Namayagpag ang Pilipinas matapos masungkit ang apat na gold medals at isang bronze sa ginanap na Battle of the Pastry and Bakery Chefs 2025, sa Penang, Malaysia.
Isa sa mga gintong inuwi ng Pilipinas ay mula sa kategoryang Wedding Cake Display.
Ang kinatawan ng Pilipinas ay binubuo ng eight members mula sa Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna (LPU-Laguna).
Ito rin ang kauna-unahang beses na nagbigay ang Penang Chefs Association ng perfect score sa Wedding Cake Display category simula noong inilunsad ang international baking competition two decades ago.
Ang event ay accredited ng WorldChefs Paris, isang France-based chefs organization.
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THE WINNING CAKE
Ang Pinoy student na sumabak sa Wedding Cake Display category ay si Jose Antonio “AJ” Tuvera, 22.
Idinetalye ni AJ sa PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na inabot siya ng tatlong buwan sa pagbuo ng kanyang winning cake na may taas na 43 inches.
“Our wedding cake is entitled The Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix, a Chinese porcelain-inspired cake,” sabi ni AJ.
Taon daw ang ginugol nila sa pagkokonsepto ng cake at sa pagsali sa iba pang kumpetisyon para mahasa ang kanilang kakayahan.
“We focused more on putting an emotion in every detail of the cake itself. Paintings, portraits, and different techniques that are all made by a human hand were put on a cake to give it its intricate and detailed design," ani AJ sa PEP.
Dagdag pa ng estudyante, tinuruan silang magkaroon ng winning mindset.
“So we never relax prior to the competition. We always go beyond our limits.”
Sinabi naman ng team coach na si Chef Jeriel Encarnado na iba’t ibang competitions ang sinasalihan nila here and abroad—partikular sa Singapore at South Korea.
“But this is the first time that we competed in the Battle of the Pastry and Bakery Chefs in Penang, Malaysia,” ani Chef Jeriel.
Paliwanag pa niya, hindi naging madali ang baking competition.
“Every process of the competition is difficult—from choosing people and instilling discipline in the team, conceptualizing and sketching the piece, traveling the components and many more.”
Buti na lang, committed at determined ang kanyang team members.
Ang tinalo ng Pilipinas ay mga kinatawan sa ibat-ibang bansa sa Southeast Asia.
“The edge of the PH team is their grit, passion and faith in God. Even if things get stressful along the way, we still find ways to achieve the gold standard," sabi ni Chef Jeriel.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WIN TO THE PHILIPPINES
Wala raw cash prize sa kumpetisyon, subalit hindi raw iyon ang habol nina Chef Jeriel.
“The reason we joined is because we want to learn more, build discipline and most importantly uplift the Philippine flag in the international stage,” aniya.
Sapat na raw ang mga medalya at pagtaas nila ng bandera ng Pilipinas.
Para naman kay Dr. Abram Peralta, LPU-Laguna executive dean, ang achievement ng kanilang mga estudyante ay patunay sa di matatawarang kakayahan ng mga Pinoy sa international stage.
Mensahe ni Peralta sa PEP: “The World Association of Chefs' Societies is the global benchmark for culinary excellence in competition.
"Being awarded the Philippines’ 2nd International Gold with Distinction, along with 3 Golds and 1 Bronze, sends a clear message to the world: Filipinos can do it too.
“There was a time when Gold medals and international recognition seemed reserved only for foreign chefs.
"But today, the spotlight is also on us—on Filipino talent, creativity, and passion.
“This achievement isn’t just a win for LPU Laguna—it’s a proud moment for the entire Philippines.”
