Muntinlupa City’s kiddie chef Gino Yang

MANILA, Philippines – Kiddie chef Gino Yang of Muntinlupa City took the initiative to leave cooking contest "Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition" to fulfill another dream—to attend an international summer camp in China, where his application has just been approved.

The announcement of Gino’s departure happened in the Oct. 23 episode of the show, wherein host Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo announced that the 11-year-old Gino would be bowing out of the show.

"Sobrang malungkot ako kasi sobrang mahirap na desisyon ito. Ang announcement ko ay ito ang last day ko sa ‘Junior MasterChef’ kitchen dahil pupunta ako sa China. Napili ako na i-represent ang Pilipinas para pumunta sa China," he said during the show.

The news caught the other contestants by surprise. A few of them were reduced to tears.

Juday had to explain to the remaining kiddie chefs that attending the said Summer Camp was one of Gino’s biggest dreams.

"Kids, ang pupuntahan ni Gino... Years niyang hinintay itong summer camp kung saan ang iba't-ibang bata sa iba't-ibang bahagi ng mundo ay pumupunta doon," she said.

Gino’s co-kiddie chef, 10-year-old Judel Bautista of Quezon province, explained why she cried.

“Mahaba na po kasi ‘yung pinagsamahan naming Top 20 kaya po umiyak po ako kanina,” said she.

Whereas, 11-year-old Kyle Imao related that the news came unexpectedly.

“Akala ko po i-aannounce nila na birthday ni Gino tapos nung sinabi po nilang kailangan umalis, nagulat po talaga ako, tsaka nalungkot,” shared Kyle.

As his farewell gift, Gino baked cupcakes for his fellow contestants and the show's hosts. Juday, meanwhile, handed him a ‘Junior MasterChef’ trophy as proof that he was part of the Top 20 in the competition together with a soccer ball.

In parting, Gino bid adieu and said thank you to his friends and to the hosts for the MasterChef experience.

"Sa friends ko, good luck at salamat sa experience. And thank you for giving me all the fun times together.

“Kay Ate Juday at sa mga chefs, maraming salamat kasi talagang na-enjoy ko ang experience na ito,” said Gino.