Tita’s Special: From Backyard Recipe in Pampanga to U.S. East Coast Shelves

New York — What started as a humble backyard venture in Pampanga has grown into an international Filipino food brand. Tita’s Special, known for its authentic Capampangan Tocino and Longaniza, is now available across the United States, including stores on the East Coast.

Founded in 1972 by George and Teresita “Tita” Olalia-Dungao, the business began with just five kilograms of pork and a recipe shared by Tita’s elder sister. The couple first sold their Tocino and Longaniza in local wet markets, earning recognition in their community for the brand’s signature sweet-savory flavor.

The family’s resilience was tested in 1991 when Mount Pinatubo’s eruption destroyed their factory and wiped out supplies. Instead of focusing on their own losses, the Dungao family gave away their remaining products as relief food to affected neighbors. That spirit of generosity, their children say, became a defining principle of the company.

In 2018, the founders saw an opportunity to expand internationally after visiting relatives in California. Following years of preparation, Tita’s Special was officially registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in April 2022, coinciding with the company’s 50th anniversary. Its first U.S. production run took place in June 2023.

Today, Tita’s Special products are distributed through Weee! Online Asian Grocery and are available in Filipino and Asian stores across California, New York, New Jersey, and other states. This marks a significant expansion for the brand, which now reaches both West Coast and East Coast Filipino communities.

“Tita’s Special is more than a food brand—it’s a family legacy built on faith, resilience, and the taste of home,” said Benedict O. Dungao, one of the founders’ seven children. “Bringing our Tocino and Longaniza to Filipino families in America is a dream come true.”