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Filipino janitor works way up to open Chicago bakery

A Filipino who previously cleaned floors as a janitor is now the proud owner of a bakery business in Chicago.

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<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CN51PomqaNM?&amp;ab_channel=ABS-CBNNews&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>When Robert Fagaragan moved to the U.S. from the Philippines at 16, he spoke very little English and barely made ends meet as a janitor at a bakery in California. But he persevered.&quot;[I had to] keep working and learning,&quot; said Fagaragan.He worked his way up from cleaning the floors to becoming a baker – a job he was familiar with since his family owned a small bakery in Ilocos Norte.Fagaragan also met his wife, Kissel, at the same bakery where they were employed.Fast forward to 2024, the Filipino couple seized the opportunity to open their bakery in Chicago.They called it &quot;Umaga&quot; or &quot;morning&quot; in Filipino, and began offering Filipino baked goods, dishes, and desserts.The couple shared that their goal is to bring a taste of home to Filipinos in Chicago.&quot;When you think of a bakery, you want to come in during the morning with hot fresh bread,&quot; said Kissel. &quot;It was more of a refreshing start of the day; not just the morning but the whole day.&quot;Being in the food industry is also not new to Kissel since her family used to own a bakery in California. But she said having her own business also means stepping up her game.“We’ve been trying our best to keep up with the demand,&quot; she said. &quot;At the end of the day, we want to keep the customers coming and happy. All these have been an overwhelming experience but it’s a good problem to have.”The location of Umaga bakehouse is strategic as it is close to Seafood City and to other Filipino stores.“This is a Filipino hub, a Filipino-centric area,&quot; Kissel added. &quot;It is perfect. It is right off the highway; convenience of going to work or coming from work --- we’re right there.”Filipinos in Chicago said it reminds them of bakeries that they grew up with back in the Philippines.“It attracted a lot of attention not just from Filipinos but [also] people from other countries,&quot; said Regina Agcaoili, a customer. &quot;[It&#x27;s] a great way to share the Filipino culture that other people wouldn’t necessarily think of, like pastries.&quot;Fagaragan shared a piece of advice to fellow Filipinos looking to find success in America.&quot;Work hard and the opportunity will come for you,&quot; he said. &quot;Just keep on working. Hard work pays off.&quot;

Filipino janitor works way up to open Chicago bakery

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Filipino janitor works way up to open Chicago bakery

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Connie Macatula de Leon | TFC News Chicago

Published May 28, 2024 11:03 PM PHT

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United States

Filipino American

Pastry

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