What started as a simple snack to remind their children of home became a thriving business for Ilocano couple Mike and Cathy Tugas who now lives in Canada.
After craving Ilocos empanada, Cathy learned how to make the popular snack, which soon became a hit not only with her family but with the local community.
“Nami-miss ng mga anak ko ang empanada so gumawa ako para sa amin… Then nag-come out, sabi ng mga anak ko, ‘Bakit hindi natin ibenta, Mama?'” Cathy said.
(My kids missed empanada so I baked a batch for us… Then my children suggested, ‘Why don’t we sell them, Mama?’)
With the encouragement of their children, the couple posted their empanada on social media, and the response was overwhelming, especially from fellow Ilocanos.
“Marami rin Ilocano sa Canada, kaya ‘yung pagtanggap nila sobra-sobrang init, kasing init ng empanada namin,” Mike said.
(There are plenty of Ilocanos in Canada, so their reception was really as warm as our empanadas.)
Their business now caters to a variety of customers, including people from different backgrounds.
Aside from empanada, the couple also sells longganisa, tocino, bibingka, and sukang Iloco, with their products available in convenience stores and at pop-up events.
Mike has a piece of advice to Filipinos abroad:
“Maiipayo ko lang sa kapwa Filipino na gustong magnegosyo sa ibang bansa, ipagpatuloy niyo lang… nagsimula kami sa online selling hanggang sa lumaki.”
(My advice to my fellow Filipinos who want to open a business in another country, just got with it… we started with online selling until it grew.)
As of this writing, Mike and Cathy are on vacation in Ilocos, never forgetting their roots that helped them build a livelihood abroad. —GMA Regional TV News
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