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President Rodrigo R. Duterte lauded efforts to honor the Philippines’ unique pan de sal and to promote anti-hunger civic efforts with the annual celebration on Oct. 16 as World Pandesal Day by the 78-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café on Judge Jimenez St. corner K-1st Street, Quezon City.
This year’s celebration was launched on Oct. 8 with a free medical and dental mission from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for urban poor families, hosted by Pandesal Forum of Kamuning Bakery Café and conducted by young volunteer medical doctors, dentists, and nurses of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by President Domingo Yap, Vice-President William Yap Castro and Social Responsibility Committee Chairman Antonio Cosing.
The Oct. 16 World Pandesal Day was started in 2015 by writer and realty entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores who had bought and revived Kamuning Bakery Café, hoping to give honor to this humble yet great Filipino bread, and to remind everyone about the goal of eradicating poverty, inequalities, and the age-old problem of hunger. Kamuning Bakery Cafe gave away 50,000 free pan de sal, sardines, ham, and noodles for urban poor families and other beneficiaries. Another medical, dental, and optical mission was held on Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 12 noon, conducted by Philippine Chinese Charitable Association led by President Dr. James G. Dy.
President Duterte said, “My warmest greetings to the people of Kamuning Bakery Café as you celebrate ‘World Pandesal Day’. Today’s celebration highlights the unique and humble Filipino breakfast staple and provides a venue for discussion of social issues. As your advocacy furthers, I commend the efforts to put into conducting free medical, dental and optical missions and providing over 50,000 pugon-baked breads, sardines, noodles and other foods to urban poor families.”
The President added, “This event is a reminder of our rich heritage through the preservation of traditional cooking methods and support for local produce. Kamuning Bakery Café demonstrates that local businesses can flourish in this modern age without losing its roots. As you continue to help solve the problem of hunger due to poverty, may this simple act of generosity not only nourish the Filipinos physically but also spark a change in their hearts to join your cause. The government is with you in uplifting the lives of our underprivileged countrymen. I wish you all a fruitful and meaningful celebration.”
