Vjandep Pastel, Bulua
Aside from the delectable pastries, cakes and baked siopao that it offers, Vjandep is best known for its filled buns called “pastels”. Hailed as the “Pride of Camiguin”, its famous product is now one of the most sought after goodies and pasalubong treats from the island province.
What started out as a small business in 1990 in Mambajao, Camiguin has become a household name that has even gained a foothold in the north. Aside from the original yema flavor, its pastels now have several flavor selections, including strawberry, durian, chocolate, ube and pineapple. These soft buns with assorted fillings are packed in boxes of 2s, 6s and 12s.
Due to the demand of the bakeshop’s products, especially the pastels, a small branch near Tiano and Montalban streets in Cagayan de Oro City was opened. To further expand the business, it opened another branch along Bulua Highway, right across Oro Cars Display Center.
At first look, the new branch seems like a huge office building with a small café in the first floor. The shop resembles that of a standard convenience store with some five or six small tables with chairs on the right side, for those who want to dine in. The rest of the ground floor is filled with stocks of treats and delicacies made from Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Iligan, Cebu and Davao. Some of the many treats for sale at the fully air conditioned shop are polvoron, cheese sticks, chicharon, pastillas, nuts, dried fruits (santol, balimbing, mango, etc.), crackers, flavored banana chips, fruit candies, brownies, cookies, bread, and barquiron. Aside from these goodiews, Vjandep also sells quality coffee beans and even offers UP Café, a herbal coffee that is said to fight stress and promote anti-aging.
Probably the most unique thing one will find in the first floor is the bakery itself. Behind the counter, customers can actually see bakers making the special pastel through a see-through glass. Customers can smell the freshly baked pastels and breads from the counter. The second and third storey of the building houses the shop’s office.
The Bulua branch now serves as the main branch of the shop, while the old branch in Tiano is now a pasalubong outlet.
Currently, Vjandep has branches in Iligan City, Bukidnon and other parts in Misamis Oriental. Some of the shop’s products are distributed via retail and are now available in various grocery stores, sari-sari stores and supermarkets.
-Rose Anne Quirante-
