FOOD concessionaire Eva’s said it would pull out of the UST Multi-Deck Parking Building (MDP) when its lease contract ends on Nov. 14, but is awaiting instructions from the University on how to serve athletes.
An Oct. 21 memorandum from car park operator Selegna Holdings Corp. told all major food concessionaires at the MDP, including Eva’s, to vacate their stalls by mid-November as part of management changes in the facility.
Eva’s is the main food supplier of the University’s student-athletes occupying the dorms on the fourth floor of the MDP.
Cathay Adalia, whose family owns Eva’s, told the Varsitarian they had yet to receive information from UST on what happens after Nov. 14, such as where the varsity players would eat.
“Ang last day kasi ng contract is Nov. 14. Nakiki-balita pa kami kasi kung ang athletes ay sa labas na lang muna kakain,” Adalia said.
While waiting for an update, Adalia said Eva’s planned to focus on its other outlets in UST.
“Ang Plan B namin is mag-focus muna sa mga matitirang pwesto na pinagkukuhanan ng athletes. Kasi mahirap din kung walang kakainin ang athletes,” she said.
Founded in the 1990s, Eva’s began as a small catering business before becoming a campus staple known for its affordable, home-cooked meals.
For many Thomasians, it’s more than just a food stall—it’s a comforting fixture of University life.
“Wala pa talagang advice kung anong gagawin as regards the athletes. If we’re gonna talk about ‘yong serving ng Eva’s, ‘yong serving all the people, talagang vacate,” Adalia said.
As a longtime business operator on campus, Adalia is used to last-minute announcements.
“Sanay na kami … So, ganun lang, you need to accept it,” she said.
Eva’s remains ‘hopeful’
As the Nov. 14 deadline approaches, Adalia said she was hopeful Eva’s would continue its years-long service to the Thomasian community—whether inside or outside the campus.
During the onslaught of super-typhoon “Ondoy” in September 2009, hundreds of Thomasians were left stranded on campus. Eva’s, joined by the UST Central Seminary and some concessionaires still operating in the MDP, continued serving Thomasians despite rising floodwaters.
“Nasa dugo na namin ‘yan. […] Noong kasagsagan ng (tropical storm) ‘Ondoy,’ ‘yong mother ko lang ‘yong nakapag-serve sa mga na-stranded,” Adalia said.
More recently, when typhoon “Carina” swept Metro Manila, UST’s partner food concessionaires, which includes Eva’s catering arm Peeva, continued serving the student-athletes stranded on campus.
Adalia, an alumna of the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, is the second-generation owner of Eva’s.
Eva’s is named after her mother, Eva Adalia, who established the original Peeva Restaurant in 1990.
Peeva has three canteens inside the campus, the most well-known of which is in the car park.
Peeva’s Restaurant serves the UST Senior High School at the Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building, while Ate Ev’s serves UST Hospital staff and patients.
