G&B Special Buko Pie is one of the all-time favorite “pasalubong” in Nueva Vizcaya. This sweet and rich pie is made from young coconut meat locally known as Buko. G&B Buko Pie can be bought at Tuao North, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.
Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya is known for being rich in coconut. Through the abundance of coconut in the area, it became the source of income and part of the culture of Vizcayanos in maintaining and producing more buko products. Because of this, in order for the locals to sustain their needs, they started to make buko pies and sell it on highways. Later on these products became famous for its good taste. But the G&B buko pie tops the other makers for “pasalubong” since the tourists or locals travelling from Manila to Tuguegarao route prefers the taste of G&B that later became famous in the Province of Vizcaya and to other places.
G&B Buko Pie which is sold for 80 pesos per box usually has a shelf life of two to three days. One fact about the Pie is that it was in 1995 when Orlando E. Dulay, a chemist by profession, retired and established his own business which he later named G&B Buko Products. He started by selling snacks made from fresh coconuts to anyone who would drop by his family’s shop in Nueva Vizcaya. Soon, after adopting his cousin’s business mechanisms and coming up with his own formulation, he put up a shop along the Manila-Tuguegarao route. At present, the G&B’s delicious buko pies were loved by passing local and tourists. Since then G&B Buko Products emerged as the biggest producer of buko pie with other product lines. At present, it has 78 permanent workers. In 2014, G&B raked in an impressive income and was able to put up its third restaurant and distribution center in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya where people can eat other delicacies.
G&B Buko Pie had a different twist to the usual buko pie which has a thick crust. This pie uses thin layers of freshly shaved coconut meat with creamy filling usually condense milk, sugar between layers which is not too sweet. It has a soft texture that melts in your mouth. Since the crust of the pie is enough to complement the creaminess of its filling, the filling that still remains a secret. The pie is best eaten hot and can be consumed any time of the day.
Being local of Nueva Vizcaya, the Buko Pie of G&B is only sold at their store and not in bus terminals surrounding Nueva Vizcaya. One reason is that the pie is imitated by buko pie vendors selling it in bus terminals with the same and almost identical colors of G&B packaging. Whenever I travel with my family and come this area, we usually purchase this delicacy. It is not only a mere “pasalubong” but it is a food that is not a waste of money and can surely satisfy one’s craving.
