“I came to this country with $100 in my pocket, not knowing what would be next. Who would have thought that a kid from the Philippines would end up as Area Coach at Taco Bell in the U.S. and for that, I am grateful.”
Rosauro was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, to half Spanish, half Filipino parents in a family of 10.
“In the Philippines, basketball was the only professional sport to getting a better life. So I played basketball all through high school and college, even playing professionally for six years after – this was my passion. As I got older, I decided that it wasn’t going to be basketball forever, I needed something different.”
After seven years as a team member with a donut brand in New Jersey who sponsored his work visa, he wanted something else...something that was his new “basketball." That’s when he applied to Taco Bell in New York.
Rosauro started off as an Assistant General Manager in New York, was then promoted to Restaurant General Manager and then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where he got promoted to Area Coach. During this time, Rosauro got to meet so many new RGMs and even attend Golden Bell, a recognition event celebrating the best of the best RGMs and Area Coaches from around the world.
“When I first started working at Taco Bell, I remember my Area Coach would always tell me about Golden Bell, and how the top 100+ RGMs got the opportunity to go on a vacation to Hawaii. I did not really think much about it at first because there are seven thousand restaurants, but when I got the news that I’m going, I was so happy! This is one of my favorite memories.”
Rosauro's journey has been filled with passion, patience and hard work, and it has taken him to new heights, but it’s no doubt that his heritage has also shaped the person he is today. From the Philippines to the U.S., Rosauro has carried his values with him, instilling the same principles in his children with pride.
“Growing up, I learned the value of respecting others, which is important to me, so I teach my kids the same. For example, every time they have a conversation with an elder, they add Po at the end of the sentence, which is a sign of respect. I’ve also taught them Mano, a greeting that requires you to take the hand of an elderly and place it on the forehead for blessing.”
Rosauro has truly found a way to bring the American and Filipino cultures together, celebrating important moments as a family; food (Adobo chicken), family traditions (Christmas) and fun (karaoke). Looking to the future, Rosauro hopes to continue building on these meaningful moments by helping others along the way.
“I want to be remembered as a person who supported the growth and development of a lot of people in different ways, leaving a lasting impact. With patience, passion and hard work, anything is possible.”