Cakeboom’s Piñasitas of Bukidnon

It was Mahalin Pagkaing Atin’s first time in Bukidnon. A province famously known for its pineapples and its natural attractions like Dulang Dulang, the second highest peak in the country, among others. The Mahalin Pagkaing Atin Food and Livelihood Expo was set in Valencia, the City of Golden Harvest and the MPA team was excited to see what else the heart of Mindanao has in store.

On our way to Valencia, we stopped by the provincial capitol of Bukidnon – Malaybalay City – to orient the local Information and Tourism offices about Pilmico and Mahalin Pagkaing Atin. “Love for local” is an advocacy Bukidnon strongly identifies with; so much so that they offered to accompany Pilmico to go around the city for us to taste and see Bukidnon’s famous delicacies.

One of the shops we visited was Cakeboom, a pastry shop known for its award-winning snack, the “piñasitas” – a flat pastry with pineapple filling. Cakeboom’s piñasitas is the first ever winner of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Bukidnon’s Best Delicacy contest back in 2008. Interestingly, the owner – Golda Mae Lim – originally joined the competition in the hopes of winning the cash prize to help pay for her children’s school tuition fees.

Following her win, tourists and locals alike flocked to her store to buy the unique pineapple treat. The success of the piñasitas over the years has allowed her to expand her product portfolio to include other delectable pastries such as: cheese muffin, yema-filled ensaymada, mango cake and macarons de leche.

Cakeboom is just one of the many local shops we visited in Malaybalay. What makes Cakeboom and Golda’s story stand out? She is a loyal Pilmico user. She has been, for 15 years.

Golda shared that she tried to use other flours for her pastries but she could tell right away that the quality was different. Pilmico flour has always been Cakeboom’s choice for their unique treats and Golda sees the relationship with Pilmico grow further in the years to come.