As a nation taut to a vibrant food culture, favorite staples have become a huge part of the Filipino lifestyle. A popular must-have in every local dining table is bread—a universal favorite that has countless versions lining Panaderia shelves across all corners of the Philippines. Apart from history, socio-cultural practices, cooking methods, and traditions, it also carries stories that must be preserved and passed on to elevate one’s sense of pride in local culture and enable one to support local industries.
In celebration of the colorful tradition of Filipino bread-making and to honor of our food culture, Pilmico has partnered with Max’s Corner to spearhead a nationwide bread competition, aptly called the Tinapay Natin Pinoy Bread Baking Competition.
Sparking a renewed love for local breads like the pandesal is the inspiration behind the latest pillar of the Pilmico’s brainchild, Mahalin Pagkaing Atin movement, an advocacy aimed at amplifying the role of every Filipino as a producer and guardian of our food heritage. This year’s Tinapay Natin Pinoy Bread Baking Competition aims to highlight how bread plays an important role in our local food culture and heritage, supporting our rich food history and empowering community bakeries to become storytellers for the land and the people.
“Bread is a reflection of our identity and our people’s history and affinity to food and agriculture,” says Carlyn Trota-Salud, Max’s Bakeshop Inc. President. “With a wide variety of breads enjoyed by Filipinos around the nation, each region definitely has a native bread—a Tinapay Natin—that tells a unique story about its origin and its journey.”
“We thought of an initiative anchored on encouraging Filipino bakers to pursue and share their passion for bread and baking, and that’s how Tinapay Natin became a reality,” shares Maribeth Marasigan, Pilmico Chief Resource Officer.
The contest invites young members of society to recreate a beloved traditional bread as well as a modern bread—in the hopes that by inviting the youth to add their own new twist to Philippine bread making, the art can be furthered. It is open to students aged 18 to 35-years old from anywhere in the Philippines. “This isn’t just about making another delicious baked creation. Since each bread carries a distinct story of their own, each group will also be tasked with weaving a tale that expresses how their creation is a representation of a region and its culture,” continues Marasigan.
The competition legs will be held in Manila, Bulacan, Batangas, and Iloilo, respectively. The partner universities, namely Treston International College, STI College-Bulacan, Lyceum of the Philippines - Batangas, and St. Therese College - Iloilo City, will then act as venue sponsors, while also encouraging their own students to join the contest.
The team with a bread concept that clearly carries a unique story, innovation, creativity, and deliciousness will be then awarded as makers of the country’s first Tinapay Natin Pinoy Bread Baking Competition, with either the regional tourism director or culinary heritage expert—or both—providing the preamble as to how the bread perfectly summarizes the inspiring story of its place of origin.
Learn more about how Pilmico and Max’s Corner Bakery are creating the greatest impact on society and business through ourvery own #TinapayNatin by visiting https://facebook.com/TinapayNatin
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