31/03/2026
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
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In the quiet, salt-aired neighborhood of Purok Gaway-gaway in Barangay Central, the rhythmic sound of popping rice has become the heartbeat of a legacy. It is a familiar, comforting scent that has defined the municipality of Placer for decadesโthe toasted, caramelized aroma of Ayoโs Ampaw. For many Surigaonons, this sweetened popped rice is more than just a snack; it is a taste of home.
But behind this beloved local delicacy is a remarkable 85-year-old woman whose life is a masterclass in resilience and grit. Meet Mrs. Remedios S. Ayo, known affectionately as Lola Remedios. Her journey didn't begin with ownership, but with a humble apprenticeship. She was once a helper to the late Consolacion Facundo, one of the original pioneers who first brought the art of ampaw-making to Placer. When her mentor passed away, the craft could have vanished, but Lola Remedios saw a future in the smoke and sugar.
Alongside her family, she began her own journey, starting small with nothing but a few tools and a mountain of determination. What started as a modest family venture soon rippled outward. Ayoโs Food Products transformed from a local secret into the pride of Placer, with their signature ampaw traveling across provincial borders to Surigao City, the shores of Siargao, the bustling streets of Butuan, and even as far as the markets of Davao Cityโtestament to the quality and authenticity of their delicacy.
Lola Remedios shares a philosophy that has sustained her through nearly a century of life: "As long as I can put food on the table for my family, I will continue to make ampaw."
The business found its stride with the support of the community and the government. Through the province of Surigao del Norte and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the family professionalized their passion. One of Lola Remediosโ daughters took up the mantle of growth, participating in the KMME (Kapatid Mentor ME) Program and utilizing the A.C.T. (Assess, Consultation and Triage) Program. These initiatives helped modernize their production and marketing, ensuring that their traditional methods could meet the demands of a growing region.
However, the sweetest success is often tested by the strongest storms. The global pandemic brought a sudden silence to the markets, slowing the momentum they had worked decades to build. Just as they began to find their footing, Super Typhoon Odette tore through the province, dealing a devastating blow to their livelihood.
Many would have seen the wreckage and decided it was time to rest, especially at 85 years of age. But Lola Remedios remains the steady anchor of Ayoโs Food Products. Today, in the hometown of Placer, the fire is still burning. The business is in a season of striving, quietly reclaiming its place in the hearts of those who remember the crunch of their childhood. They are a family in the middle of an ascent, refusing to let the challenges of the past define their future.
Lola Remediosโ story is a powerful reminder that age and adversity are no match for a mother's love and an entrepreneur's spirit. Her journey highlights the strength of women who balance family responsibilities while building a sustainable legacy that uplifts an entire community.
So the next time you enjoy a piece of Ayoโs Ampaw, remember the inspiring woman behind it allโLola Remedios, the woman who turned simple grains of rice into a story of hope, survival, and a sweetness that refuses to fade.
