Thousandfold gain

A NEW learning outside academic works is turning out to be a new passion for busy faculty and non-teaching staff of the University of the Cordilleras making Sunday a day to look forward to for everyone. This is about cooking and baking.

For three Sundays in a row some faculty and staff of UC have experienced to be a busy Chef and a Baker in a hands-on actual training under the livelihood program being implemented by UC’s workers union Kapatiran ng mga Empleyado sa University of the Cordilleras (Kapatiran)

On February 17 at the kitchen laboratory of the College of Hospitality Tourism Management their abilities as a team was put into test as they were taught to make processed food the whole day.

March 10 was another challenge to remember for the different teams as they baked ten recipes of cakes and cookies like Chocolate Oatmeal Bars, Choco Chips Cookie, Banana Bread, Moist Chocolate Cupcake, and Blue Berry Cheese Cake similar to the products of Earl N’ Gray Cakes and Pastries, making them all proud with the produced product.

On March 17 they also experienced cooking ten recipes of commercial food under the supervision of Babot Flordeliza. The recipes include shrimp peas with quail eggs, chicken pastel, and the popular chicken potato salad of UC canteen.

According to Kapatiran Vice President Pepito “Peter Bright” Liwanag the goal is to train UC family to also develop their livelihood capabilities and enjoy the bonding of being together in a worthwhile activity.

“Where will we be after UC? This is our way of giving back to the UC family, which is in line with the mission and vision of the university,” Liwanag said.

Kapatiran Auditor Engr. Edgar Soriano said from basic baking their group is also set to implement another training activity this April but this time it will focus on advance baking with the help of the proprietor of Earl N’ Gray Cakes and Pastries.

Around 73 faculty and staff benefitted from the trainings. Some already started their own small business in preparation for their retirement and for additional income as well

Kapatiran is headed by David Camiwet. Other officers are Cecilia Pogongan, Dr. Teresita Doctor, and representatives of the different colleges and departments.

What is so interesting in these series of trainings is that apart that it is free which include all the ingredients used, the participants also can bring home everything they have cooked and baked. The fulfillment and joy of working with a team and proving that we can also cook and bake the way professionals do is also something.

Spending hours in this worthwhile action would mean a thousandfold gain.

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