Chef Jac Laudico to lead baking workshops during Pahiyas Festival

By Jay B. Laurino (L-R) Aiza Andaya - OIC, Budget Officer, Ma. Jennifer Babad - Tourism Officer, Atty. Socorro Jade De Averia - Municipal A...

By Jay B. Laurino

(L-R) Aiza Andaya - OIC, Budget Officer, Ma. Jennifer Babad - Tourism Officer, Atty. Socorro Jade De Averia - Municipal Administrator, Mr. Dario 'Jun' Arive - URC Flour Sariaya Plant Manager, Ms. Ritchel Sulit - URC Flour Sariaya Plant HR Associate L-R (Seated)Mayor Agustin “Tenten” Villaverde - Lucban Mayor, and Ma. Lilia “Chinkee” Andres - URC Flour, Marketing Manager. (Lucban LGU)

LUCBAN, Quezon — Chef Jacqueline "Jac" Laudico will lead baking workshops and pastry demonstrations during the URC Flour Sugod Bakery Caravan set for May 11 to 12 at the Festival Stage in Lucban. Bakers and small business owners will also compete in a Bread Display Competition for a chance to represent Quezon Province in the URC Flour Bida sa Masa Championship.

Universal Robina Flour included the two-day bakery caravan as part of the annual Lucban San Isidro Labrador Pahiyas Festival celebration. Activities under the program will carry the theme “Matuto at Magsaya sa Bawat Masa 2026.”

Trainers will devote the first day of the program to baking workshops and skills sessions for residents, aspiring bakers, and food entrepreneurs. Demonstrations will include recipe preparation, bread making, and discussions on handling bakery businesses.

Bakers will showcase different bread creations during the Bread Display Competition scheduled on the second day of the event. The winning entry will represent Quezon Province in the URC Flour Bida sa Masa Championship.

Ma. Jennifer Babat, Tourism Officer, said the bakery caravan will give residents additional knowledge that could help improve small food businesses in Lucban. She added that the activities will also connect tourism with livelihood opportunities and skills development.

“Malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga lokal na panadero at maliliit na negosyante dahil nabibigyan sila ng dagdag kaalaman at oportunidad upang mapalago ang kanilang kabuhayan. Bahagi rin ito ng patuloy nating pagsisikap na mapanatiling buhay ang kultura at culinary traditions ng Lucban,” said Babat.

Babat also said the festival will give residents a chance to showcase their creativity and local products to visitors. She added that food and baking activities are expected to attract more tourists during the celebration.

“Hindi lamang ito simpleng festival activity kundi pagkakataon din para maipakita ang talento at pagkamalikhain ng mga Lucbanin sa larangan ng baking at food entrepreneurship. Sa pamamagitan ng mga ganitong programa, mas napapalakas natin ang turismo at lokal na ekonomiya ng bayan,” dagdag pa niya.

Pahiyas Festival 2026 will run from May 9 to May 16 and is expected to draw thousands of visitors to Lucban. Previous tourism records showed that more than 200,000 tourists usually visit the town during the festival’s busiest days.

Residents traditionally decorate houses with rice grains, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and colorful rice wafers locally known as “kiping.” Visitors also join the traditional “kalas” where homeowners share harvest decorations and food with guests.

Lucban’s food culture also remains one of the festival’s major attractions. Visitors continue to seek local delicacies such as Lucban longganisa and pancit habhab during the weeklong celebration.

Mayor Augustin “Tenten” Villaverde also emphasized the importance of helping local bakers improve their businesses and create more livelihood opportunities in the municipality. The partnership will also expose bakers to practical lessons on food safety, managing production costs, and promoting products through digital platforms.

Meanwhile, activities connected to the Agawan Festival in Sariaya will also promote food businesses and baking traditions. The URC Flour Sugod Bakery Caravan in Sariaya will feature baking demonstrations, training sessions, and discussions for bakers and entrepreneurs.

Festivalgoers are expected to fill decorated streets during the Agawan Festival, one of Quezon’s harvest celebrations honoring San Isidro Labrador. Residents traditionally share fruits, delicacies, and farm products with visitors during the festivities.