It’s ironic that the Philippines was one of the top producers of root crops in the world—from kamote (sweet potato), ube (purple yam), gabi (taro) and even potatoes—yet, the country relied on America for potato chips!
Thanks to the PX goods coming out surreptitiously from Clark beginning in the mid-60s, Filipinos finally had a taste of these crunchy potato chip snacks that were American pantry staples. Early ‘60s brands available from PX Clark included Laura Scudder’s, Granny Goose, Pik-Nik Shoestring Potatos and Lay’s. Pringles, made from molded dehydrated potatos, were popular with Filipinos in 1975.
It was only in 1964, that the first commercially made potato chip made their appearance on Philippine market shelves: CAROL-ANN’s Shoestring Potatoes and Potato Chips. The maker is not indicated on their plastic packaging, but identified itself as a member of the Potato Chip Institute International, later known as the Snack Food Association, a major trade organization founded in the 1930s.
CAROL-ANN’S come plain or salted, but it has other flavors worth tasting: Barbecue, Salami, Onion, Garlic, Chinese Flavored. In single bags or bigger institutional sizes, CAROL-ANN’s were promoted as perfect for picnics, parties and other social gatherings. Being the only potato chip snacks available, CAROL-ANN’s gain enough following to merit it own modest advertising.
Two years after, the Universal Robina Corporation introduced its own line of snack foods in 1966, with flagship brand Chiz Curls, along with its Jack ‘n Jill branded Potato Chips. By 1968, URC was a major market player in the filed of snack foods. CAROL-ANN’s continued its potato chip business until the 1980s-1990s, until the brand just disappeared.
To this day though, the maker remains a mystery—who made CAROL-ANN’s? Who is CAROL-ANN? Whatever, people still remember CAROL-ANN’s Shoestring Potatoes and Chips in their classic, clear plastic packaging—thinly sliced, perfectly fried, full of crisp, potato goodness from the first bite to the last!