THE FILIPINO PHRASE "may asim pa" often refers to a woman who never loses her charismatic appeal, even if she's way past her youth.

Particularly in the case of model-actress Wilma Doesnt, not only do such words aptly describe her looks, but literally, that's what her lucrative business is all about.

It's not wholly showbiz that Wilma owes her success, but to her thriving "suka" (vinegar) business as well.

Wilma wouldn't divulge the formulation of her saleable product, but she proudly says it's her mother's "heirloom recipe."

"That's the vinegar she'd prepare at home for us family. I sort of 'copied' it, and it became successful!"

The vinegar business was such an unimaginable hit that Wilma shrieks, "Doon ako yumaman (I became rich because of it)!"

Since she had no showbiz work to be busy with before the pandemic in 2020, Wilma hatched the idea of getting into the "suka" trade.

She recalled how life back then was unspeakably difficult, "It was for all of us. That period got me thinking: 'How would my family eat? What would life be like for us?'"

Those precarious times, however, didn't deter Wilma from thinking of ways to turn her family's life around.

In fact, her next business venture just flowed naturally, thanks to her vinegar. She, her four kids, and her partner considered putting up a small "tapsihan" (an eatery offering beef tapa or strips). And thanks to Wilma's delicious vinegar brew, their "Tapsilog" (a plate of beef tapa, sinangag or garlic rice and fried egg) became an instant hit too.

"My suka business branched out from there. Customers would even ask for extra sawsawan (vinegar dip) to be taken home, which I'd put in a plastic used for ice," Wilma proudly says. As a result, the demand for her "special suka" grew so much that Wilma had to source a "sexy bottle" to contain it: "Para naman magkaroon din ng' attitude' ang produkto ko (So that my product would also have 'attitude')!"

Soon enough, Wilma's signature suka found a delectable partner in pork cracklings, "We were not only selling vinegar but chicharon as well!"

In no time, Wilma's family-owned tapsihan flourished. The two outlets in operation in Cavite are a testament to its resounding success — one in Tagaytay and another in General Trias. Both branches are named Chicks ni Otit — Otit for Tito, the name of her partner and her kids' father figure at home.

Looking back, even the model-turned-actress couldn't believe what had happened to her in the last few years, "Who would've thought that it all began from vinegar?"

Making sure she has a good product that people will always look for isn't just Wilma's business concern.

More than her special vinegar and God-knows-what's-in-it, it's interesting to note the daily chores of Wilma's family. "Since my family took over the business, I've instructed my four kids to help out."

As such, each child has specific tasks to accomplish, while Wilma helps with running the eatery's daily grind. "There's one assigned to dishwashing, another in charge of online inquiries. There's also one whose work is to paste the labels on the vinegar bottles and another who rides a motorcycle to deliver the orders. Even Tito has a job to do, tulung-tulong kami (we all help each other)."

Despite what her family business has incredibly come to be, the welfare of the restaurant staff has always been Wilma's top priority.

Modesty aside, Wilma says the food crew receives above-minimum take-home pay. "Why? Because they're more overworked than we are!"

Besides this, Wilma lavishes her workforce with incentives. "Not only are they earning for services rendered, but they're also making money on the side right where they're working!"

Paltry as it may seem, an additional P10 for every vinegar bottle they sell plus another P50 for every "panga ng tuna" (tuna jaw) on-the-spot order they land — over and above their daily wage — is very generous of Wilma.

With the way she does business, I won't be surprised if Wilma eventually penetrates Calabarzon. Many thanks to her mom's tasty vinegar.