Bread shop Danish Bar opens first branch in PH

MANILA - It's no secret that Filipinos love their bread and pastries.

Take a stroll down any street in the country and you are bound to come across a local bakery, enticing onlookers with a freshly baked batch of pandesal, a small bread roll that is a local breakfast and afternoon snack staple.

Dozens of specialized pastry shops, many of which are international franchises, find their home in malls -- arguably the most popular destination for Filipinos, especially on the weekends.

There, hundreds line up to take home boxes made up of an assortment of bread and pastries of different shapes, sizes, and flavors.

So it came as no surprise that Danish Bar, an affiliate of the Japan-based Little Mermaid Bakery, has decided to whiff together its first batch of mini-sized pastries in the country.

"Always just-baked freshness," is the motto of the brand, which has branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Bangkok.

Among its specialties are Danish balls and bars, which are bite-sized pastry rolls made rich with the taste of marzipan.

The store also sells stick-type pastries, with flavors ranging from green tea, red bean, sugar crunch, and ham and cheese.

Danish Bar's first branch is located at the ground floor of SM North EDSA Center Mall, beside National Bookstore.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Home-made for the Holidays' now out

MANILA, Philippines — Authors Aileen Anastacio and Angelo Comsti launched their joint literary feat “Home-made for the Holidays” at National Book Store Glorietta 5. Published by Marshall-Cavendish, the book features over 60 treats to enjoy at home or give as gifts.

The head chef and owner of popular pastry shop and café chain Goodies n’ Sweets, Anastacio is a regular contributor of unique recipes for local publications, and author of the coffee and dessert cookbook Home Café.

Comsti is a food writer, food stylist, recipe developer, and demo cook. He graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, and is the owner of The Food Barn, a snack bar.

Titles for young readers on sale

Anvil Publishing launched 17 new titles for young readers at Bestsellers Galleria in Ortigas Center.

Five new additions to the best-selling classic Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang: “Pedro Walang Takot”, “Ang Mahiwagang Kuba”, “Labindalawang Masayang Prinsesa”, “Ang Prinsipeng Unggoy” and “Ang Pagibig ni Maryang Sinukuan” are part of this launch. Retold by fictionist and playwright Christine Bellen, the new books are beautifully illustrated by Abi Goy, Blooey Singson, Serge Bumatay III, Hubert Fucio and Martin Malabanan.

For intermediate level readers, there is a new series of books on endangered animals by award-winning writer and illustrator Jomike Tejido. Tejido spins three engaging adventure stories “Si Bing ang Munting Butanding”, “Si Maya ang Gaya-gayang Buwaya” and “Si Gilas ang Haring Agila”, featuring endangered animals struggling against the perils of extinction.

Palanca Awards Hall of Famer Edgardo Maranan has two new books: a chapter book entitled “Secret of the Cave” and a collection of contemporary poems for the young entitled “The Google Song”.

Three new books for junior and senior high school students are part of the launch: “Si Crispin”, a historical novel in Filipino by award-winning writer Tony Perez, and a book of essays entitled “Positively Mental” by journalist Elvira Mata who writes about the angst of adolescence.

For older readers in the secondary level are two anthologies that are also part of the Dela Salle University Centennial collection. “A Treat of Stories” features fiction for young people by young people. The other collections, “Dadaanin”, are stories in Filipino that are written in one hundred words and written by student writers from different schools. Both books explore genres that are most engaging to high school readers such as fantasy, science fiction, magic realism and themes like sexuality, family and friendship, violence and death.

Nur Misuari bio out

The first ever life story of the controversial freedom fighter, founder and chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front entitled “Nur Misuari: An Authorized Biography” is now out.

Written by Stanford University professor Dr Tom Stern, the engaging narrative reveals the inside story of Misuari and the Bangsa Moro Republic. It transcends merely being another saga of a discontented Filipino; it is a lesson that can help avoid the hurtful Muslim-Christian conflict, which threatens to polarize nations that have little choice but to do battle. Misuari’s story is as important for America and Europe to understand, at this critical moment of world conflict.

source: mb.com.ph