Mang Delfin's Magic Putong Polo

Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm

-Winston Churchill

In the year 1920, a competition was held in the town of Polo, Bulacan. It was then
that the Nieva Family, who made the Putong Polo, was chosen to be given the
Presidential Awardee of the most delicious delicacy.

Delfin Guttierez Jr

But the highlight of this piece is focused on Delfin Guttierez Jr.owner of the Mang
Delfins Putong Polo, who amidst of not winning the competition still paved their
way into making their putong polo and later, to success.
Mang Delfins Putong Polo, owned by Delfin Gutierrez Jr., 42, from Libo, now J.
Santiago, Malanday Valenzuela City, had his business roots in 1944, Polo Bulacan
from his Lolo Olimpio Gutierrez and Lola Felisisima De Guzman. The business was
passed on to continue with the help of his sister and brother-in-law Virginia
Gutierrez and Jesus Gerona,year 1968 to 1982.

The couple had no children, thus the business was given to Delfin Sr. which became
their sole source of living. And from 2001, passed on to generations and
generations, until the present owner Mang Delfin Jr. took over.

(Felisisima & Olimpio)

(Virginia Gutirrez & Jesus Gerona)

Putong polo became a big hit thus, thus having the opportunity to deliver in some
of the branches and merge business with the Pancit ng taga Malabon owned by
Rita Carlos, wife of former Valenzuela Mayor, Bobbit Carlos.
He now delivers today to Monumento, Victory Mall, Ermita, Harrison Plaza, Metro
Point, Mall of Asia, Walter Mart, Araneta Center, Marikina, E. Rodriguez, Quezon
Avenue and D. Jose in San Juan. Because of the partnerships success, Mang Delfin
was able to provide and buy residence for his family, in Malanday.
So what makes this so-called Putong polo a big hit? How in wizard's magic
of deliciousness was it able to boom out of the box?

According to the man himself, in making putong polo, there are things that should
be prepared and keep close at hand. A corn mill to grill the rice, a swet to form the

puto and lansungan made from kawayan to steam the puto. To further explore the
makings of this delicacy, Mang Delfin provided this list of ingredients:

Premium or laon rice (dinorado)

Sugar (white or brown)

Baking powder/salt and cheese

And of course as all magicians with their magic tricks, there is a secret
ingredient. (It is assumed to be in secret for it is their clans secret recipe
thus, closure is indeed needed.

How to make putong polo:

Soak the rice for 24 hours

After soaking it, grind the rice using a cornmill while it still wet from the
soaking

Mix all the given ingredients according to the desired or given measurements

Place the mixed ingredients it on a swet or hulmahan to form it into puto

Place it into the steamer

Let it cool

Place it a box and boom! A magical taste of putong polo is now ready to
serve!

Because of the combination of such efficient process, business tactics and passion
for cooking the putong polo delicacy of Mang Delfin Jr.s family, Congressman Win
Gatchalian had personally chosen this product to be specially delivered to the

government birthday celebrants, from Barangay Captains, Councilors, and other

employees.

Mang Delfin's Putong Pulo - Finish Product

Mang Delfins putong polo success was not just about the buyers, or the puto itself,
but it came from perseverance, hard work and faith in ones own work. Truly a man
is successful if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between
he does what he wants to do.