03/10/2025
The Siomai sa Tisa Festival in Tisa, Cebu City, is a celebration that highlights the town's famous steamed pork dumplings and honors its patron saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.
Origins and Popularity
Tisa is well-known in Cebu City for its special steamed pork dumpling, called "siomai" locally, with numerous restaurants offering this delicacy, often served with "puso" (hanging rice). The popularity of Siomai sa Tisa has spread throughout Cebu and neighboring provinces, becoming an affordable and easily accessible food, especially for college students.
The original makers of Siomai sa Tisa are Jul Mer Food Ventures, owned by Julie and Elmer Parba. They started making siomai in 2001, and within six months, it gained popularity throughout Metro Cebu.
The Birth of the Festival
The Siomai sa Tisa Festival began in 2014 as a way to celebrate the dumpling that has brought fame to the area. The festival is a much-anticipated event for the locals of Tisa every year.
The festival includes a street dancing competition where participants wear colorful costumes and use props representing siomai. There is also a festival queen competition, similar to the Sinulog festival queen event. The festival also honors Tisa’s patron saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.
The Siomai
Siomai sa Tisa is distinct because of its chili sauce, made with minced garlic, chopped chili pepper, and cooking oil. This sauce complements the dumpling's taste, making it a favorite among locals and visitors.