Cavite, Philippines—In 2000, Mrs. Mary Grace Sanarez moved to China as a dependent of her husband. During their time abroad, the family frequently hosted feasts and served tapa to visitors. This dish became a beloved comfort food, inspiring her to open a “tapsihan” business upon her return home.

However, in November 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread, she was unable to return to China. With a capital of only PHP 150,000, she established “Gracia’s Tapsihan.” As a sole proprietor, she single-handedly managed production, client service, and all other operations.

“Gracia’s Tapsihan” officially opened in January 2020, offering meals priced between PHP 50 to PHP 150. The menu features a variety of affordable, ready-to-eat rice meals, including rice, egg, and a choice of viand, along with unlimited complimentary soup. In addition to these budget-friendly “silog” meals, Gracia’s Tapsihan also offers delectable condiments and side dishes, such as homemade spiced vinegar, patis, chili garlic sauce, bagoong, and atchara, all of which complement the rice meals perfectly. During the pandemic, their packed meals became a hit through delivery services, catering to residents in Naic, Maragondon, Ternate, Magallanes, and Batangas.

“Gracia’s Tapsihan” continues to serve affordable “silog” meals to the residents of Naic and its neighboring cities and municipalities. Its mission is to serve delicious, high-quality, and budget-friendly meals while prioritizing the well-being of its employees, community, and environment. The business envisions becoming one of the top five quality and budget-friendly tapsilog establishments in Naic.

In 2023, Mrs. Sanarez was introduced to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and was selected as a mentee in the Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) online training program under the DTI Cavite. The KMME-MME online program is a DTI initiative designed to help micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) survive and grow despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the KMME-MME program, she gained valuable knowledge on properly running a business and establishing a strong foundation for long-term success and sustainability. She also learned the importance of good product presentation to capture customers’ attention and drive sales.

Beyond their signature condiments and “silog” meals, Gracia’s Tapsihan has expanded its offerings to include a healthy calamansi and malunggay juice drink. This beverage combines the zesty tang of calamansi with the earthy goodness of malunggay, creating a refreshing and nutritious drink rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and essential nutrients. It has become a popular choice among health-conscious customers seeking a natural energy boost. As an advocate for healthier alternatives, Mrs. Sanarez promotes this drink as a nutritious replacement for soda, particularly for children.

With a promising future in the horizon, Sanarez remains committed to providing high-quality service and healthy products to her customers. She is actively seeking resellers for her condiments and is working towards expanding her business into a larger facility. ♦

Date of release: 03 March 2025

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