The Original Buko Pie

When we decided on a day’s trip to Los Baños and Calamba in Laguna, and nearby Tagaytay City, one of the first stops on the itinerary was The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop along the National Highway in Calamba. Unlike competitor Colette’s, which has outlets all over Central Luzon and Metro Manila, The Original Buko Pie still has only one outlet located on the original site where it started as a humble store with a makeshift sign. It is now a modern bakeshop with a wide frontage and glass display cabinets. The buko pies have also been augmented by other baked products.

On the photo is an Original Buko Pie. Despite the modern bakery and display cabinets, the pie has remained the same over the years. Still the same thin flaky crust, soft custard and slices of only the choicest coconuts. I can compare because even as a young girl, I have been an Original Buko Pie eater. My father made sure that we never passed by Laguna without a visit to the bakeshop. That’s why I can describe how the first humble outlet with the makeshift sign with handpainted letters looked like. The Original Buko Pie is already some sort of institution in Laguna.

One of the pleasant surprises on our visit to The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop was finding a wide variety of sweets and baked products now offered in addition to the buko pies. The mango tarts which I bought on a whim proved to be a delight. Soft and chewy, I’d choose it over food for the gods anytime. In fact, I called up the bakeshop asking if they delivered around the Antipolo area because I was considering the mango tarts for Christmas giveaways. Well, no delivery, I was told. I would have to go back to Calamba if I wanted them. Too bad. With the cost of gasoline, they would have turned out to be very expensive giveaways so I gave up on the idea. Still, I am looking forward to another visit to The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop soon.