MANILA, Philippines - “We have to open a Vigan empanada store at Tiendesitas, Marnie, “ said Mercie Cordova, owner of the now-famous Mac’s Deli “Original” Vigan Empanada and Okoy at Tiendesitas, Frontera Verde, Pasig, and SM Mall of Asia (South walkway), to her daughter when construction was still underway. The idea of putting up a business right behind their home was exciting.
Mercie Alagar Cordova was born and raised in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. A natural in the kitchen, she grew up learning from her mother and their long-time cook Edong the secrets of whipping out mouth-watering Ilocano delicacies such as pinakbet, dinengdeng, dinaldalem, pipian, sinanglao, warek-warek and puki-puki.
During summer, the Cordovas would vacation in Vigan. Growing up, Mercie’s children would look forward to feasting on Ilocano food like the Vigan longanisa, bagnet and the famous Vigan empanada and okoy.
Back in Manila, the craving for the empanada and okoy would continue. Mercie had to order the delicacies by the dozen and travel eight-hours by bus from Vigan to Manila. By the time Mercie got to Manila, the empanadas and okoys were soggy and crispless.
When Mercie and Marnie went to the Ortigas leasing department for sampling, it did not take long for management to approve the product and concept. They were very excited that finally, the Vigan empanada would be available here.
Having only two months before store opening, the mother-and-daughter team set off to Vigan a couple of times to make sure that they brought the whole concept of traditional Vigan empanada to Manila.
Manang B, the pioneer in empanada-making for the past 50 years, was pulled out from hibernation and with much prodding, convinced to re-locate to Manila for a couple of months to train the staff. The empanada recipe stuck to the old set of ingredients such as the papaya, cabbage, monggo, Vigan longanisa filling, egg yolk and sukang Iloko. Of course, a secret magic touch was added to the flavoring, to make it standout from the rest.
“We wanted to make sure that what the people saw in the Vigan town plaza when feasting on the empanada and okoy would be the same in our stores in Manila, if not better. No to innovations but stick to traditions.” said Marnie.
At Mac’s Deli “Original” Vigan Empanada and Okoy in Tiendesitas and Mall of Asia, customers get to see — right before their very eye — how Vigan empanada is made before it is served to them freshly fried.
Mac’s Deli “Original” Vigan Empanada and Okoy opened in Tiendesitas in October 2005, and in SM Mall of Asia in June 2006. Celebrities would be seen lining up like Mark Gil, Marvin Agustin, Ryan Cayabyab, and Angel Aquino. Television shows would also featured it like Unang Hirit, Magandang Umaga Bayan, Balikbayan and Ang Pinaka @ QTV, where the Vigan empanada was rated among the top three local delicacies in Metro Manila.
“We hope to open up more branches in the future,” said Mercie.
“We are also expanding our product lines to include more Ilocano delicacies. At present we have the Vigan longanisa (P160/doz) and bagnet,” added Boogie Cordova , overall in- charge of operations.
When you crave for Vigan empanada and okoy dipped in sukang Iloko, make a trip to Mac’s Deli at Tinedesitas or MOA.