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The iconic GMA fantasy series Encantadia was the inspiration of Chef Madelane Lopez Maddagan for the design of her Philippine fantasy-themed cake that she entered in the Cake Star 2021 competition under the Sculpted Figure Category.

According to Chef Madelane, she is also a fan of the said fantasy series so she decided to design a cake featuring Encantadia characters as edible figures.

Source: Madelane Lopez Maddagan

“Encantadia ang theme na naisipan namin dahil ang category na nasalihan ko ay more on fantasy ang tema, and we wanted na may touch ng pagka Pilipino ung tema. That's why Encantadia is so perfect dahil sa ganda at kulay ng fantaserye na ito and sobrang nkaka-proud na i-represent ito abroad.” The cake artist shared.

“Yes i'm also a fan of the series, even 'yung unang 'Encantadia' way back in 2005.” she added.

Chef Madelane also shared that it took her eight days to finish her entry for it was her first time to create a large sculpted cake.

“Kung susumahin po siguro, mga eight working days ko itong ginawa. Nahirapan po ako dahil making a quite big sculpted cake is out of my comfort zone since nasanay ako sa standard round cake with small edible figures lang.”

Source: Madelane Lopez Maddagan

Aside from that, she also does other cake orders for their small pastry business.

“Minsan ay parang susuko na [rin] ako dahil ginagawa ko ito in between our cake orders kaya matinding time management ang ginawa ko para matapos ito. Nahirapan din ako sa details ng damit ng mga Sang'gre but habang unti-unti silang nabubuo ay lalo akong ginaganahang tapusin 'yung nasimulan ko dahil nakakawala [rin] ng pagod 'yung outcome,” she shared.

Just like the other successful business stories, Chef Madelane also has an interesting career-change story. In an interview with GMANetwork.com, she said that before she became a cake artist, she worked first as a freelance graphic designer.

Source: Madelane Lopez Maddagan

“Me and my husband started in the corporate world. He [was] an engineer and I [was] a draftswoman before we decided to resign and start our small businesses. Wala pa kami sa cakes business noon, I worked at home as a freelance graphic designer and full time mom to our panganay. Mayroon kaming maliit na printing shop noon at ako 'yung in charge of layout, design, making invitations, answering inquiries and all. Sobrang na-stress ako that time na naging dahilan ng miscarriage ko sa 2nd baby sana namin. That is why, pinatigil na ako ng asawa ko in making invitations” she revealed.

Despite the many challenges they faced, the couple pushed through with their goal to build a small business that will support the needs of their family.

“That time naman ay mayroon kaming pizza stall sa isang food park which my husband manages na 'di kalaunan ay nalugi [rin]. Despite of all [those] circumstances, hindi pa rin kmi nawawalan ng pag-asa na makahanap din ng negosyong para sa amin."

One day, we attended a friend's party then we saw the dessert buffet table and sobrang natuwa kami especially sa cake. Nagtanong [kami] about sa price package and dun na kami nagka idea na bakit 'di nmin i-try gumawa ng cakes, since kaka-graduate lang din ng asawa ko sa isang culinary, baking, and pastry school that time. Yes nag-shift siya from engineering to culinary since it's his dream daw ever since and also he is a Kapampangan that's why he loves food."

"We started as a team. He was in charge of baking and I was in charge of decorating.” she recalled.

Source: Madelane Lopez Maddagan

Chef Madelane has been a cake artist for five years. Together with her husband they continue to create cakes and pastries for their home-based business.

Meanwhile, check out this gallery of celebrities who got into baking during the community quarantine.