Lola Abon's Original Candy Factory: Davao Durian Candy Guide
Lola Abon's Original Candy Factory in Matina, Davao City, is the home of the Philippines' most celebrated durian candy. What began in 1950 as a widowed mother's kitchen pastillas recipe has blossomed over seven decades across three family generations into Davao's definitive culinary landmark. Here is the complete visitor guide to their artisanal sweets, factory store in San Miguel Village, updated pricing, and turn by turn directions.
From Home Kitchen Pastillas to Davao's Iconic Sweet Legacy
How a humble widow's kitchen confectionery recipe created an enduring family enterprise that spans over seven decades and three generations.
The story of Lola Abon's begins in 1950 with Abundia del Puerto Vda. de Raakin, affectionately called "Lola Abon." Born in Cagayan de Oro, she settled in Davao City during the post war reconstruction period. When her husband passed away, Lola Abon found herself raising six young children alone. Needing to sustain her household, she turned to the culinary skill she knew best: confectionery craft.
Using condensed milk, sugar, and an iron cooking vat in her Matina kitchen, she started cooking soft pastillas de leche. Lola Abon walked door to door, selling her homemade candies to school canteens, local neighbors, and Davao government offices. Her candies quickly developed a loyal following for their rich flavor and tender texture.
The game changing moment came when a close friend suggested blending pastillas with Davao's most abundant local specialty: the pungent, creamy "King of Fruits," durian. Lola Abon experimented with fresh durian fruit pulp, discovering the perfect balance between milk, sugar, and natural fruit flesh. She wrapped each tender piece individually in vibrant sheets of papel de hapon (colorful Japanese tissue paper), creating what is now celebrated as Davao's original durian candy.
Following Lola Abon's passing in 1967, her daughter Melor Raaken Saniel took the reins, expanding their product line into durian sticks, cubes, and bars. When economic strains tested the business in the 1990s, the family united. Grandson Roberto "Bobby" Saniel stepped in with personal savings while sister Dolores oversaw operations, formalizing the company under the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2002 as Lola Abon's Durian Candies Inc.
The Decision That Turned Down SM
In a corporate world where food manufacturers rush to secure supermarket shelf space, Lola Abon's took a famous, counterintuitive stance: they deliberately turned down offers from major retail giants like SM Supermalls.
As documented by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the family chose to preserve their small batch cooking standards rather than overstretch into mass commercial production. Mass distribution would have required artificial shelf life extenders, third party compromises, and massive production debts. By keeping manufacturing focused in their Matina workshop and distributing through select regional stores, they ensured:
- Strict adherence to Lola Abon's original 1950 cooking techniques
- Generous proportions of real durian pulp in every batch
- Guaranteed freshness without heavy artificial preservatives
- A personal, welcoming neighborhood shopping experience
Humble Beginnings
Widowed mother Abundia "Lola Abon" Raakin begins hand crafting pastillas de leche in Matina to support her six children.
The Durian Breakthrough
Fresh local durian pulp is added to the recipe, giving birth to the first commercial durian candy wrapped in colorful papel de hapon.
Second Generation
Daughter Melor Raaken Saniel assumes leadership, standardizing recipes and expanding packaging formats into cubes, bars, and gift bags.
Corporate Growth
Grandson Roberto Saniel formalizes SEC incorporation, winning Gawad Negosyanteng Pinoy and Most Outstanding SME honors.
Signature Treats & Current Retail Pricing
Lola Abon's produces more than twenty varieties of durian and tropical fruit treats. All products are cooked with real fruit pulp and natural ingredients. Prices are shown in Philippine Pesos with approximate multi currency conversions.
Original Durian Candy
The historic flagship treat that started it all. Chewy, soft, and fragrant with authentic Davao durian pulp, individually hand wrapped in traditional colorful papel de hapon tissue.
Durian Delight Yema
An ultra creamy custard confectionery combining sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and fragrant durian fruit. Melts softly on the tongue. Sold in standard 12 piece (60g) packs.
Durian Macaroons
Baked golden coconut pastries enriched with velvety durian puree. Delivers a delicate contrast between toasted shredded coconut and lush tropical durian creaminess.
Durian Cubes & Bars
Dense, chewy blocks of slow cooked durian confection cut into neat bite sized squares or solid 100 gram bars. Perfect for travellers who prefer a firmer chew than pastillas.
Durian Jam Puree
Slow simmered, thick durian fruit spread in glass jars. Spread it generously over hot pandesal, toast, native sticky rice cakes, or spoon it over vanilla ice cream.
Marang & Mangosteen Candy
Complementary tropical fruit delicacies honoring Mindanao's orchard harvest, including Marang Yema, Mangosteen chewy candies, and Durian Quezo Yema for savory sweet notes.
Special Pasalubong Gift Pack
Curated gift boxes containing an assortment of classic durian candy, yema, durian macaroons, and tropical tarts. The ideal souvenir package to check in for your flight home.
Durian Coffee Yema
A bold fusion of Mindanao robusta coffee notes with creamy durian custard. Provides an earthy aromatic edge that tempers the sweetness of traditional milk candy.
Nationwide Delivery Options
Can't fly to Davao right now? Lola Abon's verified delicacies are distributed through official channels on Lazada, Shopee, and their official website at lola-abons.com.
The Factory Store Visitor Experience
Visiting 23 San Miguel Village is more than a quick shopping run: it is a tactile immersion in Davao's living food heritage.
Tucked away inside the quiet residential lanes of San Miguel Village in Matina, Lola Abon's flagship store retains the cozy, warm charm of an expanded family home. As you step out of your vehicle, the gentle, sweet scent of simmering durian and caramelized condensed milk immediately greets you.
The customer area is fully air conditioned, clean, and organized into neatly stacked displays of freshly boxed treats. Unlike impersonal corporate supermarkets, the staff warmly offer complimentary sample bites at the tasting station. Whether you are a lifelong durian enthusiast or a cautious first time visitor trying durian for the very first time, tasting allows you to discover which delicacy suits your palate best before purchasing.
Through viewing windows, visitors can observe the skilled confectionery team hand rolling, slicing, and wrapping candies into signature bright paper. The gift shop also carries authentic Davao souvenirs, native bags, handcrafted woven items, and locally made treats from partner artisans across Davao del Sur.
Tips for First Time Visitors
Make the most of your factory stop with these helpful suggestions:
- Try the Durian Yema first: If fresh raw durian feels too intimidating, Lola Abon's yema is the gentlest, sweetest gateway into durian flavor.
- Morning is best: Visit between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM for the freshest daily production batches and relaxed parking.
- Airport boxed packing: The staff happily bundle your multiple purchases into sturdy sealed boxes with packing tape, fully prepared for airport luggage check in.
- Cash and digital payments: The store accepts Philippine Peso cash, GCash, and primary debit cards.
What You Will Find vs What You Will Not Find
To help plan your itinerary realistically, here is an honest overview of what Lola Abon's flagship factory provides.
What You Will Find
- Generous Free Tastings: Free sample trays so you can taste every variety before buying.
- Factory Fresh Stock: Candies cooked and wrapped daily on premises with real Davao fruit pulp.
- Airport Ready Box Packaging: Heavy duty taped cartons with carry handles for flights.
- Complete Specialty Lineup: Full catalog of 20+ treats rarely found together in third party gift stalls.
- Air Conditioned Comfort: Cool, spotless retail display space inside the Matina residential enclave.
What You Will Not Find
- Industrial Amusement Park Tours: This is a working family kitchen and retail hub, not a theme park.
- Artificial Durian Flavoring: Candies contain real durian fruit rather than synthetic chemical essences.
- Mass Supermarket Aisles: Lola Abon's intentionally stays off commercial hypermarket shelves.
- Overpriced Tourist Markups: Direct factory pricing that is noticeably more economical than airport souvenir stalls.
- Commercial Tour Bus Crowds: Street parking in a peaceful village street rather than bustling commercial chaos.
Store Locations & Operating Hours
While 23 San Miguel Village remains the original mother branch, visitors can also find official Lola Abon's branches across Davao City and key Mindanao commercial centers.
Lola Abon's Matina Main Factory
The primary production workshop, main retail store, and tasting parlor. Here you will find the freshest daily inventory and the full twenty plus treat catalog.
Downtown Davao: Emilia Souvenir Center
2nd Floor, Emilia Mindanao Souvenir Center, C.M. Recto Avenue (Claveria), Davao City. Convenient for downtown hotel guests.
Downtown Davao: Poblacion Market Central
2nd Floor, Poblacion Market Central, Ponciano Street, Davao City. Perfect pasalubong stop while exploring historic downtown sights.
Mindanao Regional Branch Outlets
Authorized Lola Abon branches operate in Butuan City (J.C. Aquino Avenue), Cagayan de Oro City (Corrales Avenue), General Santos City, and Koronadal City.
Interactive Map & Travel Directions
Located in San Miguel Village just five minutes off MacArthur Highway, Lola Abon's is easily reachable by taxi, private car, Grab, or local jeepney.
From Davao International Airport (DIA)
Take Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road) or C.P. Garcia south toward Matina. Distance is approximately 14 kilometers, taking 35 to 50 minutes depending on city traffic. Ask the taxi or Grab driver for "Lola Abon's Matina in San Miguel Village."
From Downtown / Roxas Night Market
Head southwest along MacArthur Highway toward Matina Crossing. Turn into San Miguel Village right after passing Ateneo de Davao Grade School campus. Distance is roughly 4.5 kilometers, taking 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or private car.
By Public Commuter Jeepney
Ride any south bound jeepney route marked Matina, Bangkal, Puan, or Toril from downtown Davao. Ask the driver to drop you off at San Miguel Village along MacArthur Highway. From the subdivision arch, walk 200 meters or take a local village tricycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers for travelers planning a stop at Lola Abon's Original Candy Factory in Davao City.
Where is the original Lola Abon's factory located?
The original flagship store and candy factory is located at 23 San Miguel Village, Barangay Matina Crossing, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines. It is situated inside a peaceful residential enclave just five minutes from MacArthur Highway and Ateneo de Davao Junior High School.
What are the operating hours of Lola Abon's Matina factory?
The main Matina factory store is open daily, Monday through Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Morning visits between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM are recommended to enjoy the widest selection of freshly wrapped confections and easier subdivision parking.
Why is Lola Abon's famous in Davao City?
Lola Abon's is renowned as the pioneer of durian confectionery in Davao City. Founded in 1950 by Abundia del Puerto Vda. de Raakin, the brand invented the celebrated durian yema and papel de hapon wrapped durian candy, establishing what has become the quintessential pasalubong souvenir gift from Mindanao.
Why did Lola Abon's turn down supermarket distribution in SM?
As featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Raakin and Saniel family intentionally declined large scale commercial distribution through SM Supermalls and supermarket chains to preserve their authentic small batch recipes, avoid synthetic chemical shelf life extenders, and maintain strict quality control through their family managed stores.
Do Lola Abon's products contain real durian fruit?
Yes. All authentic Lola Abon's durian sweets are formulated with genuine Mindanao durian fruit pulp blended with sweetened condensed milk and sugar, rather than artificial powdered durian flavorings or chemical fruit essences.
Are free samples available at the factory store?
Yes. The air conditioned retail area at San Miguel Village features an active product tasting counter where guests can sample various sweets, including original durian candy, durian yema, durian macaroons, and marang treats, before deciding what to buy.
Can I pack Lola Abon's candies in my airline luggage?
Yes. While fresh whole durian fruit is strictly prohibited on domestic commercial airplanes due to its potent odor, sealed processed durian sweets, cooked pastillas, yema, and macaroons are completely permitted in both carry on and checked baggage. The factory store staff will happily tape your boxes for flight transit.
How can I purchase Lola Abon's candies online if I am outside Davao?
Customers nationwide can order verified Lola Abon's sweets online through official seller storefronts on Lazada, Shopee, and through their official web portal at lola-abons.com, with door to door shipping available across the Philippines.
Visiting Davao on a Company Tour or Family Reunion?
RB Advertising and PHShirt produce premium custom sublimation shirts, corporate polo shirts, event tees, and souvenir tote bags for travel groups, convention delegations, and tour groups exploring Davao City and Mindanao.
- Breathable moisture wicking fabrics tailored for tropical island road trips
- High resolution full color sublimation printing that never fades or peels
- Direct manufacturing prices with rapid delivery across Davao Region
Regional Garment Support
Whether outfitting thirty employees for an annual Davao sales kickoff or supplying uniform shirts for school delegations, our workshop delivers dependable craftsmanship throughout Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.
Production facility: Naungayan Building, Aala Road, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City.
Contact RB Advertising & PHShirt Sales Team
Reach out to our customer service desk through any of our canonical communication channels: