A woman stands smiling in front of a wooden display shelf filled with various jars and bottles of food products. A banner above reads "NIKOS HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS". The woman is wearing glasses, a patterned dress, and a dark sheer jacket, and she has a name tag hanging around her neck. The shelves are stocked with items that appear to be preserved foods, sauces, or condiments. A small potted plant sits on the top shelf. The setting suggests a trade show or a small business showcasing its products. Based on the branding, the business is likely named "Nikos" and specializes in homemade food items.

In Filipino culture, pickling is a cherished tradition that preserves food and enhances its flavor. Dishes like atsara (made from green papaya, carrots, and bell peppers) or pico (pickled fish or seafood) are common side dishes or condiments. These pickled foods not only add flavor but also extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables in the tropical climate, playing an important role in Filipino cuisine, especially with grilled meats, rice, or during festive gatherings.

For years, Mrs. Elisa Pineda’s family sold nata de coco until she had the idea to create a unique version of atcharang nata de coco. After receiving praise from family and friends for its healthy, delicious flavor, she launched Nikos’ Atcharang Nata de Coco in 2006 with just P600 and 10 bottles. Due to a shortage of food packaging in Pampanga, they repurposed old jars from kaong and cheese spreads.

Nikos’ Atcharang Nata de Coco grew steadily due to its health benefits and unique flavor, spreading across Guagua, Pampanga, through customer recommendations. Production quickly increased from 10 to hundreds of bottles each month. Later, a friend introduced them to pickled ampalaya, and despite their lack of experience, they perfected their own recipe through patience and dedication.

In 2020, Mr. Darby Bognot (Senior Trade-Industry Specialist of DTI) introduced Mrs. Elisa to the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program, which encouraged towns to develop products reflecting local culture. This program helped her improve, and as the business expanded, it gained attention from TV shows and publications. She later renamed it Nikos’ Homemade Food Products and added pickled radish, mango chutney, tsokolateng baterol, and more.

To further enhance her business, she attended seminars and webinars organized by DTI through the Negosyo Center Guagua Business Counselor, Clau Meril Blanco. She participated in the Small-to-Medium Enterprises Roving Academy (SMERA, 2020) and the Product Development Program, which improved her packaging.

In 2021, she joined the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) The program aims to enhance the business skills and knowledge of MSME owners and entrepreneurs, helping them to grow their businesses and become more competitive in the market. That same year, she was featured in DTI Pampanga’s Coffee Table Book, ManyaGumpe: Manyamang Tagumpe, highlighting successful food enterprises.

DTI Negosyo Center’s support has been key to Mrs. Elisa’s business growth. Through mentorship and training, DTI NC helped her diversify products, reach new markets, and boost revenue. This allowed her to hire staff, improve productivity, and create local jobs. DTI NC’s networking also led to reliable partnerships, strengthening the company’s competitive edge.

“Always prioritize the quality of your products,” says Mrs. Elisa. “A slight price increase is fine, as long as you maintain the quality of your products.” Nikos’ Homemade Food Products continues to flourish due to Mrs. Elisa’s dedication and the support from DTI NC, remaining a trusted brand in the market. ♦

Date of Release: 16 April 2025

Business Name: Nikos’ Homemade Food Products
Owner’s Name: Elisa Pineda
Business Address: Santa Filomena 104 LM Subdivision Guagua Pampanga
Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/Nikosproducts
Email Account: nikosfoodproducts@gmail.com

A woman stands smiling in front of a wooden display shelf filled with various jars and bottles of food products. A banner above reads "NIKOS HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS". The woman is wearing glasses, a patterned dress, and a dark sheer jacket, and she has a name tag hanging around her neck. The shelves are stocked with items that appear to be preserved foods, sauces, or condiments. A small potted plant sits on the top shelf. The setting suggests a trade show or a small business showcasing its products. Based on the branding, the business is likely named "Nikos" and specializes in homemade food items.
A woman stands smiling in front of a wooden display shelf filled with various jars and bottles of food products, labeled "NIKOS". She is wearing glasses, a white top, and blue jeans, and holding a black bag. The shelves are stocked with items that appear to be preserved foods, sauces, or condiments. Small Christmas tree decorations are placed on the top shelf. The background shows a brightly lit indoor space with tiled flooring and other store signs visible, including "Watsons". The setting suggests a retail environment, possibly a promotional booth or a shop within a mall. Based on the previous image and the branding, the business is likely named "Nikos" and specializes in food products. Given the location context of Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines, the woman is likely Filipina.
A smiling woman stands gesturing towards a wooden display shelf showcasing "NIKOS HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS". She is wearing glasses, a blue shirt, and dark pants. The shelves are stocked with jars of various food items, and a pricelist is visible on the side of the shelf. A sign clearly reads "NIKOS HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS". The background shows a well-lit indoor space with ornate architectural details, including patterned ceilings and chandeliers, and several people walking in the distance. The setting appears to be a trade show or a market within a formal building. Given the previous images and context, the woman is likely Filipina and the products are homemade food items from "Nikos".
A product shot displays a collection of "NIKOS" brand pickled food items against a dark background. The central focus is on eight glass jars and one glass bottle, each containing different pickled contents and labeled with the "NIKOS" logo and the specific product name. From left to right, the visible labels include: "Nikos Tsukemono Pickled Radish", "Pickled Nata de Coco", "Pickled Ampalaya", "Mango Chutney", "Pickled Papaya", "Atcharang Thai Chili Relish", and "Pickled Garlic". The bottle on the far right also bears the "NIKOS" label. The variety of colors and textures within the jars suggests a range of pickled fruits and vegetables. The overall presentation is clean and emphasizes the "NIKOS" brand and its diverse line of pickled products. Given the likely origin of the brand based on previous images, these products are likely from the Philippines.

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