PhilChoco, Taiwan university seal MOU for tech transfer to cocoa farmers in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY —Philchoco brings Taiwanese food technology to Cebu and Central Visayas cacao farmers through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cheng Shiu University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan signed on June 26 at the Golden Prince Hotel & Suites, Cebu City calling the event “Bean-to-bar convergence.” 

The event brought together government, academe, and the private sector to showcase bean-to-bar innovation using Philippine cacao. “Cacao is gold,” said Philchoco general manager, Aaron Que and explained that Philchoco is a bean-to-bar chocolate maker.

“What that means is we source cacao beans from local farmers from different parts of the Philippines, and we turn it into a bar, almost like a gold bar — that’s what they say, because cacao is gold,” he added.

The bar is just one shape. It can be turned into different things that the chefs in restaurants need. The convergence is the result of a benchmarking trip to Taiwan in February 2026 with Cheng Shiu University, bared Rey Calooy, Philchoco president.

Calooy said that Philchoco delegation spent almost a week in Taiwan visiting laboratories and seeing actual product development. The outcome: new products using PhilChoco’s own cacao, including coffee cookies and other innovations.

“We decided to partner with University of Taiwan, which products using our own raw materials, like PhilChoco, our chocolates, so now the result, we have an array of new products based on that convergence,” Calooy said.

The goal is to replicate Taiwan’s technology-driven agriculture in the Philippines. “For them, agriculture is based on technology. Our raw materials are limited, but their agriculture is technology-based,” he said.

The goal of the MOU between PhilChoco and Cheng Shiu University is to improve Philippine cacao quality, support local farmers, and scale up with the technology learned in Taiwan to trickle down to the farming community in Cebu and in Central Visayas.

“The long-term aim is to tie products to One Town, One Product (OTOP) and do more innovative research use local raw cacao materials. This is a beautiful collaboration bringing Taiwan’s technology to Philippine cacao, so farmers can create more innovative, higher-value products from “cacao is gold,” Calooy added.

PhilChoco is a private company and non-government organization, but it is tapping support from state agencies.  Philchoco has received a grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Region 7, said Philchoco GM Aaron Que adding that Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other programs have also reached out to the company for some initiatives for different cocoa stakeholders.

The convergence event also included regional directors from different government agencies, Taiwanese farmers, and chefs teaching new methods. The Taiwanese group did a tech transfer workshop and presented outputs from the past few days as part of the formal showcase. (Photos: MBCNewman & Philchoco)

 

#KASALAN2026, reinforces Cebu as leading wedding destination in Asia

CEBU CITY-- The #KASALAN2026 National Wedding Tourism Expo now happening ay Ayala Mall in Cebu on June 28-29, reinforcing Cebu as a leading wedding destination in Asia.

Dubbed the Queen City of the South, Cebu offers idyllic island weddings, historic century-old churches and creative event suppliers for unforgettable weddings, honeymoons, and romantic escapes.

Be it Cebuanos looking for easeful, affordable celebration packages or visiting couples searching for the ideal wedding destination, CEBU has it all and more.

Showcasing the widest array of wedding venues and event supplier options at the activity center of Ayala Center Cebu, couples are guaranteed to have the best wedding planning experience on this 2-day wedding exhibit.

#KASALAN2026 has the widest choices of wedding venues and event suppliers from Cebu exclusive and special deals & promos, not just for weddings/events but also for staycation, food, and other leisure activities!

Instagrammable setups, FREE food tastings and special freebies for lucky expo guests!  300K-worth of event-related raffle prizes!

Kasalang Filipino, a project of Kasal.com since 2003, is a nationwide wedding tourism fair road show aimed at tying key Philippine cities with one goal of promoting the local wedding and tourism industry nationally and globally.

Each Expo highlights the different customs and traditions of the region, promotes its local wedding anf event products and services, and gives attending couples/debutants the chance to know the latest wedding & event trends.

The 20th Run of #Kasalan2026 nationwide wedding tourism caravan includes Central Luzon, South Luzon, Central Visayas, Negros Island Region and Davao Region.

#Kasalan2026 CEBU Wedding Tourism Expo is presented by Kasal.com in partnership with Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City Tourism, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shangri-la Mactan and Love & Diamonds.

This premier CEBU Wedding Tourism Expo is supported by the ff. premier CEBU Wedding Venues: BAI Hotel Cebu, Jpark Island Resorts and Waterparks, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, SEDA, Montebello Hotel, Cebu, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, The Reef Island Resort Mactan, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Kandaya Resort, Quest Hotel & Conference Center - Cebu, Summit Galleria Cebu, Anjoworld Conference Center, Diane Residences, Mezzo Hotel, Cebu Westown Lagoon, Golden Peak Hotel & Suites Cebu, Bayfront Hotel Cebu, Oakridge Pavilion, La Joya Farm Resort and Spa, Chateau by the Sea, Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel, Sarrosa International Hotel & Residential Suites, Hotel Elizabeth, Mercure Mactan Cebu, Bluewater Resorts and the ff. Destination Wedding Properties - Discovery Coron, Discovery Boracay, The Bellevue Resort Bohol, and The Barn at Mango Ranch Negros Oriental.

The much-awaited CEBU Bridal Fair is also made possible with the ff. Event suppliers: Odysseus Wedding Rings, Vaughnn's Gold, UHAW Mobile Bar, First of April, Cosmic Embers, Ysabelle's Bridals, Nice Print Photography, PRF Events and MR Audio Lights & Visuals.

Official media partners are Business Mirror, Cebu Online News Press Corps, RMA News, CDN Digital, Alcordo Billboards & Signages and Steel Art Billboards.

Cebu Home and Builders Centre’s Big Mid-Year Sale

CEBU CITY --Time is running out for homeowners, builders, renovators, and bargain hunters to score incredible deals at Cebu Home and Builders Centre’s Big Mid-Year Sale—with only five days left before the promo ends.

Now is the perfect time to stock up on home improvement essentials, construction materials, hardware, fixtures, appliances, furniture, and more at discounted prices across all Cebu Home and Builders Centre branches. Shoppers can catch the Big Mid-Year Sale at the following branches--Mandaue, Minglanilla, Consolacion, Danao, Talamban, Toledo and Naga. Whether you’re building, renovating, or upgrading your space, this is your last chance to enjoy big savings before the sale wraps up. Hurry—visit the nearest Cebu Home and Builders Centre branch today and make the most of the final 5 days of the Big Mid-Year Sale!

HABING SILONG

​Tinihik-Tingi: Weaving Upcycled Sachets into Installation Art at SM Seaside City Cebu

CEBU CITY-- Created in partnership with Cebu Institute of Technology–University (CTU), Habing Silong brings together student designers and local weaving mothers in a shared act of creativity and environmental stewardship, celebrating Filipino resourcefulness and collective spirit. 

From past practices to present purpose, every thread reflects how small efforts can come together to create a bigger, shared story. 

📍 Visit this art at the Upper Ground Level, Mountain Wing.

✨ Your next Extraordinary #SeasideStory awaits only here at your most-loved SM Seaside City Cebu. 

#GalaToTheMax #SuperPinoyVibesAtSM

Teppanya opens in Cebu

CEBU CITY –Teppanya, a new restaurant has just opened in Cebu at the 2^nd floor, Terraces, Ayala Mall Cebu on June 17, bringing in a fiery dining combination of Japanese and Korean cuisine experience in one roof.

“We are bringing a new experience to Cebu—introducing Yakiniku and Teppanyaki dishes here at Teppanya, which is a new concept.  At Teppanya, we don’t just serve food, we entertain,” Michael Pineda, restaurant owner shared.

Pineda explained the difference between yakiniku (Korean barbecue) and teppanyaki, noting that teppanyaki uses Japanese charcoal, a new concept in his restaurant, Teppanya, which is their first branch to offer both yakiniku and teppanyaki dishes.

 

Since 2015, Teppanya aims to be a world-renowned Filipino-owned Japanese restaurant, serving guests with the freshest, high-quality, and best-tasting Japanese dishes.  The restaurant wants to be known for satisfying the guests’ palette while exciting them with its masterful culinary performances and a dining experience like no other, Pineda said.

Teppanya-Cebu is its 7^th branch nationwide, but the first in Cebu and the Visayas. For over 10 years now, Teppanya earned a significant following and reputation as a must-try and favorite go-to restaurant in the metro for its unlimited steak and seafood offerings and its viral fiery dining experience.

Cebuanos can now enjoy all-you-can-eat steak and seafood including two of the world’s most premium, rare and elusive Japanese Wagyu, Takami Ranch Kobe Beef and Ito Ranch Matsusaka A5 Wagyu.

As a special opening deal, Teppanya is making a year-long Wagyu Festival. Cebuanos can avail a free upgrade where they can order dishes under its deluxe unli and will only be charged the regular unli rate starting at P1988+, granting them savings of up to P700.

This goes on top of all the dishes they are treated to are also unlimited including sushi, sashimi, tempura, usuyaki beef roll, donburi, ramen, dessert and so much more.

To top is all, this is already inclusive of the blazing entertainment that Teppanya is known for. All guests have front-row seats to the culinary performances, and even have the chance to participate behind the grill for an unforgettable experience.

To make this debut more special, Teppanya is elevating its dining experience, giving Cebuanos an exclusive access to the restaurant’s yakiniku experience. Cebu is the first Teppanya branch to offer this service, featuring yakiniku grills inside the restaurant alongside its teppanyaki grills.

What makes this yakiniku experience a cut above other restaurants are the meats that guests can order. Teppanya’s yakiniku selections primarily consists of premium and authentic Wagyu beef including the famous Kobe beef. With its own unlimited offering, Cebuanos can order all the Wagyu beef you can eat for 60 minutes, and stay up to 90 minutes to finish your splurge.

Apart from the meats, this also includes other dishes such as maki rolls, rice, soup, salad, and fried appetizers like tempura, Wagyu croquettes and chicken karaage. For those who do not have as big an appetite, all these are also available as ala carte orders.

“Celebrate this milestone with us Teppanya invites everyone to visit our newest branch, where you can enjoy our fiery teppanyaki and yakiniku grills. Whether you are a Cebuano or simply someone travelling to Cebu, don’t forget to drop by at our Ayala Center Cebu store and be treated to not just food, but world-class entertainment,” Pineda said.

Other Teppanya ranches include SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, GH Mall in San Juan City, Serendra in Taguig City, SM North Towers in Quezon City, Evia Lifestyle Center in Las Pinas City, and SM Clark in Pampanga. Follow them on Facebook (via our branch pages) and on Tiktok. (Photos: MBCNewman)