16 October 2025 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, in cooperation with the Migrant Workers’ Office in Seoul, held a Survival Baking 101 course for its personnel and attached services as part of its Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives on 16 October 2025. The project is a personal initiative of Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez to encourage the development of practical life skills and to support the GAD agenda by challenging gender roles and providing visibility to underrepresented talents in the baking industry. The course was facilitated by Filipina baker Ms. Mayla Alcantara, who generously shared her time, knowledge, and baking expertise as the event’s resource person.

During the event, Ambassador-designate Fernandez requested the active participation of all personnel regardless of gender, reinforcing the Embassy’s commitment to fostering gender equality and inclusivity in all its programs. “The participation of men in a skill traditionally associated with women, such as baking, challenges gender stereotypes and promotes shared responsibility in learning essential life skills,” the Ambassador-designate remarked.

The session, hosted by Mr. Jay-ar Casabar, Post’s GAD Alternate Focal Officer, focused on building self-reliance through practical, skills-based learning in an inclusive environment.

In line with efforts to promote Filipino culture and products, the course featured well-loved ingredients such as ube (purple yam), a staple in Filipino cuisine, and bananas, one of the Philippines’ top agricultural exports to South Korea. By incorporating these into the baking class, the initiative not only introduced practical culinary skills but also reinforced cultural identity and supported economic diplomacy through the soft promotion of Philippine products.

Ambassador-designate Fernandez awarded Ms. Alcantara with a Certificate of Appreciation in sincere recognition of her valuable contribution and generosity in sharing her expertise during the class.

The Survival Baking 101 course reflects the Embassy’s continuing commitment to the principles of GAD by empowering individuals with life-enhancing skills, while simultaneously celebrating Filipino heritage and supporting the broader promotion of Philippine exports in Korea. END