"A popular chain back on the islands known for their celebratory pastries and heart-tugging commercials, Red Ribbon is where I go when I’m missing my family a little more than usual, or when I want to point out to my mom that NYC isn’t just one giant set for Home Alone 2. Peer through the glass cases and you’ll see European-style cakes that have since become common in the Philippines, like super chocolatey Black Forest, as well as others that have taken on more Filipino flavors like mango, ube, and yema caramel. If I’m bringing a cake to a party though, I go for the one that’s the most difficult to make: the sans rival. Brought to the Philippines by students who were studying in France in the 1920s, this Filipino take on the dacquoise meticulously alternates layers of cashews, meringue, and buttercream." - paolo espanola
