Marlo Lidot, a native of Cebu City in the Philippines, has an inspiring journey that exemplifies perseverance, passion, and faith.
His path to becoming an artisan baker began in 2015, during an internship at Radisson Blu Cebu, where he first discovered his passion for baking.
Marlo’s educational background is rooted in hard work and determination. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, majoring in Food Preparation and Services, at Cebu Technological University. As a working student, his days were packed with responsibilities.
“I was a working student in the morning until afternoon, attended classes from afternoon to evening, and helped my aunt with her computer shop business during the night,” he recalls to The Global Filipino Magazine. Coming from a poor family without parental support, Marlo relied on sheer hard work, dedication, and prayer. “Pure hard work, dedication, and prayer to our God were the keys to all these wonderful blessings,” he reflects.
After gaining experience at prestigious hotels like Radisson Blu Cebu and Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Marlo found himself at a crossroads during the pandemic. In February 2020, just as he was about to embark on a new opportunity as an OFW baker in the Maldives, the pandemic struck, closing that door. However, Marlo’s resilience shone through as he turned this setback into an opportunity. “During the quarantine, using a LA Germania home oven, I enhanced and improved my baking skills and discovered the handcrafted artisan breads using home tools and equipment,” he shares. This period saw the birth of his “Artisan Bread Basket Online Store,” where he sold his creations online to generate income during those challenging times.
Marlo’s faith has been a guiding force throughout his journey. “I was inspired by the grace of God. Despite huge challenges and obstacles, God never left me,” he expresses. The pandemic brought moments of anxiety and depression, especially when his overseas work plans fell through. Yet, his love for bread, rooted in childhood memories, kept him going. “I love breads since my childhood days,” he fondly reminisces.
One of Marlo’s proudest creations is a bread featuring the image of former President Duterte. “My most favorite bread was the first artisan bread I made with the image design of former President Duterte,” he reveals. This creation symbolizes his journey’s start and his meticulous craftsmanship.
Marlo emphasizes the importance of patience in his work. “As an artisan baker, having the most patience from the beginning of the process to the finished output is crucial,” he advises. He also underscores the significance of maintaining calm in challenging situations. “The biggest challenge in work is how to remain calm in different situations,” he says, sharing his reliance on faith. “We cannot assure our personal dreams and plans, but His is perfect and precious.”
Discipline, integrity, a positive attitude, hard work, and prayers are the pillars of Marlo’s success. “These are the following characteristics that are a must to take on, especially in baking. There’s nothing impossible if you trust the process to grow,” he concludes.
Currently residing in Bohol with his wife, Marlo is navigating a period of unemployment. “As of the moment, I am no longer connected to a company and it’s been two months since I haven’t had a job,” he mentions. Despite this, Marlo remains hopeful and steadfast in his belief that better opportunities are on the horizon.
This article has been published in Volume 5, Issue 3 of The Global Filipino Magazine. If you have a unique life story or know someone who does, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at eic@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com. If you’re interested in obtaining a print copy of the magazine, please contact Mr. JP Cosico at +971 54 482 0661.