The Sweet Taste of Resilience: A Journey Across Borders
When people hear “buko pie Laguna,” they immediately think of the rich tradition and flavors of Laguna, Philippines. For one couple, buko pie became more than just a local delicacy—it became the cornerstone of their Canadian dream.
This is the story of a husband and wife from Calauan and Los Baños, Laguna, who took a piece of their heritage and shared it with the diverse communities of Toronto. After 29 years of marriage, countless struggles, and a shared passion for baking, their buko pie is now a beloved treat for Filipinos and Canadians alike.
A Long Road to a New Beginning
Their journey started long before they became entrepreneurs. The husband, a nurse by profession, worked as an OFW in Saudi Arabia for over 23 years. His wife joined him in 2011 after years of processing papers. Their life in Canada began in 2007, but the transition wasn’t easy.
As a contract worker in Saudi Arabia, the husband was used to arriving at a job with everything provided—housing, transportation, and work security. Canada, however, was a different story. Without the same safety net, he spent his first three months jobless, learning how to navigate the system while searching for employment.
Eventually, he landed jobs with long commutes, first at Toys R Us in Vaughan, then at Yaya Foods, where he worked for over nine years as a forklift driver and machine operator. Despite the challenges, the couple held onto a vision: to build something of their own.
From an Apartment Kitchen to a Family Legacy
In 2016, the idea for their buko pie business was born. With a small table in their apartment and their husband’s three-day work schedule, they began experimenting with recipes. Everything was handmade—from the dough to the crust—and they initially sold to Filipino colleagues at Yaya Foods.
Word of mouth spread, and soon, orders started pouring in. Encouraged by the positive feedback, the husband made a bold decision to quit his job and focus on the business full-time.
Their buko pie recipe wasn’t just a random creation; it had roots in their family. Back in Los Baños, his relatives were known for making buko pie. Inspired by this legacy, they decided to honor their roots by bringing this cherished tradition to Toronto.
Baking Through Challenges
The couple’s hard work paid off, and by Christmas, they were producing over 400 buko pies—and still, demand exceeded supply. Their menu expanded to include egg pies, ube pies, mango pies, and pineapple pies.
In 2019, a stroke of luck came when a fellow Filipino offered them a storefront previously used as a lugawan (porridge shop). But their joy was short-lived. By March 2020, the pandemic forced them to close their shop after just seven months.
“It was a struggle, but we didn’t give up. We leaned on the Lord for strength,” the wife shared.
A Taste of Home for Everyone
Despite the challenges, the couple persisted. Today, their buko pie business is thriving, with customers from all walks of life—Filipinos, Canadians, and even Chinese nationals. Their buko pie has been described as the closest thing to the pies from Laguna.
Their goal is clear: expand the business so more Filipinos in Canada can experience the taste of home. With requests pouring in from Mississauga to Scarborough, the couple’s dream is to make their special buko pie a staple across Canada.
From Laguna with Love
What started as a small side hustle in an apartment has grown into a business that celebrates Filipino heritage and resilience. For this family, buko pie isn’t just a pie—it’s a symbol of their determination to turn struggles into opportunities and share a piece of home with the world.
As they say, the sweetest success comes from the hardest struggles. In every bite of their handmade buko pie, you can taste not just the coconut, but the love, hope, and pride of a family determined to succeed.
Would you like to try the taste of Laguna in Toronto? Visit their shop and experience the special buko pie for yourself!
