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Chilen Chicharon
A Couple’s Crisp Labor Of Love
Chilen is a combination of the names, Chilo and Helen.
Chilen is a product of a couple’s dedication and sacrifice.
Chilen is the maker of one of Cebu’s favorite chicharon.
A capital of P2,000 which was given as a gift by the
priest who married them and one worker cooking 20
kilos of pork skin in one week – that’s how Chilen
started.
While working as a seaman, the instructions on how
to cook chicharon were sent to Chilo by mail. At that
time, he did not know that this would be his business
in the future.
In 1984, the first Chilen chicharon was cooked using
firewood. Packed in ordinary plastic with the brand
stamped in ordinary bond paper inserted inside, a
lighted candle was used for sealing the transparent
plastic packaging. At that time, Chilen’s chicharon
would be bought only after their neighbor’s chicharon,
another famous brand, was completely sold. When
the business picked up in the 90s, Chilo retired from
being a seaman and Helen resigned from her work.
Thus began the husband and wife team, producing
one of Cebu’s favorite chicharon.
“Dili gahi, dili parat.” Not hard, not salty. That is how
Heizl Delator-Briones, the daughter of the Chilo and
Helen and Marketing Manager, describes the quality
of their chicharon. The fat is drained so the chicharon
is not fatty.
Chilen’s encounter with DOST was through its
participation in the MPEX. With DOST’s assistance,
the logo was designed and the packaging improved.
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DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VII
Product Catalogue 2011
A vacuum gas-filling packaging machine - nitro fill
sealing machine - for sealing and vacuum packaging
was the technology upgrade equipment that was
purchased.
This assistance enabled Chilen to increase its production
volume by more than 30%. Shelf life was
prolonged from two months to more than a year for
the foil-packed products and from one month to
almost a year for the laminated plastic-packed products.
With improved packaging and the application
of Good Manufacturing Practices which DOST provided,
improved quality was likewise achieved.
Heizl proudly related that Chilen has a new outlet in
Paranaque Metro Manila and they have distributors
in Iloilo, Zamboanga, Tacloban and Davao. It is also
found in Petron Treats, SM Supermarkets and SM
Hypermarts in Luzon. Exporting Chilen is a goal. In
Cebu, an experimental rolling store sells in strategic
places like the Sto. Niño and Redemptorist during
the respective designated days of weekly devotion
among Cebuanos.
Chilen had a difficult climb towards growth. Beyond
the business gains of Chilen, is its contribution in
touching the lives of others. The many relatives that it
has sent to school is an achievement of the Delators
that cannot be quantified. And the workers who have
remained to this very day is a confirmation that there
is more to simply earning one’s profit.
Chilen Chicharon
78 F. Pacaña St., Tisa, Cebu City
Mr. Chilo James Delator
Proprietor
Tel No: (63)(32) 262 3029
Telefax: (63)(32) 414 5044
Email: chilenchicharon@yahoo.com
Website: www.chilenchicharon.com.ph