BACOLOD CITY -- Sixty eight-year-old Delia Perez was surprised when she read in the news that her very own cansi (beef soup) shop was listed as one of the world's "street food masters" by the World Street Food Congress (WSFC).

Five eateries from the Philippines made the Top 50 list, which was chosen by a panel of industry experts. Perez's eatery was 32nd on the list.

According to Perez, she named her eatery, Sharyn's Cansi House, after her daughter. It opened in 1985 in Narra Avenue at the Capitol Shopping Center in Bacolod City.

Perez said it was at the prodding of workers along the street that she decided to shift from selling dry goods to homecooked dishes and her specialty, the cansi.

"I don't have a specific recipe for my cansi, but I maintain the quality like that of a lutong bahay. I don't want commercialized," Perez said.

Her cansi is a cross between sinigang and bulalo. She uses a local fruit called batwan as souring agent.

According to Perez, she can still remember how fast she sold her first batch of cansi. People started coming back for her cansi after that.

Dr. Ver Lacson, a regular customer at Sharyn's, said he has gone to many restaurants and tasted a lot of cansi, but it is the distinct taste of Sharyn's that makes him come back.

Sharyn's Cansi House, which started with just four tables on the sidewalk, now has 18 tables.

With the recognition accorded to Sharyn's by the WSFC, Perez believes her sacrifices for her business has paid off.

Other than the distinct taste of her cansi, the efficient service she gives her customers make Sharyn's the best cansi house in the city.