CinemaBravo

Kapuso’s Unang Hirit, the Philippines’ longest-running morning show, recently visited the 86-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City to feature its latest hit offering—Pan De Nora, a special bread created in honor of the late Superstar and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora Aunor.

During an interview with hosts Suzi Entrata-Abrera and Boobay, Kamuning Bakery Cafe owner and writer-historian Wilson Lee Flores shared the inspiration behind the tribute bread.

“Tinanong nila, ‘Ano ba yung Pan De Nora?’ Sabi ko… pinakaimportante, may nunal! May nagsabi sa akin, yung Pan De Nora no’ng unang panahon daw sa Bicol, may pulang dot lang daw sa tabi. Sabi ko, pag dot lang, parang siopao naman ’yan. Sabi ko, pasas na lang!”

(They asked, “What is Pan De Nora?” I said, the most important thing is—it has a mole! Someone told me that the old version of Pan De Nora in Bicol just had a dot on the side. I said, if it’s just a dot, it looks like siopao. So I said, let’s use raisins instead!)

Wilson also expressed his admiration for the iconic actress, saying he has long been a proud Noranian.

“Sobra akong humahanga sa kanya. Bata pa ako, nakikita ko siya. Actually, hindi ko naabutan yung mga pinakasikat na pelikula niya kasi grade school pa ‘ko no’n, pero palagi akong hangang-hanga sa kanya. Yung istorya pa lang niya, nakaka-inspire… Sobra akong hanga sa kanya. At hindi lang ’yan, ha! Ang dami kong naririnig na kuwento na napakabuting tao daw,” he continued.

(I admire her so much. I saw her when I was still young. Actually, I didn’t catch her most iconic movies because I was still in grade school then, but I’ve always admired her. Her life story alone is so inspiring. I truly look up to her. And not only that—I’ve heard so many stories about what a good person she was.)

Boobay agreed, saying, “Ang daming natutulungan!” (She’s helped so many people!)

Suzi echoed the sentiment, adding, “[Mapagbigay] sa iba! Naririnig ko rin ’yan!” (She was generous to others! I’ve also heard that!)

Wilson also emphasized Aunor’s impact on Philippine cinema: “At saka, [siya ang] first non-mestisa movie queen ng Pilipinas. Isang daang taon sa pelikula ng Pilipinas, lahat puro mestisa, mestiso.”

(She was the first non-mestiza movie queen in the Philippines. In over a hundred years of Philippine cinema, the movie queens were mostly mestizas and mestizos.)

He also shared how the bakery was surprised by the widespread attention Pan De Nora has received—even from overseas. “Meron pang mga Pilipino sa America, [nagtatanong] paano daw umorder!”

(There are even Filipinos in America asking how to order it!)

Ahead of Nora Aunor’s birthday on May 21, Wilson shared a post on social media highlighting the tribute bread: “86-year-old @kamuningbakery Cafe Celebrating National Artist #NoraAunor: A Legend’s Birthday with ‘Pan de Nora.’ This May 21, honor the late Nora Aunor with a slice of history! #KamuningBakery Cafe—Quezon City’s pioneer bakery—presents ‘Pan de Nora,’ a special #bread tribute to the Superstar whose films & life inspired millions.”

Located at 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City, the famous pioneer bakery is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.