Meet Davao’s Mrs. Santa

Mrs Santa’s Christmas table

There are people who, without trying, do things in extraordinary ways. Sally San Jose is one of them.

San Jose is one of Davao’s most celebrated restaurateurs and caterers, yet her story did not begin with ambition or grand plans. It began with a mother’s instinct to care for her children.

From necessity to passion

Her culinary journey started in her own kitchen, where cooking was a necessity before it became a passion. She taught herself, refining her skills day after day by cooking the same things over and over again—until she finally felt confident enough to open something to call her own.

That leap came in the form of a small carinderia, where she served old-time Filipino favorites: dinuguan, afritada, and pancit; dishes prepared the same way she does for her family. There, two items soon stood out: her lumpiang Shanghai and macaroni salad.

Over time, these two dishes took on a life of their own. Come December, the restaurant’s takeout counter becomes a spectacle, with queues that rival a blockbuster opening. Customers arrive even before doors open, all for her now-legendary lumpia and macaroni salad.

“During the holidays, we have to make special arrangements just for those two bestsellers,” she says. “Every year, we think competition might slow things down—but the moment we announce our Christmas menu, the orders come pouring in.”

Those modest bestsellers would go on to launch Chippens, San Jose’s first restaurant, and change the course of her life completely.

Catering queen of Davao

As Chippens grew in popularity, demand for San Jose’s food extended beyond the restaurant. Guests wanted her dishes at birthdays, weddings, and celebrations. What began as a small eatery evolved into a catering business that steadily expanded over the years.

Today, Chippens, its catering arm, and the other establishments San Jose built along the way continue to prosper.

The catering business that once served only a few now confidently provides food for thousands. Her largest sit-down event catered to 4,000 guests, while a buffet for 5,000 is doable, says San Jose. To date, her biggest undertaking was a four-day event serving packed lunches, dinners, and snacks to 8,000 people each day. It is a feat that earned her the title “Catering Queen of Davao.”

When asked about her success, San Jose responded with humility. “I guess I became famous because our customers liked my cooking,” she says.

With gifted hands that season food to perfection, and years of tireless work, San Jose has achieved far more than she ever imagined.

The Christmas House

The fruits of her labor eventually allowed her to purchase a forested property in the city. Friends teased her, saying the land was haunted and that hidden treasures lay inside its cave—tall myths, of course. Instead of resisting the stories, San Jose thought of ways to turn the narrative around.

“The happiest time of the year,” she says, “would surely banish the haunted jokes—so I started building my Christmas House.”

What began as a simple idea slowly grew bigger and grander. San Jose has always loved Christmas and has spent years collecting ornaments. As her collection expanded, so did the Christmas House to make room for more sparkle and more memories.

The theme of the house changes every year. I’ve seen it dressed in classic reds and greens, anchored by her Santa collection; transformed into a White Winter Wonderland Christmas; and once inspired by Christian Dior. When Catriona Gray won the Miss Universe crown, the house marked her victory by interpreting Miss Universe through Christmas décor. This year, it is All Glam.

Today, the Christmas House is one of the most sought-after holiday venues in Davao. Lavish meals are served on festive, Yuletide-themed tableware. With a smile, San Jose shares, “My Christmas House is almost fully booked for the entire season.”

In the busyness of it all, San Jose often forgets to prepare food for her own Noche Buena. “I usually end up roasting a turkey to eat at midnight,” she admits, “once the rush has finally settled.”

Still, Christmas remains the happiest time of the year for her, especially when spent with family.

A season of giving

The lady from Davao has come a long way from the days when Christmas wasn’t quite as grand. Her love for the season, she says, comes from a deeply personal place. “I wanted my children to experience the most wonderful time of the year in ways I wasn’t able to,” she says.

Over time, San Jose has earned an affectionate moniker: Mrs. Santa—a title she holds close to her heart.

For the past 15 years, as long as the Christmas House has stood, San Jose has opened its doors to those who need joy the most. She hosts Christmas parties for less privileged children, adults, and Indigenous People—welcoming everyone with her big smile and warmth.

San Jose believes Christmas is the perfect time for giving and sharing blessings. Every gathering she hosts leaves not just the tummy but the heart full as well.

As the saying goes, God loves a cheerful giver. And in San Jose’s life, her generosity has come full circle, returning to her in countless ways.

Sally’s roast turkey, “litson” style

This is a recipe she often cooked in Canada, back when her children were in school. “They missed lechon so much. It was hard to find a pig, so I used turkey instead,” San Jose explains. This dish is among her best sellers. Her secret is the apple juice!

Ingredients