Rhonson’s Halftime Burger
OF COURSE by now we all know that a hamburger sandwich consists of one or more patties of ground beef placed inside a bun. You have your choice if you want the beef patty fried, grilled or flame broiled. Davaoenos, especially the millennials, just love hamburgers such that we have so many brands in Davao to date: McDonalds, Jollibee, Space Burger, Army and Navy, S&R, Red Corner Burger, Minute Burger, Backyard Burger, Griddle’s Burgers, and more. Well, the latest burger haven is Rhonson Ng’s (yes, the multi-awarded professional photographer of Davao City) Halftime Burger located at Door 3, San Felix Building, Matina Highway, Davao City.
“It’s the building in front of the Malayan Colleges Mindanao. It’s right beside the Shell Station,” so instructed Rhonson Ng’s beloved Joji Fernando Alcantara when she invited me to the blessing of Halftime Burger. It’s the first franchise to open in Davao City owned by kapamilya Ng namely Rhonson Ng (manager and sometimes cook), Jerry and Nilda Tan, Robert Ng, and business partner Kris Hagan.
“Halftime Burger started as a small burger joint along Evangelista Street in Makati City in 2017. It was founded by John Derick Molina Maalihan….It all started for the love of the game of basketball and burgers. Thinking of how to be unique and take this burger game to the next level,” narrated Joji while her beloved Rhonson was in the kitchen cooking the Halftime Burgers and Wings for the hungry guests.
Joji describes John Derick Molina Maalihan as the “mestizo bagets na owner of Halftime Burger who is a model. Upon seeing John Derick’s picture, one guest commented, “Mas delicious siya kesa sa hamburgers niya!” John Derick grew up just like most Pinoys loving the game of basketball. He has been a huge fan of Michael Jordan and LeBron James. And yes, he admits to being a certified hamburger sandwich lover. “So I decided to open a business that I could truly express what I love about: basketball, burgers and cars,” the Halftime Burger owner disclosed.
“Davaoenos, let your hands get messy with Halftime Burgers and flavorful chicken wings and eat your stress away… Mangaon na ta! Lami kaayo,” invites Joji Fernando Alcantara as her beloved was still busy frying burgers and wings the Halftime Burger way.
There are now 14 franchises of Halftime Burger in the country; and two are in Butuan and Davao City. The Ng family will soon be opening a branch in Digos.
Congratulations, familia Ng and Joji Fernando Alcantara. I really hope to see Rhonson Ng fatten up a bit this time. I doubt this will happen though as he’s serious in multi-tasking as a photographer, Halftime manager and sometimes cook, lover, father, mentor, at marami pang ibang rakets niya.
Thank you, Joji, for the pictures on this page. Love ya!