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Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas, owner of Ludi's in Seattle. Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News

Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas, owner of Ludi's in Seattle

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Greg Rosas

Gretchen Fullido

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1729428343464102024_seattle 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas, owner of Ludi&#x27;s in Seattle. Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News"/>Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas, owner of Ludi&#x27;s in Seattle. Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News</div>In bustling downtown Seattle, Ludi&#x27;s Filipino-American diner stands as a beacon of community and resilience. Owned by Greg Rosas, a Filipino immigrant, the diner is celebrated for its unique blend of American and Filipino cuisine, drawing patrons from all walks of life and creating a hub of cultural exchange.Greg&#x27;s journey began in Pandacan, Manila, where life was challenging but full of lessons. At seven years old, his mother, who was secretly battling cancer, entrusted him to Aling Ludi. Her parting words -- &quot;Gregorio, you have to be a good boy. Be kind and hardworking, and people will love and support you&quot; -- became his guiding light in life.He helped Aling Ludi by selling turon and palabok in the neighborhood and assisting in their &quot;karinderya.&quot; These early experiences cultivated his passion for cooking.At the age of 22, Greg migrated to the U.S. with dreams of a better future. He started as a dishwasher at The Turf, a classic American diner established in 1936. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/10/9/no-longer-just-a-food-hall-kiwami-bgc-gets-a-facelift-and-new-concepts-1701">READ: No longer just a food hall, Kiwami BGC gets a facelift and new concepts</a></div>His life took a turn when Grandma Turf, the original owner of the diner, passed away and left the diner to Greg. &quot;She said I was the best thing to happen to them,&quot; Greg recalls, highlighting the impact of his genuine relationships.Adding to his luck, Greg also worked as a houseboy, and his former employer left him a house and lot, and a generous customer surprised him with a substantial cheque. &quot;I&#x27;ve been incredibly lucky,&quot; Greg reflects. &quot;People have always been kind to me, and that kindness has shaped my life.&quot;In 2008, Greg&#x27;s daughter suggested infusing the menu with Filipino dishes. This pivotal moment marked the transformation from The Turf to Ludi&#x27;s, in honor of Aling Ludi. &quot;Adding Filipino items like silog dishes and our weekend-special Ube Pancakes doubled our sales,&quot; Greg proudly shares. &quot;Naming the diner Ludi&#x27;s was my way of paying tribute to the woman who raised me.&quot;Ludi&#x27;s menu features a delightful array of silog dishes, kare-kare, binagoongan, halo-halo and his famous combo platter, each served with unlimited garlic rice and two eggs. &quot;The combo meal includes egg rolls, pork chop, Longanisa, lots of good garlic rice and two eggs,&quot; he said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1729428366742102024_seattle 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas, owner of Ludi&#x27;s in Seattle. Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News"/>Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas, owner of Ludi&#x27;s in Seattle. Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/10/18/dusit-thani-brings-back-crossover-weekend-buffet-to-the-pantry-1614">READ: Dusit Thani brings back crossover weekend buffet to The Pantry</a></div>The weekend-special Ube Pancakes are a standout, drawing crowds eager to experience their unique flavor. &quot;We want to keep them special, which is why they&#x27;re only available on weekends,&quot; Greg explains. There is always a line outside Ludi&#x27;s, with people eagerly waiting to savor these dishes.Greg attributes his success to the genuine relationships he&#x27;s built. &quot;You have to enjoy what you do and be genuine with people,&quot; he says. &quot;Treat everyone with kindness, and they&#x27;ll remember you.&quot;His warmth and sincerity have made him a beloved figure, with lines often stretching outside Ludi&#x27;s. &quot;People say, &#x27;Greg, what makes Ludi&#x27;s the best is you.&#x27; It&#x27;s all about the connection with the community,&quot; he said.Beyond the diner, Greg is deeply committed to giving back, helping educate several young people, including Kenneth, whom he met through Facebook. &quot;I have so much to give, and I love doing it,&quot; Greg says.Greg takes pride in his large family, with seven children—two biological and five adopted—and two grandchildren. &quot;My family is my greatest joy,&quot; he shares.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/4/11/filipino-food-month-continues-with-kaincon-6-hands-dinner-1410">READ: Filipino Food Month continues with KainCon, 6 hands dinner</a></div>In recognition of his contributions, the city proclaimed September 16 as Gregorio F. Rosas Day in Seattle. &quot;Every September 16 is a celebration at Ludi&#x27;s, with free coffee and desserts,&quot; he shares. &quot;It&#x27;s a day to give back to those who&#x27;ve supported us.&quot;Greg shared to ABS-CBN News what the Mayor of Seattle told him upon bestowing this prestigious recognition: &quot;You deserve you get a name sabi ni mayor, so they call it September 16 as Gregorio Rosas day. Sabi ko nga kay Mayor na I&#x27;m grateful na nga nandito ako, pero kung bibigyan mo ako ng a day to honor me as a good citizen of Seattle, talagang I&#x27;m overwhelmed.&quot;

In bustling downtown Seattle, Ludi's Filipino-American diner stands as a beacon of community and resilience.

In bustling downtown Seattle, Ludi's Filipino-American diner stands as a beacon of community and resilience.

How Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas became a Seattle icon

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How Filipino immigrant Greg Rosas became a Seattle icon

Gretchen Fullido,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 20, 2024 08:52 PM PHT

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