Made with love, locally: 'Tindahan ni Tarsee' celebrates 'foodpreneurs'

When made with love, every blessing becomes even greater.

This December, Tindahan ni Tarsee will feature booths that celebrate immortal love through the products of passionate partner “foodpreneurs.”

One such story is that of JC Lontoc and his fiery Casa Lontoc vinegar products. What began in 2017 as a small home experiment by his wife who wanted to try something new with different types of chili has now grown into a brand found in leading supermarkets like S&R. “As newlyweds, my wife was looking for ways to augment our income,” JC shared. With his background in design, he created the product’s branding and labels, while his wife handled the recipes. Sadly, in 2019, his wife passed away, leaving the business under his care.

Instead of giving up, JC chose to honor her memory by continuing what they started together. Today, Casa Lontoc offers a wide variety of vinegars such as sinamak, sukang Iloko, sukang tuba, and sweet and spicy with muscovado. They’ve recently added chili garlic and habanero chili garlic to their growing lineup, which are especially popular during the Christmas season starting September.

Another inspiring story comes from Chef Genevieve Tanquilut of Purple Toque. She enthusiastically shared how their business name was born, a mix of her favorite color, purple, and toque, the traditional chef’s hat. The name was suggested by her business partner’s mother, and they decided to keep it “to honor her,” she said.

This thoughtfulness and desire to preserve a legacy are reflected in every handcrafted product she makes. Chef Genevieve takes pride in her cakes and sweet bars, which she says are never “tinipid (budgeted)” in quality, “not overly coated nor undercoated.” Their success eventually led them to open their own coffee shop.

Lastly, Shalah Leonardo of Block 6 Bakes & Bowls named her business after her home address. Simple yet meaningful, the name reflects her warm, community-centered approach. Neighbors easily recognize her shop when they crave the comforting flavors of her pastries. Shalah specializes in croissants, offering unique flavors like tiramisu croissant and coffee bun the latter featuring a coffee-flavored crust with buttery layers inside.

All these heartfelt products will be showcased at DAILY TRIBUNE’s Tindahan ni Tarsee on 5 to 7 December at Festival Mall.