BongBong’s breaks ground for piaya factory

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – As BongBong’s Villan Corp. marks its 39th year in the piaya business, the company announced the construction of its Piaya Factory in Barangay Alijis here.

Ma. Lomer Villan, co-founder and general manager of BongBong’s Piaya and Barquillos, led the groundbreaking rites along with City Tourism Officer Teresa Manalili, and representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last Wednesday.

After 13 years of baking at their compound in La Carlota City, the company will bring the spotlight of piaya tourism back to Bacolod City again.

The piaya factory is part of the extension and makeover of the Reynaldo Building, which is their main office located in Barangay Alijis here.

Inaugurated in 2004, BongBong’s Alijis factory, or the Reynaldo Building, is the company’s pillar of success and a cornerstone in market networking that has led to many business opportunities and exponential growth of the company including several store openings, application of technology in the production process, and product development.

The extension will exceed the current floor area of BongBong’s iconic piaya factory in La Carlota, hence, the new piaya factory building will have a bigger and wider look.

The amenities will improve too, including the installation of BongBong’s Art Gallery (BongBong’s Museum) and a showroom of BongBong’s baking processes where they showcase their machineries and manual hands-on piaya and barquillos making.

The restoration of the Reynaldo Building to be the new Piaya Factory of BongBong’s will provide a premier tourist destination in the province and is sure to be a top-of-the-list field trip itinerary for private and public schools.

On May 6, Reynaldo “BongBong” Villan received an award as one of the pioneering recipients of Go Negosyo Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneur 2023 in Cebu City.

The said prestigious award is part of the biggest Tourism Summit in the country presented by the Department of Tourism and Go Negosyo.

It recognizes large and MSMEs across the country that have contributed to creating better opportunities in their communities and have played a vital role in nation-building by developing the entrepreneurial landscape in the country.

With the citation given, BongBong’s uplifts its thrust to continuing business innovation and stir its sweetness to greater heights.

Meanwhile, Manalili welcomed the said development.

Manalili said the couple is an epitome of entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, and major players in nation-building.

She said the company continues to innovate its services and products in the pasalubong industry, which provides tourism and economic development in the city.

Piaya, a muscovado-filled unleavened flatbread, is a famous delicacy in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.