BY: CHRISTOPHER MONZON AND DENEASE PABANDERO (UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO INTERNS)
Siomai, a popular dumpling often made with pork, chicken, beef, or shrimp, is getting an unusual twist at the Strawberry Festival in La Trinidad—strawberry-infused siomai.
Laarni Delos Santos, 36, the creator of this unique dish, said she and her family wanted to experiment with strawberries, one of Benguet’s signature crops.
“We’ve been making homemade siomai for a while, but since it’s strawberry season, we thought, why not mix strawberries into our siomai?” she said. “It gives it a slightly sour and salty taste, making it unique.”
At first, Delos Santos was unsure if people would like the unusual flavor. But as customers became curious and tried it, her product gained popularity.
“They would ask, ‘What’s strawberry siomai?’ and buy out of curiosity. Then they kept coming back because they liked it, especially with our strawberry chili sauce,” she said.
One customer, Ruby, described the dish as “delicious with a unique twist.” Another, Cedric Alsiba, praised its natural taste, saying it lacked the extenders and preservatives found in regular siomai.
Delos Santos’ journey to success was not easy. She worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong in 2014 to support her four children’s education. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, she was forced to return home.
“Back in the Philippines, I had no job or salary. So, I decided to enroll in a TESDA baking course. That’s how I started selling baked goods online,” she recalled. “My children were my inspiration. Even though my husband also works, I wanted to help him financially.”
Eventually, she and her family started selling siomai, which led to the creation of strawberry siomai. Since strawberries are seasonal, the delicacy is only available during the Strawberry Festival and by special order.
“We source our strawberries from Longlong during the season. We haven’t tried selling it off-season yet, as we only offer it during the festival,” she explained.
Now featured at the festival’s Strawberry Lane, the strawberry siomai has become a highlight among other strawberry-based products. Delos Santos hopes her story of perseverance and innovation inspires others to venture into business.
