'D' Original Siomai sa Tisa'

"It's the taste more than anything else that matters."

The delicious hot chilli sauce gives the whets for enjoyable eating, but the history behind the pioneers of the "Original Siomai sa Tisa" makes it more exciting.

It began in June 1, 2001 when the owner of a halo-halo snack house, Jeffrey Quillosa, told his cook to make a delectable partner for his halo-halo. Siopao was served quickly but the cook also introduced the first ever siomai in Tisa , Labangon.

Several days after, siomai gained more attention from the customers. They increased the number of siomai produced almost everyday. However, in whatever business, competition is almost always just around the corner. Patrons either from their neighboring barangays to as far as the neighboring towns followed the siomai trend. Today, you can see a siomai establishment in almost every corner of the city.

Quillosa explained that the other establishments using the name "D' Original Siomai sa Tisa" around the city are not owned by him, not even a franchise.

"Kana sila dili na akoa, customers nako sa una ang mga tag-iya ana, karon, nagtinda sad sila kay mu order gihapon sila sa akong katabang," he says. (They are my customers before but now they've put up their own, they order from my cook). He further shared that he does not prohibit his cook to make siomai for the others as long as they do not come from Tisa .

"It's also good to share what I have anyway, it's business as long as it's clear to the people that I only own the original branch here in Tisa ."

D' Original Siomai sa Tisa is often visited by customers from the city especially students, even employees of different companies just drop by to take out siomai. Franz Posugac, a patron, says it's the best among the siomai he tasted so far. Student Eva Marie Gamboa says it's very delicious. "Lami jud sya, bisa'g daghan ang tawo, wala nay extra table, maghuwat jud mi makakaon lang sa ilang siomai." (It's very delicious, even if there is no vacant table, we wait, just to eat their siomai.) Anne Sual also shared that she's satisfied with the taste.

Soon they will also serve siomai fanatics in Tabunok, their first soon-to-be branch. Quillosa shared that aside from the profits, he also helps other people like the waiters or waitresses in his establishment to support their family. For Sundays, all the profits are given to the workers so it's a big day for them according to him.

Looking forward to the siomai industry's future, Quillosa however sees the trend going the same way as that of the tempura. "Karon kusog pa pero mga tulo katuig gikan karon, muubos jud na sa akong pagbati, maparehas na sa tempura sa una." (So far it's competitive today but in the future, I feel it will slow down like the trend of tempura). In case that will happen Quillosa is ready to introduce a new product that will also be loved by people.

D' Original Siomai sa Tisa in Labangon starts its service from 3 pm until 1 am. Customers can also order by phone, just dial 262-2115.