Ferino’s Bibingka started in October of 1938 at Juan Luna Street in Tondo, Manila. Husband and wife, Ceferino (Mang Ferino) and Cristina (Aling Tinay) Francisco started cooking bibingka with three clay stoves on a 1-meter bench and two small tables. Initially, they would sell bibingka only during the Christmas season. After the war, Mang Ferino further improved the quality of the bibingka and they started offering it all year round. Their bibingka became famous including other merienda items such as Menudo with Mini Pandesal, Ginatang Bilo-bilo with Inangit, Dinuguan-puto and Palabok (Pancit Luglog).

In 1957, they opened their first branch at the Acacia Lane of Manila Hotel. Then another branch was opened at the Fiesta Carnival in front of Araneta Coliseum. When Mang Ferino passed away, Aling Tinay was left to continue the business. Later on, when Aling Tinay retired, she let her son Alfredo continue the business. At this time, almost all of the outlets have already closed down.

But in 1981, Alfredo with his wife Noemi and their children decided to revive his father’s legacy. He opened a bibingka stall at Redemptorist Road in Baclaran Parañaque. Two years later, a branch was opened in Bel-Air, Makati City, beside International School. After the EDSA Revolution, they opened their main store at Granada Street, Quezon City (Ortigas Extension near Greenhills).

In the 90s, Alfredo had 10 outlets in Metro Manila which were located at SM Megamall, SM Centerpoint, SM City North Edsa, SM Southmall, Las Piñas, Harrison Plaza, Bel-Air in Makati City, Times St. (West Avenue) in Quezon City, Berma Shopping Center in Baclaran, Salubungan Food Court of Duty Free, the main branch at Granada Street also in Quezon City, and one outlet in the U.S.A. located at Shermanway corner Cold Water Canyon in North Hollywood, California.

Presently, the children of Alfredo and Noemi Francisco are continuing the bibingka business both in the Philippines and in the US. They have also ventured into franchising. Francisco Food Specialties is owned and managed by one of their seven children — Sonny with the help of his wife Anne. Their other children also own and manage their respective Ferino’s Bibingka outlets.