SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan – A significant milestone in community development and women’s empowerment was achieved on August 27 and 28, 2026, as a community bakery project was officially turned over to the Kababaihan ng Bigbiga, San Fabian, Pangasinan.
The initiative is a joint undertaking of the Far Eastern University Alumni Relations Office (FEU-ARO) and the FEU Nursing Alumni Foundation, Inc. USA (FEUNAF-USA). Through strategic partnerships with Tinapayan Festival, the FEU National Service Training Program (NSTP), and the Mandaluyong Manpower and Technical-Vocational Training Center, the project aims to empower women by providing bakery skills training, entrepreneurship education, and access to essential resources needed to establish and sustain a community-owned enterprise.
As part of the preparation for the establishment and operation of the community bakery, ARO conducted a two-day livelihood training program for the beneficiaries on July 8 and 9, 2026. The first day featured the Basic Baking Skills and Capacity Building Training Program, implemented in collaboration with the Mandaluyong Manpower and Technical-Vocational Training Center, headed by Ms. Midge Tampinco, an FEU alumna. Participants engaged in a hands-on baking workshop where they learned essential baking techniques, including how a single dough can be transformed into five different varieties of bread. The training also covered proper food handling and sanitation practices, accurate ingredient measurement, and other fundamental bakery skills necessary for producing quality products. In addition, Ms. Tampinco facilitated a session on branding, emphasizing the importance of creating a unique identity and market presence for their future community bakery.
Participants proudly display their certificates upon completing the Basic Baking Skills and Capacity Building Training Program, conducted by the FEU Alumni Relations Office (ARO) and FEU Nursing Alumni Foundation-USA (FEUNAF-USA) in partnership with the Mandaluyong Manpower and Technical-Vocational Training Center under the leadership of Ms. Midge Tampinco, an FEU alumna. The training equipped members of the Kababaihan ng San Fabian with essential baking, food safety, and branding skills in preparation for the establishment of their community bakery.
The second day of the training program focused on strengthening the participants’ entrepreneurial and business management competencies to help ensure the sustainability of the enterprise. Ms. Rhalia Mae Santos, ARO Office Service Assistant, conducted a session on Basic Accounting and Inventory Management, equipping the women with practical knowledge in bookkeeping, financial record-keeping, and inventory monitoring. Meanwhile, Dr. Celmer L. Santos, Director of the FEU Alumni Relations Office, shared valuable insights on marketing, costing and pricing, business management, creative sourcing, and practical selling strategies. These sessions provided participants with the foundational business skills necessary to effectively manage and grow their community bakery.
business management, creative sourcing, and practical selling strategies
Building on the knowledge and skills acquired during the July training, members of the Kababaihan ng San Fabian participated in another set of baking skills training sessions during the bakery turnover program on August 27 and 28, 2026. Conducted by Tinapayan Festival, the advanced training further enhanced their technical knowledge and practical skills in bakery operations, enabling them to refine their baking techniques and gain greater confidence in managing day-to-day production. The continuing training forms part of a comprehensive livelihood development program designed to provide women with sustainable income-generating opportunities through entrepreneurship.
A major component of the project was the ₱130,000 donation from the FEU Nursing Alumni Foundation, Inc. USA (FEUNAF-USA), which was used to establish and build the community bakery. The funding supported the acquisition of construction materials and other resources necessary to launch the livelihood enterprise, demonstrating FEUNAF-USA’s commitment to promoting sustainable community development and economic empowerment.
Further strengthening the initiative was the generous support of Mr. Lucito Chavez, owner of Tinapayan Festival and a proud FEU alumnus, who donated vital bakery equipment, including an oven, mixer, baking racks, stainless steel work table, and other tools necessary for bakery operations. His contribution played a crucial role in transforming the community’s vision of a bakery into reality.
The livelihood program was developed in response to the need for sustainable economic opportunities among women in the adopted community. While many residents have the determination and willingness to engage in livelihood activities, limited access to technical training, entrepreneurship education, and startup resources often hinders the establishment of viable businesses. Through bakery skills training, business development support, and capacity-building activities, the project seeks to equip women with practical competencies that can be translated into a sustainable, community-owned enterprise.
The initiative also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality, by empowering women through skills development, leadership, and entrepreneurship opportunities, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and promoting inclusive economic participation within the community. Furthermore, the project supports SDG 1: No Poverty by helping beneficiary families build a stable source of income and improve their economic well-being.
The official turnover of the bakery symbolizes more than the launch of a livelihood venture. It represents the power of collaboration among educational institutions, alumni organizations, private-sector partners, and community stakeholders in creating meaningful and lasting social impact.
As the women of Bigbiga begin operating their community bakery, stakeholders remain optimistic that the initiative will not only provide a steady source of income for beneficiary families but also serve as a model for community-driven entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment in Pangasinan and beyond.