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Business Mentor: Kapampangan food business grows despite pandemic

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Armando Bartolome

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Malu Pinay started her business making authentic Kapampangan pickles during the pandemic. Handout" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/business/06/17/20230617-mentor-1.jpg"/><figcaption>Malu Pinay started her business making authentic Kapampangan pickles during the pandemic. <em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>BURI CU BURI MU Food Products is a business that promotes authentic Kapampangan heritage cuisine. </p><p>BURI CU BURI MU is a Kapampangan term which means “I Like, You like.” Its founder, Maria Lutgarda “Malu” Punay, is a Kapampangan who is passionate about food.</p><p>They sell ‘burung gule’ or pickled mixed veggies. They also offer pickles made solely of ampalaya, carrots, finger chilis, green mangoes, cucumber, as well as a combination of turnips, carrots, amplaya, bell peppers, finger chilies, onion and garlic. </p><p>“It is our heirloom recipe. Among the many grandchildren of our lola, I was the only one who loved working in the kitchen,” Malu said.</p><p>The idea for Buri Cu Buri Mu began when Malu&#x27;s father passed away, leaving her mother alone in their home in Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Before this, Malu was a teacher.</p><p>“I used to teach in Siena College of Taytay, Taytay, Rizal.” </p><p>Malu was already the Chairperson in the College of Business and Accountancy, and the Head of the school’s MBA Program.</p><p>“When I gave up my career in the academe, my salary/monthly income stopped. But I need to be with my widowed mom who is 80 years old already.”</p><p>Malu wanted to be near her mother to take care of her, so she tried to find a job in Pampanga. But as this was in the middle of the pandemic, jobs were scarce.</p><p>Remembering her success in selling her burung gule to family and friends, she decided to turn it into a business to support her family.</p><p>“Then in March 2021, I decided to put up my own business here in Pampanga so that I can earn a living. That was the birth of BURI CU BURI MU.” </p><p>Malu&#x27;s business had a difficult start due to the pandemic’s impact. </p><p>“But through our hard work, continuous participation in bazaars and trade fairs, slowly our sales are picking up.” </p><p>Her perseverance paid off after three months of online selling when Buri Cu Buri Mu became more well-known. She now sells her products on Shopee and Lazada. A lot of people and organizations have also become interested in exporting their products. </p><p>However, to grow further she now needs to get her products certified by the Food and Drug Administration. </p><p>“Big companies who wanted to carry our products are asking for this certification.”</p><p>She said the amount needed to get certified is beyond her means right now. But she is undaunted and said she is ready to face the challenge ahead.</p><p>“It is just a matter of waiting for the right timing and funds.”</p><div><em>------------------------------------<br/>For more information, you may contact Armando &quot;Butz&quot; Bartolome <br/>by email: business.mentor@butzbartolome.com<br/>FB Page: Armando Bartolome<br/>Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franguru/ <br/>website: https://www.gmb.ph</em></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/04/23/business-mentor-growth-through-franchising">Business Mentor: Growth through franchising</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/18/22/msmes-to-benefit-from-digital-connectivity-push-pcci">Small firms to benefit from &#x27;digital connectivity&#x27; push in disadvantaged areas: PCCI</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1hIhJ_6azfc?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

BURI CU BURI MU Food Products is a business that promotes authentic Kapampangan heritage cuisine. 