The passion, skill, and entrepreneurial spirit of Mindanao’s baking community took center stage during the URC Flour’s Bida sa Masa 2025 – Bida Bakepreneur Elimination Round in Davao, held last July 28 at the International School of Technology, Arts and Culinary of Davao City, Inc. (ISTAC Davao).
The event brought together a total of 20 bakers from all over the Mindanao region—10 professional bakers and 10 home bakers—in a dynamic showcase of baking talent. Each contender demonstrated their creativity, technical expertise, and business potential in hopes of advancing to the national championship.
The atmosphere at ISTAC Davao was filled with excitement and anticipation as each participant presented their signature creations to a panel of judges composed of esteemed culinary professionals, food entrepreneurs, and influencers. The judging criteria focused not only on taste and presentation but also on the marketability and originality of the bakers’ products—true to the competition’s “bakepreneur” spirit.
After a full day of intense competition, two outstanding individuals rose above the rest:
- Ralph Gio Ardina Gerapusco was declared Pro Baker category champion
- Shallimar Dicen claimed victory in the Home Baker category
These two bakers will proudly carry the banner of Mindanao as they move on to the National Championship Round, which will be held from August 26 to 28, 2025, at the Baker John Academy in Quezon City. There, they will compete against top contenders from Sariaya and Pasig for the prestigious title of URC Bida sa Masa 2025 Bida Bakerpreneur.
URC Flour’s Bida sa Masa program, now on its 2025 run, is a flagship initiative that aims to spotlight and support the Filipino baking community by recognizing individuals who turn their passion into purpose. Through Bida Bakepreneur, the competition seeks to develop the next wave of foodpreneurs who not only bake with excellence but also think with a business mindset—ready to build, innovate, and inspire within their communities.
These kind of baking competition can become a transformative tool for growth, livelihood, and empowerment. With the competition promoting inclusion, URC Flour ensures that both professionals and home bakers are given equal opportunities to shine on a national platform.
As excitement builds for the national finals, the success of the Mindanao elimination round stands as a testament to the rich talent, resourcefulness, and resilience of Filipino bakers. For URC Flour, the Bida sa Masa 2025 – Bida Bakepreneur competition is more than just a culinary contest—it is a celebration of community, creativity, and the boundless possibilities that can rise from the oven.
