Why these sisters are the country’s leading cake artists
The country’s leading cake artists, Penk Ching and sister Shen Ratilla are behind many of the country’s most beautiful cakes. The sisters have come far, from when they started baking in high school.
Penk intimated that her interest in baking grew after learning how to prepare some baked goods in her high school Home Economics class. She was so amazed that baked goods bought in bake shops can actually be made at home.
Shen, on the other hand, took baking lessons. It was the finished products that Shen brought home that inspired the sisters to keep baking and experimenting.
There was no intention for them to sell, according to Penk. In fact, that was the farthest from their mind, especially after hearing their father jokingly say, “You could share those with the dogs!” Though their goodies tasted good, they didn’t look good, said Penk.
Decorating cakes came long after. In fact, it happened only when Penk opted for early retirement from a multinational bank.
Unknown to many, Penk has two master’s degrees, one from the University of Santo Tomas and the other from Arthur D. Little Management Education Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also took Ph.D classes at Columbia University while working with the United Nations. This was cut short, however, when she learned that her grandmother was ill. Penk felt that it was her turn and duty to care for her grandparents, who lovingly took care of her.
After fulfilling her duties as the first grandchild, Penk looked for a job, worked for a bank, and got married.
A few years later, Penk left her job, and in time boredom struck. She turned to baking and cake decorating. The urge to make prettier looking cakes happened when a friend said, “Your cakes are good, but you have to make them look better.”
First cake
The first cake the sisters made was a wedding cake for a friend. It was to be the beginning of a career that now spans three decades.
Penk and Shen are at the pinnacle of their careers. Of the numerous gâteaux they’ve masterfully created, the first wedding cake is still the cake the sisters will never forget. It was the thrill, the agony, and finally the joy of seeing the bride, their friend, happy, that made their first cake so memorable.
Of the most memorable cakes, the inaugural cakes of Presidents Noynoy Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are on their list. Conceptualizing the cakes was exciting, said Penk. Luckily, they were given the freedom to do as they pleased. The difficulty they encountered was in obtaining the permits required and carrying the very large and heavy cakes up the stairs, to Maharlika Hall. “We even brought PNoy’s cake to Luneta,” said Penk with a giggle.
It was the Beijing Olympics cake, however, that the sisters are proudest of. Sponsored by Coca Cola, the 3-foot-wide cake was truly a masterpiece. To replicate the Bird’s Nest Stadium was already a challenge due to its intricacies, but transporting it was the greatest hurdle. Penk and Shen brought two cakes from Manila, so just in case something happened, there would be another one to mount. It was all worth it in the end. According to Penk, it was exhilarating to be in Beijing. “It was privilege to witness the opening ceremonies and a great honor to represent the Philippines through our Bird’s Nest cake, which was appreciated and truly well received,” Penk said.
The ladies are grateful for their successes and their many blessings.
After fashioning cakes in all conceivable themes and sizes, there seems to be no cake intricate enough for them to fashion. Their latest book, called “Beyond Sugar,” to be launched on the 14th of October, is a testament to their innate talent. It is as well proof that two heads are better than one, and that four hands are more efficient than two.
Masterpieces
As I was leafing through the pages of the book, I was in awe of the craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the patience, hard work and discipline that the Tan sisters possess to create such show-stopping masterpieces.
The book contains competition pieces, international pieces, new creations, collaborations and Penk’s very own paintings that she recreated and expressed through cakes and sugar pieces.
There are too many beautiful pieces to mention, but my personal favorites include the 12 days of Christmas that I found so enchanting. Based on the Christmas carol, the sisters encapsulated the 12 days of Christmas in eggshells!
Beautiful, too, was the collaboration between Penk and Francis Libiran. Penk transformed a sketch of a wedding gown by Francis into a sugar piece, a chandelier with a working light bulb in warm amber.
I love Penk’s “You Win Some, You Dim Sum” and “Raj Ki Haatee” paintings in watercolor that she turned into sugar pieces. The kaleidoscope of colors of the elephant was eye-catching.
I was as well enamored by “Calle Crisologo,” Penk’s watercolor painting, that served as the backdrop to her sugar piece of a cow carrying crafts.
“Beyond Sugar” is more than just a book. It is a story of Penk and Shen’s journey, a compilation of their life’s work and testament to them, as true masters of their craft.
For advance orders of the must-have book “Beyond Sugar,” call tel. no. (0917) 834-3438
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