He started working as a janitor at the age of 19 when he migrated to Australia, cleaning hotels, malls, hotels and offices.
Now, at the age of 25, John Andrew Dangca is a restaurant owner in Canberra, Australia's capital.
He moved to Australia in 2013 and started a series of cleaning jobs while also studying for his Diploma in Disability.
“Maraming mga pagsubok katulad nung nakakatulog po ako doon sa train station. Dire-diretso po ako nun papunta sa kabilang trabaho, ganyan. Sa bus, nakakatulog po. Parang doon na rin po ako nakakapagpahinga,” Dangca said in GMA's "State of the Nation" report.
When he finally completed his studies, Dangca worked as a disability support worker at a care facility for elders while still doing cleaning jobs.
He then decided to start a restaurant to bring the rest of his family to Australia.
In 2020, Dangca was able to start his very own Filipino restaurant in Canberra called “Salu-Salo."
“Hindi po talaga ganoon kadali sa umpisa. Mararanasan natin ‘yung mga failures, ‘yung mga challenges, pero sa bandang huli, makakamit po (ang tagumpay),” he said.
Salu-Salo's menu offerings are on Uber Eats and include favorite Filipino dishes such as Crispy Pata, Chicken and Pork Adobo, Sinigang, Tinola, Sizzling Pork Sisig, Dinuguan, different variations of "silogs," Bulalo, Pancit Canton, Bihon, and Palabok, Chopsuey, and street food picks such as barbecue, isaw, squid balls, fish ball, chicken skin, and Tokneneng.
Salu-Salo is located at Shop 8, 39, o' Hanlon Place, Canberra, ACT, Australia.