Featured

These Homemade Goodies From Haps are Irresistible

Though goodies are available twenty four seven in the market, our bodies crave for that homemade touch. The happiness that these goodies bring is what we’re after. And just like a local home-bakery, Haps has always been into bringing happiness and freedom through sweets.

According to studies, eating sweets helps us concentrate and may aid in lowering blood pressure. Often times, we can’t just resist eating sweets when we’re stressed, tired or even on a normal mood.

This craving is caused by our body’s attempt to raise levels of the hormone called serotonin. Sugar triggers the release of serotonin, which can cause us to crave sweet things.

Haps, founded late last year, was created and run by Enem Seno, a Cebuana, and Marie Nordbjaeg, a Dane. Both at the age of 27, they decided to run their own home bakery in Lahug, Cebu City where, according to Marie, magic happens.

Haps is owned and managed by Enem, a Cebuana (right) and Marie, a Dane (left).

Haps has been one of Marie’s dreams for a lot of years. “We thought it would be fun to use a Danish word as the name since The Baker is Danish. Haps means either a small piece of food or the action you do when you grab (hapse) something in a quick movement (from someone),” Marie shares.

Marie adds that since their goodies are naturally irresistible, “you just have to have it, you might even try to “hapse” the “haps” from someone,” she says.

Haps started small. From a small oven in the studio of The Backbone Company, they could fit and bake only one 8” x 8” pan at a time.

“It was quite an effort having to experiment recipes with limited equipment. It was as charming experience though,” Marie shares.

Since then, her partner, Emem, designed and brainstormed the branding and concept. “We both knew that one of the main things about Haps would be that we wouldn’t compromise with quality, and then the rest was created from there,” Marie says.

After the concept brainstorming, they moved to their own place and upgraded their equipment like their oven and refrigerator.

Haps is a home for freedom and creativity. According to Marie, their passion allows them to experiment. “Of course we can always provide the cakes, but we also want to share ideas and recipes for those who want to be creative in the kitchen themselves,” she says.

Haps doesn’t use artificial flavoring in their pastries.

Excitedly, Haps as a new home bakery, is very keen in their ingredients. “With Haps we also want to make people aware and appreciative of the fact that good ingredients can affect a simple recipe. It is really one of our main focuses when baking – we would spend that extra time finding the best ingredients around the country,” Marie shares.

Starting a business on goodies is not easy especially for both introverts.

“One of the major challenges when we first started was to create followers. Both of us were introverts and would always be too shy to be social with strangers. So, getting it out there was a bit difficult for us,” Marie says.

Haps handcrafts goodies sprinkled with a bag of love. “We don’t use artificial flavoring to ensure the best in every product – and we really know that makes a huge difference”, Marie ensures.

They take extra time for each cake. Marie admits being keen without compromising their quality. “Some bakeries focus is on saving time and money, which makes them compromise…we assure high quality and mouth watering pastries in every single bake,” she adds.

Currently, their products are being added by Danish dark rye flour bread. Added to their list of services is accepting orders during birthdays and other special occasions. More excitingly, Haps make gluten-free and vegan pastries too!

Chocolate chips cookies can be bought by Php 390 for 20 pieces.

Haps offers goodies like brownies with walnuts, chocolate chip cookies with hazelnuts, Belgian chocolate truffles, Gateau Marcel, Cinnamon rolls, cakes and a lot more.

Their major goal in starting the business was to generate happiness through pastries. “Many of our patrons have said that we probably named Haps, in short for happiness. Though that may be inaccurate, we are happy to hear that people associate Haps with happiness – that means we are reaching our goal,” Marie shares.

Both envision Haps to do full time #WakeAndBake goodies. Marie hopes, “With hard work and the right amount of charm, we’d be able to serve delicious and mouthwatering pastries in small quaint shops around Cebu and entire Philippines”.

Our cravings bring us joy when satisfied. And who wouldn’t love goodies? As start-up business that went through challenges, Haps, a symbol of sweetness of happiness, proves that their creativity and freedom are their only limits.

Featured

Bringing businesses together: Lalamove paves way for SMEs across the globe to “Make a Winning Move”

The local episode #LalamoveItToWinIt to support MSMEs across PH

To inspire businesses around Asia and Latin America, Lalamove has launched a regional branding campaign “Make a Winning Move” to showcase its various B2B services, strong driver-partner network, and wide-ranging fleet for fast and reliable delivery solutions. Locally, the on-demand delivery platform has kicked off the campaign by inviting its patrons, old and new, to #LalamoveItToWinIt.

Now more than ever, businesses are focusing their efforts on an experience-led customer journey. With deliveries as undeniably crucial for businesses to fulfill their services and win over customers, the central creative idea behind the regional campaign revolves around such scenarios where Lalamove’s services and B2B features help entrepreneurs stay ahead of the intense competition.

Lalamove, as the trusted delivery partner, has been servicing businesses of all sizes in the Philippines. Lalamove’s corporate clients can enjoy the on-demand delivery platform’s variety of business solutions, such as multi-stop delivery, API integration, real-time GPS tracking, a wide variety of fleet for on-demand, same-day, long distance, and last-mile delivery, and a dedicated account manager.

“The Philippines has more than 900,000 businesses, over 99% of which are MSMEs. What Lalamove offers businesses of all sizes is faster, easier, and a more seamless delivery experience to help them save time and costs. Our dedicated partner drivers, the economic frontliners of today, are here to deliver to an even wider reach across Luzon and in Cebu. This campaign is the visualization of what we can do to help businesses jump over hurdles – simply put, just ‘Lalamove It to Win It!’” remarked Dannah Majarocon, Lalamove Philippines Managing Director.

First-time users of the Lalamove mobile delivery app can get up to Php 150 off when they sign up and use the code LALAWINIT. New corporate clients, on the other hand, can also receive a welcome bonus of up to Php 1,200 when they sign up and top-up their Lalamove corporate wallet. Moreover, with Lalamove Rewards recently launched, each delivery for every user is now made even more rewarding.

Find out more about what Lalamove offers by visiting www.lalamove.com/lalamoveittowinit, or follow the official Lalamove Facebook page, Instagram account, and TikTok account for more information.

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ABOUT LALAMOVE

Launched in the Philippines in late 2016, Lalamove is an on-demand logistics company that matches drivers with customers and SME businesses to fulfill same-day deliveries. Lalamove’s mission of making local deliveries faster and simpler across North, Central, and South Luzon, and in Cebu is achieved through innovations such as instant order matching, real-time GPS vehicle tracking, 24/7 services, and a driver rating system. Lalamove also allows businesses to scale their deliveries and operations at an accelerated rate. Lalamove now operates in over 30 markets across Asia and Latin America. Visit Lalamove’s website: http://lalamove.com

Featured

King-size Treats Await Dad this Father’s Day at Seda Central Bloc

Misto Restaurant at Seda Central Bloc

King-size Treats for the King!

by Ryan Daniel R. Dablo

Seda Central Bloc celebrates the hardworking hero and steadfast lynchpin of the home with its offerings for Father’s Day weekend.

At the Misto, Seda’s restaurant, Dad gets to sample the delicious international cuisine for free when dining with five full-paying adults. If an evening dine-out is more the family’s speed, the Straight Up bar offers a dinner buffet with a continental menu and mocktails, all enjoyed amid a backdrop of excellent cityscape views from the rooftop. Staycation at the hotel comes packed with perks for the weekend as well, such as complimentary lunch at the Misto, drinks at the Straight Up bar, and breakfast for two.

Honor your number one hero and highlight the love you have for him this Father’s Day weekend. Celebrate at Seda Central Bloc!

For more information, please call (032) 411 5800. Follow their Facebook page or visit their website at www.sedahotels.com.

Fashion

37 Years of High Fashion; Arcy Gayatin leaves a Legacy of Edginess and Elegance

Arcy Gayatin: A Legacy of Luxury in Fabrication

By: Allain Dumon Fonte

The brand Arcy Gayatin gave the Queen City of the South a distinct reputation in the fashion industry. The fashion line of Arcy Gayatin sets the bar higher each year for clothing luxury and fabrication techniques.

April Duenas, Nikki Gayatin and Arielle Gayatin for Arcy Gayatin—Photos by John Paul Autor from Lifestyle Inquirer.net

Araceli “Arcy” Ancajas Gayatin is the daughter Galileo Ancajas and Remedios Zanoria Ancajas who founded Cebu’s home brand, Gal’s Bakery. Arcy went to the University of San Carlos and studied Political Science. And just like Dr. Muccia Prada, who completed her Ph.D. in Political Science and established the luxury line of Prada, Arcy also got in touch with her artistic side and started her own fashion line. However, it was not Prada that influenced Arcy. Arcy was introduced to fashion and tailoring at a very young age by her mother, Madame Remedios Anacajas whom they dearly call Mama Eme. Mama Eme was running a tailoring business back then. It was called Arabel; named after Arcy and her sister Belma. Ara from Araceli and Bel from Belma. In those years, Arcy was fascinated by fabrics and was intrigued by how to manipulate the fabrics to come up with fashion-forward designs without compromising comfort and taste.

Arcy Gayatin (photo grabbed from Space Philippines Blog Spot)

After 37 years of creating haute couture pieces for the most fashionable personalities in the Philippines, Arcy Gayatin is now laying down her sketchpads and pens to rest. As she enjoys her retirement, may be on a cruise to the Bahamas or a holiday to the Swiss Alps, Arcy Gayatin has left the fashion industry a legacy of elegant and edgy clothing ensembles that understand and define the shape of women; without compromising comfort and good taste.

Arcy Gayatin’s Pink Flamingo collection Arcy Gayatin’s Sketch on a Terno

To salute the lady who brought Cebu fashion to the world, a retrospective exhibition of Arcy’s incomparable masterpieces can be seen today at Ayala Center Cebu’s The Gallery; curated by fashion editor and writer, Clint Holton Potestas, and interior and fashion designer, Jul Oliva.

BALANCE. Arcy Gayatin is known for her perfect symmetrical lines when fabricating. She knows how to balance edginess and class; understanding well the strength and the finesse of a woman.

RHYTHM. Arcy’s expertise in draping and fabric manipulation can be seen in how she achieves rhythm between architectural lines and soft fabrics like silk and cashmere.

TEXTURE. With her thorough knowledge on fabrics, Arcy Gayatin has achieved the perfection of fabrication by working on different types of fabrics and creating a single piece of art out of them.

HARMONY. The simplicity of the silhouette plus the intricacy of the details create a wonderful harmony, making Arcy Gayatin’s design a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

The photos below show an up-close look at the intricacy and the exquisite craftsmanship of Arcy Gayatin’s fabrication techniques:

THE SPIDER WEB: one of Arcy’s genius fabrication techniques.

MATCH and PATCH: Arcy’s unique fabrication craft by patching layers of different types of lace and lace patterns

PLEATS: The perfection of symmetry in pleats on silk.

LA ROSE BLEUE: U.P. student, Danielle Alessandra Deutsch, inspired by the artistry of Arcy Gayatin, designed this midnight blue dress. The cabbage rose made from layers of silk organdy gave this evening ensemble a romantic appeal.