Running the business also comes with social challenges. Bondoc-Irigo recalled an incident where a staff member was scolded for misgendering a diner.
“One of our staff called a diner ‘sir’ instead of ‘her,’” Bondoc-Irigo said.
The logistics of the oyster trade are rigorous. The oysters come from New Washington, Aklan, and must maintain a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius during transport. They are tested regularly by Intertek to ensure they are safe for consumption.
“We also tell our diners to eat fresh oysters after they have eaten a meal,” Bondoc-Irigo said.
“Fresh oysters are best consumed within five minutes of shucking while they are still alive. After five minutes, they start to deteriorate, increasing the chance of an upset stomach.”
The menu showcases Philippine seafood in various Asian dishes, using ingredients from Aklan, Quezon, Palawan and General Santos City.
“Nothing is imported,” Bondoc-Irigo said.
“We want to create an avenue where small-time fishermen and farmers can sell their products at competitive prices. It’s our advocacy to help small to medium enterprises find a niche.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the restaurant plans to recreate heirloom recipes from different Philippine provinces and other Southeast Asian nations.
For Bondoc-Irigo and her husband, the business is a mission.
“My husband, Jade, always says everyone is gifted by God with talents, and we should use them to fulfill his mission,” she said.
“We believe our mission is to provide a livelihood.”
Balancing multiple businesses is Bondoc-Irigo’s biggest challenge. In addition to the restaurant and hotel, she helps manage EVI Construction Corp., her husband’s company.
“I work four times a week in the clinic,” she said.
“Since these are family-owned corporations, we are very hands-on. I work Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the dental clinic. Wednesdays are for The Pearl Room.”
Bondoc-Irigo has wanted to be a dentist since childhood. She graduated in 1999 from the University of the East and has been practicing for 25 years. She is a member of the Philippine Dental Association, Makati Dental Society and the Philippine Academy of General Dentistry.
A mother of three, Bondoc-Irigo balances her professional life with family time, exercise and church service. She and Jade are members of the Catholic charismatic community Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon.
“My role model is my mom,” she said.
“She taught me how to be tough and caring at the same time. She showed me that life shouldn’t just revolve around my family. There are a lot of things I can do that are way beyond my comfort zone.”
The Irigos travel frequently, most recently visiting Sapporo, Japan, in June 2025. Despite the busy schedule, Bondoc-Irigo credits her husband and her 74-year-old father for their support.
“Jade is very patient with me, especially when it comes to handling finances,” she said.
“My dad is the voice of reason when things get tough.”
QUICK QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Losing a loved one.
WHAT REALLY MAKES YOU ANGRY?
Gaslighting.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK HARD?
My children.
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?
My husband’s jokes.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTO?
Share it with family and my community.
IF YOU COULD SHARE A MEAL WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD THEY BE?
Pope Francis.
WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?
I’m not into reading books, but I do read Bible scriptures as part of my daily prayer time.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?
In 10 years, I will still be working but maybe with less workload.
WHICH CELEBRITY WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET FOR A CUP OF COFFEE?
Rowan Atkinson, I can just imagine how fun that would be even if we are not talking.
WHAT IS THE MOST DARING THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?
Doing impromptu opening remarks in a miting de avance last May 2025 elections.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WILL NEVER DO AGAIN?
Impromptu public speaking. Everything should be well-prepared nowadays since anyone can record you and misinterpret you.
