ECQ Stories: Baker Marlo Lidot spends quarantine making stunning artisan breads
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended everyone's lives in some way, from forcing people to study and work from home to bringing businesses to their knees and basically canceling many events and plans for the rest of the year. Like thousands -or probably millions of people around the world--Cebuano baker Marlo Lidot lost a job opportunity abroad, but this did not deter him from pursuing his passion in making stunning artisan breads.
Marlo Lidot and his artisan bread featuring KMJS host Jessica Soho
GMANetwork.com reached out to Marlo to find out the beautiful story behind his magnificent artisan breads created during the quarantine, and the talented Cebuano baker eagerly shared his inspiring story of resilience and hope amid the pandemic.
Lost opportunity
Baking has always been Marlo's passion since he was young. According to him, poverty is his biggest motivation and his family his greatest inspiration.
Although he has been working as a baker for four years, it was only last year that he discovered his skill in making creative artisan breads.
“I was part of the pre-opening team and the only baker in One Central Hotel. It's a 3-star hotel in Cebu City and I worked there for two years and three months.
“Our head chef Gary Reyes gave me the opportunity to experiment and create my own artisan bread designs and that's how I discovered that I had the skill for it. My first-ever artisan bread design featured our beloved President Duterte.”
Marlo revealed that it was quite challenging to hone his skill in baking without a head baker or supervisor to guide him.
So, he learned from his own mistakes and failures and is proud of how he has greatly improved in his craft.
Last March, around the time that the enhanced community quarantine had begun, Marlo resigned from his job at the hotel to pursue a baking career abroad.
However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the job opportunity abroad that Marlo was looking forward to has been canceled.
Marlo with his Senator Manny Pacquiao-inspired bread
Creating beauty out of chaos
Despite the setback that the pandemic has caused in Marlo's career, the Cebuano baker never lost his passion for baking and never lost hope that things will eventually get better for him.
Much like how Shakespeare wrote some of his greatest plays while in quarantine during the plague outbreak, Marlo used the quarantine period to put his ducks in a row.
He used this time to perfect his craft by continuously creating artisan breads and also to generate income.
Marlo established his Artisan Bread Basket Online Store last June 16 on Facebook, where he uploads photos of his amazing creations that people can order online.
His artisan breads have unbelievably impressive designs with extraordinary shapes and details on them.
Other celebrities and figures that he has featured in his designs are Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Taylor Swift, Kobe Bryant, Marilyn Monroe, and the iconic movie characters of Leonardo di Caprio and Kate Winslet in 'Titanic.'
VP Leni Robredo and Taylor Swift in Marlo's artisan breads
In fact, his spectacular artisan breads are starting to make online buzz and he has also been featured by GMA Regional TV Live and GMA Balitang Bisdak.
Netizens admire Marlo's wonderful creations/Source: Marlo Lidot (LinkedIn)
Moreover, Marlo's artisan breads have not only gained him popularity and recognition, but also a new great work opportunity for a higher position in a Maldives resort, which is set to open this October.
Manifesting and honoring blessings
In spite of experiencing difficulties amid the pandemic, Marlo is utterly grateful for all the lessons and blessings that he has received this year.
“I feel very blessed and thankful to our Almighty God for giving me this wonderful skill and talent.
“This year is a blessed year for me despite the pandemic happening all over the world. This difficult period has taught me to be open-minded and find ways to survive the crisis.
“It has also helped me become more confident and motivated through developing my baking skills.”
Marlo also said that he wants his story to be an inspiration for his fellow bakers.
“My message for my co-bakers is don't give up. This is challenging for all of us, but we should remain confident and keep on baking.
“It is through this trying time that we can improve our skills and our passion will serve as our strength to get through this.
“We can survive as one. Soon, we will achieve our goals in life.”
Marlo with another President Duterte-inspired bread design
Being always open to possibilities
With all the chaos happening amid the pandemic, it's easy to lose hope and lose sight of one's dreams.
But, if there's one lesson that people can learn from Marlo's experience, it's definitely that when one door closes, another one opens, just like the old saying goes.
Also, it is wise to remain optimistic and at the same time prepare yourself while waiting for a breakthrough, so that when the opportunity arrives, you are ready to take it.
For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
And for updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine, visit GMA's COVID-19 page and ECQ page.
And if you want more inspiring content amid the pandemic, you can read about how actor-model JM Magalona turned a crisis into an opportunity in his ECQ story.