Vlad Bunoan

TMI Food Processing Development, Inc. CEO Henderson Go, Tobi founder Andres Go, and Tobie International, Inc. CEO Peterson Go

Article (news)

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757216143434372be65a-d435-4c12-b4e4-424c82248da0 (1).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>TMI Food Processing Development, Inc. CEO Henderson Go, Tobi founder Andres Go, and Tobie International, Inc. CEO Peterson Go at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration last August 29 at the Marriott Hotel. HandoutMANILA – In the mid-1960s, Andres Chin-Ying Go was just a teenager trying to help his family make ends meet. With little more than a borrowed P4,800 — most of it spent on a used jeepney for deliveries — he started repacking peanuts and champoy into plastic bags, sealing them by hand with a stapler and selling them to Manila’s sari-sari stores.</div>“We didn’t even have weighing scales then, just a spoon,” Go recalled in an interview. “I stamped our labels and stapled them onto plastic bags.&quot;That small survival venture would eventually become TMI Food Processing Development, Inc., the maker of the iconic Tobi line of peanuts, cashews, and flavored snacks. Now celebrating its 60th anniversary, the company counts supermarket chains, airline commissaries, fast-food operators, and five-star hotels among its clients. It also employs more than 500 people from Parañaque, where its production facility remains rooted.<div>A Mexican Twist</div>The company’s turning point came with the launch of its Mexican Peanuts — crunchy, flavorful, and distinct from competitors. The product struck a chord with Filipino consumers, cementing Tobi’s place in the supermarket snack aisle. The company later expanded its range with adobo-flavored peanuts, roasted cashews, and other innovations that married global influences with local tastes.&quot;I kept experimenting, trying new flavors, and ways to grow,” Go said. Tobi’s rise unfolded alongside the broader boom in the Philippine snack industry. The market for snacks was valued at $2.6 billion in 2023, with savory products accounting for nearly 70% of sales, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Within this segment, nuts and seeds remain among the fastest-growing categories. Analysts attribute the steady growth to urbanization, busier lifestyles, and the expansion of modern retail, which made packaged snacks more accessible across income levels.Competition in the savory snacks space is intense, with domestic giants like Universal Robina and Monde Nissin, as well as long-standing brands such as Nagaraya, all fighting for shelf space. Tobi carved out a niche by sourcing directly from farmers and adopting packaging innovations early — including resealable stand-up pouches introduced through a Japanese supplier Go met by chance.<div>Faith, luck, and persistence</div>Go often attributes Tobi’s longevity to divine providence as much as grit. He recalls the kindness of strangers who helped at pivotal moments — a taxi driver who made his first deliveries, a Palawan supplier who secured a steady cashew supply, and foreign partners who opened doors to technology.“I truly believe they were sent by God to help me,” he said. “Looking back, Tobi was built on hard work, persistence, timing, and a bit of grace. What started as a small repacking venture to support my family turned into something far bigger than I ever imagined.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757216249253234f657e-30d8-4bd2-9f02-c13b3fbf8d32 (2).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Tobi founder Andres Go (center) celebrates the 60th founding anniversary with his family, friends, and partners, last August 29 at the Marriott Hotel. HandoutLeadership has since transitioned to Go’s son Henderson, now president of TMI. Unlike the founder’s scrappy beginnings, Henderson frames the company’s vision in terms of values beyond profit.</div>“Purpose has become our North Star — always driving us with that deep sense of meaning and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world and not just thinking about financial success,” he said in a statement.Under the leadership of the second generation, TMI has focused on improving its manufacturing operations. The company emphasizes efficiency, product development and adapting to technological advancements, while maintaining compliance with evolving industry standards. The younger Go said the company continues to be “refined by time, always incorporating lessons learned, adopting new technologies, and continuously optimizing operations to enhance our efficiency, quality and the satisfaction of our customers.”<div>The bigger picture</div>The story of Tobi mirrors the journey of many Filipino SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) that grew from backyard ventures into professionalized businesses serving national markets.For patriarch Go, who still keeps a close eye on the business but spends more time with his grandchildren, Tobi’s success is measured less in sales than in the lives it has touched.“My children, my grandchildren — seeing them grow into happy, successful, God-fearing individuals… That, to me, is the greatest reward of all,” he said.From spoon-measured peanuts to supermarket shelves nationwide, Tobi’s story is not only about snacks but also about survival, resilience, and a distinctly Filipino brand of entrepreneurship — one that blends hustle, faith, and family into every pack.&quot;It is not just about growing the business, but it is about doing the business with an unwavering purpose — I believe the company will continue to thrive in the next 60 years or more if my children and grandchildren could firmly hold on to that,&quot; Go said.

From its humble beginnings to becoming a household name, Tobi has stayed true to its roots, with the Go family keeping its signature flavored peanuts a staple on Filipino tables.

From its humble beginnings to becoming a household name, Tobi has stayed true to its roots, with the Go family keeping its signature flavored peanuts a staple on Filipino tables.

Peanuts to purpose: How Tobi became a household snack name in PH

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Lifestyle

Peanuts to purpose: How Tobi became a household snack name in PH

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published September 07, 2025 11:51 AM PHT

|

Updated September 07, 2025 12:02 PM PHT

Read More:

Tobi

snacks

ABSnews

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.