Annie’s Special Espasol

Annie’s Espasol
Experience, hard work, and perseverance rolled into one — these are the secret recipe of Ms. Annie Montefalcon, owner of ANNIE – NESTOR FOOD PRODUCTS from Nagcarlan, Laguna.

As a child, she had been exposed to doing household chores and tasted the bitter part of life full of challenges which made her the person she now is. Looking back at her previous state, she was motivated to commit herself to her passion, a passion that sprung from her dream that someday she could go to school and provide a comfortable life for her ten other siblings and beloved parents. She had been a factory worker, a household maid, and an espasol street vendor. Many people have mocked and looked down on them but that did not hinder her from aspiring to change her fate.

It was in 2004 when she decided to start her own business now known as Annie’s Espasol. She sought help from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Laguna Provincial Office in improving her product. Then, she became one of the micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) who have availed the services of CESO-SACO tied up with DTI.

Espasol is a type of Filipino rice cake made popular in Laguna province. This classic delicacy is made from toasted glutinous rice flour cooked low and slow in sweetened coconut milk into a soft and chewy consistency.

The mixture is flattened into the desired thickness, dusted with toasted rice flour to coat, and then cut into tubular shapes or bite-sized squares. The sticky rice cakes are usually wrapped in banana leaves or flimsy Japanese for serving.