Piñato - Buray's Native Delicacy - and Memories of Childhood

I found this photo of piñato in one of my computer folders while looking for an old PowerPoint file. This reminded me of my grandmother and of my childhood. I still remember how as a child I looked forward to those times when my paternal grandmother visited us in San Roque. She lived in Hinabangan, Samar; we, in San Roque, Northern Samar. She had to endure several hours of travel, but she never failed to bring a basket full of sweets from Buray and from Catbalogan.

Piñato from Buray, Samar.

I grew up associating her -- my apoy (grandmother) -- with desserts and with happy times. It was also because of her that I became familiar with Buray, the place where she always bought piñato. I have ceased to be that little girl waiting for her grandmother's visit, but I have never stopped thinking of Buray as the source of that delicious piñato. Its being a barangay (village) in Paranas, Samar only comes second.

The idea that the piñato producers of Buray were able to sustain their livelihood through the years is comforting. These days I don't have to go to Buray in order to buy their famous piñato. I can buy them in Leyte because they are available in various outlets in Tacloban City and in Ormoc, Leyte. Maupay kay ginpadayon nira. Waray nira puoha.