If Iligan City has Cheding PEANUTS… Cebu City has OTAP.. Iloilo City has PIYAYA… Negros Occidental has PINASUGBO… Baguio City has strawberry JAM, what do we have in Cagayan de Oro City? PASTEL!!!

Yes, pastel has become one favorite pasalubong delicacy the city offers. It is now a by-word among visitors when they come to Cagayan de Oro City. Observe the airport departure area: one could see leaving passengers carrying boxes of pastel for their families and friends. This same sight is true in ports and in bus terminals.

Pastel is a Spanish term for cake. It originated from Camiguin Island, the smallest, favorite tourist spot in Region 10. Pastel is a native delicacy passed on by the Bollozos family from Camiguin. For decades, pastel is a usual delicacy served during special occasions, especially during fiesta. It has been like that for many years, until one member of the family started it as a business venture.

Eleanor Jose, a descendant of the Bollozos family, has seen the bright potential of pastel as a business enterprise. Thus, from out of was left of her husband’s Christmas bonus of P120.00 she decided to start in the business. She was full of dreams.. and hopes.

Armed with her grand vision and supported by her military husband, Lt. Col. Virgilio Jose, she made a go of her business venture. The initial capital produced three boxes of pastel containing a dozen pieces per box. That was in 1990, the birth of VJANDEP (Pastel of Camiguin). The acronym stands for Virgilio Jose AND Elena Popera), combined name of the couple.

Encouraged by the overwhelming acceptance of the customers, Elena moved forward. The financial assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s Tulong sa Tao Loan and from the Spanish Assistance for Integrated Livelihood (SAIL) enabled her to expand. Lt. Col. Jose has decided to retire from his military service, to focus on the family business.

In 2001, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) came in. Through DOST’s Science and Technology Program for Mindanao (STPM), VJANDEP was given a financial assistance of P920,000. It was used for the purchase of the mechanized production equipment. Because of the equipment, pastel production has improved several folds. The manual process has become mechanized.. from mixing, to scaling, to dividing of dough.

The added capital made a big impact. Business become brisk. The daily production output which used to be 20 boxes only has reached to 200 boxes during lean months (January, February, June and August). During the tourists season, holidays and special occasions, production could reach to as much as 700 boxes daily. At present, a box containing 12 pieces costs about P80.00.

While it used to have only one flavor, VJANDEP now has many other flavors like durian, nangka, ube and mongo. A customer can have his choice!

To cope with the demand, the business has branched out to Cagayan de Oro City. It now employes 40 employees working in two branches.

After five years of operation, competitors came. Unluckily, they did not survive. VJANDEP remains the sole pastel producer.

DOST has always been there for VJANDEP, not only for the mechanization of their production process but more so in the improvement of the quality of their product and the packaging. Through DOST’s Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) program, VJANDEP is now practicing the Good Manufacturing Practices in their production, to conform with the GMP standards. VJANDEP is also upgrading its processes, procedures and facilities including the religious practice of the 5S.

The success of VJANDEP is evidenced not only by sight of visitors bringing home pastel-filled boxes, but also by the many pastel stands distributed all over the city – in the malls, markets, airports, bus terminals and boat ports. It also continues to accept applicants coming from all over Mindanao, Visayas and Metro Manila, who are willing to serve as its consignment distributors. Several grocery stores in the city have also become VJANDE’S marketing outlets.

Of course, the Jose couple is not contented of having the Philippines as its only market. Very soon, it will penetrate the world market, and with its background on good manufacturing practices, nothing can get in the way of that vision! # (Teresita Superioridad Baluyos)