Cebu Agri Food Summit 2025 bears fruit with farmers B2B connect

CEBU CITY – The San Antonio Farmers’ Association in Boljoon (SAFAB) secured a supply agreement with an established restaurant chain--the Nonki Japanese Restaurant in Mandaue City, for the steady supply of assorted agricultural produce for the restaurant’s daily needs.

“The first-ever Cebu Agri Konek Food Summit 2025 has definitely bore fruits with farmers finding business-to-business (B2B) connections. Farmers also received mentorship on financing, pricing, and compliance to help them connect directly with institutional buyers,” noted Benedict Que, Overall Chair of the Food Summit, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Champion for Agriculture and president of Golden Prince Hotel and Suites.

Organized by the Philippine Inno Ventures Agriculture Cooperative (PIVAC) in collaboration with CCCI, DA-Central Visayas (DA7), Province of Cebu, and the City of Cebu, the summit builds resilient food systems by connecting farmers directly with buyers and empowering them with the tools to thrive, Que said.

On September 1, Que with SAFAB president, Johnny Cairo were present during the group’s first delivery of over 206 kilos of cabbage and bundles of spring onions to Nonki Japanese Restaurant in Mandaue City with Chrislee Arong, Nonki’s vice president for general kitchen receiving the orders.

Nonki Restaurant already expressed demand for a wider range of fresh produce, including carrots, pechay, eggplant, garlic, ginger, lettuce, cucumber, radish, okra, parsley, potato, squash, tomato, onions, calamansi, watermelon, pineapple, oranges, and lakatan bananas, among others, Que bared in an interview with this writer.

According to Dr. Roldan Saragena, provincial agriculturist, this development already shows Cebuano farmers are now moving beyond traditional market selling and venturing into institutional supply partnerships.  He called on more institutional buyers to patronize local farm produce to further encourage farmers to increase production.

Capitol also reported that a popular shake brand is negotiating supply of lemonade from Dumanjug farmers, while a well-established bakery chain has requested various agricultural products to be sourced locally.

Que bared that there are now several businesses discussing with PIVAC on more possible direct B2B connections with local farmers.  On September 4, a group of Taiwanese businessmen were here in Cebu and connecting with him for B2B networking. (Photos: FB-Golden Prince Hotel & Suites)

 

 

 

Tips to beat stress and hitches on grind days

CEBU CITY— Have you ever had moments when you could swear fate seems to be plotting against you? When it comes to crunch time, it is easy and entirely valid to crash out. Losing your cool will not exactly fish you out of the situation, so how then should you deal with these moments while still hitting your goals? 

1. Have a Pre-mortem Mindset: Have you ever heard of Murphy’s Law? It’s a term coined by engineer Edward Murphy Junior that basically says, “Anything that will go wrong can go wrong.” This mindset emphasizes the practice of a pre-mortem mindset that encourages thoroughness and attention to detail so that you can have a backup plan for when challenges happen. That way, instead of focusing on the roadblock, you can automatically go to troubleshooting mode.

2. ‘Vibe Check’ Yourself: Sometimes, it is better to just sit down with your feelings first instead of diving immediately into solving the problem. Do this by giving yourself a quick vibe check. Ask, ‘How am I feeling right now?’ By acknowledging your emotions, you channel your energy into understanding yourself rather than spiraling further. 

This can help clear your mind and allow you to step outside of your current situation so that you can see it more objectively. If the situation allows it, you can also momentarily distract yourself by doing something positive to refresh your mood quickly, like watching some cat videos or having an ice cream break to cool the situation. This way, you can shift to game mode stronger than ever. 

3. Visualize and Micro Manifest: The power of manifestation and visualization is real. When you find yourself in a sticky situation, take a deep breath and visualize yourself after you’ve already gotten over your current dilemma. By doing ‘micro manifestation,’ you trick your brain into shifting into a positive mindset and thinking of solutions that can help you get there. 

4. View it from the outside: Removing yourself from the situation mentally allows you to see things in an objective manner, especially when things start to overwhelm you. When you find yourself at a dead end, shift your mindset and do something that can help you cool down.

Nestlé Crunch Cookies and Cream Ice Cream is the perfect sweet snack to do this with because it indulges your senses with its delectable vanilla flavored ice cream with cookie bits and crunchy milk chocolate coating sprinkled with crisped cereals. 

For chocolate lovers, there’s NestléCrunch Ice Cream in Chocolate, with rich creamy chocolate ice cream and chocolate filling wrapped in crunchy cereal-embedded milk chocolate coating for an extra satisfying bite. 

Let’s be honest, even the worst of crunch time moments are no match if you give yourself something this good. So the next time you find yourself in a pinch, follow these tips to breeze through them and hit your goals at the same time. 

Nestlé Crunch Cookies and Cream and Chocolate Ice Cream are available in Robinson’s, Alfamart, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Waltermart and other leading stores nationwide. 

TESDA to provide skills training to 100 beneficiaries of DSWD’s Walang Gutom Program

CEBU CITY—Some 100 beneficiaries of Walang Gutong program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7-Central Visayas are now endorsed to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills training and capacity-building opportunities.

According to DSWD-7 regional public information officer, Leah Quintana, of the 100 beneficiaries, 75 come from the Municipality of Daanbantayan, Cebu, who began their first day of training on bread and pastry production with TESDA on July 7, while another 25 beneficiaries to start the housekeeping training in the City of Naga, Cebu.

With continuous collaboration between DSWD and TESDA, the latter allocated 250 target enrollees per implementing province of the Walang Gutom Program, as specified in the partner agency’s 2025 Planning Guidelines, Quintana bared.

This initiative aims to build the socio-economic resilience of households through sustainable interventions that improve access to livelihood and employment opportunities while equipping beneficiaries with the necessary skills for future employment.

DSWD’s Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) identified the eligible and qualified beneficiaries for endorsement to TESDA programs and coordinated with the agency’s concerned regional and provincial offices for the submission of the endorsed list.

DSWD 7 administered the TESDA National Skills Registration Program (NSRP) tool to identify the beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program, that will undergo job skills training and other employment promotion activities.

The RPMO ensured that the selected training programs meet the beneficiaries’ needs and the local economic opportunities.  DSWD will monitor and report the endorsement and enrollment status to the Program Compliance and Verification Section (PCVS) of the National Program Management Office.

Once the beneficiaries have NC II certification, TESDA will refer them to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for employment or livelihood assistance.

DOLE will provide employment facilitation, livelihood kits, and job matching services while the local government unit (LGU) concerned will assist in beneficiary mobilization and support services. The PESO, on the other hand, will support job placement efforts locally and regionally.

The field office will conduct NSRP in Bais City, Negros Oriental on July 22 to 24, 2025. TESDA will offer the following training in the Dumaguete City Area: Driving NC II, Tile Setting NC II, Cookery NC II, and Bread and Pastry Production.

 

“Walang Gutom” program lists 32,445 beneficiaries in CV as NNC-7 calls for nutrition security

CEBU CITY – The "Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program" of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Region VII has listed and verified some 32,445 beneficiaries from Cebu and Negros Oriental, as of May 2025, with Cebu having 13,619 and 18,826 for Negros Oriental. 

According to Leah Quintana, DSWD-7 regional information Officer, the DSWD continues to strengthen and enhance the fight against hunger through the “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp” under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program that aims to link community-based organizations (CBOs) to institutional markets.

“The program beneficiaries were identified through the Listahanan 3 Database of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, focusing on Filipino families earning 8,739 or less per month who are not part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),” Quintana bared.

Through the strong collaboration between EPAHP and the Walang Gutom Program, 20 CBOs are now actively participating in the program that include local farmers and producers that directly supply food items to the beneficiaries, Quintana said.

The number of beneficiaries that the retailers can cater to depends on their capacity to supply, she added and currently, there are 73 local government units (LGUs) implementing the “Walang Gutom” program, comprising 48 in Cebu and 25 in Negros Oriental.

 

DSWD-7 has already engaged with 102 accredited partner retailers across Cebu and Negros Oriental with 40 of them located in Cebu and 62 are in Negros Oriental.  These retailers serve Walang Gutom Program beneficiaries in the two provinces to ensure consistent access to nutritious food for food-poor or economically disadvantaged families; and reinforcing the government’s commitment to food security and inclusive development across the country, Quintana added.

NNC’s 51^st Nutrition Month calls for nutrition security

Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Region VII launched the observance of the 51st Nutrition Month to kick off on July 1 with the theme, "Food at Nutrition Security, Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin!" during the NNC7- Media in Nutrition Development (MIND7) meeting on June 20.

"We want to empower communities, LGUs, and stakeholders across Central Visayas to treat food and nutrition security as a shared priority and responsibility. This campaign is a call to action for policy reform, stronger multi-sectoral programs, and inclusive solutions that ensure no one is left behind,” NNC VII Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Parolita Mission said.

Throughout July, various activities will be conducted across the region such as Nutrition caravans and health forums; various theme-based contests; quad media campaigns for key messages and recognition of local government units implementing outstanding nutrition programs, Mission bared.

"Let's make nutrition a priority, not only this month but every day of the year," Dr. Mission said. (Photos: NNC7)

 

Chinese Film Festival marks 50th anniversary of PH-China diplomatic relations

CEBU CITY – To mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, a celebration of stories and cinematic craftsmanship takes center stage at the Chinese Film Festival, currently running at Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Cebu IT Park from June 12 to 21, 2025, organized by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu.

“Ever since the days of early cinema, film is a universal language. The films of this festival carry unique perspectives, but also reflect our shared humanity and values. The stories transcend borders because they speak to what unites us as peoples: our laughter, struggles, aspirations, and the courage to embrace life,” Consul Zhang Zhen said, in her message at the opening day of the film festival.

According to Zhen, China and the Philippines are neighbors bound by geography, but truly connected by culture, by blood, and by heart through centuries of exchange; linked by kinship with millions of Filipinos and Chinese sharing ancestral ties.  The two peoples are united in spirit, through traditions, values, and a common desire for peace and prosperity. 

 

The Chinese Film Festival is organized by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu, together with the China Film Art Research Center, China Film Administration, China Film Archive, the Federation of Chinese Associations in Cebu and Chinatown TV.

The 10-day festival brings to local audiences four celebrated modern Chinese films such as “Pegasus 2,” “Successor,” “Viva La Vida” and “Evacuate from the 21st Century.” These films, spanning comedy-drama, romance and science fiction, were critically acclaimed in China and are now made accessible for free to the Cebuano public.

“May the movies spark joy and inspire mutual understanding! May we remember, that our stories intertwine, our dreams resonate, our futures are inseparable! May our friendship long live!  May Cebu have a bright future!” Consul Zhen said. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

 

Aventus Medical Care opens new clinic at Cebu IT Park

 CEBU CITY -- Aventus Medical Care opens its newest clinic at Cebu IT Park to bring healthcare closer to the workforce marking a significant step forward in Aventus’ mission to make quality healthcare more accessible to Filipinos—especially in fast-growing urban centers.

“The decision to establish this new extension of Aventus clinic in IT Park, stems from our commitment to bring accessible, high-quality healthcare closer to dynamic business hubs and growing urban communities,” Dr. Jan Karl Amoin, Aventus Associate Director for Multi-Specialty Clinics—Visayas.

Being a thriving center of commerce, technology and young professionals, IT Park is an ideal location to meet the evolving needs of both corporate clients and walk-in patients, Dr. Amoin said.

The clinic will offer a wide range of services to cater to both individuals and companies in the area. These include Primary care and specialist consultations; Diagnostic services, including lab work and imaging; Occupational health programs, such as Annual Physical Exams, pre-employment checkups, and executive wellness assessments; and Teleconsultation support so patients can still get care even when they can't come in

The new clinic also offers wellness packages tailored for younger, health-conscious patients looking for preventive care options. More than just a physical space, the new clinic is backed by technology that keeps the patient experience smooth and connected. “Aventus is committed to a tech-enabled, patient-centered experience, Dr. Amoin said.

The IT Park, and all Aventus clinics nationwide are equipped with a secure Electronic Health Records system that streamlines care; an online booking to avoid long lines and wait times; Telemedicine for remote consults; the Agora app, where they can manage appointments and health data on their phones; and a dedicated online portal to track results, schedule follow-ups, and stay on top of their care plans. 

All of these support Aventus’ broader commitment to tech-enabled, patient-centered care. Aventus stands out through a powerful combination of:  Corporate healthcare expertise trusted by hundreds of partner organizations nationwide; nationwide presence, with seamless service integration across Luzon, Visayas, and soon, Mindanao; convenience and reliability, with a consistent standard of care in all locations; and a growing effort to offer very competitive rates, without compromising quality.

“Our value lies in streamlined, scalable healthcare solutions—designed not just for individuals, but for organizations and communities that expect speed, efficiency, and clinical excellence,” Dr. Amoin pointed out.

Aventus is eyeing further expansion across Cebu, the Visayas, and beyond as it continues to scale its tech-enabled healthcare model across the country.  The IT Park extension is just the beginning of the broader vision to serve key growth areas across the country, Dr. Amoin said. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

CHBC launches Mid-Year Big Sale, June1-30

CEBU CITY – Cebu Home and Builders Centre (CHBC) as a matter of tradition, once again, offers Mid-Year Big Sale with Smart and Stylish Discounts of Up to 20 percent from June 1 to June 30, 2025.

“We believe quality home improvement should be within reach of every Filipino.  This Mid-Year Sale is our way of making home enhancement both stylish and affordable for everyone, and this has been a yearly tradition of CHBC,” Jaimefil De Leon, CHBC Operations Manager shared with the media during the launching event on June 1 at the CHBC.

De Leon encouraged smart shoppers and home enthusiasts to visit Cebu Home and Builders Centre that rolls out its Mid-Year Big Sale on June 1 to 30, 2025, with refined selections at 10 to 20 percent off; thoughtfully curated Father’s Day bundles; and an extra two percent discount every Sunday (on top of existing offers), “the event is set to inspire both everyday homemakers and seasoned builders alike,” he added.

Across seven conveniently located branches in Banilad, Mactan, Consolacion, N. Bacalso, Minglanilla, Carcar, and Toledo—and online via cebuhomebuilders.com—customers can explore elegant deals across a wide range of home categories, smart deals for the stylish homeowners.

Up to 20% discounts await those shopping for tiles, sanitary ware, lighting fixtures, and DIY essentials—perfect for both bold renovations and subtle upgrades without overspending. Wood enthusiasts can enjoy up to 15% off on ADCO PVC ceiling panels, acoustic boards, wall panels, and mouldings, while WESTWOOD offers discounts across doors, melamine boards, OSBs, and engineered flooring.

For the hands-on homemaker, KENDO, MAXPRO, and ANCHOR power and hand tools are available at 15% off, along with essential building materials such as TOPMAN construction tools and accessories, garden hoses, ladders, netting, screws, and mesh wire—at 10-15% off. Homeowners looking to upgrade architectural accents can indulge in 15% off BRAD FITTINGS cabinet handles, drawer slides, door fittings, and even PROMOUNT TV wall brackets.

Meanwhile, home improvement items like EZ HOME shelving systems, LIAO cleaning materials, KITCHEN PRO organizers, and BASIQUE essentials—from mats to ironing boards—are also marked down by up to 15%.  For those prioritizing security and efficiency, a 15% discount applies to door hardware from FIGHTER and KINGVIC, as well as painting accessories from BRAD JCC and GEKKO.

Plumbing necessities are also covered with COOL JCC, AQUA, and MR GUTTER fittings offered at 10–15% off. Even floor finishes such as PRIDON laminate, WESTWOOD engineered wood, and DIY carpet grass enjoy up to 15% off, alongside trusted electrical outlet brands like JCC, MALCO, TENYO, and KP Appliance.

Bundle Deals for Your Father’s Day Finds.  In honor of Father’s Day, Cebu Home and Builders Centre presents a thoughtful lineup of curated bundles—perfect for dads who appreciate a mix of utility and style. Featured packages include the Starter Hand Tool Kit, Basic Carpentry Kit, Trim & Spray Bundle, and the Power Smart Combo, as well as elegant home solutions such as the Space-Saving Kitchen Kit, Green Thumb Essentials, Bin & Mop Pro Pack, and various shelving and storage sets.

Hardware lovers will also appreciate the Brass and Stainless Door Hardware Essentials, ideal for timeless upgrades. These limited-time bundles are perfect as gifts, or as a reason to finally complete that DIY project you've been meaning to start.

Shop In-Store or Online. Shoppers can visit the nearest branch or shop online for a more convenient experience. Store hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Best of all, the 2% Sunday discount is stackable with other existing promos—a rare opportunity to maximize your savings, although loyalty cards will not be applicable during the big sale period.

Stay tuned and follow on Facebook for announcements, sale highlights, and upcoming collaborations with local influencers.  This promo is covered under DTI Fair Trade Permit No. R7-CEB 430, Series of 2025. (Photos: MBCNewman)