Barasaoin Sweets is located in front of the Barasaoin Church (famous for its history and a cat sleeping on its hot tin roof). It has been there even before Mommy Jenny was born (no fact-checking has been done to authenticate this. I don’t know when Mommy Jenny was born.)
I bet Barasaoin Sweets is as much a historical landmark to Malolenos (yeah, that’s how they’re called. I was pushing for “Malolosers” but they didn’t like the connotation) as much as the Church. It has been feeding Malolenos and Bulacenos with ensaymada with salted egg for generations. I bet during its time it was a booming business.
Right now, I hardly see customers enter their doors. There is a Red Ribbon right beside it and I don’t know if that affected their business or people just forgot (as most Filipinos are wont to forget).
Veck wanted me to try the bangus pobre in Red Ribbon so we were there one day for lunch. Dana threw a terrific tantrum because she wanted to have some candy sprinkles on the Red Ribbon cakes on display. No amount of explaining that those aren’t for sale unless you buy a whole cake and we couldn’t possibly finish the whole of it in one sitting. And no way are we taking home a dedication chocolate cake just for the sprinkles!
Veck suggested I take Dana to the next door Barasaoin Sweets and see if we could buy candy sprinkles. As Dana and I entered the doors I swore I saw a vision of people lined up for orders, people filling up the tables happily eating with families and noisily chattering and laughing. The vision vanished and the place was empty.
A lady asked us what we wanted. On the display were rows of crystal jars that stored confectionary flowers. I asked the lady how much they sold those flowers and when she looked at Dana, she gave Dana ten flowers and said they’re free. Wow! You don’t receive kindness from strangers often these days. And here Dana was getting a bouquet of candies.
Wow! I thanked the lady profusely and promised myself to eat there soon. I’ll sink my teeth into authentic Malolos ensaymada even if all I have for company is my notebook and pen.
