lifestyle 032715main

Never has a truck-load of BS sound so appetizing.

And no, I don’t mean a lorry filled with Britney Spears – although, that wouldn’t exactly be a bad idea either. Yeah, let’s face it. It wasn’t the pop sensation you were thinking of when that acronym came out. The first image that swam across your mind was buckets and buckets of shrimp. (Shhh…. Just let it go.)

This is what is amazing about this whole story though. The visionary behind Bucket Shrimps is as laidback, fun-loving and carefree as the brand he owns. People recognize him as BS Man; but his friends and family know him as Chad Colmenares Regner.

Before the revolutionary dining experience bloomed in the island of Cebu, Chad lived in the United States where he handled an events firm, and was a buy-and-sell auto dealer. This wasn’t enough for him. This wasn’t exactly the life he envisioned. His big ideas were getting in the way.

Chad found his way back home just in time for Sinulog, and somehow also found his way back to an idea he discussed with a few relatives years ago. His aunt owned a shrimp farm; thus the birth of a restaurant concept with – you guessed it – shrimp as the nature of the beast. He was inspired by dining spots in the United States that embedded this delicious crustacean as the star of the show. But like the previous discussion he’s had with them regarding this idea, the result was chronic. He did not look forward to the fact that he was going back to San Francisco, California to go through the same routine. The creativity in him was getting to be more difficult to contain.

Around May of 2013, he flew back to the United States, sold his business and rushed back home. Chad wanted to realize his dreams straight away. With the money he obtained that could last him (3) three years, he wanted to do something that could sustain his permanent residency in Cebu. He decided to put up a business. Excited to team up with his relatives who owned the shrimp farm, Chad cooked for them to present his idea. The enthusiasm was crushed when he was thrown shards of discouragement. But somehow, he still had a bit of positivity left in him to turn to his aunt to ask her if she would back him up. The woman who stepped into his life, to act as the mother he lost, nodded. From then on, according to Chad, she played a big role in his journey to success.

On the 8th of September in the year 2013, Bucket Shrimps popped its little head above the water. They started with only (10) ten tables with a (30) thirty individual seating capacity. The bucket concept came to be when he thought plastic bags (which were used in the U.S.) would not look very appealing to local customers, and would be less eco-friendly.

Bucket Shrimps has become one of the most sought-out places to dine, and to get down and dirty all for the love of good food. It’s a place to let go of all your inhibitions, dig into the wonderful flavours of the ocean, and suck in the feel-good tunes they so meticulously provide – as you do.  What started out as a small eatery in the Capitol area, grew into a huge restaurant with a working bar and a function room. The thriving doesn’t stop there. It gave birth to another branch in Salinas Drive, Lahug; and the mother of all Bucket Shrimps will be opening in Mactan inside the Cebu Yacht Club this April of 2015.

Chad has created an amazing brand that embraces the island aspect of this budding metropolis that people seem to take for granted. With tons of cars, a business that is nowhere from being pushed aside, his natural positive demeanor, and a very adorable English Bulldog – conveniently named Bubbalicious – that wanders around the restaurant from time-to-time, I can confidently say that he is definitely living the life. But put all that aside, he hasn’t strayed away from his humble beginnings and the hardships he went through. This man is one of the most generous individuals I know. From going around the city feeding street kids to keeping everyone happy, this hands-on boss stands unfazed in the presence of old wealth from different tycoons trying to leak its way into his business.

Chad Regner will continue to serve Cebu with genuine passion and incredible food. This is just another service provided by your friendly neighbourhood BS Man.