The sweet taste of success
MANILA, Philippines - Sugar, spice, and everything nice — that’s what you’ll find at Lailen’s Pastries, a confectionery shop owned by Eliza “Lai” Mangio-Manalang.
Looking at the shop’s roster of amazingly colorful cakes in whimsical shapes such as ball dresses, jewelry boxes, a Coke can, and a DSLR camera, you’d think that life, too, has always been sweet and easy for Lai. Well, that’s what most of her clients think.
Lai assisted her mom, Evelyn, in the kitchen as she baked cakes and pastries pre-ordered by her friends and relatives.
“My mom had an eight-to-five job. She always asked me to help her,” Lai recalls.
When her mom retired and decided to start a restaurant with her retirement funds, Lai took over the confectionery business while still in college.
“We started offering our products to pasalubong outlets in Pampanga,” Lai narrates.
Just as things were starting to pick up, disaster struck. In 1995, Mt. Pinatubo erupted, and like the rest of Pampanga, Lai’s home and business were buried in lahar.
“We lost everything,” says Lai. But instead of wasting time feeling sorry for herself Lai looked for ways to recover her losses. Little by little, Lai was able to rebuild her business.
In 2000, SM Pampanga looked for suppliers of local delicacies. Lai grabbed the opportunity and opened Lailen’s Pastries. Today, her delicacies are also sold at Rustan’s, Shopwise, and Gaisano stores.
To be able to answer the huge increase in the demand for her baked goods, Lai took on the help of other bakers.
In 2007, Lai decided to expand her business. She needed a bigger factory and more delivery vans. To get the funds she needed, Lai sought assistance from Plantersbank.
“They’re very easy to approach, and they made me feel like I’m a member of their big family,” Lai says. “I like the personal relationship we’ve had with them so far.”
Today, Lailen’s Pastries has expanded its clientele beyond Philippine shores. Through their Facebook page, which is maintained by Marvin, Lai’s husband, Lailen’s Pastries now receives orders from all over the world.
Lailen’s Pastries is at Aurea Compound, San Fernando, Pampanga. For orders, call (045) 961-4090 and (045) 436-3850.
