FORMER Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart has come under fire online after criticizing the quality of baked goods in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, claiming that many of the cakes and pastries sold there “taste like three-week-old bread.”
In a lengthy social media post, Schweighart said her remarks were based on personal taste and were not meant as a sweeping statement about all local bakers.
“What I posted was my personal opinion — hindi generalization,” she wrote. “Sabi ko: ‘This is a sentiment I have.’ ‘Medyo hindi swak sa panlasa ko.’”
She added, “Wala akong sinabi na lahat ng bakers ay walang kwenta. Wala akong binanggit na pangalan. Pero somehow, some of you felt attacked. That’s… interesting.”
Her original post contained a blunt critique of the local baked goods, saying they lack quality, creativity, and character.
“This is a sentiment I have in Puerto Princesa. No shade, just truth. Pero bakit walang magaling na baker sa Puerto Princesa?” she wrote. “’Pwede na’ ang lasa pero cakes, pastries —medyo hindi talaga swak sa panlasa ko. Walang gumagawa ng kakaiba dito… puro ensaymada na hindi fluffy, or… mga chakang kanto baked bread.”
“Like… does somebody out there understand the beauty and yumminess of a soft and fluffy bread? Or a high-quality cake?” she continued. “I’m not sorry for saying this but there is no good baker here. Unfortunately. Lahat lasang 3 weeks na naka-display or margarine ang gamit sa cake… margarine ang labanan sa Puerto.”
Schweighart also criticized what she perceived as a lack of exposure and innovation among some local bakers.
“Puro lang gamit ng icing, walang creativity, walang taste, walang travel experience… parang mga hindi nakapag-Maynila,” she said. “MALALAKING establishment naman. Na-try na kaya nila mag-Conti’s or Mary Grace? Kahit ganun lang… Or somewhere magpaturo na talagang masarap… bakit puro ganito?”
She emphasized that she welcomes anyone who can prove her wrong. “I’m open to be proven wrong. In fact, I’d love to find a truly good cake in Puerto Princesa. This isn’t hate — this is a call for excellence. Kaya kung meron ka d’yan na pang-Mary Grace levels… slide it to me.”
She added, “Hindi ako nangbabash. Hindi ako nag-generalize. Gutom lang ako sa fluff, hindi sa drama.”
