Cebu chefs form 1st professional assn to elevate Cebuano cuisine

CEBU CITY--Cebu’s culinary professionals have officially found their home, the Cebu Professional Chef's Association (CPCA) launched Tuesday, November 10, at NUSTAR Resort & Casino, the first formal organization uniting the province’s chefs, pastry chefs, educators, and food entrepreneurs under one mission--to elevate Cebuano cuisine and build the next generation of culinary leaders.

CPCA Vice President and Cebu City Councilor Chef Edgardo Jaypee Labella II led the welcome, sharing his own journey from Hilton practicum student to running his own kitchen.

“In every kitchen I worked in, I learned that no chef rises alone. Behind every plate is a mentor who corrected you, a colleague who covered your station, and a team that worked through the long nights with you," Labella said.

He said Cebuano chefs have long worked side by side in world-class hotels without a unified community. “That is why we are here today. We have long dreamt of a home for Cebuano chefs, a community where we can learn from one another, lift one another, and speak with one voice for our profession," he added.

Born and based in Cebu, the CPCA brings together kitchen leaders from the Visayas’ top hotels, resorts, and restaurants with a mission to unite chefs through collaboration, professional development, knowledge sharing, and community service, while promoting excellence, integrity, and pride in the culinary profession.

The CPCA wants to build a strong, respected culinary community that inspires excellence and contributes to the growth of Cebu’s food and hospitality industry.

Guest speaker Lena Urbina, proprietor of Laguna Garden/Cafe group, urged the new officers to see their oath as a commitment to something greater.

“A chef is an artist, a reader, a storyteller, and the custodian of our culture,” Urbina said. “Let us commit to honoring the rich culinary heritage of Cebu and the Philippines, ensuring that our local flavors, ingredients, and traditions continue to earn the recognition they deserve, both here and around the world.  Let us be proud. Let us work together to bring Cebu to greater heights," she added.

Chef Gabriel Garcia, CPCA Director and retired pastry chef, noted this is the third attempt to form a Cebu chefs’ group. This time, he said, Filipino talent is leading.

“We have tried this one many times, but now Philippine talent is enough to showcase our work. We will show the world the excellence of Cebu craftsmanship,” Garcia said, recalling gold wins for Cebu in Manila and Hong Kong competitions. “We are not far from them. We can compete.”

Chef Jun Fernandez, Head of Culinary Competitions, said the goal is to put Cebu on the map alongside Asia’s top food destinations. “Dili lang siya usa ka lugar kundi daghan mi ang pagkaon na dapat nato i-represent towards the world.”

In its first 6 months, CPCA formalizes its constitution, open membership, and launch workshops and mentorship programs. By Year 2, it targets a CPCA Culinary Festival and competitions. By Year 3, it aims for scholarships and sending Cebuano chefs to national and international events.

“May today be the beginning of a long, meaningful, and fruitful journey for our association, for our profession, and for our beloved Cebu,” Labella said.

With tourism increasingly driven by food, the CPCA says every plate served is now an ambassador for Cebu.

The founding officers of CPCA  include Chefs Gabriel Garcia, Nick Anderson, Gonzala Familgan, June Earion Pangue, Arnel Quilestino, Deofrey Vistal, Coke Semblante, and Jun Fernandez — all currently leading kitchens in major Cebu hotels.

Cebu tightens border controls to save P20B hog industry amid ASF threat

CEBU CITY — Cebu governor, Pamela Baricuatro  has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 55 on October 24, imposing stricter border controls for all live hogs, pork, and pork products entering the province in a bid to protect Cebu’s ₱20-billion hog industry and secure the island’s food supply.

The EO mandates that all shipments must now pass through designated ports with veterinary quarantine officers and carry complete documents: valid shipping permits, veterinary health certificates, and laboratory results showing negative ASF RT-PCR tests.

“One case is already one case too many,” Baricuatro said. The province earlier contained an isolated ASF case in southern Cebu, but outbreaks continue to be reported in Negros Island and other parts of the country.

Under the new rules, live hogs will only be allowed into Cebu if they are headed directly to National Meat Inspection Service-accredited slaughterhouses for lechon preparation. They cannot be brought in for breeding or resale.

Shipments with incomplete papers, no declared accredited slaughterhouse, or those that bypass designated quarantine seaports face confiscation, forfeiture, or will be sent back to their place of origin.

The EO also deputizes LGUs, port authorities, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police to strictly enforce inspections at all entry points and checkpoints.

Local governments were further ordered to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, public information drives, and farm-level biosecurity. They must also pass or update ordinances to align with Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-12.

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) has already recognized 24 Cebu LGUs for “Active Surveillance on ASF,” a sign that the province’s monitoring system is working.

The order took effect immediately and will remain in force until revoked or amended.

For Cebu’s thousands of hog raisers, lechon makers, and market vendors, the move is meant to do one thing: keep ASF out and keep pork on the table.

“The goal is simple — protect livelihoods and protect food security,” the EO stated. (Photo: Capitol PIO)

Grab brings digital training caravan to Cebu

CEBU CITY — Grab partners with ITC and Digital PINAS to equip Cebu businesses with AI tools, data, and delivery-first strategies, from New York-style cheesecake to Filipino comfort soups, Cebu’s homegrown food brands are getting a new secret ingredient: artificial intelligence.

In a media briefing in Cebu Monday, October 26, Gallen Villanueva Grab PH Communications Manager said that Grab Philippines has rolled out the Cebu City leg of the Grab Asenso Learning Caravan, a mobile training program bringing AI and digital skills directly to MSMEs on October 27 at the Abaca restaurant at Citadines, Cebu City. 

The initiative is part of a nationwide pilot with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Digital PINAS, running through the end of 2026. It is more than just GrabFood, it is building a “Digital Road Network”

The caravan combines Grab Asenso: Digital Diskarte with ITC’s community-based training model to reach entrepreneurs in regional hubs like Cebu, Davao, San Fernando, and Puerto Princesa.

Villanueva said that the training takes a hands-on approach. Modules cover setting up digital business profiles, building online presence, branding, e-commerce, financial management, and export readiness. The centerpiece is teaching MSMEs how to use AI tools to run operations faster.

According to Sherielysse Bonifacio, Grab Philippines Chief Corporate Officer, Grab’s vision is to build an even more expansive digital road network that reaches more MSMEs across cities and communities nationwide.  That means going beyond market access and equipping entrepreneurs with the foundational skills, tools, and capabilities they need to participate confidently in the digital economy.

What Cebu merchants are saying

Three Grab partner merchants shared how data and AI are already changing how they run their businesses.

Dr. Rachel Yang Lim, Owner of Dessert Factory, a Grab exclusive partner since 2018, said the upcoming Grab Merchant AI Assistant could be a game-changer despite current imperfections. 

“We prioritize premium ingredients and customer experience.  From our signature New York-style cheesecake to story-driven ice cream cakes like pistachio for special occasions, AI can help us craft better promos and connect with customers faster,” Lim said.

Chef Patrick Henry Corpus, Managing Director of Abaka Group, which runs 12 brands on GrabFood since 2020, said data drove the creation of delivery-first brands like Abaca Eats. 

“We learned not all food travels well,” Corpus explained. “So we optimized menus specifically for delivery and invested in specialized packaging over the last three years.”

Corpus also flagged a common pain point, fragmented feedback. “We need a third-party provider or API to consolidate WhatsApp, Google Reviews, and Grab app feedback into one dashboard,” he said. 

He welcomed Grab’s new Merchant AI Assistant which now automates report generation by pulling performance data directly from the Merchant App.

Carla Baflor and Jeanette Yap of Hukad Group shared how Grab analytics shapes expansion. The group behind Hukad, Andale, Ganem Bowls, and Kushi Izakaya uses monthly data reviews to study market ranges. 

“The soup category remains a top seller on Grab because it’s Filipino comfort food.  The transparency and analytics Grab provides are essential for us,” Baflor noted. 

While Hukad’s three Davao stores are exclusive to Grab, Yap clarified that Cebu operations are not. “Grab aims to support merchants with a ‘digital business in a box’ to facilitate expansion into new territories like Luzon,” she added.

Why Cebu?  With thousands of MSMEs and a booming food scene, Cebu is a key testbed for Grab’s push to make digital tools accessible outside Metro Manila, Villanueva said that the program also introduces tools like Tap & Scan To Pay and income protection coverage for merchants.

As more Cebu businesses go digital, the message from the caravan is clear—data is power, AI saves time, and the future of food is built for delivery.  

CHAI reclaims management of common tennis court, cites RA 9904

LAPULAPU CITY — A decades-long arrangement at Camella Homes in Bankal, Lapulapu City is about to change after the subdivision’s Camella Homeowners Association, Inc. (CHAI) moved to formally reclaim management of the community tennis court, sparking a debate over vested rights, finances, and who gets to control common spaces.

In a meeting held today, October 19, the Camella Homeowners Association (Cebu) Inc., led by President Esperanza “Eve” Montesclaros Montanez, announced it will take over the supervision, maintenance, and scheduling of the tennis court under the Magna Carta of Homeowners and Homeowners Associations, Republic Act 9904 and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The tennis facility has been operated for years by the Camella Homes Tennis Club (CHTC) headed by President Ricardo Rabe. The club maintains it has “vested rights” to the area based on 33 years of established use and has asked the association to reimburse approximately ₱2 million for past improvements and maintenance.

Montanez said the takeover is not about shutting down the club, but about putting the court under the same rules that govern other common areas in Phase 1 (Barangay Bangkal) and Phase 2 (Barangay Paha).

“While the tennis club will still exist and members can continue to play, the management, supervision, and maintenance of the facility will transition to the association to ensure it aligns with subdivision standards,” Montanez explained.

She cited RA 9904, which gives the duly-registered homeowners association the legal authority to manage all common areas and facilities within the subdivision.

The association also raised safety concerns. It plans to bring in a MECO-accredited electrician to assess the court’s electrical connections and correct wiring that does not meet standards.

Joe Destura of the Federation of Unified Homeowners Associations in Lapu-Lapu City backed the move, saying the unified association holds sole authority to manage open spaces like basketball courts and tennis courts. Access, he stressed, should be reserved for homeowners and association members to prevent unauthorized use.

A major sticking point is the tennis club’s request for reimbursement. 

Montanez said the association cannot pay any amount without legitimate supporting documents, official receipts, and proof of collection from club members. The club has been operating with its own group since 2019, but the board is questioning whether it had proper authorization to collect funds independently.

“Provide a detailed breakdown and documentation to prove that the 2-million-peso claim is valid and that previous collections were handled legally,” Montanez said.

What happens next

Both sides agreed to continue talks within a week, in a neutral venue, before the tennis court is reopened. Key agenda items include, the coordination on scheduling, that all playing sessions must now be coordinated with the CHAI). 

Second is facility assessment – MECO electrician to inspect electrical safety and financial audit, for the Club to submit receipts and records for the ₱2M claim.

Rabe, for the tennis club, reiterated the group’s position that their long history in the subdivision gives them rights over the space. The association countered that if an area is classified as common space, it must be under the supervision of the entire homeowners’ association.

The Camella HOA collects ₱500 monthly dues per household, which fund security, streetlights, and cleaning. Montanez said any improvements to the tennis court will now be included in the association’s overall budget and planning.

As of now, CHAI and the tennis club agreed to maintain the status quo, as the homeowners’ association starts to rehabilitate and manage the operations of the tennis court. 

The dispute highlights a growing issue in many subdivisions: balancing long-standing club operations with the legal mandate that common areas be managed for the benefit of all homeowners. (Photos: MBCNewman) 

Something Blu Turns 10, Cebu’s biggest wedding fair on Oct. 10-11

CEBU CITY—Radisson Blu Cebu to host 114 exhibitors and launch new packages + "Your Wedding My Love" initiative this October 10-11,  Cebu’s biggest “Wedding Fair,” bluer and more community-driven. 

Marife Pepito, director for sales & marketing of Radisson Blu shared that what started in 2013 with just 30 exhibitors and a dream to make Radisson Blu Cebu a top wedding destination, is now celebrating a decade as the city’s most anticipated bridal event.

Something Blu returns for its 10th Anniversary on October 10-11, 2026 at Radisson Blu Cebu — and this year, it’s bigger, more inclusive, and giving back.

From 30 to 114, a decade of love and local business, Something Blue has grown into a full platform for Cebu’s wedding industry over the last 10 years. 

This October, around 114 exhibitors take over Radisson Blu, from florists and bakers to photographers and gown designers. The fair continues to champion local SMEs by putting them on the same stage as major industry players, Pepito said. 

“It’s really a collaboration,” event lead Dan shared during the preview meeting. “Between our commercial teams here at the hotel and the entire Cebu wedding community who’ve supported us since day one.”

To mark the anniversary season, Radisson Blu rolls out two exclusive wedding packages available only on November 10 and 11.  Something Blue—The hotel’s signature wedding package, refined over 10 years and 

Milestone Blue—A brand-new package introduced this year for couples celebrating big life moments

To reward early birds, the first 10 couples who sign up will get complimentary add-ons — choose between a Blue Coffee Cart or a Blue Gelato Cart to sweeten the celebration, Pepito shared. 

The hotel’s events team, who handle the actual execution of weddings on-site, were also introduced during the preview, underscoring Radisson Blu’s focus on seamless service from fair to “I do.”

For its 10th year, Something Blu isn’t just about business — it’s about love stories. It gives back with the launching  of "Your Wedding My Love", a community initiative to give deserving couples the wedding of their dreams.

Nominations opened on September 11, 2026 and close at midday today. 

Shortlisted couples will be announced on October 2.  From nearly 100 entries, 10 winners will be chosen with  one major winner to receive the full “Your Wedding My Love” wedding package, while the nine other couples will receive accommodation and dining vouchers. 

The team expressed gratitude to its entire Radisson Blu hotel staff for their decade-long support in making the project possible.

What to Expect at the 10th Anniversary Fair

Beyond deals and discounts, Something Blu 2026 aims to be a celebration of Cebuano creativity. It’s where couples can meet their suppliers face-to-face, taste cakes, see gowns, and book everything in one place, all while supporting local businesses that have grown with the fair.

From a 30-booth event in 2013 to a 114-exhibitor showcase in 2026, Something Blue has become more than a wedding fair. It’s now a milestone in Cebu’s events calendar.  Something Blu 10th Anniversary, October 10-11, 2026 at Radisson Blu Cebu.  Exclusive Package Dates are available on November 10-11, 2026.  (Photos: MBCNewman)