More than 80 professional and home bakers joined a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at URC Flour’s “Bida sa Masa 2025: Be the Next Bakerpreneur” competition, where winners would receive a PHP100,000 prize package to start their own businesses. After a months-long campaign, Maelyn Mendoza of Sariaya, Quezon and Carol Llabres of Pasig, Metro Manila won the grand prize in their respective categories at the six-person championship round held last August 26 to 28 at the state-of-the-art Baker John Academy in Quezon City.
Mendoza was named Grand Champion for the Pro Baker category, while Llabres won Grand Champion in the Home Baker category. Both winners took home a PHP70,000 cash prize on top of PHP30,000 worth of baking equipment and URC Flour products.
Carol Llabres of Pasig City and Maelyn Mendoza of Sariaya, Quezon celebrate their wins at URC Flour's Bida sa Masa 2025.
Bida sa Masa is URC Flour’s flagship initiative for empowering aspiring bakers in contributing to economic growth in their local communities. The unique baking competition tests not only the participants’ technical skills, but also their business acumen in order to find “The Next Bakerpreneur”: a baker-entrepreneur who has the talent to thrive in their own business, especially with the added support of Bida sa Masa’s prize package.
"At URC Flour, we believe that every Filipino baker has the potential to be a 'Bida'—a hero in their own right. ‘Bida sa Masa 2025’ is more than just a baking competition; it is our reaffirmation of a long-standing commitment to the heart and soul of the local baking industry. We are here to support their boundless creativity, nurture their passion, and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit”, said URC Flour Managing Director Jose Emmanuel Agnir.
The six finalists of URC Flour's Bida sa Masa proudly display their entries. L-R: Carol Llabres, Jennicah Dwein A. Casiño, Maelyn Mendoza, Maricris Lustre Montero, Shallimar P. Dicen, and Ralph Gio Gerapusco.
The Bida sa Masa Finals was a three-day event that challenged the Top 6 representatives from regional competitions to create a signature baked good that showcased both their culinary prowess and their unique business vision. Mendoza secured her win in the Pro Baker category with her Nutritious Foccacia Wellness Bite, while Llabres wowed judges with her Triple Layered Halo-Halo Cake.
The other four finalists from the regional legs – Jennicah Dwein A. Casiño of Sariaya, Maricris Lustre Montero of Pasig, and Shallimar P. Dicen and Ralph Gio Gerapusco of Davao City – also took home a PHP30,000 consolation prize as part of URC Flour's commitment to supporting the local baking industry.
The finalists of Bida sa Masa 2025 with representatives from URC Flour.
“We understand that for many, baking is not just a hobby – it's a path to a better life, a means to provide for their families, and a way to build a legacy. We are proud to be a partner in this journey, providing not only consistent, high-quality flour but also the training, knowledge, and resources they need to turn their dreams into successful, thriving businesses,” said URC Flour Division Commercial Director Naida Ebora.
“The Filipino baker's ingenuity and resilience are truly inspiring. Through 'Bida sa Masa,' we are excited to see them rise to the occasion, create amazing baked goods, and ultimately, become successful 'bakerpreneurs' who contribute to the growth of our communities.”
Learn more about URC Flour at www.urcflour.com.
