Menus from the various bean varieties are just one of the ordinary food preparations served on the Cagayanos’ dining table. This is so because there is an abundant supply of beans in Cagayan and in the region.
Among the bean varieties, soy bean, though, is rarely produced in the local farms, thus, supply of which is rare in the market. These past decades, soybean has somehow sparked nutrition magic in the world. US researchers cited the legume to be the best substitute for meat and dairy products.
In the Cagayan Valley region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched recently a soybean-based food product developed by a local entrepreneur whom it assisted through its Small Enterprise Technology-Upgrading Program (SET-UP) – the ‘Thom Soya’ food product.
Thom Soya is a product of Thessa Carla Atal, a mother conscious of her child’s health and nutrition. She recalled that it was when her eldest son was still in the grades when she started experimenting on a food drink. You see, the son was an athlete and needed so much energy and food nutrients to keep him going.
“I started processing Soy Bean extract as healthy drink for my son to maintain his energy. I used to give extra bottles of the soy bean drink to my son which he shared with his classmates. His classmates enjoyed the taste so they kept on asking my son to bring more,” Carla began her soy bean milk drink story.
Researches show that Soy bean is the only vegetarian food that offers a complete protein profile equal to that of meat and milk products and cholesterol-free. Protein plays vital role in human health as it repairs cells and forms many body structures, including muscles, skin and hair, as well as maintains and replaces worn-out tissues in the body.
Aside from these, the whole plant food contains excellent dietary fiber and phytochemical called isoflavones, significant to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and heart diseases. It also contains a wide array of vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed by the body.
Atal narrated that she started producing manually the fresh soya drink by soaking, grinding and boiling fresh soy bean and taste-tried it to the public. She tried displaying her products in front of their house until such time that she decided to go abroad to help her husband earn for a living.
“When I was abroad, I learned some more on food processing. I was lucky enough to be given opportunities to join in some food manufacturing trainings where I learned that there are many other by-products from soy bean aside from drinks,” she said.
When she went back to the country, Atal’s entrepreneurial skill was tested until she sought assistance from DOST- Cagayan to help her finance the production and to process more products out of soya.
To ensure quality of the products, Dr. TeresitaTabaog, provincial director of DOST Cagayan, gave the project proposed the amount of Php405, 080 to add Thesa’s Php457, 000 initial fund with a total project cost of Php862, 080.
Now, the fresh soya drinks are sold in different flavors to include melon, winter melon, chocolate, strawberry, blueberry and chocomint. The other products include Soyamosa-soy based filling, soyawarma, soya tuna, soya ulam, Gelasoy, soya flan, soya milk candy, soya shanghai, soya balls, soya noodles, and Tofu.
Atal said soya is not only an excellent protein source, it is also rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins that prevent diabetes mellitus, help lose weight, best alternative for lactose intolerant individuals, prevent coronary heart disease, inhibit menopausal syndrome and osteoporosis, help lower bad cholesterol level and help prevent cancer.
Tabaog, for her part, assured that the standard procedure is strictly followed to maintain the nutritional value and freshness of the Thom Soya products.
With the new products out in the market of Tuguegarao City, Atal is hopeful that she will be able to reach out to other people through her magical products – the fresh, natural and healthy Thom Soya drink. (PSL/OTB/PIA-2)
