De Jose, Jhon Oliver A, October 21, 2021

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Life, Work and Success Story of Mariano “Jun” Manas and his business, Hen Lin
Just like any of the successful entrepreneur right now, Hen Lin started with humble beginnings 37 years
ago in 1983. It began with a small retail store in BF Homes, Parañaque City. With their savings of Php30,000,
Mariano “Jun” S. Manas, Jr. founded Hen Lin with the inspiration and help from his wife, Aracelli “Cely” H.
Manas. At that time, Jun was a senior insurance executive in a large conglomerate in the Philippines, while Cely
was a Manager who was among the pioneers of the computer department of the large bank.
The idea of catering and retailing Chinese dim sums was broached to Jun by a Filipino Chinese friend of
hos, whose family owned a landmark Chinese restaurant in Binondo, Manila. Jun also had always wanted to have
his own noodle shop because of his craving for “mami and siopao or siomai” during his student days. So, when
the opportunity to lease a store space presented itself to Jun, he decided to pursue his friend’s idea. After a hard
day’s work as an executive in a Makati insurance firm, the owner would drive all the way to Escolta to fetch his
wife, who was then working in a bank. Upon reaching their Alabang abode and long after attending to their
children’s dinner and schoolwork, the couple would toil in the kitchen, trying to perfect the recipe for siomai.
Finally, in 1983, confident that they have perfected the blend and armed with P30,000 as capital, the couple
opened their first store in Paranaque. Like any other business, Hen Lin had its share of problems. For one, they
had to make do with whatever resources they had on hand. At that time, they only have a few dimsum. With the
kids and several househelp providing the manpower, the couple did studies on expansion while supervising
production. Initially, the products Hen Lin sold were supplied from the restaurant of Jun’s friend. Every now and
then, Jun and his wife would pick up the products from Binondo and take them to Parañaque. One can only
imagine the hassles and challenges they had to face doing this chore – but through perseverance and
determination, Jun and his wife managed to cope with the hard work. The couple also innovate their product with
the help of a hongkong chef friend and observing through restaurants overseas.
As Hen Lin basked in the success of its initial endeavors, it also became more responsive to change. “Hen
Lin as a company appreciates the importance of having a plan and working that plan. However, they also allow
ourselves room to react and respond to opportunities that may suddenly reveal themselves,”. The opportunity
finally came in the form of SM malls. As SM expanded, so did Hen Lin. “They became a familiar fixture in SM
malls, usually along the throngs of outlets just outside SM supermarkets. Thus, wherever you are in SM, you are
sure to find a Hen Lin kiosk.