Filipino bread has come a long way ever since the Spaniards introduced it in the 16th century. One can get this baked item from bakeries on the street to vendors on their bicycle.
“They say that a country’s plate, or a breadbox in this case, reveal a lot about its culture and history. If you take a closer look at ours’, I guess you’ll find that we’re an ingenious people capable of bringing a multitude of creations from just one kind of dough and salvaging mistakes or leftovers into profitable breakthroughs,” said Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement Convenor Chef Jam Melchor.
Thus in a bid to promote local bakers and baked breads, flour milling company Pilmico, together with Max’s Corner Bakery, launched the Tinapay Natin Bread Baking Contests open to teams of two students each, aged 18 to 35 from anywhere in the Philippines.
“We chose students because we want the youth to champion the pride of product and place. Our youth today is very exposed to the world, we want to pull them back, be proud of being a Filipino, be proud of the roots, be proud of their local food,” explained Pilmico Brand and Quality Manager Pamela Liwag.
The said competition is part of Pilmico’s Mahalin Pagkaing Atin movement.
According to Liwag, their partnership with Max’s propels their Mahalin Pagkaing Atin movement further through mainstream market. “Hopefully, with our partnership with them, the movement will be promoted further with larger audience.”
Participating students entered their bread stories of one regional bread and one modern bread inspired by any local bread but with a modern twist. The most compelling bread stories will be chosen to qualify for the eliminations to be held in Bulacan, Batangas and Iloilo.
The three winning teams from the elimination rounds will compete in Manila on October 13, in celebration of the “World Bread Day.” The grand winner will receive a cash prize of P50000.00 plus a trophy and medal. In addition, one of their bread entries will be offered at all Max’s Corner Bakeries.
As a part of giving back and as a response to malnutrition among Filipino children, proceeds of the winning bread will be used to fund a feeding program in a public school chosen by the winning team.
“We hope that through the Mahalin Pagkaing Atin movement and the Tinapay Natin National Bread Competition, more and more Filipinos from all generations will foster pride of place and of product as they become ambassadors of our culture in every bite,” expressed Pilmico Vice President for Sales Norie Bermudez.
For her part, Max’s Corner Bakery Director and President Carolyn Trota-Salud said, “We’re really hoping it will inspire more people, local bakers and the youth to continue the craft of bread making.”
Learn more about our #TinapayNatin on www.facebook.com/TinapayNatin.
