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Ah, Vjandep pastel. Just writing about it makes my mouth watery. Right now, I’d like to buy a box, or maybe two, or three, or four! No one can resist those soft buns filled with sweet, creamy yema. And the yema flavor, which is already super delectable, is just one of the many varieties of pastel available. It’s surely appetizing to feel the sweet yema tickle your taste buds as it melts in your mouth.

With its scrumptious taste, it is no wonder why pastel has become so popular. Yet, it may be surprising to find how a bun with yema inside has become so in demand. Anyone can simply buy or make yema and place it inside a pandesal. Nonetheless, a “pan de yema” you’ve made by yourself can never beat Vjandep’s pastel.

Pastel for Pasalubong

In Filipino culture, one way of showing your thoughtfulness to family, friends or co-workers is by giving them pasalubong, especially if you’ve come back from a long holiday. The Vjandep Pastel of Camiguin has surely become one of the most famous pasalubongs in the country. It’s actually the primary pasalubong product of Cagayan de Oro City. At the departure areas of the city’s airport and seaport, travelers can find boxes of pastel for sale at any of the gift shops around. You can even see departing passengers lugging loads of pastel boxes.

The History

The term pastel comes from a Spanish word that means cake. This pastry originated from the island province of Camiguin, a favorite tourist spot among many Filipinos. Originally made by the Bollozos family, pastel is a delicacy that’s been passed from generation to generation.

For several decades, pastel was a family tradition served during special occasions, like fiestas. It wasn’t until many years later when one family member cooked up the pastry as a business venture.

Eleanor Jose, a descendant of the Bollozos family, saw the yummy treat’s potential for creating profit.

With a mere P120 capital, the amount left from her husband’s Christmas bonus, Eleanor opened her own little business in Camiguin. And with the good old traditional half-drum, make-shift oven, she produced three boxes (containing a dozen pieces each) of pastel.

That was in 1990, the year Vjandep (Pastel of Camiguin) was born.

The first few batches became an instant hit, which inspired Eleanor to make more. She was full of hopes and dreams, which were all supported by her beloved husband Lt. Col. Virgilio Jose. Thus, their store was named Vjandep, which stands for Virgilio Jose and Elena Popera.

Growth and Expansion

The overwhelming demand for pastel encouraged the couple to go on with their business. Through the financial assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Tulong sa Tao Loan, pastel production increased. In addition to this, a P100,000 fund from the Spanish Assistance for Integrated Livelihood (Sail) was also extended. Eventually, the small pastry store expanded, and Lt. Col. Jose retired from military service to concentrate on the family business.

Along with the increased production, trainings in business entrepreneurship were also conducted so that their enterprise could become competent in the world of business. Some of the organizations that performed training sessions were the Department of Science and Technology and the Technical Education for Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).

Through the training and technological advancements Vjandep went through, production increased even more as the store utilized machines like a dough divider and a filling equipment.

The DOST continues to provide trainings, technical assistance and consultancy services to Vjandep.

Today, daily production reaches to about 1,450 boxes (with a dozen each). But during peak season, when the holidays abound, production goes up to 2,175 to 2,610 boxes.

Although Vjandep pastel can be found in many supermarkets around the country, the main branches are located in Mambajao, Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro City.

-by Gillian Abonitalla-
(Photo taken from visitpinas.com)