Camiguin: Vjandep Bakeshop's : Camiguin's Famous Vjandep Pastel

by lakwatserong tatay

Right after beacheenering experience at White Island, we hurriedly get back to our hostel and just had few minutes of refreshment and we checkout from Pabua Cottages, to continue our 2nd Day of Adventures, which includes, a visit to Ostrich Farm, Start of Chasing Waterfalls in Northern Mindanao, Katibawasan Falls, Another Island Hopping in Mantigue Island. Photo opps in Taguines Lagoon and Snorkeling at Giant Clams Sanctuary. But Kuya Chris insisted us that it better to taste the Camiguin's No.1 Pasalubong Product, although were all aware of this, we wanted to buy this buns on our wayback to Cagayan De Oro, because this cute little buns called Vjandep Pastel usually last for few days or a week. So we had a stopover on our way to Katibawasan Falls, just to taste the Vjandep Pastel in Camiguin which it was originated and being done. We bought a box of it and ate it while going to Katibawasan Falls....it was really yummy and really taste great....^_^

Camiguin No.1 Pastel...Vjandep Pastel

Pastel is a Spanish term for cake. This made Pastel a common treat in the tables of the affluent Camiguingnon's of the time, especially during special gatherings and occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, fiestas, Christmas and the likes.

Eleanor Popera Jose, a true blooded Camiguingnon, was the first to commercialize Pastel on January 8, 1990 from what was left f her husband's christmas bonus, thus dated the beginnings of Vjandep Pastel.

Pastel originally has "yema" (custard) for its filling. But during the summers of 1990 to 1993, Ella learned from culinary and baking workshops the rudiments and  techniques of baking. She then reformulated the Pastel to what is now the pillar of coffee bun taste.

Vjandep's Pastel...

Today, Vjandep Pastel of Camiguin has 12 varieties of fillings to satisfy the fancy of your taste buds. Available flavors are as follows, Regular Yema, Ube, Mango, Macapuno, Cheese, Langka, Pineapple and Special flavors as follows,  Durian, Guava, Strwberry, Chocolate, Special Yema and Assorted flavor. What this Pastel make flavorful because of its ingredients, (Bun) flour, egg, milk, sugar, butter, shortening and yeast (filling) and here are for the other flavors:

Cheese: cheese, sugar
Langka: langka, sugar, calamansi juice
Macapuno: macapuno, sugar, calamansi juice
Mango: mango puree, sugar, mango bits
Pineapple: pineapple, sugar
Ube: ube, evaporated & condensed milk, sugar, butter
Yema: milk, eggs, butter

As Vjandep Pastel box says....Camiguin Island invites everyone to a rendezvous of nature's refreshing beaches, majestic waterfalls, mountainous slopes with lush forests, and volcanic terrrains dotted with hot and cold springs. The experience even becomes more memorable with Vjandep Pastel, its sweet filling delightfully melting in your mouth! For me, Eating Camiguin's Pastel, Is More Fun in the Philippines!!!

The No.1 Pastel in Camiguin

As we departed that day from Camiguin, done with all of the activities, we head back to Cagayan De Oro, and stay again for another 2 days of adventures from Iligan, Lanao Del Norte and Camp Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. We managed to buy our famous pasalubong from Vjandep Bakeshoppe CDO Branch (Tiano Street). I actually both 5 boxes of 12 buns and 2 boxes of half dozen buns. Just for only 1 box/12 buns (php 118/each) and 1 box/6 buns (php 70/each). Just before 2 hours of our flight going back to Manila, of course we will not missed this special mention pasalubong to us.

So if you wish to grab one of this Vjandep Pastel, here are their locations:

Manufactured by: Vjandep Bakeshop (57 Plaridel St., Mambajao, Camiguin / (088) 387-0049)

Branches:
078 Tiano St., Brgy. 14 Cagayan De Oro / (088) 858-4027
Stall 17/18 Bldg.1 Angel Chavez Complex, Cagayan De Oro / (08822) 71-41-48
Mambato St., Agora, Cagayan De Oro / (08822) 71-40-97
Passenger's Terminal Area, Pier, Macabalan, Cagayan De Oro / (088) 856-23-58

Vjandep Bakeshop Commissary:
Zone 2 Nat'l., H-way, Bulua, CDO / (088) 737-862 (08822) 711-603; 737-862; 737-865
Here in Manila, Vjandep Pastel can be found in leading supermalls but expect to be quite pricey per box.

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Vjandep Bakeshoppe, Camiguin

Next stop...after our Pastel eating, we proceed to chase our 1st waterfalls we've seen in Northern Mindanao.....Katibawasan Falls...^_^

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our second stop is Camiguin Island , that is known as the "Island Born of Fire", the 2nd province of Northern Mindanao.

Food Trips:
Food finds: Camiguin's Unique Dessert : Kiping
Food finds: Vjandep Bakeshop : Camiguin's Famous Pastel

Accomodation:
Pabua Cottages

Tours & Activities:
Having Fun at Sto. Niño Cold Spring Resort
Bura Soda Pool Resort
Walk to the Old Church Ruins
Trek to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
Sunken Cemetery
Relaxation at Ardent Hot Spring Resort
A Glance with Katibawasan Falls
Camiguin's Ostrich Farm
Snorkeling at Giant Clams Sanctuary
Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

Island Hopping:
White Island
Mantigue Island