Posted on by Henry Juyno

Dang and her daughter proudly shows how their authentic Vigan Longganisa is being made in their stall.

Amid the cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial allure of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur—a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich cultural and culinary heritage—Ursula “Dang” Arce found her purpose where tradition simmers and stories sizzle: in her kitchen.

For Dang, longganisa and bagnet are more than just food. They are tradition, memory, and survival rolled into one. A native of Vigan, she grew up helping her mother at the local market. What began as assisting in selling meat quickly turned into mastering the art of making authentic Vigan longganisa, and perfectly crisp bagnet. Two dishes that are now widely recognized as gastronomic symbols of Ilocano culture.

An Heirloom Recipe in Crisis

As Dang built a life and raised her family of six, she continued her mother’s legacy, selling their signature longganisa and bagnet from a small stall in the city. But as more vendors entered the scene and competition stiffened, Dang’s earnings started to dwindle. Then came the pandemic—a time that shuttered businesses and broke spirits.

Unable to pay rent, Dang was forced to close her shop. But instead of giving up, she pivoted. With quiet strength, she turned their home into a small production space, taking orders for longganisa and bagnet while dabbling in buy-and-sell just to make ends meet.

A Lifeline from DSWD-SLP

Dang Arce together with other SLP merchants at the Alunsina Trade Fair in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

In May 2021, a turning point came when Dang was selected as a recipient of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 – Ilocos Region (DSWD FO 1) Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG). She received P12,000.00 under its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). The LAG is a seed capital intended to support pandemic-hit micro and small medium enterprises, giving her the boost she needed to regain her footing. 

“Dakkel unay a tulong ti LAG iti SLP ta nakabangon kami a sangka pamilya. Dandanik inibbatan daytuy a panagaramid ti longganisa ken bagnet ngem mangngaasi ni Apo (The LAG from the SLP was a huge help for my family to recover. I almost gave up our longganisa and bagnet business, but God was indeed merciful)” Dang explained.

With her daughter, Ma. Angeles Arce by her side, they registered their business formally under Angeles’ name and began infusing fresh energy and creativity into the venture. Through digital marketing, they started showcasing their family’s heirloom dishes on various social media platforms, eventually reaching customers not only outside Vigan but across the region. 

Thanks to the continued support and market linkage provided by DSWD FO 1 – SLP, Dang’s products have now graced trade fairs as far as Metro Manila. With their flavorful, garlicky longganisa, and golden-crispy bagnet, Dang and her daughter consistently rank as top merchants in these fairs earning as much as PhP100,000.00 a day.

“Pasaray mamin duwa wennu tallo kami agipaw-it iti longganisa ken bagnet ti bus kada trade fair ta nagalisto maibus ti lakomi (We usually send longganisa and bagnet two to three times by bus during trade fairs because our products sell out quickly)” said Angeles.

Beyond the grant, the SLP provided them with critical training on financial literacy, records management, product diversification, and more ensuring that their business would not only survive but thrive.

A Taste of Vigan for Everyone

SLP Provincial Partnership Officer, Dither Gacula assists Dang Arce in preparing for the orders of some tourists during the monitoring activity.

Their enterprise has since expanded. Alongside selling frozen longganisa and bagnet online, Dang and her daughter opened a humble carinderia. It caters to budget-conscious tourists, students, and tricycle drivers offering hearty meals and a taste of home. One of their bestselling dishes is a twist on the classic dinuguan. Dang calls it Bagnet Dinardaraan where customers keep coming back.

There was a time Dang considered letting go of her family’s recipe, unsure if it still had a place in today’s world. But with her daughter’s help and a little push from the DSWD FO 1-SLP that believed in her potential, she discovered that tradition can evolve and grow. Today, she’s not only preserving her family’s culinary legacy but also building a brighter future for the next generation.

From the cobblestone streets of Vigan to kitchens across the country, the story of Dang Arce highlights how culture, resilience, and a little innovation can change lives.

As a capacity-building program, SLP aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain livelihood. (by: Rogerio B. Bismonte III – Sustainable Livelihood Program)