The Philippines Statistics Authority reported that last year, restaurant and hotel spending grew by 11% (from P345.2B in 2014 to P383.2B in 2015). These figures indicate that today's consumer lifestyles are indeed very much geared towards dining out and enjoying the food experience. 

"While Filipinos spend at least 42% of household expenditure on food and beverage, customers today are also more informed and discerning in their choices," described May Juan, President of Phil. Asia Conferences and Exhibitions, Inc.

As such, this coming March 2-4, 2017, the Philippines is set to have its first sourcing platform dedicated to the restaurant cafe and bar industry. The Philippine Restaurant, Cafe, and Bar Expo (Philresca) 2017 will run as a trade-exclusive event for the industry's established and emerging buyers and sellers. It will also feature a series of educational and competitive events sanctioned by World Coffee Events (WCE).

During a press conference recently held at the World Trade Center, WCE Creative Director Amy Ball, shared how many processes it takes before coffee can travel from the tree to a consumer's cup. She described and affirmed how and why this beverage is an inclusive commodity that has a big global impact. Thus, WCE will be bringing international coffee experts and industry leaders to the country to talk about themes such as farming, retail strategy and marketing, trends (where coffee's been and where it's going), success stories, and more.     

The three-day B2B exhibition aims to match buyers with suppliers, distributors, manufacturers,and service providers of commercial kitchen equipment, cafe, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, baking and pastries, specialty food, delicatessen, and other allied services. 

Aside from being able to source their requirements, professionals from the F&B and hospitality industry, HRM, and culinary and tourism schools, and international buyers will also learn new tricks of the trade during the exhibition.

As the first of its kind in the Philippines, the expo stands to carve out its own niche in the world of food and beverage where about 50% of visitors in food trade exhibitions come from the restaurant, cafe, and bar industry. As per government data, the restaurant, cafe, and bar industry is predicted to employ 795,000 people by 2017. 

"It's not enough to open a restaurant. Supplier partners are key," explained Ms. Juan. "The winners in the business are those who can source the right ingredients that will cater to today's taste."

Prior to the exhibition proper, Phil. Asia Conferences and Exhibitions, inc. and World Coffee Events will co-organize Re:Verb Manila on March 1, a one-day symposium that would focus on connecting stories to introduce and expound upon the world of specialty coffee. As I mentioned above, there will be speakers brought in by WCE as well as media who will create conversations among participants. 

Moreover, Philresca will feature this year's Philippine National Barista Championship and Philippine National Latte Art Championship. Winners will be sent to world championships to compete among the best in the coffee industry. 

According to Ms. Juan, "Beyond business, we envision Philresca as an educational venue to discover new talent and sharpen the craft of future service leaders. We are glad to host [the championships] and help bolster the position of Filipinos in the global coffee industry." 

Philresca is supported by UCC Ueshima Coffee Phils., Inc., MK Kitchen Equipment & Supplies, Barista Depot, Allegro Beverage Corporation, Fly Ace Corporation, Blu Coffee Distributors Corporation, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, Goldbell Philippines Impex Corporation, Ricmas Commercial Eqpt., Ltd., HORESCA Concept Specialist, Inc., Cafe Amadeo, California Milk Advisory Board, Bote Central Inc., Manila Bambi Foods Corp., Culinary Generals & Razor Chef Philippines, and El Kapitan Food Enterprise.

To register as a buyer, book a space as a seller or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, send an email at info@phil-ace.com or call 02.5097767. For more information, visit www.philresca.com.

One of the misconceptions a lot of coffee lovers have is that one can only get a great cup of coffee from commercial coffee shops. That's not true. In fact, there's now a growing appreciation for home brews and this does not only mean coffee prepared at home but also an increasing love for locally sourced coffee. 

In support of this movement, Robinsons Supermarket recently partnered with Silca Coffee, a roasting company based in Silang, Cavite and held a coffee appreciation class at Robinsons Supermarket Ermita. There, I learned a lot more about the beverage I have grown very fond of.

Michael Asuncion, the son of Silca Coffee founder Enrile Asuncion, explained to us how much work it entails to process coffee starting from picking beans from the tree until they are dried, milled, sorted, roasted, and brewed until the aromatic beverage ends being served in a cup. 

Let's admit it … the world has become more self-centered. With the incredible rise of the word "selfie" and the many reading materials and advice about "loving yourself first," these questions had to be asked: "What are our motives for sharing stuff online? Are we sharing to enrich the lives of others? Or, are we sharing to simply enrich our own lives by getting a lot of attention and validation?"

CBTL's 2017 Giving Journals

With this selfie culture in mind, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Philippines launched its Giving Journal 2017 as a reminder to all of us that life should not be about always getting favors or accolades for ourselves but more about how and what we bless the world with. It's about giving a part of ourselves so that we can instead uplift others.

This year, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gets back to its roots as a brand through the latest Giving Journal edition with its central theme being "the cup that changes lives." Since its beginnings in 2009, the Giving Journal's evolution with many changes in themes and designs, one thing remained constant: the commitment to giving and making lives better, one cup at a time.

the Hope in a Bottle booth

For coffee lovers, this widely consumed beverage is a must-have at least once a day. After all, that caffeine kick can help get us through a busy morning or a tough client presentation. For some, coffee can even serve as a way to ask someone on a date or as a great bonding moment with friends. 

City Blends: the third wheel in JaDine's dates

However, famous couple James Reid and Nadine Lustre of the JaDine fame humorously admit that coffee is a constant third wheel when they get together on dates. They also drink it in between shooting TV shows and films. Their choice of coffee brand? 7-Eleven's City Blends.

"I prefer Brewed Coffee. It helps me focus on set where there are so many distractions," revealed James. Nadine, on the other hand prefers her coffee sweet so she loves French Vanilla because, "the creamy taste perks me up."   

these hugot lines are funny! :)

Drinking Mountain Dew was part of my childhood. I remember being fascinated by the green bottle and its yellow green liquid that's very different from the dark-colored sodas many of my friends would usually buy. 

Now, the iconic green color is joined by two new ones as Mountain Dew makes another historic mark by launching #DEWmocracy, a campaign where Dew lovers are invited to take a stand and let our voices be heard.

Choose your favorite between two new and exciting limited-edition flavors. Blue Shock is charged with raspberry citrus and is known to be cool and stunning. The distinct raspberry-like flavor lets action do the talking and leaves you, well, in shock! Conversely, Live Wire with a blast of orange is loud and electrifying. It is said to be the Dew that hypes the crowd before they start jumping.