WHEN going places, people look for something they can bring home, either a souvenir or a local food.
In Mati City, Davao Oriental, Paz Delicacies, a budding food business, has been offering delicacies or “kakanin” squares, the perfect “pasalubong” for families and friends.
Started as a home-based family business in 2002, Paz Delicacies now has two stores and is gaining popularity among visitors as Mati’s tourism industry continues to boom.
“Before, I was just cooking in our house and people will ask for orders, the responses of our customers were positive so far and that started it all, we invested more by opening a physical store,” Paz Flavia, owner of Paz Delicacies, said in the vernacular.
The first store of the food business was launched in Madang public market in 2008.
Paz Delicacies offers four local delicacies that come in boxes: Biko with toppings, Maja Blanca, Espasol, and brownies.
Flavia is proud that her food products have reached beyond Mati and is being re-sold in some parts of the region.
“A lot of our customers are really looking for Paz for pasalubongs,” she said, adding that a few boxes of the products have already penetrated the Japanese, Canadian, and Malaysian markets.
Apart from its main store in Mati public market, Paz has an outlet at E.R. Mall in Mati.
On an average, the food business produces 420 boxes weekly or 60 boxes daily. It's just a small business now, with just six employees.
“We have no plans of expansion yet, we are waiting for the perfect time. What is important thing now is our business is still thriving and a lot are patronizing our products,” she added.
In 2014, Paz Delicacies was featured in a national travel and food show.
Paz Delicacies, a homegrown food business in Mati City, is indeed helping the city's tourism and food industry moving.