27/04/2026
๐๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ | The Torta Boys
๐๐บ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฑ๐ฉ ๐๐ช๐ค๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ท๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ข, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ
At an eatery across ISPSC Candon, the best sellers aren't Igado, Menudo, or Afritada, but a modest, plain dish โ Torta.
Because the gangโs always in a rush, a single shout of โTORTA!โ from Volts is all it takes for them to be on the same page. Itโs one order for everyone, so by the time they arrive at the diner, all thatโs left to do is feast. With a single tap on Messenger, Volts renamed their group chat โTorta Boys.โ From that moment forward, Torta became the talk of the campus.
Rowdy. Teacherโs headache. The ones constantly catching "Incomplete" grades. Thatโs how the Torta Boys from the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) program are usually seen. But despite being looked down upon, they are graduating this 2026 with their heads held high.
It was the Second Semester of AY 2023-2024 when this group occupied two rows at the back of the classroom in my GenEd 108 class. In the peak of summer, every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, their presence brought an air of cockiness, sometimes sarcasm, but most of the time comedy. Their comedic timing is always on point. They never fail to make the class laugh, sometimes cry when they share their escapades to class. Then, I noticed them and began to understand their story.
Cy, Ibes, Volts, Christian, Mamoth, Mel, Unad, Jer, Intong, Uging, Guleng, Lex, Drap's, Den-den, Kevy, and Tangkad: Sixteen different characters bound together by the spirit of Torta.
Within their circle, roasting each other isnโt the start of a fight; itโs the trademark of their friendship. In this group, as they say, no one is considered the "smartest" because they live by the principle of helping one another so that everyone passes; meanwhile, everyone is on equal footing when it comes to being hardworking.
Taking the groupโs pulse, Cy leads the pack as the most appealing, Volts serves as the "Father figure," and Ibes is the most emotional. Yet only one word describes their bond: SOLID. Their resilience is what truly binds them together.
From working as on-call catering staff to braving shifts at McDonaldโs and even taking on construction work, the Torta Boys have proven that in life, sometimes all one needs is sheer resourcefulness.
Being on-call servers and waiters has become the signature identity of the Torta Boys. The group is deeply grateful to Chef Nick Rodriguez of Bistro Candon and Chef Clifford Galanto of iPongโs Catering, as these mentors helped sharpen the skills related to their chosen course. Moreover, they used this opportunity to save up for their 2GO apprenticeship and Seafarerโs SOLAS training.
โThe Torta Boys were a huge help to me because they taught me how to truly hustle. They changed me. Before I was caught up in bad habits that caused me to not attend my classes. When the Torta Boys came along, they helped me find the drive to persevere in my studies,โ said Uging.
Despite all their hard work, there were still times when the hurtful remarks of others would cut deep. As Mamoth lamented, the most painful jab thrown at their group was the comment, "They say weโre going to be in school for five years." Mel and Guleng added that it was hurtful to be told, "You guys won't go anywhere in life." Even though they were labeled as a "bad influence," as Jer heard, they still have every right to be an inspiration to others.
The story of the Torta Boys is full of valuable lessons. Ibes advises, โTake your studies seriously. Weโve also experienced having INCs (Incomplete grades) and back subjects, and it is difficult. Just keep working hard. One day, you will graduate too.โ Intong adds, โSurround yourself with people who have dreams. That way, youโll feel more motivated to study.โ
Even with such a tight bond, the group still faced some obstacles. Personal struggles occasionally tested their unity. It hurt them deeply to watch some friends who couldn't afford their OJT in Manila or their shipboard training. But Cy insists that everyone has their own pace, saying, โGusto ko lahat kami sumakses (I just want to see everyone of us succeed). โ
Beyond the NC2 and NC3 certifications they earned, the true victory for the Torta Boys is fighting fair in life and their relentless drive to reach their dreams. As working students, they proved that being "not academically inclined" is not a hindrance to finishing college. For them, success means graduating for the sake of their loved ones and having the opportunity to help others.
The Torta Boys are more than just a group formed over a single food order. They are proof that any challenge can be surmounted as long as you're in it together. In the end, they will celebrate their success circling around a table, even if all they have to share over drinks is Torta.
