Piaya of Bacolod City is not a cuckoo
Piaya is a small genus of cuckoos which occur in tropical Central and Northern South America. Yes, that is correct. But did you know that in Bacolod City there’s bread called Piaya?
It is flat unleavened bread filled with mozcovado (raw) sugar, which is gaining popularity in the growing health-conscious global market. It is similar to those mouth-watering pastries only its people can make best. It is a dessert you wouldn’t want to miss when you’re in that province.
Below: Piaya of Bacolod City
Piaya is a product of the Negros provinces, the sugar capital of the Philippines, and now also being produced by other regions in the Visayas.
What’s the essence of piaya? The bread is flaky, just like the Chinese hopia. The filling is, of course, sweet. The dough is prepared then formed into small balls. The mozcovado sugar is spooned at the center of each ball to create a filling, and then the ball is re-shaped. Rolling pins are used to flatten them. After which, the flattened piaya is cooked using an oven which are not enclosed contraptions but more like huge open griddles. The flattened piaya are arranged in rows and columns, cooked until the underside is lightly browned. When it is already brown, it is flipped over to brown the opposite. They are cooled and packed for selling.
Piaya’s either packed or freshly-cooked when you buy them. Of course, when it’s fresh it’s at its best. More often than not people look for freshly-cooked piayas because of its moisture and soft filling inside. But for those people traveling out of town, they get the packed ones. This is more convenient than to wait in a line for the fresh ones.
BongBong’s Piaya is considered as one of the icons of Bacolod City. It is owned by Reynaldo B. Villan with its first BongBong’s store located at Yulo’s Park, Bacolod City. And carrying on the tradition of making piaya pastries are second cousins Maritess Sanchez of Silay City’s famous El Ideal and Kilayko of Casa Carmela in Bacolod City. In Manila, a delicious freshly-cooked piaya can be found in Salcedo Market.
Above: Piaya at Salcedo Market
Nowadays, piaya is in different flavors: ube, pandan, red munggo and even chocolate. Of course, the original is still the best! As you bite into it, it’s crispier and becomes chewier as you go along. Serve it hot and you’ll love it even more.
