Nana Seniang’s ‘tupig’ a proud Ilocano livelihood

ENTREP TRENDS

Freddie G. Lazaro

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte — For Arsenia Suga, 69, or “Nana Seniang” as fondly called by her neighbors in Barangay Pias Norte, this town, her “tupig” delicacy will endure as long as the people cannot get enough of it.

Tupig is the famous rice cake made in the Ilocos Region, the main ingredients of which are grounded glutinous rice, coconut, and sugar.

Ilocano families make tupig to be served during special occasions, but for Nana Seniang and some other housewives count for the patient few that sustain the tupig industry in the province as their livelihood.

A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) at the former Northwestern College (now the Northwestern University or NWU) in Laoag City in 1970, Nana Seniang recalls how she decided to engage in making and selling rice cakes instead of pursuing a career in teaching.

“It was 1970, when I started making “poto and bibingka” to sell during market day in the towns of Ilocos Sur such as Santo Domingo, Magsingal, Cabugao and Sinait. I woke–up early in the morning four times a week to bring my native food delicacies for sale to these towns with my net income at P30.00 per day,” she narrated.

In 1983, she changed her “poto” food delicacies to “tupig” due to its potential demand particularly in Laoag City.

“When I transferred selling native food delicacy to Laoag City, my net income raised to P200 per day until it reached up to R1,000 per day in the early 2000,” she said.

In 2007, she had saved enough to construct a bigger stall and cooking plant at her residence with the help of her children, naming it Irene Native Delicacies after her daughter.

Fortunately, the distinct and delicious taste of her tupig wrapped in banana leaves got customers stopping by at her stall located beside the national highway.

Today, her business produces at least 450 pieces of tupig daily which she sells at P10 apiece, earning her a net income of P1,500 at day’s end. During holidays, the demand for her tupig doubles.

“Tupig is a part of our daily living as it becomes the main source of income for my family. I am able to send four of my five children to different reputable universities in the country to finish degree courses,” she said.

Her husband has left farming to assist her in the business, allowing them to refurbish their house, purchase a family vehicle, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

“Thanks to the Lord and to this tupig business because until now I’m proud to say that many people are searching us just to buy this Ilocano delicacy,” ends Nana Seniang.