3 DECADES OF PABAONG PAGMAMAHAL - A RECIPE MADE WITH LOVE

Feeling nostalgic when I opened this bag of Lemon Square filled with my favorite - Lemon Square Cheese Cake. I remember them as baon in school, baon on field trip. I used to buy them also at sari sari store whenever I craved for cheese cupcake. Wow! 30 years na din pala sila and still one of my fave. I'm glad they're still available in the market and favorite din sila ng #TeamSofIsha.

Every recipe has a story to tell. For Nina Vergel de Dios or “Mommy Nina”, the woman behind the all-time favorite pabaon snack Lemon Square Cheese Cake, the tale of her signature product was inspired by a mom’s love.

Mommy Nina’s love for baking was sparked by the bond she and her mother had when she was young. She recalls helping out her mother in the kitchen to bake at the age of nine. It was since then she got fond of baking and continued to hone her skills by attending culinary and baking classes as she grew up. She also sold some of her baked goods to family and friends for extra allowance when she was in high school.

Being successful is a ‘piece of cake’

For quite some time, Mommy Nina distanced herself from baking to take a different career path. But with the encouragement and support of her husband Errol, she left her corporate job to pursue her first love, baking.

In 1985, Mommy Nina returned to her small home kitchen in Valenzuela and began selling her cheese cakes in the wet markets of Malabon and Navotas. Through the positive comments of resellers, word spread about her cheese cake until it reached other markets.

Three decades later, Lemon Square Cheese Cake became a household name that answers the need of Moms to provide filling, delicious and nutritious pabaon for their children.

The value of ‘Pabaong Pagmamahal’

Lemon Square Cheese Cake credits its success to the value of pabaong pagmamahal. Made with real and fresh ingredients, it assures moms that theirs kids have something good to snack on when they’re in school or enjoying other activities.

“We’ve always been inspired by Moms and their desire to give the best for their children. That’s why we ensure that all our products are made with fresh ingredients,” shares EJ Vergel de Dios, son of Mommy Nina and Assistant General Manager and Chief Innovations Officer of Lemon Square.

“With Lemon Square Cheese Cake as a siksik cupcake pabaon, moms never have to worry that their kids will be hungry at school. It’s also conveniently packed so that moms do not need to worry about preparing their kids’ baon,” he adds.

And after 30 years, the ‘Pabaong Pagmamahal’ can still be enjoyed in this generation. A recipe truly made with love.

Give your children #PabaongPagmamahal with Lemon Square Cheese Cake. For more information about Lemon Square Cheese Cake, visit www.lemonsquare.com.ph or LIKE Lemon Square on Facebook.