Eat – Page 49 – Jellybeans in the City

Yaki Yaki now in my neighborhood!

What’s your newly discovered snacking fave?

Mine is takoyaki, those chopped octopus-filled balls made from batter cooked in a special molded pan, then drenched with takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayo before topping with bonito flakes.

First introduced in Osaka, Japan by street vendor Tomekichi Endo in the 1930s, the takoyaki (from “tako” or octopus, and “yaki” or grilled) has reached well beyond its origins, even reaching our shores where it is sold in establishments ranging from specialty restaurants to food stalls.

While I’ve been encountering takoyaki for decades now, I’ve only recently learned to appreciate it: the chewy balls given texture by the bits of octopus, the mixture of flavors from the sauces and the umami from the bonito flakes.

When I sometimes get tired of the usual contents of my pantry, I now experience a hankering for these tasty snackable balls.

And lucky me, a takoyaki joint just opened right in my neighborhood!

Despite being a business born from the pandemic, Yaki Yaki (from YAKIsoba and TakoYAKI) has grown and is now open to franchisees to bring its delicious Japanese streetfood treats to more communities.

Its newest store opened just a stone’s throw away from my home.

Its menu, of course, includes takoyaki in wondrous variety.

As can be gleaned from its name, Yaki Yaki also offers yakisoba, a dish made of noodles stir-fried with meat and vegetables in a sweetish sauce, which can be enjoyed on its own or partnered with the store’s signature takoyaki in one delicious serving.

Aside from its filling takoyaki and yakisoba combinations, Yaki Yaki also serves handcrafted milk beverages.

These snack and beverage offerings are not only tasty and filling, they’re quite affordable too!

It sure looks like I have a new go-to snacking destination that’s right in my neighborhood! And if I’m in no mood to venture out of my home, I can always order through FoodPanda, yey!

Live nearby? Do check it out!

Yaki Yaki is located at Unit 2, Landex Apartment, 3rd Street corner Countryside Avenue, Countryside Village, Bgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, open from 11am to 8pm.

Interested in this business? Call +63 998 2431707 to inquire about becoming a franchisee.

Authentic Pad Thai from The Pad by Samyan, now available for delivery

Given how deeply ingrained Pad Thai is to Thai cuisine, you would think that it dates back centuries.

On the contrary, this stir-fried noodle dish was introduced quite recently. Aa the story goes, during World War II, Thailand experienced a rice shortage due to the war and floods. To reduce rice consumption in the country, the Thai government encouraged the consumption of noodles instead. It didn’t take long before the Pad Thai came into being and went on to become Thailand’s national dish.

The good news for adventurous foodies in the metro is that this exotic dish is quite readily available, thanks to The Pad by Samyan.

The online offshoot of restaurant Samyan Thai Street Food, The Pad is helmed by Michelin Star Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, who cooks up different versions of Pad Thai for Thai food fans.

The Pad Thai Pu, also known as Crab Pad Thai, for instance, is a delectable mixture of flavors and textures: slippery noodles, sweet-savory sauce, the crunch from the sprinkling of peanuts, the tang from a slice of lime, some heat from the red pepper powder, and of course, the sweet-briny taste of the fried soft shell crab and tender lump crab.

It is a filling dish, not just for the tummy, but also for the taste buds.

Pad Thai lovers can enjoy a set meal consisting of this dish plus a 300ml bottle of The Grid’s Thai Iced Tea for just Php600.

Other Pad Thai variants available at The Pad by Samyan include Pad Thai Gung (Shrimp Pad Thai), Pad Thai Gai (Chicken Pad Thai), Pad Thai Moo (Pork Pad Thai) and Pad Thai Talay (Seafood Pad Thai).

Clearly, there’s more than enough at The Pad by Samyan to sate your Pad Thai cravings.

So check out the Pad Thai possibilities offered by The Pad by Samyan. Drop by its stalls in The Grid Food Market in The Powerplant Mall or at the Poison Karrivin Plaza along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati.

To order for pickup or delivery, visit its PickUp.ph store.

Disclosure: Product sample was provided to facilitate this feature.

Spiked cold brew coffee from Kohi

Want a drink that can wake up your senses but is still good for chillin’?

Then grab a flask (or more!) of the Kohi Spiked Collection!

These adventuresome coffee creations are all cold-brewed: instead of using hot water to bring out the flavor and caffeine from the coffee beans, they are instead steeped in cold water for long periods (from 12 to 24 hours), relying on time to gently draw out the coffee qualities we so love. This process results into a coffee concentrate that can be mixed with cold water and other ingredients to come up with great-tasting coffee drinks for us to enjoy.

Cold-brewed coffee also has several advantages over its hot-brewed cousin:

It is less acidic so it less likely to cause heartburn or plague those suffering from acid reflux.
It can also be served hot simply by adding hot water.

It is sweeter and smoother, with less bitterness that we associate with brewed coffee so less cream or sugar is needed to make the perfect cup.

Kohi takes coffee for an exciting spin by adding some alcohol to its signature cold brew to craft the inventive drinks that make up the Kohi Spiked Collection.

They come in cute and handy 260ml hip flasks, a throwback to the times when we had to sneak our liquor in to where we’re going. (Hopefully, we won’t need to do that anymore, hehehe!)

These include:

Spiked Kohi (Php179). Kohi’s signature premium cold brew with a bit of coffee liqueur. It has a rich coffee flavor with some sweet notes. Shake well and serve with ice.

White Russian (Php209). Kohi’s signature premium cold brew combined with milk with a bit of vodka mixed in. It has milky taste and creamy mouthfeel that should appeal to latte lovers. Shake well and serve with ice.

Dizzy Kohi (Php189). A fizzy drink made with Kohi’s signature cold brew, coffee liqueur and soda. It has a more astringent and fruity taste that goes well with the fizz. Do not shake.

So want to have your coffee and chill with it too? Order your choice from the Kohi Spiked Collection, available every Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 8pm, and enjoy that lovely buzz along with your caffeine fix.

Orders may be coursed via Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Secrets to making the perfect steak dinner from Saab Magalona-Bacarro and La Germania

There’s nothing like enjoying a delicious steak dinner to mark special occasions. While it may not be advisable to dine out and have this juicy classic in your favorite restaurant just yet, the good news is that you can cook this dish right in the comfort and safety of your home!

Actress and musician Saab Magalona-Bacarro, alongside her husband, businessman and Cheats frontman Jim Bacarro, make it a point to still hold romantic date nights with some good ol’ steak and mashed potatoes. “We enjoy preparing steak and potatoes because it’s delicious, hearty, and fancier than our usual meals, but also really easy to prepare,” Saab shared. Aside from having steak on date nights, they even repurpose them into steak fried rice for their kids.

In the first episode of La Germania’s recent Masterclass Series, the famous couple shared their secrets to making this dish at home. While you can watch the full episode on La Germania’s Facebook page to see how they prepare this classic dish, here’s the recipe you can try at home:

Ingredients:

Steak
● 500g rib eye steak
● Salt
● Pepper
● Butter
● Garlic
● Thyme

Mashed Potatoes
● Potatoes (5 large potatoes)
● 250ml Cream
● Beef cube
● Butter
● Parmesan Cheese
● Parsley
● Olive oil
● Stevia
● Cayenne pepper
● Paprika

Procedure:

Make sure your steak is at room temperature for at least 10 minutes.
Season the tray or cutting board first. 30% of the seasoning disappears when you cook beef, so make sure you season liberally. Then, rub both sides of the beef on the tray.
Season the beef again until it looks encrusted in seasoning.
Put the stove at a low temperature before putting the meat. The meat must be cooked in piping hot heat, so you have to be ready.
Meanwhile, you cut the potatoes, and boil them for about 12 minutes. Use a fork to check how soft the potatoes are. Then, you mash the potatoes.
Deglaze the pan with some red wine if you want some sauce alongside your steak.
Put butter gradually on your potatoes. Taste test the potatoes so you can gauge how much seasoning you need to after.
Once you season the potatoes to your preference, you can add some garlic.
Fry some garlic with half a tablespoon of olive oil on low heat. Then add the cream, beef cube, and herbs of your choice.
Put the sauce on the potatoes using a strainer. Add the garlic chunks if you would like. Then, put it back on the stove. Mix it around, and taste test if it’s seasoned according to your liking.
If you like your steak medium, you should cook your steak for 4 minutes on each side. Leave it to cool down for about ten minutes, and enjoy immediately.

For Saab and Jim, it’s not just about the way you cook your steak and potatoes. The secret is to use the best ingredients and invest in good quality kitchen equipment like La Germania. “With our La Germania stove, we can speed up the process of cooking our favorite dishes because it has multiple burners. It’s easy to control, and child-friendly too since it’s an induction stove,” Saab mused. “If you’re raising a small family like us, having a reliable kitchen partner like La Germania makes everything easier to manage. From everyday dishes to more elaborate recipes, we can have fun and experiment in the kitchen.”

Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare restaurant-worthy dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and unleash your kitchen genius.

La Germania Steak Dinner — Saab and Jim Bacarro preparing their steak dinner.

Check out my La Germania Wish List on Lazada!

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website http://www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. For more information on La Germania and its products, you may follow the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the trusted kitchen and appliance brand.

ABOUT LA GERMANIA
Italian-heritage brand La Germania has been the preferred kitchen companion of Filipino homemakers for 53 years and counting. Its wide array of ovens, cooktops, and stoves is made of high-grade materials and designed to stand the test of time and extensive use. La Germania’s current line of products continues to serve the cooking needs and lifestyle of this generation and the next. To know more about La Germania and its products, visit http://www.lagermaniaph.com. The trusted kitchen partner of Filipinos also has its official stores on Shopee and Lazada.

Recipe and details provided in a recent press release.

Garden Dining while at home

With this seemingly endless loop of heightened and then loosened quarantine restrictions, many among the restaurant and hospitality have had to rethink the way they do business.

One of these is Manila Ocean Park’s White Moon Bar.

In operations for the past ten years, White Moon Bar has provided its clientele with an outstanding menu of gourmet dishes and spirits to be enjoyed while watching the Manila Bay sunset or under the starlit night sky.

In May of this year, it pivoted its operations to cater to patrons who have been looking forward to dining out since the quarantines started by opening its outdoor restaurant, Garden Dining. It took advantage of Manila Ocean Park’s sprawling grounds where diners can enjoy the delicious creations of Chef Ranuka Hettiarachchi in comfort while observing safety and physical distancing protocols.

Once again, Garden Dining by White Moon Bar has adapted to the current re-tightening of quarantine restrictions in the metro by offering a diverse menu of delicious and nourishing, yet very affordable, dishes curated by its renowned chef and making these available online. These delectable dishes are available for delivery, pickup and takeout so that diners may enjoy them in the safety and comfort of their own home.

With this, Garden Dining by White Moon Bar has expanded its market to include not just diners who miss going to restaurants, but also busy working professionals and families with little time to cook.

These include tasty and comforting dishes such as:

Bulalo Steak (Php450). Batangas beef shank braised in roasted garlic sauce along with sweet corn, Baguio beans, cabbage and pechay, served with Java Rice.

Spicy Korean-Style Pork Belly (Php290). Tender slices of pork belly glazed with a spicy Korean chili sauce served with fried potato wedges, mixed salad and spicy mayo dip.

Chicken Inasal (Php220). Chicken thigh fillet marinated in lemongrass then grilled and served with fried potato wedges, mixed salad and toyo calamansi dip.

Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings (Php200). Crispy and deep-fried chicken wings glazed in sriracha and chili oil and served with pechay and Java Rice.

Kimchi Fried Rice (Php230). Kimchi and steamed rice stir-fried in a wok along with sliced pork, spring onions, fried egg, toasted sesame and fried seaweed.

Leche Flan (Php180). The Pinoy version of the classic baked egg custard with caramel.

If the thought of these dishes are making your mouth water, you might want to order a Mukbang Set that includes all of these at only Php1,099!

Check out more Mukbang sets and ala carte dishes that you can savor at home with your family!

Garden Dining by White Moon Bar is open daily from 11am to 9pm. You may course your orders online or call +63 917 8753292 for delivery in areas within Manila and Pasay with payments via credit card accepted. Orders may also be coursed through the Manila Ocean Park takeout counter, with payments via cash and credit card accepted.

Disclosure: Food samples were provided to facilitate the dining experience for this feature article.

Virtual resto-hopping at GrabKitchen in Pasig

Do you sometimes miss those times when you can just hang out at a mall and go restaurant-hopping?

Being able to try various cuisines is heaven for a foodie like me.

However, with lockdowns and restrictions brought about by the pandemic, restaurant hopping is nigh impossible.

Even if you try to order food from different establishments for delivery, the delivery fees would also multiply.

Unless, of course, you get your food orders from GrabKitchen.

GrabKitchens are designed to greatly expand the food choices available in a particular locale by serving a varied curation of food selections from restaurants with no physical presence in the area all served from one central kitchen. It also offers customers the ability to mix-and-match – ordering from different restaurants hosted by the GrabKitchen for a single checkout and delivery fee.

That’s a load of convenience and savings, right?

GrabKitchens have already set up branches in Glorietta, Malate and Paranaque, and now, finally, right in my neck of the woods: Pasig City!

Through this GrabKitchen, I was able to able to treat the fam to a wide array of dishes and cuisines from different restaurants for our weekend lunch. These include:

Dimsum and noodles from King Chef such as Hakaw (Php190/4pcs), Pork & Shrimp Siomai (Php130/4pcs) and Beef Brisket Noodles (Php280).

Korean-style boneless fried chicken from 24 Chicken such as a Half Half order of Original and Yangnyeon (Php545/7pcs each) and a Half order of Snow Cheese (Php299).

Solo (100ml) cups of artisanal ice cream from Merry Moo such as Honey Comb (Php135), Milo (Php135) and Strawberry Shortcake (Php135).

Refreshing drinks from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice such as CoCo Milk Tea (Php85/regular), Pearl Milk Tea (Php90/regular), Strawberry Au Lait (Php150/regular with pudding) and Chocolate with Pudding & Pearl (Php100/regular).

Thanks to GrabKitchen, the fam and I had a virtual resto-hopping experience right at home!

But that’s not all!

A few months ago, driven by our K-drama triggered cravings, we also ordered our Korean meal from Happilee Korean Kitchen which included Pork Mandu (Php99/4pcs), Mini Kimbap (Php150/5pcs), Kimchi (Php30) and Soy Glazed Chicken Tray (Php600/10pcs).

Other restaurants hosted by GrabKitchen Pasig include Omakase, Conti’s, Las Titas MNL and Merienda by Pan de Manila.

With the mix-and-matching options available, ordering from GrabKitchen Pasig is well-suited for families whose members have varied food preferences.

So, fellow Pasiguenos, when you feel like having some variety in your meals or want to explore new food options, download the Grab app and order from GrabKitchen Pasig!

GrabKitchen Pasig is located at 172 C. Raymundo Avenue, Maybunga, Pasig City, open daily for delivery orders from 9am to 10pm.

Disclosure: A gift voucher was provided to facilitate the order experience.

Non-dairy and fructose-free milk teas from Grillin’ Ape

As a sweet tooth myself, I have to admit that I do have trouble saying no to sugary treats.

There’s nothing like a l bit of sweetness that I can enjoy in various parts of my day to give me that little kick of energy so I can power on or get out of a slump.

However, said sweet treats may have an impact on my health.

Milk teas, for example, are some of my perennially favorite drinks but these have high sugar levels and make heavy use of dairy products which may lead to difficulty in weight management as well as other potential health problems.

If only there was a way to enjoy my milk tea fix without its troublesome components, right?

Well, the Japanese street food joint in Eastwood Grillin’ Ape has expanded its product line to include fructose-free and non-dairy milk teas under its new brand: Ape Tea.

With exciting flavors such as Honey Dew Cheesecake and Strawberry Salted Caramel, Ape Tea brings that sweet and creamy goodness of milk tea without the use of fructose-based sugars and dairy products.

Try it with some of Grillin’ Ape’s tasty Takoyaki for a light and delicious snack.

You can also enjoy it as your dessert after feasting on Grillin’ Ape’s heartier offerings.

Ready to indulge yourself with a new milk tea experience and more? Order now through the Grillin’ Ape website or via Facebook. You may also call in your orders at +63 2 83677135 or +63 956 1504450.

Grillin’ Ape is located at Eastwood Cybermall level 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

Explosion of flavors from Explosive Burger Pasig

You would think that burgers are a dime a dozen nowadays. After seeing them proliferating through various fastfood stands and outlets all over the metro, you would be hard put to pinpoint one that you could claim as your true-blue favorite.

Well, for Pasiguenos like me, a new burger sensation has just come into town!

Explosive Burger has set up shop in our neck of the woods, right at the Northwing Food Hub of Hampton Gardens Arcade.

This newest branch is run by partners Eric Montoya and Jovy Barcinas who acquired the franchise from the original Explosive Burger based in Cavite, which incredibly spawned over thirty franchisees in just one year of operations.

If you happened to taste some of Explosive Burger’s variants, you wouldn’t wonder at its phenomenal growth.

Each burger is made with an expertly seasoned all beef patty, fresh off the grill then encased in a soft, lightly toasted buns along with house-made sauces, fresh vegetables and toppings, all combined to ensure and explosion of flavors in your mouth every bite. Hence the name: Explosive Burger.

And with burger prices ranging from Php68 for a single quarter pounder to Php189 for quadruple quarter pounder (!), you definitely get a whole lot of bang for your buck.

One weekend, Hubby decided to indulge the fam with Explosive Burger’s hearty and flavorful burger delights (and why on earth would I refuse?), so we drove off to Hampton Gardens Arcade to pick them up.

Waiting for our orders is already an exercise in self-control because the sight, smell and sound of the burgers cooking on the grill got us salivating.

We lost no time hieing ourselves back home so the fam could enjoy our Explosive Burgers together.

These included:

Pinatubo (Php78). A single quarter pounder with sliced cheese, cheese sauce, honey mustard, tomato, cucumber, white onion and fresh lettuce. We got this sans ketchup because my daughter #ExhibitA prefers her burgers that way.

Bulusan (Php100). A single quarter pounder topped with bacon, caramelized mushrooms and sliced cheese, along with cheese sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, tomato, cucumber, white onion and fresh lettuce. This sated my craving for cheesy bacon mushroom burgers right off the bat!

Banahaw (Php120). Two quarter pounder patties with cheese sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, tomato, cucumber, white onion and fresh lettuce. Hubby got two of these: one for him and another for our son #ExhibitB. Two heavy-weight burgers for my strapping boys!

We also got a couple of orders of fries to go with our burgers. Amazingly, these fries are infused with the flavor of the burgers!

After this initial taste of Explosuve Burgers, we found ourselves hankering for another so later in the week, Hubby ordered some for our midnight snack.

If you’re looking for that explosion of flavors in your burger, then give Explosive Burger a try. You just might discover your new go-to burger.

Explosive Burger Pasig is located at Northwing Food Hub, Hampton Garden Arcade, 100 C. Raymundo Avenue, Pasig City, open for takeout and delivery Tuesdays to Sundays from 1pm to 9pm.

Call in your orders at +63 917 8935131 or send a message on Facebook.

Boost your gut health with Forever Aloe Bits ‘n Peaches

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is to take care of our overall health.

A significant aspect of well-being is our gut health. However, unless our tummy acts out in ways that make us uncomfortable, we hardly take notice of it.

The state of our digestive tract contributes a lot to the health of other systems of our bodies: from the workings of our brain and heart, the effectiveness of our immune system, the state of our skin, weight and hormone levels, even the propensity to develop cancer.

Needless to say, ensuring the health of our digestive system goes a long way towards a living a healthier life.

For centuries, the aloe vera plant has been used for health and medicinal purposes, especially the jelly like substance harvested from its leaves – called aloe vera gel.

US-based company Forever Living Products, has mastered the harnessing of aloe vera’s health benefits and delivering it to consumers with its own aloe fields, manufacturing facilities, research and development, quality control laboratories and distribution channels.

In the Philippines, its products are distributed by Forever4U, which also hosts bootcamps for health, fitness and beauty buffs.

One of its products is Forever Aloe Bits ‘n Peaches. A product of Forever Living’s aloe stabilization process, it contains 200 compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins which help in maintaining a healthy digestive system as well as a natural energy level.

With the addition of peach concentrate, this drink is not just infused with the sweet and fruity flavor of peaches, it is also fortified with carotenoids which are great antioxidants, source of Vitamin A and essential in maintaining the proper function of our immune system.

I started taking a small shot glass of this tonic drink before breakfast and after dinner everyday and after a week, it has helped in clearing my gut regularly (you know what I mean!) helping me feel lighter and healthier.

Now is not the time to take our gut health for granted so do stock up on Forever Aloe Vera Bits ‘n Peaches, or other aloe gel drinks such as Forever Aloe Vera Gel or Forever Aloe Berry Nectar. These are great additions to any #LockdownCleansing routine.

To brush up on more healthy habits you can pursue during quarantine and beyond and to order Forever Living products, follow Forever4U on Facebook.

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to facilitate this feature article.

Buy these at Lazada!

Forever Aloe Bits ‘N Peaches

Forever Aloe Vera Gel

Forever Aloe Berry Nectar

CITEM launches digital initiatives to boost PH Food industry

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has announced the launch of its initiative to promote the local food industry.

In a recent digital promotions meeting attended by representatives from its partner exhibitors, buyers, government agencies, embassies and media, CITEM executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan shared that these digital-based endeavors are part of the CITEM’s drive to provide a unique and comprehensive trade show experience for all of its stakeholders.

“Even before the pandemic started affecting businesses and events the world over, CITEM has already begun working on its digitalization initiatives in an effort to go where our audience is headed,” says Suaco-Juan. “With digital marketing and e-commerce disrupting the trade industry, one must be able to adapt to the new online processes, systems and methods that are the future of this industry.”

CITEM’s digital initiatives aim to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) keep up with their global competitors and maximize their resources in the new business environment, through the power of digital and content marketing.

Food entrepreneurs among CITEM’s registered exhibitors, for example, can now easily connect with, and promote their products to more buyers around the world through their digital storefronts and online catalogs housed in the IFEX Connect website (ifexconnect.com).

Their online visibility will also be supplemented by hybrid events (partly onsite and partly online) as well as fully digital trade events which are promoted through communications in various online channels to extend the reach and discoverability of exhibitors beyond that of a typical onsite trade show.

Content in the form of social media posts, press releases, newsletters, event brochures and look books, among others, will also be created under the Food Philippines brand (foodphilippines.com), to help promote the local food industry by highlighting the country’s food heritage, recipes, feature stories, products, ingredients and culinary talents while linking back to the exhibitors’ digital storefronts.

To help exhibitors maximize the potential of IFEXConnect.com, CITEM is also running content amelioration programs to assist MSME’s in the production of product photos and brand copies meant to optimize both the user experience and their searchability online. This program started with a pilot batch of 100 MSMEs with top food stylist Chichi Tullao and food photographer Justin de Jesus helping in the production.

For all these efforts, CITEM enlisted the expertise of premier storytellers in the food industry: Joey Ong, advertising veteran and Managing Director/Executive Creative Director of Dojo as Chief Storyteller, and Angelo Comsti, chef, food writer, and author of the bestselling cookbooks, From our Table to Yours and Also Filipino, as Editor-in-Chief of the two platforms.

“CITEM, works hand in hand with these food luminaries along with ODV Creative who offered strategic support for content production and event management, and UM Philippines for web development. We are proud to have built a homegrown website and we look forward to building a community that will let the world savor the best of Philippine food,” added Suaco-Juan.

Food companies and buyers are encouraged to register and be the first to experience the shift to digital. Application for the initial batch of exhibitors is until August 25, 2021.

Click here to register as an Exhibitor and here to register as a Buyer.

These digital initiatives will be managed with the aim of creating profitable relationships between businesses and their customers using a customer relationship management system (CRM) which MSMEs can now benefit from by virtue of being registered exhibitors of CITEM.

MSMEs can even link their e-commerce platforms (such as their online stores in Lazada, Shopee or Alibaba) to their digital storefronts in IFEX to facilitate seamless sales transactions and fulfillment.

Another support that CITEM extends to food MSMEs is its product innovation and development program, which is now known as NxtFoodPH. It is a year-long comprehensive and integrated assistance for the development and promotion of Philippine food products to adapt to changing consumer demands.

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting globally-competitive small and medium enterprises (SMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an Integrated Approach to Export Marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.

For three decades, CITEM has established the country’s image as the premier destination for quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve export competitiveness in the international market.