On May 13, Mr. Dagupeño owner Eric Montoya attested to the Pinoy culture behind their best seller inihaw na bangus at an interview.
Montoya highlighted how Pinoy’s love their best seller of the classic Inihaw na Bangus with onions and tomato.
“Ang best seller pa rin namin ay ‘yung inihaw na classic ‘yung kamatis at sibuyas kasi kahit inintroduce namin ‘yung iba parang ‘yung pinoy, pag bangus talaga ‘yun ang alam nila eh. Which made–I had another realization doon na how to that idea na ang Pinoy talaga nasa, pag bangus inihaw ang iniisip nila na ‘yung usual kamatis at sibuyas.”
He clarified that different regions in the country did prefer Mr. Dagupeño’s other flavors on the time-old dish of Inihaw na Bangus.
“Kasi katatapos lang ng Bangus Festival nitong last few weeks di ba at ‘yung pinaka ultimate event nila doon ay ‘yung grilled bangus talagang ‘yun ang gustong gusto nila eh.
“But we have a lot of best sellers din doon sa bago, like ‘yung alapobre, tsaka ‘yung bistek, I guess depende sa area, like for example, sa Cavite, sa Dasmariñas ang patok naman doon ay ‘yung Bistek naman.”
Montoya also cited their efforts in supporting local and micro businesses in Dagupan.
“Doon sa supplier side naman, we engaged sa mga microbusinesses sa Dagupan, so may mga fishgrowers/ fisherfolk, kasi maraming dinudulot na hanap buhay ‘yung bangus sa Dagupan eh. Mula doon sa mismong nag-aalaga sa fish pond hanggang doon sa nagde-debone, hanggang sa mga middle men na may facilities na processing.
“So mga kausap namin ay ‘yung mga small business owners na may bangus deboning facility and bottling facility so sila ‘yung kausap namin, mga small business ‘to pero also part of the Department of Trade and Industry.”
He even highlighted their partnership with Elisha’s Bay Bangus and their efforts in supporting local communities through the business.
“Mayroon kaming dikit na dikit na partner supplier, si Elisha’s Bay Bangus.
“Community-based sila so ‘yung mga nangangailangan ng trabaho, ‘yun ang priority nila from the very start, tinuturuan nila mag-debone so ganon.”
Montaya noted that he and his wife, Katherine realized their duty to help local communities through their business.
“Effort po talaga sa amin na to make sure that a big part of our supplies comes from these MSMEs because actually mas madali ang buhay namin kung kausap namin ay ‘yung mga big corporation, ‘yung mga big corporation, kumpleto sila ng materials pati logistics ganyan, pero sa amin kasi, parang may feeling kami na kung magnenegosyo tayo, maganda ang makinabang ay ‘yung community.”
Mr. Dagupeño is currently open for a franchise, and interested parties may reach them at 02-7116-1323 or through misterdagupeno@gmail.com. They also have their Facebook and Instagram pages at facebook.com/mr.dagupeno and https://www.instagram.com/mr.dagupeno/
