The origins of Mang Tomas trace back to the late 1980s when brothers Hernan and Ismael Reyes acquired the lechon sauce recipe from Aling Pitang, a popular lechon vendor in Quiapo, Manila. They named the product “Mang Tomas Sarsa” after Tomas de los Reyes, the owner of a famous lechon restaurant in La Loma, Quezon City, who had become well known for serving flavorful roasted pork. Although the brand bears his name, the commercial sauce itself was developed independently using Aling Pitang’s recipe. [1]

In 1991, the brand was acquired by Southeast Asia Food, Inc. (SAFI), which later became NutriAsia. Under NutriAsia’s management, Mang Tomas grew into one of the country’s leading condiment brands through nationwide distribution, product innovation, and extensive marketing. [1]

Mang Tomas offers several products designed to complement Filipino dishes:

• Mang Tomas All-Around Sarsa – The original and best-selling lechon sauce.

• Mang Tomas Siga Hot & Spicy All-Around Sarsa – A spicier version of the original.

• Mang Tomas Lechon Paksiw Sauce – A sauce formulated for cooking _lechon paksiw_, a traditional Filipino pork stew.

• Mang Tomas Chicken Oil (Sanaoil) – Flavored oil used as a seasoning or cooking ingredient. [1]

For export markets, the products are commonly labeled as “Mang Tomas All-Purpose Sauce.” [2]

Unlike traditional homemade lechon sauce, which commonly contains a significant amount of ground liver, Mang Tomas has used a proprietary formulation. The ingredient list has changed over the years; liver was removed from some export labels in 2017 and later reintroduced in current formulations sold in the Philippines. [1]

Mang Tomas is recognized by its distinctive bottle featuring an illustration of a man wearing a camisa chino and salakot, representing the traditional Filipino image associated with “Mang Tomas.” The brand has used several advertising slogans over the years, including:

• “Sarsa ng Bayan” (“The Nation’s Sauce”)

• “Sarap Espesyal Araw-araw”

• “Macho Ganado” [1]

Mang Tomas has become one of the Philippines’ most iconic condiment brands. While originally intended as a dipping sauce for lechon, it is now commonly paired with:

• Fried chicken

• Grilled pork

• Roasted meats

• Fried fish

• Lumpia (spring rolls)

• Barbecue

• Rice meals

Its widespread use has made “Mang Tomas” nearly synonymous with lechon sauce in the Philippines. The brand is also widely available in international markets serving Filipino communities, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. [1]

• Brand: Mang Tomas

• Owner: NutriAsia

• Introduced: 1986

• Country of Origin: Philippines

• Product Category: Condiments and sauces

• Primary Product: Lechon sauce (All-Around Sarsa)

• Markets: Philippines and international export markets [1]

1. Mang Tomas

2. FDA Verification Portal