Tudela’s Pineapple
Pie: All set for greater heights through specialized taste delights
Introduction
Have you ever notice
people crowding in a rural place all day long? Well, for over the years, I had
been wondering to what brought these people in my hometown Tudela, a small
municipality of Misamis Occidental that is neither a city nor lively Barangay like
Lahug, Cebu. It seized my attention that each ─ carrying huge pouch came from
Lee Bakery, famous pastry shop in Tudela. What extent patience and time do
these people have ─ from far places, yet they dropped-by in a midst of travel ─
to just buy layers of pineapple pies? I know that these people opt to savor the
Lee Bakery’s rare pineapple pie, the pride of Tudelanhon ─ people of Tudela.
Lee Bakery had
been producing these pineapple pies together with other pastry products ─ buko pie, pie ube pie, egg pie, etc., since January 28, 1964. According to Alma
Lee, one of the children of the Lee bakery’s founder, their late father
Francisco Lee Sr. invented the original recipe through various experiences. She
added that “sauna, ang papa naku mutabang
jud sa ako lolo, naa naman mi gud bakery sauna, ani gihapong pwestuha, mao nang
tungod sa daghang experience, naka buhat siya aning pineapple pie na labihan ka
lami. She said that their late father passed the original recipe and
techniques to her two brothers, Nerio Lee and Francisco Lee Jr. who showed
extreme interest in pineapple pie making which are now the leading chef and
administrator of Tudela’s Lee Bakery.
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| Alma Lee Roasol |
For over the years
the price of pineapple pie had been constantly changing since the demand was
increasing. During 1964-1970, it stayed between 6-10 pesos. But at the end of
the 20th century, it reached to 30 pesos. Now, one needs to pay 50
pesos, an approximately 66% increased in price, for one layer to experience the
delightful taste. Furthermore, Lee
Bakery’s location, a very conducive place for business, contributed to the
successful promotions of its products for it was situated on a high way road, a
perfect venue for traveling costumers. Numerous travelers would stopped-by and
bought pasalubong , a gift for their
love ones and families left at home, before venturing their final destination.
Tudela and its Culture
Tudela is a town
of Misamis Occidental province compromising 13 Barangays of estimated 25, 113
(2007 census) residents and has a unique culture. According to Daaca (1953),
the name Tudela comes from the punishment of cutting tongues, dila in Filipino, when town people make
false accusation against Spanish authority. That’s why Tudelanhon loves food, from derivation of its town’s name ─ dila or tongue, for sense of taste. As a
result, they created festival to celebrate the establishment of Tudela ─ Araw nag Tudela, such as Niyogan or coconut festival. Daaca added
that “Tudela is widely known for its colorful Binalbal Festival, a giant
Haloween costume party during every New Year”. Many spectators from different
places watched the celebration which eventually would not forget to try and buy
Lee Bakery’s rumored pineapple pie.
Methodology
Different variations and
combinations of ingredients in recipes exist for making pineapple pie but only
few exhibits exceptional by-products and taste ─ includes Lee Bakery in Tudela.
According to Nereo Lee, one of the inheritor of the original pineapple pie
recipe, they use sugar, pineapple juice, flour, and fresh crushed pineapples
─no measurements. He added that “gipasa
pa man gud ni na recipe gikan sa ako papa mao nang dili namu ipahibawo unsaon
paghimu sa uban.” As a result, the recipe and the technique itself intrigue
many curious fellows since it captivates people’s taste, both local and outsiders.
On the contrary, it involves business and the success of the business revolves
around the secret recipe. No matter what the secret behind the methods and
recipe of pineapple pie as long as it will remain nice, then it will be okay.
According to Alma Lee, no one in the family wants to continue the living recipe
of their father, since noone has interest in it. But the young child of
Francisco Lee Jr. who is now grade 4 have the potential to be the next
generation chef since he always help with his father. The continuity of the
mysterious recipe defines the survival of their business.
Presentation
At quick glance, anyone would say, it looks simple. But a
much closer look with golden-yellow newly-baked pineapple pie compels you to
take one bite. With its sizzling enticing aroma of sweet pineapple raises your
appetite at a one smell. Light –brown crust strengthens the outer edge. Tiny
irregular red spots at the center produce texture and color variation.
A single slice with yellow-orange
component fortified with smooth tiny chunks of crushed pineapple’s tidbits render
a luscious merienda, a layman’s term for snacks, for every Filipino. The bright
and lively color texture’s color forces anyone to have another slice of
delightful pineapple pie but that unusual taste produces many loyal customers.
A single bite makes anyone shivers as crispy crust breaks smoothly around the
mouth ─ a sweet sensation and slight sourness burst out in the taste buds yet
everlasting the sweetness prevails. The tiny tidbits of pineapple chunks create
a alteration of slight sour taste. Furthermore, the refined stickiness of the
fillings tends to hold the taste longer inside the mouth, yet its tender juicy
sense prolongs the sweetness. Anyone could not wait to have another serve of
pineapple pie until full satisfaction.
People’s Approach towards Pineapple Pie
The continue patronage of many
distinct costumers across Misamis Occidental and even other provinces becomes
the stepping stone towards expanding pineapple pie’s greatness. As a result,
different opinions arise from the localities and even neighboring towns. In an
interview with the local town’s men, almost all responded the same answers. For
instance, Norma Enteng, owner of the Ham’s Merchandise and Lotto Outlet near
Lee bakery, said that when they purchased stocks from Ozamis, nearest city from
Tudela, some of the sales lady asked them to brought Tudela’s pineapple pie
with them. But her co-associate “Taboy”
argued that it can never defeat goldilocks, red ribbon and other famous pastry
shops. Meanwhile, in the case of Adela Robio, a distinguished grade two teacher
at Tudela Elementary School, she really loves pineapple pie since it’s “tatak Tudela”. She added that Tudela’s
pineapple pie contains many pineapples compared to others that make it
exquisite to her liking. Similarly, Hon. Samuel Parojinog, Tudela’s vice mayor,
always buy it as pasalubong during
their visits at different Barangays. He believes that “lahi rajud ang pineapple pie sa Tudela compared sa uban, maau jud ang
pagkatimpla.”
On the other hand, an interview with the some
outsider responded the same. According to Arah Mae Felices , a student and
resident of Clarin, a neighboring town of Tudela, that “ lami jud ang pneapple pie sa Tudela, ag muanha ko satudela permente
jud ko muhapit sa Lee bakery para mupalit ug pineapple pie.” Is fact,
Queenie Alboro, a UP Cebu PolSci student from Look, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental,
also knows and likes a lot pineapple pie.
Unexpectedly, different people
with different personalities, status, work and gender share similar thoughts
and opinions when it comes to pineapple pie. Filipino’s do really unite when it
comes to sumptuous foods. Whenever anyone would ask about what they think first
when they hear the word Tudela, they always say pineapple pie. It really serves
as the trademark of Tudela.
Note: Visit Lee bakery page at facebook.com and explore it
delightful presentation of pastries.
Reference:
Daaca, P. (1953), History and Cultural Life of Tudela,
Bureau of Public schools, National , Library, p.1
An interview with Alma Lee, Nereo and Nida Lee.
http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007
