OFW Frel Jimenez Villaflor put up her puto bumbong and bibingka business in Dubai in 2017. Photo courtesy: Frel Jimenez Villaflor
Villaflor’s puto bumbong and bibingka are prepared and cooked in the traditional method. The puto bumbong, for instance, is extracted from a small bamboo tube by shaking the cylindrical container, which is wrapped in cloth, and applying force on it with bare hands. Tourists are in awe at witnessing how puto bumbong is made as they obviously have not seen food done that way.
Her journey has not been without challenges. She first embarked on a coffee and donut kiosk that did not make much. Villaflor added that there are plans to open a standalone restaurant for the puto bumbong, bibingka, and grilled seafood meals as well as the kwek-kwek items when the Rigga Night Market closes.