Herman’s Modern Bakery Inc. owners Herman “Junpan” T. Guerrero, Juan “Juanpan” T. Guerrero, Joseph “Leepan” T. Guerrero and wife Victoria pose for a photo with visiting Guam Gov. Lou Leo Guerrero, 3rd right, husband, attorney Jeff Cook, left, and staff member Catherine Flores, 3rd left. The Guam governor and her spouse congratulated the Pan family on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Herman’s Modern Bakery Inc.
ONE of the region’s oldest businesses, Herman’s Modern Bakery Inc., took part in the Saipan Liberation Day celebration on July 4 to officially launch the beginning of its 80th founding anniversary celebration, which is scheduled for October.
“We’ll have a lot of activities, including radio and media events, raffle draws, family fun day and café promotion specials, among others,” the owners told Variety in a statement.
Established on Oct. 26, 1944, Herman’s Modern Bakery Inc. remains a family-run enterprise known for its delicious bread and other food items as well as its history of community and public service.
Its founder, Herman Delos Reyes “Tun Herman” Deleon Guerrero was married to the late Maria Tenorio Deleon Guerrero. Fondly called “Tan Marikita,” she was the pillar of the Pan family. They were blessed with 12 children.
In September 1944, the U.S. Navy hired Tun Herman to bake bread for Saipan’s population, including prisoners of war and military personnel. The Navy bakery was in Susupe at the time.
The bakery was named after “Tun Herman” because of his bread’s widespread popularity among local residents and military personnel.
In 1945, the U.S. Navy allowed Tun Herman to operate the bakery privately, making him the first post-war private businessman in Micronesia. A loaf of bread cost 20 cents at that time.
Through the bakery, the children of Tun Herman and Tan Marikita have carried on their parents’ legacy.
The Liberation Day theme this year, “Honoring Memories of the Past with Moments of Today,” reflected the rich history of Herman’s Modern Bakery.
