About Us
The Mama Sita Foundation (MSF) is a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Philippine culinary heritage and agricultural sustainability. Rooted in the vision and legacy of Filipino food icon Teresita "Mama Sita" Reyes, the Foundation carries forward her lifelong mission: to bring the flavors of the Philippine Islands to the world, and in doing so, uplift the lives of those who grow and prepare them.
Teresita "Mama Sita" Reyes was born in Manila on May 11, 1917, the eldest daughter of Doña Engracia "Aling Asiang" Reyes and Justice Alex Reyes. She grew up in the vibrant social milieu of Divisoria-Navotas, steeped in the culinary legacy of her grandmother, Luisa "Luisang Kare" Garcia Cruz. Her mother, Doña Engracia, founded what would become one of the most beloved Filipino restaurants in history: The Aristocrat.
From childhood, Mama Sita immersed herself in kitchens and marketplaces, farms and wayside eateries. A proud nationalist with deep interest in history and literature, she raised 11 children through various food ventures — reviving her mother's old canteen, peddling turon and kakanin in schools, selling fruits from a mini-store on wheels. These formative years shaped both a remarkable entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for Philippine cuisine.
In the 1970s, traveling in the United SMamatates, she saw fellow Filipinos abroad subsisting on junk food, cut off from the flavors of home. This sparked a mission. Together with her son-in-law, she developed a pioneering line of all-natural Filipino mixes and sauces — making authentic dishes like kare-kare, sinigang sa sampaloc, and palabok, accessible to Filipinos anywhere in the world. Mama Sita's products are now available in more than 40 countries.
Mama Sita continued to travel the world, learning and savoring diverse cuisines, and concluded that Filipino food could stand among the best. The Mama Sita Foundation was formally established in 1999 by her descendants to carry on Mama Sita's vision institutionally and expand her advocacies beyond a lifetime.
The Story of Mama Sita
Mama Sita Commemorative Stamps
In recognition of her contribution to Philippine cuisine, the Philippine Postal Corporation launched a five-year series of commemorative stamps for Mama Sita. During the launch, former National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson, Dr. Ma. Serena Diokno, shared, “Philippine food history is not complete without taking into account the role of Teresita Reyes in popularizing Philippine cuisine.”
To create God-centered, enterprising Filipino families in a healthy environment, enjoying and celebrating Filipino cuisine and culture.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Awards & Recognition
Mama Sita Culinary Excellence Award
The Mama Sita Culinary Excellence Award is conferred on individuals or institutions that exemplify Mama Sita's values of family solidarity and community involvement — the spirit of bayanihan. To date, only two recipients have ever been honored:
1st Award — Mercy and Benjamin Larin, Mercy's Carinderia (2002) Launched through the Search for a Cooking Family initiative, this award went to a family whose story embodies resilience and enterprise. Mr. Larin's daily income of ₱4.00 could not support his five children, so he and his wife began selling two home-cooked dishes from their apartment. Over the years, their carinderia grew to serve 18 dishes, supporting their family and sending all five children to school and into professional careers.
2nd Award — Chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford (2009) On October 3, 2009, in Washington, D.C., MSF presented the award to Chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford, a Philippine-born University of the Philippines food technology graduate who rose through international hotel kitchens to become the first Asian-American Executive Chef of the White House — a position she held under First Ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.
Recognition of Teresita "Mama Sita" Reyes
Philippine Postal Corporation Commemorative Stamps (2013) In recognition of her immeasurable contribution to Philippine cuisine, the Philippine Postal Corporation launched a five-year series of commemorative stamps in honor of Teresita Reyes. The unveiling ceremony, held at the National Arts Gallery in March 2013, drew prominent guests, media, and members of the Reyes family. Former National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Dr. Ma. Serena Diokno declared: "Philippine food history is not complete without taking into account the role of Teresita Reyes in popularizing Philippine cuisine."
Board of Trustees 2026-2027
Dr. Carlos Primo David
Maria Teresa Enerio
Clara Lapus
Kim Lapus
Mark Lapus
Isabel Lapus
Amb. Lourdes Morales
Carlos Reyes
Arch. Graciano Ruz
Joyce Sandoval
Filomeno Sta. Ana III
Secretariat
Susan Andrada
Avi Brucelas
Iya Albarece