From roots to riches: The inspiring journey of MCE Food Products
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte — Margie C. Estrella, the resilient woman behind MCE Food Products, transformed a simple idea into a thriving business, overcoming significant hardships along the way. After a marital separation in 2010, and with only P1,000 to her name, she faced daunting challenges as a single mother.
With limited resources, she turned to payaw, an indigenous root crop abundant in Sison, Surigao del Norte as the primary ingredient for her tarts. Using a damaged cauldron riddled with holes, Estrella began cooking these tarts and selling them door-to-door in her neighborhood. What began as a humble endeavor to meet her family’s daily needs blossomed into a thriving enterprise.
Her journey was marked by numerous challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the devastating aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette in 2021. The pandemic brought significant disruptions, including lockdowns that stifled the market and economic instability that led many of her regular customers to default on payments. The typhoon compounded these difficulties, damaging inventories and disrupting the supply chain. Securing enough payaw, the key ingredient for her signature tarts, became a constant struggle as her suppliers also faced setbacks.
Despite these struggles, Estrella’s determination never wavered. She tirelessly worked to rebuild her clientele by reconnecting with former customers and expanding her reach through social media, effectively promoting her products online. To further boost visibility, she actively participated in trade fairs organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Recognizing the importance of local support, the entrepreneur collaborated with the local government of Sison to showcase the potential of her tarts.
The municipality responded by promoting the tarts to visitors and providing a rent-free facility as a store for the Sison Tart Production Sustainable Livelihood Program Association, where MCE Food Products could also display its offerings. To address the payaw supply issue, Estrella sought the assistance of the Municipal Agriculture Office to encourage farmers in Sison, Surigao del Norte, to plant more of the root crop. Her relentless effort was instrumental in reviving her business and sustaining the local tart industry.
MCE Food Products has continued to thrive and expanded through the invaluable support from various national government agencies.
The DTI, through its Negosyo Center Surigao del Norte, introduced digital tools that transformed the business, including social media and e-commerce platforms for product promotion, and digital payment systems for seamless transactions.
Over the years, the DTI provided numerous capacity-building training, including skills enhancement programs, to help the business innovate and remain competitive. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when finances were severely strained, the DTI, through the Small Business Corporation’s Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing (ERF), extended crucial assistance. This emergency funding provided much-needed working capital to address operational disruptions, revenue losses, and financial gaps, enabling MCE Food Products to recover and continue its journey toward growth and success.
Having overcome these setbacks, MCE Food Products not only continues to expand its client base but also diversifies its offerings to cater to a wider range of tastes and preferences. This drive for innovation has led to the introduction of exciting new tart flavors beyond the original payaw-based classic. Current flavor selections include cashew, ube, mango, durian, buko-pandan, langka, cheese, chocolate, and peanut.
These additions reflected a deep understanding of customer demands and a commitment to product development, ensuring the business remains dynamic and appealing in a competitive market. By continuously experimenting with new flavors, MCE Food Products sought to strengthen its position as a leading tart producer, showcasing the richness and versatility of local ingredients. This dedication to growth and creativity not only enhanced the brand’s appeal but also expanded its mission to make Sison, Surigao del Norte, renowned for its exceptional payaw tarts.
The steady success of MCE Food Products paved the way for significant investments in its operations. Leveraging its revenue stream, the business has established its own processing facility, equipped with new tools and equipment—a significant upgrade from its traditional methods—to enhance production efficiency and quality. Currently, the business, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has analyzed and determined the nutritional content of its tarts—an essential step toward increasing consumer confidence and transparency.
MCE Food Products aspired to secure FDA certification in the future to meet national food safety and quality standards. Achieving this milestone would broaden its market reach and position the business as a trusted and compliant food manufacturer, opening doors to wider distribution channels and partnerships.
MCE Food Products has become more than just a means of livelihood for Estrella and her family—it has grown into a beacon of opportunity for the local community. Recognizing the importance of inclusive growth, Estrella provided employment to seasonal workers, many of whom are housewives seeking additional income during peak production periods. This initiative supports families and empowers women. (SDR, PIA- Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI-Surigao del Norte)
