30/03/2025
๐๐ข๐ ๐๐งโ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ: ๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐
๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ, ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จโ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ
Meet Mary Joy A. Digan, the owner of Digan Food Products Manufacturing from Brgy. Esperanza, Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.
Diganโs Banana Chips has become a beloved household name on Siargao Island, representing more than just a snackโit stands as a symbol of family unity, resilience, and determination. Their journey from humble beginnings to sweet success truly embodies the heart and soul of Siargaoโs entrepreneurial spirit.
In April 2023, Mary Joy saw an opportunity in the abundance of bananas growing in her community. With a clear vision to create something meaningful from this local resource, she decided to transform bananas into crispy, delicious banana chips. Armed with little more than a small startup fund and a big dream, she embarked on a journey filled with determination and creativity.
Starting small, Mary Joy worked tirelessly to perfect her recipe, ensuring each batch of banana chips would stand out in taste and quality. Her dedication soon paid off as her products gained popularityโnot just within her neighborhood but across the island. What began as a modest idea quickly blossomed into a thriving business, providing a steady income for her family and showcasing the untapped potential of local produce.
As her business grew, so did Mary Joyโs creativity. Beyond banana chips, she expanded her product line to include camote chips, peanut turon, spicy dilis, and sugar-coated peanuts. Each item reflects her commitment to quality and her innovative approach to transforming simple, locally available ingredients into delicious, sought-after snacks.
Today, Diganโs Banana Chips is not only a local favorite but also a prominent presence in souvenir stores across the island. Tourists flock to Siargao, eager to take home a taste of the island, and Diganโs banana and camote chips have become a must-have souvenir for anyone visiting. This local success story has become an integral part of the islandโs identity.
But Mary Joyโs success goes beyond her growing business. She has become an actively assisted micro-entrepreneur (ME) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through her participation in various trade fairs on the island and across the province. Through her participation, she has helped raise the visibility of local products, connecting small businesses with broader markets. Additionally, Mary Joy was selected as a beneficiary of DTIโs Assessment, Consultation, and Triage (ACT) program, which provides support and funding to local entrepreneurs to help scale their businesses and amplify their impact.
Mary Joyโs story is one of passion, perseverance, and innovation. She has not only built a successful business from simple bananas but also expanded her product line with other local treats, proving the value of resourcefulness. Her success has provided for her family and inspired others to see the potential in everyday resources. Through her hard work and determination, Digan has turned small beginnings into a legacy of pride, opportunity, and community impactโshowcasing the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Siargao.
