Rising Together: Pilmico and TESDA Champion Baking Excellence through MasaGaling

Manila, Philippines | August 2025—Pilmico Foods Corporation (Pilmico) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have launched MasaGaling, a nationwide skills training program designed to uplift the baking industry in the Philippines.
Seven years since the opening of the  Wooden Spoon Innovation Center for Bread and Pastry Production, Pilmico and TESDA remain steadfast in their mission to champion capability building among trainers and bakers. The name MasaGaling combines masa—dough—with galing—skill and excellence—capturing the program’s goal of cultivating skilled, future-ready bakers and trainers who will not only elevate the baking industry, but also gain skills that can translate into improved livelihoods.

“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 the partnership, Pilmico will lead five in-person and online webinars on baking and bakery management. Its inaugural episode, held last July, focused on Bread and Pastry Production and was led by industry experts Chef Jenny Angela Madulid and Chef Carla Valencia. The hybrid session drew over 150 in-person attendees and close to 100,000 online viewers, combining hands-on training with accessible virtual learning. 

TESDA Secretary  Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez lauded the initiative, saying:

“Today’s launch of MasaGaling features healthy and creative recipes like kalabasa pan de sal, kalabasa cheese bread, and kalabasa ensaymada…innovations that underscore our shared commitment to nutrition and quality training. This initiative strengthens our Pastry Production NCII programme and shows how training can be both relevant and responsive to real-world needs.”

Pilmico’s dedication to industry development is rooted in its longstanding partnership with the TESDA Women’s Center (TWC). In 2018, the company established the Wooden Spoon Innovation Center for Bread and Pastry Production, which the following year was recognized as one of only three pilot institutions in the Asia-Pacific for the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre Skills for Innovation Hubs (i-hubs) project—placing it among just ten pilot i-hubs centers worldwide.

In April this year, Pilmico and TESDA renewed their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing trainer skills with current industry techniques, updating the training curriculum to align with market needs, promoting technical education for sustainable employment, and expanding access to upskilling through webinars and other programs. MasaGaling is one of the initiatives born from this agreement.

TESDA Secretary Kiko expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Pilmico:

“Thanks to Pilmico for your unwavering support and belief in TESDA’s mission. Your contribution to the upskilling and empowerment of our learners and trainers continues to make a lasting impact on our TWC trainers, trainees, and graduates. Know that you are at the heart of this endeavor. This day is for you. Your dedication and hard work inspire us every day.”

Through MasaGaling, Pilmico, and TESDA are not only developing individual expertise but also creating opportunities where the success of one contributes to the success of many, living out Aboitiz Foods’ core value behavior for the year: Pursuing Shared Wins. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. 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).

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2. 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.

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3. 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.

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4. 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.

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5. 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.