PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: An Enderun Valedictorian Lands Her Dream Job at Hong Kong's Famous Bakehouse Bakery

TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — For many aspiring culinary professionals, landing a role at one of Asia’s most celebrated artisan bakeries is a dream. For Karina Dy-Liacco that dream began with a simple message and a willingness to say “yes.”

Karina Dy-Liacco, giving her valedictory address at Enderun’s 17th Commencement Exercises.

A graduate of the Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management with Specialization in Culinary Arts at Enderun Colleges, Dy-Liacco's journey from student ambassador to international pastry professional reflects the determination, curiosity, and resilience that defined her years at Enderun.

The valedictorian is set to begin her professional career with Bakehouse Hong Kong, one of the city’s most beloved artisan bakery brands. Founded by Chef Grégoire Michaud, Bakehouse has become a household name in Hong Kong for its handcrafted sourdough breads, fine pastries, and community-driven approach to baking. 

For Dy-Liacco, the opportunity is especially meaningful because Bakehouse was not only a place she admired from afar. It was a destination she actively pursued.

During her time at Enderun, she completed two international internships in Hong Kong, including one at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. Yet it was her experience at Bakehouse that would become the defining highlight of her college journey.

“I loved their egg tarts,” she recalled during an interview conducted prior to graduation. “I landed the Bakehouse opportunity because I sent a casual message to the owner asking if I could do an internship. A month later, I got my visa, completed the interview, and started my internship.”

What began as an ambitious outreach eventually evolved into a career opportunity. Following graduation, Dy-Liacco found herself choosing between international offers, including one from a pastry shop in San Francisco and another from Bakehouse. She ultimately set her sights on returning to Hong Kong, where she will continue refining her craft within one of the region’s most respected bakery teams.

Her story mirrors the message she shared during her valedictory address at Enderun’s 17th Commencement Exercises.

“Some of the best opportunities in life begin with a simple ‘yes,’” she told fellow graduates.

Throughout her speech, Dy-Liacco reflected on a journey marked not by certainty, but by a willingness to take opportunities despite self-doubt. From representing Enderun as a student researcher at an international conference in Chiang Mai to serving as a Student Ambassador and eventually receiving the valedictorian award, she emphasized that growth often comes from showing up before feeling fully ready.

Recalling the guidance of Chef Suzette Montinola, Academic Section Head and Senior Culinary Instructor for the Culinary Arts Program at Enderun Colleges, Dy-Liacco shared one lesson that stayed with her throughout her college years.

“Chef Suzette always reminded us to ‘just show up,’ especially when things got hard,” she said. “We don’t get to choose what tomorrow brings. It could be one of the hardest days of your life, or it could become the day that changes everything. But neither can happen if you don’t show up.”

That philosophy has shaped both her academic and professional journey.

“Enderun has given me so much,” she shared. “If you asked my younger self where I would be today, I never would have imagined standing here as valedictorian or having completed international internships abroad.”

Now, as she embarks on her next chapter with Bakehouse in Hong Kong, Dy-Liacco hopes to continue pursuing excellence in pastry while carrying with her the values that shaped her at Enderun.

In her valedictory address, she credited her family, mentors, professors, and peers for helping her discover confidence in herself. Looking ahead, she also expressed a larger aspiration: to one day represent the Philippines in the global culinary industry with pride.

Her story serves as a reminder that extraordinary opportunities do not always begin with grand plans. Sometimes, they begin with a message sent, a chance taken, and the courage to say yes.

As she joins Bakehouse Hong Kong, Karina Dy-Liacco carries with her not only the distinction of being Enderun Colleges’ Class of 2026 Valedictorian, but also the promise of a Filipino culinary professional ready to contribute to one of Asia’s most dynamic food destinations, one pastry at a time.

About Enderun Colleges

Enderun Colleges provides students with an immersive learning environment through its industry-specific programs, highly experienced faculty, and extensive local and international internship placements. The institution offers international-caliber Bachelor’s Degree programs in International Hospitality Management; Business Administration majors in Financial Management, Operations Management, Marketing Management, Technology Management, and Sustainability Management; as well as programs in Economics, Entrepreneurship, Architecture, Interior Design, and Multimedia Arts.

In addition, Enderun Senior High School provides excellent academic tracks in Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM); Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); and the General Academic Strand (GAS). Beyond the Department of Education-sanctioned strands, students may also earn advanced college credits through the globally recognized AP program.

Visit Enderun’s official website through https://www.enderuncolleges.com.