16/03/2026
๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง-๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐๐ฆ, ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ก๐๐
๐๐จ๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐๐จ ๐
๐๐ง: ๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฑ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
In a fun family occasion, Francis Gerald Abaya took the assignment of cooking fried rice for the family. Together with his wife, Loi Torres, the task of cooking was both challenging and familiarโas Francis had decades of experience as a chef in a chao fan food chain. Rice being mixed together, the wok clanking with spatulas, and the spices aromatizing to create rich flavorsโall came alive in their tiny kitchen.
With hopes of making it palatable, the couple prepared three versions of fried rice. As the fun continued, their food received positive remarksโespecially the first version.
โBakit eye itinda? Neng kanyaman!โ
(Why donโt you try to sell it? Itโs so delicious!)
The couple, who are also owners of a poultry business, began to consider the suggestion. They planned, budgeted, and researched for months about their target business. Even with doubts and risks, they held on to the thought of a bright future ahead.
On March 14, 2025, they took a leap of faith and rented a small space beside the San Luis Jeepney Terminal with their food cart. Along the streets, their red-gold chao fan branding quickly became an attraction, drawing new customers eager to try their product. Amid the hustle of daily businessโfrom cooking batches of fried rice, storing food, transporting heavy equipment, and selling under the sunโthey clung to their hopes of growing the business.
Thus, the birth of the first-ever Chao Fan in San Luis, Pampanga was witnessed. The name itself came from the coupleโs children. โLordโ came from their eldest daughter, while their younger son and daughter were both named โAngel,โ forming the name Lordโs Angel.
When SJ Plaza, a new business plaza in San Luis, opened a food bazaar to attract investors and boost food tourism in the community, the coupleโs attention was immediately caught. It opened new opportunities for them.
With aspirations of growing their business, they seized the chance to secure a space in the plaza. At that time, however, the plaza was not yet fully constructed. The floor became muddy when it rained, and the ambiance had yet to improve. Even the concrete stalls were still under construction.
Hence, their stall was set on muddy or dusty ground, under a tent, crowded with other bazaar tents.
For months, they stayed in that area while waiting for the completion of the row of concrete stalls.
In July 19, 2025, they finally secured their first rented concrete and stable stallโnumber 119โlocated far from the main gate of the plaza.
Like any starting business, there were times when hope seemed to flicker. Daily sales targets were not always reached, internal and external conflicts arose, and product research and development involved constant trial and error. Doubts, mistakes, and regrets gradually became lessons learned for the proprietors.
As time went by, they faced every challenge with determination to strengthen and sustain the business. Francis, a father and also a manager of their poultry business, and Loi, a mother who managed the household and delivered poultry products, worked tirelesslyโalongside cooking and selling for their Chao Fan venture.
On February 5, 2026, they were able to acquire vacant stall no. 105 at SJ Plaza, located near the entrance. With this new location, optimistic plans and expectations gradually materializedโhigher sales, better accessibility, and continuous positive reviews from customers.
As Lordโs Angel Chao Fan celebrates its 1st anniversary today, March 14, 2026, the business stands as a testament to dedication and an inspiration for the couple to pursue greater opportunities, widen their reach, and chase their dream of building a bigger business.
Francis and Loi hope that the anniversary of Lordโs Angel Chao Fan will mark not only its identity as the first in San Luis, but eventually across many places. Chao Fan reminds us that its making is more than mixing, but about persevering to balance flavors, and serve memories in a meal, whether enjoyed alone or with family.
So, how about you? Whatโs holding you back from considering that suggestion that could change your life?
