FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

While its “sale” to the Big Bee haven’t really dented its sales, the taste and what everyone is afraid of – no more unlimited rice, still is the same old story. Only the Ilonggo pride seems to have been affected but that’s just within the weeks when the rather “disturbing” news came out. Since then it looks like nothing big happened with Mang Inasal months ago. Anyway, I’d rather not dwell on that but move on to this pecho combo meal (yes, with unlimited rice). Gone are the days when I detested the taste of Mang Inasal ’s chicken inasal – the original “ginger-infested” flavour I hated. Rumours say Injap just pulled out on the chicken inasal vendors in front of a hospital in Molo and made him his cook. Now it now seems that this is fast becoming a comfort food – juicy inasal dipped in s inamak, calamansi and soy sauce concoction with hot rice with drops of chicken oil and eating “ kinamot ” (with bare hands). And it would go a long way if you’re “matipid sa ulam” (read 4 cups of ri...

The disreputable Adobo Ilonggo, a popular meal not only among Ilonggos but Filipinos from all walks of life, has come under fire from fellow culinary treats in Iloilo for conduct unbecoming, gross misrepresentation, etc. The legendary La Paz Batchoy , whose exploits and reputation has long surpassed the boundaries of Iloilo, has lodged a complaint with the Iloilo Culinary Association’s Board of Governors (ICABOG) saying that Abodo Ilongo has disgraced Iloilo Cuisine. “Adobo’s recent behavior is bringing disrepute to Ilonggo food and the people that love them unconditionally,” Mr. Batchoy said. Mang Inasal , ICABOG chairman, said Adobo Ilonggo, if found guilty of the charges, will suffer the penalty of prison correctional (being relegated to the kitchen, for the minor offense), or prison mayor for the major offense, which means cancellation of membership and a total ban from the franchise and other association member outlets. Here’s a litany of charges against Adobo Ilonggo: ●...

Now it can be told that Jollibee felt the pressure brought about by this proudly Ilonggo fast-food chain, Mang Inasal . The former bought 70% of the latter for a whopping PhP3 billion pesos. When this news broke out (we were informed by another big Ilonggo businessman), I literally felt blood drained off me. For years, Mang Inasal , had been a symbol of pride for the Ilonggos, which despite protests and criticisms (from bitter inasal lovers across), it has proven them wrong. It has opened a hundred branches a year in the last two years. As of this time, it already has reached its quota as it already has 303 branches more than two months before its supposed deadline. It has been told that when Mang Inasal started, the owner just picked up a generic inasal maker in front of one of the hospitals in Iloilo City. (Hospital “frontages” here in Iloilo (and elsewhere) have this fly by night food stalls that includes inasalans). He served a generic inasal and when money poured in the taste a...

MANILA, Philippines—How does one go from one restaurant in his neighborhood mall to selling 70 percent of his company for P3 billion in seven years, selling Ilonggo-style native grilled chicken? Two weeks ago, we talked about the finalists of the 2010 Entrepreneur Magazine Entrep10 Awards program. But the entrepreneur whose name was splashed all over the business headlines over the past few days is Edgar Injap Sia III , the founder of the ubiquitous Mang Inasal . The Jr MarketingRx was one of the judges in the 2009 Entrepreneur Magazine Top 10 Awards that gave four thumbs up (including the “thumbs” of my feet) to Sia III during the judging process. Mang Inasal’s success would make any entrepreneur green with envy: from one store in Robinson’s mall in Iloilo in 2003 to 303 stores as of today P3.8 billion in sales a year sold 70 percent of his Mang Inasal ’s holding company (Injap Investments Inc.) for P3 billion to Jollibee Foods Corp . He will be paid a P200 million deposit and 90 pe...

Managed under the same roof, it is inevitable that Deco's Original Batchoy will tag along its more established sibling, Mang Inasal , in its expansion bid outside Iloilo City. As Mang Inasal opened its 280th branch in Manila, Deco's is slowly following suit in the shadows. A news feature in the Philippine Daily Inquirer tells how this partnership not only creates a business boom around the country. This article also reminded me that not only Mang Inasal and Deco's Original Batchoy are unified under the Injap Group of Companies but their respective endorsers also happened to be united. in another way. To the left is Deco's Original Batchoy endorser Jed Patrick Mabilog , who ran and won as Mayor of Iloilo City in the May 2010 elections. Mang Inasal endorser (right) was his running mate Councilor Julienne "Jam-jam" Baronda who unfortunately lost. Union of batchoy and inasal creates a business boom By Corrie Salientes-Narisma Philippine Daily Inquirer...

Almost everything went as if on a blur today. The moment I woke up and read an important text message, in 20 minutes time I found myself already traveling to the city - fully dressed and prepared to attend a meeting. Together with some members of the Iloilo Bloggers Inc . , we met the marketing manager and with the owner of Greatfoods Corporation ( Bauhinia , Amalfi , Nothing but Desserts , Mojave , Waffletime, Coffeebreak , Green Mango , theVenue , etc ) to discuss possible tie ups and deals for the upcoming Visayas Blogging Summit and Philippine Blog Awards 2010-Visayas . After a very fruitful talk (but unfortunately one of us got robbed), we then decided to go Smallville for lunch but decided to linger in front of The Off Price Store while discussing things over. As if on cue, our stomachs growled and we ate lucnh at M ang Inasa l . It was my nth time eating in this fastfood local barbecue restaurant but my first time in their Smallville branch. As usual inasal na pecho and c...

We were lining up the Mary Mart mall branch of Mang Inasal, the second in the whole country if I'm not mistaken, when one of the crew told us that there were no chicken inasals left. Quite understandable since it was past 8pm. But it was okay since there was another branch a mere 5-minute walk from there. That's on top of yet another branch 3 minutes walk. So the night ended with an inasal nga pecho with crispy kangkong on the side. Iloilo City alone has almost 15 branches of Mang Inasal and four f them just literally within "sight" of each other. But all these branches brim with hungry customers during meal times. And here's an apt Mang Inasal feature explaining it's rapid and meteoric expansion not only in Iloilo City but throughout the country. The Expansion of Mang Inasal A local franchise gets a significant chunk of the pie via a timely concept and time-tested strategies for business success By CORA LLAMAS for the MANILA BULLETIN June 27, 2010, 11:16a...

There's a saying that goes " Sa hinaba- haba man daw ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy " This (sort of described) what happened to me last weekend. I planned to eat and blog about it but I had so many choices of what and where to eat for most of them I have already blogged . And after an hour of silently debating where my gastronomic (and blog) desires would be fulfilled, I ended up with at the most common and most generic places one can eat these days, Mang Inasal . But no regrets - I now love their chicken inasal unlike before. Eating at any Mang Inasal branch during lunch hour proves very challenging - it's always "chaotic" and almost standing room only. That's a testament of how popular it is (despite the bitterness of some people-lol). But I thought of one branch in Iloilo City that is not as chaotic or full even at lunch hour (that is on a Sunday and given that it's vacation time for most students) Indeed I was right, there were only...

Two big brands, one bigger goal - beat the summer heat. Mang Inasal , the country's fastest growing native fastfood chain and Selecta Pinoy Sorbetes team up to give Filipinos a delicious way of enjoying the summer. This latest creation from Selecta uses coconut milk to give it's ice cream a very much Pinoy flavour in it's line up of ube, mango, macapuno, cheese, melon, chocolate and more. With more than 200 branches nationwide, Mang Inasal provides a perfect way of bringing Selecta's newest creation much closer to the Filipinos. So beat the summer heat, Magapalamig na sa Mang Inasal with Selecta Pinoy Sorbetes !

Aside from searching for the Filipinos favorite local dish (among the 10 entries) and introducing Unilever Food Solutions’ three newest products, the "Sooo Pinoy" campaign also lists the Top 10 restaurants in the Philippines serving a particular entry. Here are the restaurants that made it among the Top 10 that are truly homegrown Iloilo. This will be updated on a weekly basis as the results are published in the official webpage . Crispy Pata Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine Hotel del Rio Chicken Inasal Mang Inasal Freska Ilonggo Seafoods Pancit Canton Green Mango fastfood Adobo Esca's Garden Restaurant

Mang Inasal doesn't only make good chicken inasal but also appetizing desserts. Like this perfect summer heat buster, a special halo halo with all the ingredients one usually gets plus barquillos as garnish. Looks good and in fact tastes even better. Another perfect reason to love summer and Mang Inasal! Photos courtesy of Metropolitan_Iloilo of SSC forum

Despite the variety of foods during the festival (and without realizing it), I've been a voracious chicken eater during the 3-day Dinagyang "weekend". Fried chicken at Uncle Tom's is always a treat. Perfectly fried whether a two piece combo order or this chicken platter that can served half a dozen hungry mouths, this restaurant still serves one of the best fried chicken in Iloilo City. Buto't Balat is an under rated restaurant in my opinion for doesn't get the raves it deserve. But who cares when they rake in customers who love their specialties and discover new loves like this litsong native chicken . Not as famous a Tatoy's but almost tastes the same. I used to consider Mang Inasal over rated but it's success rate (growing by 100 stores per year to the envy of some people) is overwhelming that I tried it again (and again) and now became a fan. Looking at this inasal nga pecho makes me want to say "extra rice please!" And finally chic...

True to it's target for the year 2009, Mang Inasal is now "200 stores old". This big billboard across the Arroyo Fountain near the old Iloilo Capitol proclaims this feat and inspires the fastfood chain to open 100 branches (or more) each year until their target of 500 stores by 2012 nearing them to the number of branches of the Philippines biggest fastfood chain, Jollibee. As what the billboard proclaims, Mang Inasal is truly a pride of Iloilo! Photo courtesy of Haldir07 of Skyscrapercity forum

Even before its ground floor renovation, it was already home to countless food shops. Turo-turo, batchoyans, snack and pasalubong shops made up majority of the ground floor of this 3 storey building. Located along Valeria Street, La Salette building has long been a gastronomical magnet. Its being almost located at the center of big shopping centers makes it a melting pot in this part of the city. Spanning almost a block, its accessibility to most destinations creates a foot-traffic the envied by other buildings Surprisingly last year, it embarked on a move now common in this part of the city. It gave a new and refreshing look to its ground floor with a line up of restaurants and food shops showcasing the Ilonggo pride. From history to the cuisine it presents and the innovations it brought after the reinvention, the new La Salette beckons. Mang Inasal The country's fastest growing chicken inasal and Iloilo's most famous restaurant export nationwide. This store proves how stron...

About six years ago, two gentlemen from the South dared to take their chances in the metropolis called Manila. Before the launch of their first branch in Metro Manila, Edgar "Injap" Sia II, the man behind Iloilo’s famous Mang Inasal , was understandably cautious. Sure, their existing branches were a big hit in the Visayas, as fellow Ilonggos could not seem to get enough of their scrumptiously moist and juicy, tender and tasty barbecued chicken, meats and seafood. But would the ever-evolving palates of Manila folks accept Mang Inasal as well?To Sia’s pleasant surprise, Mang Inasal was eagerly embraced by Manila foodies. Courtesy of www.MARKBAUTISTA.com And today, Mang Inasal has become a culinary force to reckon with. Both by word of mouth and aggressive marketing communications efforts, the Visayan favorite is now a Metro Manila hotspot too.Sia says: "We have 160 branches to date. The first in Manila at the Mall of Asia was actually the 18th branch of Mang Inasal. We’...