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Supreme Brazo Bars Official Launch and Blessing, August 16, 2009



We were glad it finally happened when it happened – on August 16, 2009, at around 10 in the morning, the much-awaited launch of our maiden store, Supreme Brazo Bars by Ces Lopez Café, kicked off after a month of testing the waters and starting operations at Alabang Town Center. It was both exhilarating and overwhelming, not to mention a food-filled day of Supreme Brazo Bars goodness for all our guests!

Simple and intimate
We put together a simple and intimate program right at our store location at Alabang Town Center’s Food Choices at the Town. Classical music from three-piece string trio Ensemble Con Expressivo serenaded the guests as they came in, and played on throughout the morning. My mom, Kite, who’s also now acting as Admin Officer, and yours truly, hosted the show. To my surprise, we did a decent enough job even while sleep-deprived from all the preparations! After a bible reading by none other than my aunt and the genius behind the Brazo Bars, Ces Lopez, Brother Shio Cruz of the Ateneo de Manila High School gave a short message and blessing.



The Brazo Bars concept was actually born in the Ateneo de Manila High School, created by Ces as a snack food which her son Chester and his classmates, then about to graduate at the school, can sell to raise funds for the Tulong Dunong Emergency Fund. The said fundraiser hosts a scholarship program for less fortunate youth and supports their schooling at none other than the Ateneo de Manila High School. And so it was really heartwarming that Chester and some of his classmates graced the event, and even demonstrated how the Ateneo students ate the Brazo Bars back then: in two to three bites, and with their bare hands!



Chow time
The rest of the morning was filled with a small buzz around the food table, fellowship and, thankfully, a lot of raves about the brunch and the Brazos. For brunch, we served homemade Chrorizo and Bacon Pasta in Olive Oil (my mom’s recipe), Mushroom and Asparagus Quiche and Adobo Pan de Sal bars. Everyone loved the food and couldn’t help but ask, whose recipe was the pasta?! Are you serving this here at your store, too? Can I order a dozen Adobo Pan de Sal bars?! The quiche and pan de sal bars, yes, will be sold in our store along with the Brazos. The pasta, too, once our space and our guns are ready for it!



Dessert, coffee and fellowship
After everyone’s had their brunch, it was time for dessert. We gave out sampler boxes of our Brazo Bars in different flavors and tossed in our signature Chocolate Chip Cookie (which by now has already started getting its own following, thanks to hardcore fans like Jennifer Uy-Wong of Scala!). And of course everyone got to try the Lavazza coffee which we gladly served for free. It was so much fun watching everyone enjoy the food and each other’s company. Many thanks to our faithful supporters – you know who you are and we will always be grateful! We look forward to many years of sharing not only our Brazos and pastries, but also our passion for life and friendship with you.




Posted by Joan Lopez-Flores
Photos by William Wong