Baking with Purpose: The Legacy of Jo-Ann’s Bakeshop Lives On Through Anabella Kho Noel
Like many locals of General Santos City, Anabella Kho Noel grew up with the comforting aroma of chiffon cakes, siopao, and muffins from Jo-Ann’s Bakeshop—a beloved fixture in the city since 1968. Now the second-generation owner, Anabella carries on the legacy of her aunt, Alice Kho, who founded the bakeshop with a passion for baking and a heart for her community. “My aunt was a clerk in Bacolod when she learned to bake from an elderly mentor,” Anabella shares. “She brought that heritage recipe to GenSan and began what would become a family legacy.” The bakeshop’s name is a blend of Anabella’s and her younger sister’s names, reflecting the deeply rooted family values behind the business. In its early years, GenSan was a small town, and its home sat atop the store—a shared space that housed not only the bakery but also a refresher parlor and general merchandise shop. For 47 years, Jo-Ann’s Bakeshop stood along Pedro Acharon Boulevard before relocating to Santiago Boulevard in 2015....
