Señorita Bread: A Classic Filipino Pastry Baked in the Bay Area

Spanish Bread may have the word Spanish in it, but it is more Filipino than Spanish than it will ever be in its entire existence. Sweet, tasty, buttery, and sugary are just some of its characteristics why every Filipino craves it every merienda time. Hence, it is no surprise that it has reached the Bay Area, which has a large population of overseas Filipinos–this time, however, with a revamped name: Señorita Bread by Starbread Bakery.

It all started in the 80s as a couple named Nelly and Romy Maranan and their 5 children migrated to California from the Philippines to search for more opportunities.

(Photo credits to Starbread Bakery)

More specifically, in 1988, Señorita Bread first came out of an oven in a small store opened by the couple in Vallejo, California. Since Filipinos first migrated to Vallejo in the 1910s, the Señorita Bread was met with many Filipinos wanting to taste the classic Filipino pastry.

Despite having 5 children to take care of, the couple managed to overcome all possible obstacles as they were able to turn their small store into a booming one--to the point that even non-Filipinos got addicted to the sweet-goodness of the Señorita Bread. As the demand continued to go up, the couple thought of expanding their horizons to other parts of California.

Currently, Señorita Bread is being served at seven different locations in California. Specifically in Vallejo, Pacifica, San Pablo, Newark, Daly City, Vacaville, and Sacramento according to their official website.

(Photo credits to Starbread Bakery)

Since all 5 children are now grown adults, they are now the ones who are managing the family business, alongside other family members who have subsequently opened their own branches.

Spanish Bread, or Señorita Bread as they call it, remains to be one of the renowned Filipino pastries out there. Despite its roots being traced back to the Spaniards, Filipinos took it and made it their own.

It is for certain that the Maranan couple got what they were searching for when they migrated despite all uncertainties: the most significant opportunity of their lives, and they sure took it and made it their own.

Written by Lawrenze Empleo

Christian Lawrenze Empleo is currently a Digital Marketing Intern of PS Media Enterprise, and a 4th year Bachelor of Arts in Communication student of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba.