After 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Milagros Daez Sevilla, a lover of sweets, decided to open a bakeshop. Knowing nothing about pastries (other than that she enjoyed eating them), she solicited advice from her drugstore’s neighboring businesses and proceeded to hire a couple who used to work at a successful Manila bakery.

On September 24, 1972, Merced Bakehouse, named in honor of her mother, Mercedes Daez, was born.

Family Stories

Three generations of the same family run our bakehouse. The grandmother, Dr. Sevilla, was the excitable one. She was gung-ho about pursuing new opportunities, and even at 101 years of age, she was excited to hear about the strides we’re making with digital sales.

My mother, Lennie Gana, naturally, had to become the more level-headed manager. She was the one who preached the value of prudence, patience, and a healthy dose of skepticism.  Despite not having formal training, mom tried to be on top of baking and restaurant trends. She would be the one pushing for new ideas and constantly encouraging us to innovate.

More so than Lola and her enthusiasm, I feel like mom was the engine that made the shop run. The more time I spend sitting in her chair, the more I realize the value of her work. 

Navigating Transitions

Both Lola and Mom have passed away in recent years, and it is now our responsibility, as the third generation, to keep this bakehouse alive.

I don’t want to let down my parents and grandparents, and that’s a strong motivation for grinding away at the shop. In addition to that, though, the fact that we have staff who have been working for us for longer than I’ve been alive pushes me to do my best every day. You don’t want to let down these people who’ve essentially become family as well. If the business succeeds, everyone can be taken care of. 

Write-up by M. Gana