Every baker remembers their first rise—perhaps it was a batch of chocolate chip cookies shared with friends, a cheesecake to celebrate a birthday, or warm pandesal baked for the family on a Sunday morning. These early attempts often turn into exciting hobbies for some. For others, they spark something deeper—a fascination with transforming simple ingredients into something delicious that can be shared with loved ones. For many young bakers, that fascination grows into a craft, a livelihood, and even a dream.
This year, that passion took center stage at the WorldSkills ASEAN 2025, hosted by the Philippines through TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority). Held biennially, the event is the region’s premier showcase of professional and technical skills, raising ASEAN standards to international levels. This competition serves as a platform to inspire young talent to display their creativity, dedication, and excellence across various skills.
A Stage for Rising Talent
WorldSkills ASEAN is more than just a competition for medals; it is a celebration of skill, determination, and the promise of the next generation. On August 26 and 27, 2025, 300 young participants from 10 ASEAN countries came together at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, Philippines, to showcase their expertise in 32 fields, including baking, empowering them to pursue their passions and gain the discipline to elevate their craft.
For the young bakers, it was proof that the spark from their first rise – the curiosity that drew them to the art of baking – can grow into a skill recognized on an international stage.
Pilmico Flour: Supporting Every Step of the Journey
The brilliance seen on the WorldSkills stage is a result of practice, perseverance, and quality ingredients. As the official wheat flour partner of TESDA, Pilmico Flour, the premium flour brand of Aboitiz Foods, stood alongside these young talents, providing not only world-class flour but also encouragement for their journeys.
By ensuring consistency and excellence in its flour, Pilmico gives bakers the confidence to push boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and showcase their best work – whether in a small kitchen or in an international competition.
Behind medals were mentors who shared how vital Pilmico’s support was to their training.
Guiding the Philippine team were mentors Ailyn Lagos and Shirley Cael, who played a vital role in training competitors months leading to WorldSkills ASEAN. For Ailyn, quality flour made all the difference: “Sometimes, limited access to quality ingredients make it difficult. That’s why Pilmico’s support means so much – their premium flour helps us get consistent results, making training smoother and keeping our competition motivated and prepared.”
During their 5-month preparation, the team perfected artisan breads like ciabatta, baguette, and croissants using Pilmico Flour. Shirley expressed her gratitude to Pilmico for their support in making the team’s win possible, “Pilmico’s support was invaluable. They supplied premium flour that met international standards, which ensured consistent, high-quality training. This partnership also provided us with technical knowledge, helping to simulate real-world competition conditions and making our preparation more effective.”
Pilmico throughout their journey, from provincial and national competitions to WorldSkills ASEAN, provided unwavering support at every step. This included technical expertise and access to premium-quality flour. With this solid foundation, Pilmico enabled the Philippine team to freely express their creativity, innovate classic recipes, and achieve their desired results.
From Dreams to Medals
Two young bakers proudly carried the Philippine flag to WorldSkills ASEAN 2025: Bea G. Hermosora and Gibran A. Sudango, who brought home top honors with a silver and bronze medal, respectively. Under the mentorship of their expert trainers, Ailyn and Shirley, their victories were the culmination of months of dedication—honing their craft from local bread classics to artisan masterpieces that met international standards.
Pilmico Flour Helps Champions Rise
As a proud local flour brand with 63 years of expertise, Pilmico remains committed to nurturing the homegrown talent of Filipinos. Through its longstanding partnership with TESDA, Pilmico empowers bakers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers to grow together as true partners. Every rise begins with a spark and with Pilmico Flour, that spark can rise into a champion’s journey.
FAQs:
- What is WorldSkills ASEAN 2025?
WorldSkills ASEAN is a biennial competition showcasing technical and vocational skills across Southeast Asia. It raises regional standards to international levels and gives young talents a platform to demonstrate their expertise, creativity, and discipline in fields such as baking, cooking, and more. - Who represented the Philippines in the baking category at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025?
Two young Filipino bakers, Bea G. Hermosora and Gibran A. Sudango proudly carried the Philippine flag at WorldSkills ASEAN 2025. - What awards did the Philippine team win at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025?
Bea won a Silver Medal, while Gibran earned a Bronze Medal, showcasing Filipino talent on the international stage. - How did Pilmico Flour support at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025?
As TESDA’s official wheat flour partner, Pilmico Flour supported the Philippine team by providing premium-quality flour and technical guidance. This ensured consistent results in training and gave the competitors confidence to showcase their skills at an international level. - Why is access to quality flour important in baking competitions?
Consistency is key in baking. High-quality flour ensures that recipes perform the same way each time, which is crucial for practice and competition. According to bakery experts, Pilmico’s flour helped make training smoother, results more reliable, and preparation closer to real-world competition standards.
