Meet Rebecca Bueno | Owner & Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Bueno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in the Philippines by a single mother raising three children. Growing up, I witnessed my mom’s life struggles and victories and it wasn’t easy. I admire her strength and courage that made a big impact to the strong willed and independent woman I am today. Her way of upbringing made us treasure the values and traditions that was passed on from generation to generation. We practice close family ties, celebrating special occasions together and the respect due to elders (mano, saying po and opo). We were also encouraged to enhance our crafts, cultivate our skills, pursue on our chosen paths, chase our dreams, play outdoors with friends and cousins and going home all dirty is the kind of recreation we enjoy a lot. I would force my mom to take me to the market with her each time so I could eat and enjoy all the “kakanin” (Filipino desserts) I could find along the way. Ube Halaya (purple yam), nilupak (sweetened mashed cassava) and leche flan (custard) to name a few. The joy of younger years when you don’t have to count the calories and measure the sugar intake for a sweet tooth like me. In 1992, we migrated here in the US and started a whole new life in New York, leaving all these fun memories, relatives, and friends we love back home that I miss every day. My Dad trained me to thrive and survive in a strange place. I went on finding my own path to success with the value of strength and courage kept in my pocket. I was given a better opportunity that made me move to California in 2007. I kept dreaming and gave myself ultimatum to take one step forward each time I reach the goal I set for myself even if it means to move from one workplace to another. Then I finally found the work that best suits me. I’ve been working with the same company since 2015. Supportive management, easy going co-workers. I value the friendship that grew over time working with them.
Then pandemic came. Everything was shut down, and we must work from home, temporarily at first. It was a big change by our company, yet we are thankful that they have put the safety of their employees atop of everything. They have trusted us so much that they decided to make us stay and work permanently at home. I miss the interaction among my colleagues that I always look forward to everyday.
It was not easy staying at home for an extrovert like me, such a torture! I must find myself something to do, discover new things, learn to play guitar, research some recipes I could cook, hence, finding love in baking. Bringing back the days of the younger version of me enjoying the best Filipino desserts from the market, thus missing the Philippines. Being fine arts graduate, it stirred up ideas to collaborate Filipino traditional flavors and my love to desserts. Satisfied with the taste of my creations, I started baking more and made my friends and colleagues try them. One of them who loved my desserts persuaded me to consider selling them. In addition to that, I got good feedbacks that led me to start my small business “UB3x (oohh-bex) cheesecake, atbp.

What should our readers know about your business?
It all started out as a hobby during the pandemic lockdown when I started working from home. I would bake and give them to my friends while I deliver them a socially distanced visit or meet-up. Their compliments and encouragement made me decide to start this small business on February 2021, who knows, right? so, I took the plunge. And to my surprise, from my love of “kakanin” (Filipino desserts), I have created 6 unique Filipino-flavored cheesecake: Ube, Bibingka, Yema, Maja Blanca, Ube Ensaymada & ChocNut . Each of them is almost true to taste, only that they are cheesecakes. From the crust to its’ frosting and anything in between, are all homemade from scratch. and that sets me apart from other baked shop businesses.

I cook but never tried baking before because I get intimidated by the process of precise measurements and perfect timing of baking compared to cooking. Where I am right now, is what I am most proud of and excited about what I can still become in the future.

Will I consider it easy? definitely not! I do it – from baking to packaging, to inventory and accounting, update social media accounts, join events, and network for proper business marketing. There were countless trials and errors along the way with my recipes, burns in my hands and forearms, and a lot of sleepless nights just to capture the taste I am trying to achieve. Eventually, I was able to create a system that would suit best to my schedule. As a full-time work-from-home employee, it was a struggle to overcome these hurdles and challenges, but I made it, and I am excited about where I am leading to this coming year and beyond.

Lessons learned: Be committed & never give up. Do not hesitate to explore new things. You will be surprised by the wonders of what you can do, even if its unimaginable, it is always worth the try.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve been in LA for quite some time now and should my best friend in high school come and visit me, a week might not be enough to show her my favorite places to go to, things i love doing, and the food I crave that I’m sure she’ll be in as well/surely love.

on her first day, she is probably still jetlagged so I will be nice and give her an easy day- a local food trip day! I will let he savor the “first in Cali” treats like, Porto’s and In & Out. and that, of course, while our non-stop conversation because we have a lot catching up to do. I can also take her to this Mexican Restaurant Salsa & beer to get some margaritas, mojitos, and Enchiladas as welcome drinks of choice.

On the second day, brunch in my favorite Matcha Pancake place (Bea Bea in Burbank), then proceed to the Hollywood sign overlook by Hollywood Lake dr. We can spend the rest of the afternoon at Universal City walk where we can watch a movie, have a coffee at Starbucks, get a donut from Voodoo Doughnut shop. and of course, photos! photos! photos! 🙂

She must be warmed up by now, so i could make her walk longer. We will now go to the Hollywood walk of the stars, where she can also see the Chinese Theater, Dolby Theater, Madame Tussauds, Ripley’s Believe It or Not. She can shop for some souvenirs while we are there. I will take her to famous Pink’s Hotdogs to have some snacks. Then we will drive to Beverly Hills, she could indulge and shop for luxury stuff she could ever think of, watch luxurious cars drive by. Then we will have dinner at the Brazilian Churrasco (Pampas grill) by the Grove, walk some more, and shop some more. We will pass by LACMA to see Urban Lights on our way home.

What is going to Los Angeles without being sun kissed by the California sun? The fourth day will be a beach day! We could bring some beach towels, umbrella, and snacks and hang out by the beach. we can also rent a bike and cruise the shore from Santa Monica to Venice and enjoy the scenery. We will enjoy the sand, the sun, and the breeze. Santa Monica Pier is also a nice spot for amusement, drinks, and seafood in case we get tired.

She probably needs a little breather on her fourth day, so this will be an easy day. I will take her to a place here she could be the happiest. No, not Disneyland, but a dog park! my best friend loves dogs. They mean a lot to her, even if they are not hers. she could spend the whole day there, but she requested to also see what a pet shelter looks like here. her heart was full. At dinner, i will take her to Gen Korean BBQ in Glendale. and afterwards, to the karaoke bar in Korea town. where we can sing, dance, drink soju, eat Korean food and have a great time.

if there’s one thing, aside from eating, Filipinos love to shop. i will take her to the Camarillo Premium Outlets where she could last the whole day there without sitting. Food & snacks choices: Yogurt land and the fresh Seafood place called HC in Oxnard.

On her last day, I can take her to the restaurant she prefers to revisit and buy the stuff she missed to get to complete her packing. i will then take her to nearby brewery Golden Road or Lincoln to wrap up ger visit with a bang!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am thankful to my family who believe in me.

I’m always grateful to my wife, who is my biggest cheerleader. She motivates me, encourages me to try new things and not to limit myself.

I’d also like to acknowledge my friends, colleagues and clients.

And above all, I am thankful to God

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