Baked to Perfection | The Manila Times

Mylene Galano Owner Mylan’s Bakeshop

“The impact of joining food fairs like Partuat helped us reach potential customers who might not have encountered our bakeshop before.”

LAOAG CITY — Alladin and Mylene Galano, a couple who worked as overseas workers in Qatar, braved the challenges of the pandemic when they decided to return home in Ilocos Norte for good at the height of the pandemic in December 2020 to follow their passion for baking.

With skills training provided by several government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Mariano Marcos State University, the couple who owns the Mylan’s Bakeshop in Pias Sur, Currimao, Ilocos Norte, is now being patronized by local coffee shops and satisfied customers.

“I am a graduate na rin po ng KMME (Kapatid Mentor Me Program) ng DTI and Go Negosyo,” she proudly told The Manila Times in a follow-up interview.

“Also, nakasali na rin po kami sa Kadiwa recently sa Pangasinan under Partuat Ti Kailokuan.

“Our bakeshop is one of the merchants na rin po ng producer-to-consumer ng Ilocos Norte micro, small and medium enterprises. We go to Quezon City and San Juan City every month to showcase Ilocano products.”

The bakeshop is known for its special and trendy home-baked breads like alcapone cheese rolls, Korean garlic bread, banana cake, oatmeal cookies and cheesy ensaymada, among others.

With an initial capital of around P100,000, the home-based bakeshop initially offered pandesal and then other breads until they switched to “special and trendy breads” for coffee shops.

Some of their products are also on display in malls as they get to participate in regular trade fairs like the “Partuat ti Kailokuan Trade Fair” organized by the DTI at the Robinsons Ilocos Mall.

“The impact of joining food fairs like Partuat helped us reach potential customers who might not have encountered our bakeshop before,” Mylene said in one of her Facebook posts, while sharing her excitement about future partnerships with coffee shop owners in Ilocos Norte and in nearby Ilocos Sur province.

In between farming and taking care of their two growing children, the Galano couple enjoys their bond in the bakeshop, sharing a recipe of happiness to their new and repeat customers.

Mylene was thankful to The Manila Times for its effort to reach out to entrepreneurs in the provinces.

“To receive a message like this from you po ay nakakataba ng puso kasi napapansin po pala kaming mga thriving micro businesses. Again, maraming salamat po,” she said.

QUICK QUESTIONS

What is your biggest fear?

My children not to have the Christian values they have been taught.

What really makes you anrgy?

Time pressure. Too many things to do with not much time.

What motivates you to work hard?

The values like responsibility and perseverance. I want to instill these values to my children.

What motivates you to laugh the most?

Anything. Mostly, when I tease my youngest to sell her pets (sheep and goats).

What did you want to be when you were small?

To become a dentist.

What would you do if you won the lotto?

I do not gamble. But if I will have an instant huge amount of money, I will give it to my church or mission giving.

If you could share a meal with an individual, living or dead, who would they be?

My Lolang Maria. I am her favorite granddaughter.

What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

I can’t think of any, but of course, when I’m with my husband.

What was the last book you read?

“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hills.

Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?

Chinkee Tan or Raymund de los Reyes. Their advice to business and financial management are practical.

What is the one thing you will never do again?

To decide without praying fervently for his leading.

Where will you see yourself in 10 years?

I have improved our place as a business center. Bakeshop, coffee shop and a pasalubong store to carry other products of Ilocos.

PNA WITH ANDRE R. GUTIERREZ