Abra students turn “Saluyot” and “Karimbuaya” leaves into PASTILLAS

Dolores, Abra - Who would have thought that the leaves “Saluyot” (jute) and “Karimbuaya” (cactus) could be turned into a sweet and become marketable? 

For a group of young innovators from Rosalio Eduarte National High School (RENHS) in Dolores, Abra, that idea came to life when they created a new kind of well-loved pastillas (Filipino snack) they called “Saluyot Pastillas.” 

Behind the experiment are Grade 12 students - Shane Ballacillo, Tifanny Paris Blanes, Kyla Nichole Padre, and April Shane Bacarisa, who transformed ordinary greens into a unique snack. 

From research project to profitable experiment 

In their interview with a regional media outlet, the students shared that their project is part of their school’s celebration of Math and Science Week, where they were encouraged to come up with research-based innovations. Thus, they tried a mix of saluyot (jute leaves), Karimbuaya (an herbal cactus that usually used in Abra as an ingredient for lechon manok and lechon baboy), and basic pastillas ingredients . 

When asked why they chose saluyot and Karimbuaya as key ingredients for their pastillas, they said they wanted to promote healthy eating, with something readily available in their backyard.

“Tapnu maidumduma met, nagaramid kami ti rare ngem healthy nga flavors ti pastillas using saluyot ken karimbuaya. Bale adda ti 3 treatment levels na, which is agduduma nga content ken concentration diay native ingredients,” Tiffany explained. 

The students expressed hope that their product will suit the taste of buyers so they can eventually start selling it to a wider market.  To make their product more marketable, they said that they will be working on the packaging after the conduct of their research. 

“Diay packaging na ti medyo challenging. Ti iyun-una mi siguro ket agpack kami in various sizes tapnu affordable met lang daytoy product,” Shayne added. 

Meanwhile, RENHS Science Club Adviser Cherry Taguines clarified that aside from the saluyot pastillas, various research studies were also presented to highlight the innovation of students during the culmination program of their Math-Sci Week. 

She also emphasized that projects like saluyot pastillas show how young people, not just in Abra but in the whole country, can connect learning with real-life applications. 

“We do this for our students to exhibit their creativity, innovation, and scientific curiosities. This year, our MathSci focuses on promoting environmental awareness,” Taguines added.