M.Y. San Happy Time Assortment Biscuits

With my breath steady and my goal ready—the long distance between me and my friend’s hunched-over figure seemed to go on forever. However, that didn’t stop me! I ran with long and efficient strides. My other friends were cheering and shouting their lungs out. With one big push—extended away from the ground, which made me jump with all my strength! Roars of victory scattered all over me; I couldn’t hear a thing! One last stage of Luksong Baka left and I can finally be the king of the game! But before I could be all merry in my victory, a familiar voice called my name—it was my mother; she’s finally back from Manila!

As soon as my mother and I went inside our house, she bathed me in endless kisses! It felt like centuries since I last saw her. After telling me her endearments and how much weight I’ve gained, a red bucket full of smiling children riding a carousel’s horses piqued my interest.

“Do you want to try?” my mother asked.

I nodded in excitement as she brought the blooming bucket on our dining table. As I went closer to the pail, she began telling me the story of this assorted bucket of biscuits.

Genesis of the Red Pail

On a sunny day before World War II—three brothers from the Mar Family moved to the Philippines in hopes of opening a business and seeking more opportunities than Guangdong, China had to offer. After much consideration among the family, they decided to build an ice cream parlor in Manila. Thus, the Escolta Ice Cream Parlor was born!

For years on end the parlor was booming with both Filipino and Chinese customers. An ice cream shop was deemed “rare” among the streets of Manila due to the lack of ice plants; therefore, people of different backgrounds came together as one to enjoy the delicacy that Escolta Ice Cream Parlor had to offer. Both frozen ice cream to help cool down the weather of the tropical country and ranges of freshly baked assorted biscuits became quite the stars on the shop’s menu. And because of this rising business, the Mar Family’s blood became thicker than ever!

To celebrate their success in what the family had long prayed and worked hard for, they returned to their homeland to bring home the bacon. After decades in business and persevering through World War II, the small and humble Escolta Ice Cream Parlor soon revolutionized into a company named M.Y. San and was also then acquired by Monde Nissin. Later on, the business would then be called “Monde M.Y. San,” a collaborated and mixed proprietorship.

Because of the diverse ownership, what once was just a humble ice cream shop living among the streets of old Manila soon became a bigger and greater home for Filipino snacks! A variety of biscuits were made with love in this corporation to preserve the old parlor’s greatness. History began, and it would soon unravel the founding of this; so was the red bucket that was staring right in front of me. It bore the name “M.Y. San Happy Time Assortment Biscuits,” a 1.5 kg bucket full of happiness.

After my mother ended the story—I became even more in awe of the pail even more! How could so much history and family bonding be stored in one bucket?! Without even knowing, me and my mother were also doing the same as we laughed and ate the biscuits on the break of summer.

A Bequest to Generations

These were one of the earliest and my favorite memories of me and my mother. Even now, as an adult, the red bucket of biscuits is still loved by many Filipinos! Each time I pass by the snack aisle in our local grocery store, I would see the bucket in all its glory, still as timeless as ever. The faces of the children printed on the M.Y. San Happy Time Assortment Biscuits wore smiles brighter than the sun while holding different choices of cookies and biscuits, as if telling little kids to come and try the delicacies waiting inside. The country’s childhood memories and moments were built on this excellent afternoon snack without even knowing how momentous this bucket could be.

To earn more for their family, provincial people would travel to the country’s capital to find work that can put food on their table and dress their children daily. For months or even years on end their work would go on—eventually missing the warmth of their home and the embraces of their loved ones. And once they manage to come home during holidays or special occasions, they would bring the pail that would always plaster a smile on their family’s faces. Children would laugh and play while devouring the cookies and biscuits inside while the adults also snack along with them, but at the same time—also quietly planning on whether they should store uncooked rice in it or use it as their bathroom’s water storage this time.

The red bucket’s children would eventually grow up and learn to find earnings on their own. Who knows? Maybe once they’re comfortable and accomplished enough, they’ll also start to build a family that they can soon love and care for. And perhaps one day, while they go out shopping and laughing with their children, the little kids on the pail would meet their eyes once again and have them be reminded of the childhood they adored together. Then without a moment’s hesitation—the snack is on the counter waiting to be checked out and be part of another family’s loved memories.

M.Y. San Happy Time Assortment Biscuits pierced through the hearts of many Filipinos no matter their background or income levels. You could be lounging with your family in the living room or resting from a day’s work; these PHP 200+ worth of biscuits and cookies would always make your day. It has become an eternal staple in every Filipino’s kitchen. Connecting generations and hearts, this red pail of happiness and memories continues to grow and evolve by the love the country has warmed them with.