Whenever you go to Laguna, or maybe, think about buko pie, one would instantly think of Colette's. Yes. There is no doubt about it. Colette's have indeed dominated the buko pi-making-world. However, they may have a whole lot of stores in almost every province of Laguna, and one in Antipolo(that I know of), but it is the The Original (yes, that is the name) Buko Pie that made Los Baños famous.
I remember when my grandfather was still alive, we would go to Laguna and snob all other stands selling buko pie. We would, by instinct, fall in line just to get our hands on some of that delicious buko pie.
We were on our way to Liliw, Laguna to shop for shoes and slippers. We had to pass through a number of towns for us to get there. We came from Calamba, and next to that is Los Baños. On our way there, we already say the very very very very (no exaggeration) long line of people waiting for their turn to order some of the The Original Buko Pie. It was crazy! The police were diverting traffic because of cars parking on the road. Of course we wouldn't let this opportunity pass. The next day, my cousins went there early just to get a head start. They waited in line for 45 minutes to get to their turn. They were THAT FAMOUS.
Their fame really is well-deserved. Earlier that day, we had some slice of Colette's buko pie. Ugh. The crust was thick and hard. The pie cover was burnt and the coconut meat was, scant. Unfortunately, Colette's is now commercialized. Quality was disappointing.
We went home and immediately opened a box. We ordered two. We took a slice each and it was amazing! You can see layers and layers of tender coconut meat. The sweetness was balanced. The crust was flaky and perfect! You can have it warm or cold. Either way, it will still taste good. IT WAS INCOMPARABLE with the others. After I took a bite, I told my mom: "It tastes just like how it tasted more than a decade ago. It is delicious!" Yes. I haven't has this buko pie for more than 10 years, and still, after just one bite, memories start to pour in. Imagine me experiencing what Anton Ego of Ratatouille experienced after eating some of Remy's ratatouille. That is the exact way of how I felt. It was AMAZING. Our two boxes only lasted two days. Every slice was devoured.
If you get the chance to got to Los Baños, Laguna, do not let the opportunity pass. For P150 or just below USD4 a box, The Original Buko Pie is a must for pasalubong for yourself, family or friends. It will not disappoint! Make sure to buy an extra box, just in case.
MY RATING:
Orient-The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop
National Highway, Anos, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
