Tovic Salvador

Kapeng barako, chili-mansi and sisig hopia, anyone?

Article (news)

Leah C. Salterio

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752650507018eng bee tin.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Brothers Gerik (right) and Royce Gerald Chua to go to Visayas and Mindanao for the National Hopia Day this year. Handout</div>MANILA -- There is perhaps no other company with as many variants of the popular hopia as Eng Bee Tin, started by the Chua family more than a century ago in Ongpin, Binondo in 1912.Eng Bee Tin used to be known as &quot;hopiang ‘di mabile, may amag sa tabi,” said Gerik Chua, vice president for Operations of Eng Bee Tin. Today, there are more than two dozen variants of Eng Bee Tin hopia.For the National Hopia Day this month, the Chua family will introduce new flavors of hopia like the chili-mansi, kapeng barako, sisig, mango, strawberry and pineapple cake with salted egg. “The new variants may be available only for a limited time, but can be reintroduced another time,” said Chua, noting that sugar-free variants of the ube and classic hopia were introduced in the past. Back in the &#x27;80s, there were only two flavors of hopia – baboy and monggo – available.“Today, there are 25 flavors of hopia,” beamed Chua. “We have hopia pandan, durian, langka, quezo and kundol, plus sugar-free hopia. Same taste, guilt-free. Very Filipino flavors and proudly Pinoy.” Last year, Eng Bee Tin started the first National Hopia Day and laid out activities for the whole day at the SM Mall of Asia, which turned out to be very successful and well-attended.The Chua family, led by children Gerik, Royce Gerald and Roche Geraldyn, the fourth generation owners now managing Eng Bee Tin, continues the celebration this year on July 18 to 20. National Hopia Day extends to Visayas and Mindanao, as Chua shared they will also go to Cebu on the third week of July and Davao on the last week.“We want to dedicate a day for hopia,” Chua said. “If they can do it for donut, we can also do it for hopia. Before, people knew very basic about hopia. Maybe ube and monggo only. “There are different possibilities for hopia. It’s not just a simple snack item. There’s an evolution for hopia. There are many who want to experience different possibilities of hopia.“We can do so many things about hopia. We plan to make the hopia celebration bigger in the years to come.”They will bring the different variants, including the first ube hopia that was started by their grandfather.Eng Bee Tin, which means “forever, beautiful, precious,” is represented by its lady mascot, Bee Bee, which means beautiful. The store has 50 branches all over Luzon, all family-owned with no franchises.“Mostly are kiosks,” Chua clarified. “We have yet to branch out in the Visayas and Mindanao.“The farthest in Luzon is Batangas [Lipa], while in the north, it’s Pampanga [San Fernando]. Soon, hopefully, we plan to bring Eng Bee Tin to Baguio.”The Chua family also exports Eng Bee Tin to 18 countries worldwide. “Our aim is when Filipinos eat hopia anywhere they are in the world, they are reminded of home,” Chua said. That is the reason Eng Bee Tin decided to retrace and showcase the history of hopia by holding the first National Hopia Day last year.“Today, the whole world knows about the ube hopia,” said Chua. “That was after Eng Bee Tin was featured by host Cory Quirino on ‘Citiline’ on ABS-CBN.“They said, it is love that makes the world go round. Because of the National Hopia Day and Eng Bee Tin, hopia is making love all around the world.”For the 113th anniversary, Eng Bee Tin continues its legacy of honoring Filipino-Chinese culture and will also launch “etneb hopia” or hopia for P20, but only for a limited period of time.It was Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who suggested that Eng Bee Tin markets “etneb hopia” six years ago.Thanks to Moreno, Binondo has become a food street always teeming with people. “Yorme plans to do the National Hopia Day in Manila,” Chua disclosed.Throughout the whole month of July, hopia lovers can enjoy great deals on their favorites. On Mondays (July 7, 14, 21 and 28), participating products will be available at 10 percent off.On the main event weekend on July 18 to 20, Eng Bee Tin offers a 20 percent discount on select items at Eng Bee Tin branches nationwide.

Eng Bee Tin marks 113th year with bold new flavors and a bigger National Hopia Day.

Eng Bee Tin marks 113th year with bold new flavors and a bigger National Hopia Day.