Pilmico Foods Corporation (Pilmico) has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to launch MasaGaling, a program designed to equip trainers and bakers with the skills to thrive in the baking industry and improve their livelihoods.
Seven years after opening the Wooden Spoon Innovation Center for Bread and Pastry Production facility at the TESDA Women’s Center, the partnership remains committed to capability building and industry development. MasaGaling—a name combining masa (dough) and galing (skill and excellence)—captures the program’s vision: to create skilled, future-ready bakers and trainers who uplift communities while pursuing shared wins.
“Our mission has always been to help our partners and communities rise with us,” said William Paradies, First Vice President and Country Director for Food and Nutrition at Aboitiz Foods. “Programs like this demonstrate our commitment to continued learning, open up new opportunities, and help the baking industry and the people behind it grow and succeed.”
Under this program, Pilmico will lead five in-person and online webinars covering baking and bakery management. The first episode, held in July, focused on Bread and Pastry Production with industry experts Chef Jenny Angela Madulid and Chef Carla Valencia. The hybrid session welcomed over 150 in-person participants and reached nearly 100,000 online viewers, blending hands-on training with accessible virtual learning.
Pilmico’s partnership with TESDA began in 2018 with the establishment of the Wooden Spoon Innovation Center. In 2019, it became one of three Asia-Pacific pilot institutions and one of ten worldwide for the UNESCO-UNEVOC i-hubs project. This April, they renewed their MoU to enhance trainer skills, update curricula, promote technical education, and expand upskilling. MasaGaling is a program stemming from this partnership.
TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez praised the initiative, saying:
“Thanks to Pilmico for your unwavering support and belief in TESDA’s mission,” said Secretary Benitez. “Your contribution to the upskilling and empowerment of our learners and trainers continues to make a lasting impact. Your dedication and hard work inspire us every day.”
Through MasaGaling, we are not only building skills but also fostering shared success—living out our Aboitiz Foods core value of Pursuing Shared Wins.
Read the full story on the Pilmico website: https://www.pilmico.com/rising-together-pilmico-and-tesda-champion-baking-excellence-through-masagaling/
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is MasaGaling?
MasaGaling is a nationwide skills training program launched by Pilmico Foods Corporation (Pilmico) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Its goal is to improve the skills of bakers and trainers in the Philippines, helping them to elevate the baking industry and improve their livelihoods. The name combines “masa” (dough) with “galing” (skill and excellence).
- What kinds of training does the MasaGaling program offer?
The program includes both in-person and online webinars on baking and bakery management. For instance, the inaugural session focused on Bread and Pastry Production and featured innovative recipes like kalabasa pan de sal, kalabasa cheese bread, and kalabasa ensaymada, which highlights a focus on both nutrition and creative training.
- What is the background of the partnership between Pilmico and TESDA?
Pilmico and TESDA have been partners since 2018, when they opened the Wooden Spoon Innovation Center for Bread and Pastry Production. This facility was later recognized internationally as one of ten pilot “Skills for Innovation Hubs” by UNESCO-UNEVOC. The MasaGaling program is one of the initiatives stemming from a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in April 2025.
- What is the purpose of the renewed partnership between Pilmico and TESDA?
The renewed partnership aims to enhance trainer skills with current industry techniques, update the training curriculum to meet market needs, promote technical education for sustainable employment, and expand access to upskilling through various programs, including the new MasaGaling series.
- What is the significance of the Wooden Spoon Innovation Center?
The Wooden Spoon Innovation Center for Bread and Pastry Production is a facility established by Pilmico and TESDA. It has been a key part of their partnership since 2018, providing a venue for skills training and entrepreneurial activities for aspiring bakers and pastry chefs. Its international recognition highlights the quality and innovative approach of the training it provides.
