Flavors for special taste

Her love for this pastry has paved way for her business to survive through the COVID-19 pandemic, the strong earthquake, and a super typhoon last year.

“Magustwak ngamin a talaga ti empanada. Nu mapan kami diay Vigan, isu ti birbirukek sunga inadal ko met nga lutuen ken in-improve ko lang bassit, magusdoan da met, "Ayup said in an interview.

[I  really like  empanadas. I would look for it when we go to Vigan  so, I learned to cook it,and  improve it a bit. They like it],” 

Her special empanada is made of shredded cabbage and carrots with a mix of homemade ground pork and eggs wrap with her special and freshly kneaded dough.

Breaking through adversaries

Ayup  used to rent a commercial space near the Bucay town plaza where customers flock to her snack house daily.

Unfortunately, super typhoon Egay damaged the commercial space she was renting last year, leaving her no choice but to close her Empanadahan.  This happened while recovering from effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the  magnitude 7 earthquake that hit the province in 2021.

Amidst the challenges, she persevered taking per order from her loyal customers. She eventually decided  open her snack house in her own front yard.

Government  assistance

During the height of the pandemic, Ayup said she received financial assistance under the Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program of the Department of Trade and Industry, which she used to re-open her business.

“Isu nga anus lang talaga uray nu nag-bagyo, naggin-gined, adu ti nagdalananna ngem nag tuloy latta gapu ti anus [It’s really  patience.  Despite the typhoons, and the earthquake that we've  been through, we have  persevered],” Ayup added.

DTI-Abra Provincial Director Marvin Arcangel said that DTI  can provide P8,000 worth of livelihood kits to MSMEs affected by calamities through the ‘Pangkabuhayan para sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa’  program.