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.
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.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login