Whenever I am having these two breads, ‘Malandi” and “Mayabang”, as merienda every afternoon or for breakfast with coffee or juice on the side, I can’t help myself but laugh a little and smile. It does not only take away my hunger but also removes my stress in down moments just by remembering the names of these pastries. It’s like you’re eating the most flirtatious and the most arrogant food in town. Although their aliases doesn’t necessarily speak for their tastes and characteristics. In fact, it presents itself humbly which were being sold in small bakeries and not in extravagant stores.
“Malandi” is a Filipino term for “Flirt” and “Mayabang” is a Filipino term for “Arrogant”. Actually, I have no idea if why these two local Pinoy breads where named that way. I see no connection aside from their distinctive colors. The “malandi” bread has this red color of spread in the middle while the “mayabang” bread has this bluish violet spread within it. These oval pastries which is as the size of any ordinary bread specifically the “pandesal” tastes sweet and yummy at the same time. They were sold in small bakeries in town and it can’t be seen in any branded or commercial bakeshop. You can buy them for the price of two pesos each (Php 2.00). Presently, their names have evolved and were seldom called this way anymore. Filipinos has really this weird, funny, and humorous ways of naming anything under the sun most especially with the native food found in our country. For me, this behavior of giving funny names only shows the happy side of being a Filipino despite its economic problems which is now in the process of recovery.
The “Malandi” and “Mayabang” bread is definitely not only good tasting but fun tasting at the same time. It’s a classic pastry which will make you smile every bite. Happy eating :)
(Photos taken by: Sukito)