Bring home happiness from the north with Bantay Bread

Baked goods do tend to elicit a feeling of happiness. From their appetizing scents wafting to our nostrils, the sight of them laid out on the table to their sweetness as we bite into them, baked goodies sate our hunger while also calling to mind fun memories from our childhood.

These kinds of baked goodies are what Ilocos-based bakery Bantay Bread specializes in.

This family business started out in 2010 as a local panaderia supplying morning pan de sal to its patrons.

In response to the changes brought about by the pandemic and its resulting community quarantine, the family behind Bantay Bread set about pivoting their business to operate in their new business environment.

First, they expanded their product offerings to include much-loved Pinoy desserts, some of which my family and I were recently able to sample. These include:

Kabayan. Bite-sized butter muffins shaped like the Pinoy salakot. My daughter – a middle-aged Asian tiger mom trapped in the body of a Gen Z girl – developed a liking for it as it is not too sweet.

Hopiang Baboy. A Filipino pastry, that contrary to the name, actually does not contain pork meat. This flaky pastry is actually filled with onions caramelized in pork fat and combined with flour, sugar and milk. Hubby likes to munch on these during his coffee break.

Pianono. Interestingly, this pastry is actually named after Pope Pius IX whose nickname was Pio Nono. Of course, we Filipinized its name to pianono. It is a sponge cake roll with a sweet buttercream filling. I recall having this as my baon for recess when I was in grade school. My son – a sweet tooth like me! – likes having this for dessert.

Another way Bantay Bread was able to pivot its business is by expanding its availability beyond Ilocos. In Metro Manila, for instance, Bantay Bread fans can just contact these local resellers to order the objects of their baked good cravings.

• Marikina: +63 916 7760087 or +63 927 8657119
• Parañaque: +63 917 8438012
• Alabang: +63 917 8068027
• Pasig/Fairview: +63 908 8887417

So if you’ve got a hankering for home-grown Pinoy baked goods for merienda, dessert or for munching on anytime of the day, bring home some happiness from the north and get a box of Bantay Bread.

Bantay Bread’s main branch is located at Buquig, National Hi-way, Bantay, Ilocos Sur, open daily from 8am to 7pm. For inquiries or to apply to be a reseller, call or text +63 917 7007696. For more details on its product offerings and availability in your area, follow Bantay Bread on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to elicit honest feedback.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

• Heavenly Spiced
• Bake Boss
• Ka Mely’s Bibingka
• Baked by Rina
• Goodness MNL
• Pizza X
• Kica Bites
• Extra Butter
• Chrissy Bakey
• Boba Unibers
• Kuki’s Fudtrip
• Clingy Wingy
• Silverspoon PH
• 616 Burger
• Jampax Foods Delivery
• Charlie Baker S’mores & More
• Tia Carmen Pies
• Pickfresh Calamansi Concentrate
• Tita She’s Bakery
• Y&G Delectables
• Cucina ni Sheng
• Mumei Sushi
• Casa Bakes by Kayla
• MDJ Cookies
• Graffiti Desserts
• Pampanga’s Cheesebread
• What’s Your Flan?
• The Saucier
• Sugar Salt Cakes & Pastries
• Platterea Luna
• Sammy’s Cookin’
• Chi’s Cake
• The Happy Kitchen
• Inang Charing Cakes and Pastries
• Rolls.PH Cinnamon Rolls
• Spookie Edible Cookie Dough
• First Harvest Nut Spreads
• Good Shepherd Ube Jam
• Migu Migu Finishing Butter