Eng Bee Tin Bringing Hopia To New Heights
(July 17,2002)

THERE are hopias and there are hopias. And then there are hopias that hopia enthusiasts would happily go to the ends of the earth for, just for the pleasure of eating them. The name of that particular brand? Eng Bee Tin, long a leader and innovator of hopia.

And now, Eng Bee Tin--true to form--pushes the hopia to new heights by coming out with its delicious varieties encased in hygienic pillow packs, which ensure longer-lasting freshness, as compared to hand-packed products. According to Gerry Chua, the personable and dynamic 38-year-old owner of the Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli stores (as well as the Bee Bee Chinese Deli and the Chuan Kee Chinese Fastfood outlet), the plan to put their hopias--already renowned for their great taste--in pillow packs was engineered as early as last year, but it was realized only this year because “first, we were a little anxious that our customers might not accept it, so we’re afraid to introduce it then. Second, the machine used for it was a little expensive. We went through with it anyway because our emphasis has been on quality. And, we raise our price.”

And if you think the innovations stop there, think again. Eng Bee Tin has already come out with delicious variety, the hopia pina, and Mr. Chua, who spearheads these experiments for new hopia varieties, is currently testing another potential Ii it filling. A business management graduate, a
food lover, as well as a gourmet, Mr. Chua brings his extensive culinary skills and innovative spirit into these searches for new mouthwatering hopias. And he would probably never tire of experimenting, because one of his earliest experiments literally turned his fortunes around. We’re referring to his invention of the now-totally popular and much-imitated hopia ube.

How influential was the hopia ube in his life? It can be seen in his marked preference for the color violet in his stuff--even his towelette is the color of Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes. When he donated some firetrucks to the Binondo Firemen Volunteers (he is a longtime and active member of this in-demand firefighting unit), they stood out for their violet color. The hopia ube opened the door of success to him, both loca1ly and internationally (it is exported to London, Paris, Hawaii, Malaysia Korea and Australia). Like many inventions, the hopia ube was born out of necessity.

“About 15 years ago,” Mr. Chua relates, “we had a financial problem. We couldn’t even afford to pay for somebody else to mind our store, or for a baker, or even for someone to do the wrapping, so I was the hands-on operator. That’s the time when we learned who our true friends were. Mahirap ang buhay--in one day we could be bouncing as many as eight checks. Here in Chinatown, news of a bounced check spread like a wildfire around, and you could sense people warning each other, ‘Don’t sell flour, or sugar, or monggo to them! Lahat! The manager of the bank where we had a checking account was more understanding. She said to me, ‘Gerry, mabait ka naman, e. Sige, I’ll extend the cut-off time for you to two o’clock (the normal cut-off time for checks is 12 o’clock), para mahabol mo lang.’ So I got a breather there, because everyday we had a bounced check. One time, the manager was not around and I had to deal with the assistant manager. He was adamant in refusing my deposit for our checking account, because it was already I :30 P.M. No matter how I pleaded, he wouldn’t listen, so I had to turn back. I just told myself that someday I would be on top, and then he would be the one who’d look for me. Okev lang-- wala e! When your luck is down, all sorts of problems flock to you, but when you’re up, then everything you touch turn out well. Anyway, one summer day--it was a slow sale day--I went to the Ongpin Supermart (now Shoppers’ Mart) for some ice cream. I asked the saleslady what ice cream flavor sells the most, and she said, “Sir, ube.” I said to her, ‘Ah, ube? It’s also my favorite.’ Then the idea just came to me instantly: Why don’t I do a hopia ube? So I experimented. I bought six jars of ube and put them in the hopias, then I baked them. I tasted them, okay naman. I even went to Pampanga just to study the proper way of making ube jalaya. I proceeded slowly. Eli, me, I’ve always felt that when you’re down, you should aim high, because if you look down, nothing will happen to you. So I thought, aim high--why don’t I try exporting them?”
But the path to his lofty goal was blocked by obstacles, particularly by an exporter named Mr. Lim. Mr. Chua had approached him before, but the latter turned him down. When Mr. Chua tried again with his hopia ube, it took a lot of convincing before Mr. Lim reluctantly agreed to take 10 cases of the new hopia variety, for free. Mr. Lim, understandably, only wanted to take into his containers recognized brands that would readily, sell abroad. The second timc the two men met, Mr. Lim reluctantly agreed to buy 50 cases, at producer’s cost. When they met again, and Mr. Chua inquired how his products were doing, Mr. Lim gave him the standard response (“Nobody’s buying them!), but this time he asked for another 50 cases, at the same price--and that’s when Mr. Chua realized his products were selling well. He accordingly changed tactics. Today that same old gentleman is the exclusive exporter of Eng Bee Tin products, but this time it is Mr. Chua’s turn to play reluctant.

While the export side was beginning to look good, a TV lifestyle show changed Mr. Chua’s dismal fortunes forever .and made the hopia ube the great hit it is now. A show hosted by Cory Quirino once did a feature on Chinatown, with Mr. Chua serving as a resouce person on where to find the people the producers wanted to appear in the show. Like the bank manager before, Ms. Quirino found him mabait and promised to help him. The help came in the form of an appearance of his hopia ube in her show. After the broadcast, “sales boomed,” says Mr. Chua. “All my problems disappeared.’

While Mr. Chua can easily opt to rest on his laurels, he doesn’t, which is good news from that source of delightful hopias, Eng Bee Tin.