It’s a homecoming 25 years in the making. So of course, all three Conti sisters who started one of the most popular homegrown restaurant brands in the country came together to personally introduce their newest baby to the world. They haven’t done that in over two years.

“Mga kababayan sa Batangas, salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagtangkilik. Andine na kami sa Sto. Tomas, mas malapit na po sa inyo,” Angie Conti-Martinez happily chirped at the recent inauguration of the first Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant store with a drive-thru in Batangas. “Ang pangalang Conti ay tubong Batangas, kaya para kaming bumabalik sa kinalakihang bayan.”

(L-R): Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant founders Angie Conti-Martinez, Carole Conti-Sumulong, and Cecille Conti-Marañon

Born to a full Batangueño dad, Angie and sisters Carole and Cecille spent their childhood shuttling between Batangas and Manila. In fact, Angie was Batangas-based until around 12 years old and Carole, 18.

The Conti home was always teeming with family and friends, partly owing to their father who worked as a lawyer. As such, family gatherings were a major part of the Conti siblings’ childhood.

“My parents were always celebrating, and they were always entertaining people,” noted Carole, the middle sister and main foodie among the three. This is what got her interested in cooking and entertaining from an early age.

The delightful celebrations did not stop with the Conti children. Patricia Maranon-Tan from the second generation of the Conti clan, who oversees the entire operations of the food chain as the General Manager, recalls enjoying get-togethers with her grandparents in Batangas. “This is where it all started, the inspiration coming from my parents and grandparents where we shared a lot of meals together.”

Conti’s actually arrived in Batangas in June last year with a Take Out Nook in the same spot that houses the new full-on restaurant. Now, fellow Batanguenos can enjoy the whole Conti’s delightful dining experience.

Angie noted, “This is the first complete Conti’s store with restaurant and drive-thru for the convenience of all, especially those traveling from Batangas and even as far as Bicol. Ala eh, pasyal na kayo dine, at sana ay mapasaya namin kayo.”

L-R): Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant business development and marketing director Michael Martinez, general manager Patricia Tan, and chief executive officer Joey Garcia

This expansion is not only about giving Batangueños the Conti’s brand of delightful products and services, but also about providing livelihood opportunities to locals. As a company, Conti’s prefers to hire employees from the cities where its branches are located. This also makes for more personal service in every restaurant.

(L-R): Special guests Roanna Conti and Atty. Nick Conti together with Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant founders Carole Conti-Sumulong, Angie Conti-Martinez, and Cecille Conti-Marañon along with chief executive officer Joey Garcia and general manager Patricia Tan

“In our vision to forever share joy through our culinary treasures and heartfelt service, we make it a point to always inspire the team to work with passion and the obsession to always do their best. To be passionate is to work from the heart, this will not only give satisfaction to our valued clients but also an assurance they will leave our store delighted.”

Angie adds that part of Conti’s mission is to inspire the team to create more good food, build lasting relationships, and maximize their God-given talents and resources. “We try to help each member of the Conti’s family to grow professionally and personally, then we encourage them to bring this personal growth to their own families, so the mission can bear more fruit.”

After 25 years since the first Conti’s store opened in Paranaque, this mission has finally made its way to the Conti home province.

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas

The eldest sister, Cecille, couldn’t be happier. She said, “I feel so proud that we finally have a full store in Batangas. I would like to invite all Batanguenos to have a taste and be delighted with our food.”

Angie reiterated, “Andine na kami, ang Conti’s na sariling atin!”

To know more about Conti’s Bakeshop & Restaurant, visit their website at contis.ph or check out their Facebook (@contisph) and Instagram (@contis_ph) pages. Other pages bearing our name and images are fake. They do not in any way represent the brand. #