Behind the Bread

I have always loved good, healthy bread, but during the height of the pandemic, the nearest artisanal bakeshop was a 30-minute drive away. With COVID-19 cases surging, risking my family’s safety for a bread fix seemed unthinkable.

So I asked myself, “how hard could it be to make your own bread?” We had an oven collecting dust, and for once, the luxury of time. I looked up an easy homemade bread recipe and gave it a shot. To my surprise, the result was better than expected—better, even, than some of the store-bought loaves I had grown up with. That first attempt sparked a home baking journey fueled by curiosity and care. I kept baking to nourish my family and friends, discovering a quiet joy in the rhythm of small batch baking.

Then came sourdough. A friend couldn’t stop raving about it—it had become the pandemic hobby. I was intrigued. I nurtured my own starter from scratch, a test of patience that took three long months. When the starter finally came alive—with a little help from that same friend—I baked a loaf that reminded me of San Francisco’s legendary sourdough. That was the turning point. I have been baking sourdough ever since.

Rise Artisanal was born out of this passion: a commitment to healthier, more mindful eating through artisanal sourdough bread made with care, intention, and sustainable baking practices.

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Before founding Rise, I served as a speechwriter and later Assistant Secretary/Chief of Staff of the Presidential Communications Office under President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. After nearly a decade in public service, I transitioned into consulting, offering strategic communications advice to non-profits, government agencies, and socially-driven brands—a role I continue to fulfill today.

I hold a degree in Tourism from the University of the Philippines and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. When I am not baking or advising clients, I sing with The Blue Rats, a Manila-based blues band. My other loves include books, sports, poetry, classical piano, and spending time with my dog, Billy.

Mai Mislang

Founder and Owner, Rise Artisanal