16/10/2025
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๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ: ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
On October 15, 2025, at 7 a.m. sharp, a vibrant gathering of delegates from various schools across Batangas converged at the esteemed De La Salle University-Lipa City, affectionately known as the home of the Green Stallions. The Sentrum campus was abuzz with excitement as it hosted the grand opening of the 13th Batangas Food and Beverage Exposition. With the theme, "Paggunita sa Tradisyong Batangueรฑo, Pagsulyap sa Lutuing Makabago,โ culinary maestros from far and wide assembled to celebrate the rich flavors and heritage of Batangas. The event was a masterclass where talented chefs and students, including the remarkable delegates from LCC Silvercrest Senior High School Department, showcased their skills in various cooking competitions and exhibitions. The expo was a testament to the region's love for food, culture, and innovation, where tradition met creativity and passion.
The event unfolded with an opening prayer and the national anthem, sung by the harmonious and melodic voices of students from De La Salle University. As the drums beat, the students paraded, holding banners representing their schools, feeling the flame of pride and school spirit as they entered the realm of the culinary world. To formally open the competition, the Honorable Dean of the College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, Dean Evangeline Necio, marked the start. Together with remarkable and honorable speakers and judges from the culinary industry - masters of their craft - they began their seminars and speeches about the art and history of Batangas cuisine and its continued journey in the food industry.
While the front half of the Sentrum served as a learning space, the back area transformed into a heated zone, where the long-awaited Cupcake and Cake Decorating Challenge kicked off. Upholding LCCian pride, Athea Mae Venus D. Delos Reyes and Katlene Joy T. Veran navigated the cake decorating arena with finesse, showcasing their skills as they decorated their cakes with notable Batangueรฑo designs, featuring kapeng barako beans, the Taal Volcano, and prominent palm trees. With precision, the duo molded fondants, whipped creams, and executed their designs with skill. Within the one-hour-and-45-minute timeframe, the competitors skillfully designed their cakes, and despite the pressure, Athea and Katlene successfully completed their task. "During the competition po, syempre nakakakaba as a first timer po na magcompete po sa ganito at first time po na makasali sa Decorating Contest," Athea shared, expressing the pressure they felt. Katlene added that they encountered a minor issue during the process but fortunately resolved it and completed the cake. "Nag-enjoy naman po ako, siguro nahirapan lang po talaga kami kanina since icing nga po yon and isang beses lang po namin siya natry kahapon po before po ang laban" Katlene said. The pair successfully participated in the decorating competition with the theme "Barakong Sining, Buhat sa Lokal na Agrikultura."
At noon, hours after the first competition of the Silvercresters, the other two brave souls, Princess Hazel B. Puso and Carmela Angella L. De Villa, embarked on a mental conquest, participating in the Quiz Bee: Rainbow Rumble Edition, themed "Badyet sa Pinggan: Lutong May Plano". The competition followed a typical quiz bee format, consisting of three rounds - Easy, Average, and Difficult - with a tiebreaker and a corresponding point system. Each round had five questions, featuring a mix of multiple-choice, true or false, and identification questions. The questions revolved around Batangas' culture, specifically its culinary history, traditional dishes, cultural landscapes, and the evolution of cuisine through modernization. After minutes of intense mental battles, the pioneers successfully claimed second place out of five groups from different schools. With triumphant hearts, the students marched forward to receive their medals, the epitome of victory and hard work. "It was a fun and unforgettable experience. Of course, it was nerve-wracking at first, but at the same time, we were excited because it's a big opportunity for us to represent the school,โ they shared.
The first day reached its end, and once again, these students showcased the heart of an LCCian, fighting with the spirit of Leadership, Competence, and Commitment. With the guidance of their mentors, Ms. Patricia Ann R. Gonzales and Mr. Marvin Panganiban, they successfully fought their battles. Win or lose, it wasn't the trophy or the titles that mattered, but the experience, camaraderie, and knowledge gained from the 13th BAFBEX celebration.
โ๏ธ: Karen Maralli
๐ท: Aries Las
