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 would look forward to those times when my paternal grandmother visited us in San Roque. She lived in Hinabangan, Samar; we, in San Roque, Northern Samar. It took her several hours to travel, but she never arrived empty-handed. She always brought a basket full of sweets from Buray and Catbalogan.

Piñato from Buray, Samar.

I grew up associating her -- my apoy (grandmother) -- with desserts and with happy times. It was also through her that I became familiar with Buray, the place where she always bought piñato. Even now, though I'm no longer that little girl waiting for her grandmother's visit, I still think of Buray as the source of that delicious piñato. The fact that it's a barangay (village) in Paranas, Samar, comes second to the memories it holds for me.

The idea that the piñato makers of Buray have sustained their livelihood through the years is comforting. These days, I don't have to travel to Buray just to buy their famous piñato. They're now available in various outlets in Tacloban City and Ormoc, Leyte.

Maupay kay ginpadayon nira. Waray nira puoha.
(It's wonderful that they kept it going. They didn't let it disappear.)