Philippine Food Expo 2025: A Celebration of Culinary Excellence and Innovation

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The 17th Philippine Food Expo has transformed the World Trade Center in Metro Manila into a bustling hub of culinary innovation and business opportunity. With over 300 exhibitors showcasing the best of Filipino food culture under one roof, this three-day extravaganza has quickly become the must-attend event for industry professionals, food enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs alike.

A Powerful Opening

The expo kicked off on April 4 with a star-studded opening ceremony attended by key figures from government, academia, and the private sector led the distinguished guests, alongside representatives from various government departments and organizations. PHILFOODEX President Ruben L. See, together with foreign ambassadors and industry leaders, demonstrated the collaborative spirit driving the Philippine food industry forward.

More Than Just an Exhibition

Now in its 17th year, the Philippine Food Expo has established itself as the country's premier all-Filipino food and beverage trade show. But this isn't merely a display of products—it's a catalyst for economic growth. The connections formed and deals signed during the expo translate directly into investments, employment opportunities, and strengthened local enterprises.

"By bringing producers and markets together, the Expo plays a vital role in boosting agricultural sector growth and opening new doors for international trade," noted one industry observer. Each successful transaction contributes to farmers' and entrepreneurs' income, reinforces rural development, and fuels agro-industrial progress.

Diverse Offerings Across Multiple Sectors

The expo's exhibit floor features an impressive array of products and services spanning multiple sectors:

Food & Beverage: Everything from frozen meats and dim sum to artisan pastries, local sauces, and ready-to-eat delicacies

Health & Organic Products: Herbal supplements, organic honey, plant-based offerings, and locally produced juices

Hospitality & Tourism: Hotel suppliers, tourism packages, media content creators, and hospitality education

Packaging & Equipment: Commercial kitchen tools, packaging solutions with a focus on eco-friendly options

Technology & Utilities: Modern POS systems, software solutions, purification systems, and third-party laboratory services

Retail & Trade: Franchise opportunities, logistics services, grocery distribution, and retail innovations

Competitions and Culinary Excellence

The opening day featured a packed schedule of competitions and demonstrations that highlighted Filipino culinary talent:

The Philippine Regional Table Setting Competition showcased the diverse presentation styles across the archipelago

Kitchen Masters competitions put professional chefs and aspiring culinarians to the test

Specialized contests like the Healthy Pasta Competition and themed showcases such as "Ube for Every Craving" with Abigail Marquez celebrated both innovation and tradition

Industry professionals also benefited from educational seminars, including the Food Caterers Association of the Philippines' presentation on emerging trends in catering and food service.

Weekend Highlights

The weekend promises even more excitement for attendees, with the PINASarap Breakfast Competition reimagining Filipino morning classics, food styling competitions, and specialized workshops on everything from French patisserie to modern Filipino cuisine. Business-minded visitors can participate in the Usapang Agribiz Investment Forum organized by the Department of Agriculture.

The final day will feature the Philippine Food Expo Knowledge Challenge, valuable seminars on Halal certification, and the much-anticipated Mystery Ingredient Competition that will push chefs to their creative limits. The expo will conclude with an awards ceremony celebrating the exceptional talent displayed throughout the event.

A Platform for Growth

The Philippine Food Expo 2025 represents far more than a trade show—it's a national platform uniting local innovation, culinary artistry, and global market potential. As the event continues through April 6, it reinforces the Philippines' growing influence in the global food and beverage landscape.

With each connection made and partnership formed, the expo strengthens the foundation of the Filipino food sector, empowering local businesses to reach new heights on both domestic and international stages. As one exhibitor put it: "This is where relationships are built, innovations are shared, and the future of Filipino food takes shape."

The Philippine Food Expo 2025 runs until April 6 at the World Trade Center, Metro Manila. For inquiries, contact Exhibition Manager Cut Unlimited at info@eventsbycut.com or (02) 8363 4900 / 8362 2266. 

Follow the event on Facebook @PhilippineFoodExpo and Instagram @philfoodexpo.

 #PhilippineFoodExpo2025 #SupportLocal #FoodInnovation

A Toxic Trail: On World Health Day, Groups Sound Alarm Over Unrecyclable Waste from Cigarettes and Vapes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Quezon City, Philippines — April 6, 2025 — On the eve of World Health Day, two of the country’s most active public health and environmental watchdogs have issued a clarion call — not just for a behavioral shift among smokers and vapers, but for an upstream policy revolution that could save both human lives and the environment from a mounting and largely invisible threat.

In a joint press statement, Action on Smoking and Health-Philippines (ASH Philippines) and the EcoWaste Coalition declared that cigarette butts and used electronic smoking devices (ESDs) are not just health hazards — they are unrecyclable, toxic waste products that represent a silent, surging crisis.

And their solution? A bold and uncompromising one: a total phase-out of cigarettes and electronic smoking products.

A Toxic Legacy That Lingers

For decades, the cigarette butt has been the most littered item on the planet. Now, the rise of vaping and other electronic smoking devices has added a new layer of environmental catastrophe — one composed of lithium batteries, circuit boards, plastic pods, and nicotine-laced liquid residues. These components are not just dangerous — they are impossible to dispose of safely, the groups emphasized.

“There is no practical way to recycle cigarette butts and spent ESDs,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition. “They are full of toxins and carcinogens, and the danger extends to those working in recycling facilities. Like single-use plastics, they are fundamentally incompatible with a circular economy.”

The problem, she explained, is multifaceted. Cigarette butts are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that resists decomposition and leaches chemicals into soil and water. Meanwhile, ESDs — including vapes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) — combine a dangerous mix of metals, toxic liquids, and batteries. Discarded irresponsibly or stored indefinitely, they pose fire hazards, leach heavy metals, and contaminate ecosystems.

A Crisis You Can't Sweep Away

Despite cleanup drives and community awareness campaigns, the scale of the problem remains staggering. Trillions of cigarette butts and billions of discarded ESDs and their parts are dumped into the environment each year.

“No amount of beach combing or street sweeping will ever make a noticeable dent,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin, Executive Director of ASH Philippines. “The only true solution lies upstream — to stop producing, selling, and using these deadly and polluting products.”

The statement highlighted the futility of current waste management strategies. Even well-intentioned attempts to collect and recycle smoking waste have failed — primarily because no method exists to detoxify or safely repurpose them.

ESDs: A Fire Hazard in Your Pocket

Unlike cigarette butts, which slowly degrade into microplastics, ESDs carry more immediate dangers. Their built-in batteries can explode and start fires. Across the country, schools are left with stockpiles of confiscated vapes because even authorities don’t know how to dispose of them safely.

“What we are dealing with here is not just a nuisance,” Dr. Limpin added. “It is a public health time bomb with consequences that go far beyond the individual smoker or vaper.”

Time for a Just Transition

While the call for a phase-out may seem radical, the groups stress that the approach must include a just transition — especially for communities economically dependent on tobacco production and vape retailing. Support for alternative livelihoods, health programs, and environmental jobs should accompany the shift.

This echoes global calls from the World Health Organization and other institutions advocating not just for personal change, but systemic transformation in the face of the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

A Call to Quit — and Never Start

Ultimately, the message is clear and uncompromising: Quit cold turkey. Don’t start. Not even once.

ASH and the EcoWaste Coalition are calling on the public — especially the youth and non-smokers — to turn away from both smoking and vaping. They urge smokers and vapers to seek cessation support and to realize that what is marketed as a personal choice has collective consequences.

“World Health Day is the perfect moment to reflect on how we treat both our bodies and our planet,” said Lucero. “If we are truly serious about saving lives and healing our Earth, we must have the courage to end this toxic cycle now.”

By Ross Flores Del Rosario, Founder of Wazzup Pilipinas

About the Author: Ross Flores Del Rosario is the Founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, a recognized advocate for environmental and public health awareness. He is also the External Vice President of the Green Party of the Philippines and a Board Member of the Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan Movement Inc. Through his platform, he champions initiatives that drive sustainable action and meaningful change across the country.

Paano Ba Sumakses? A Blogger's Guide to Success Inspired by a Lumpia Game

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Success isn’t always a straight line — sometimes it’s a wiggly wire, much like that quirky game we see at local fairs. But hey, if lumpia can be part of the journey, count us in!

Here’s a playful yet insightful take on how bloggers (and anyone, really) can “sumakses” in their journey:

1. Step by the step

Take it one post, one story, one collab at a time. Don’t rush the process. Each “step” forward, even the smallest, brings you closer to your goals.

2. Sa Lumpia

Okay, not literally (unless food blogging is your thing!) — but stay true to what excites you. Find your “lumpia” — your unique flavor or niche that makes your content deliciously different.

3. Without Touching the Wire

Avoid the noise, the distractions, and the negativity. Stay focused. Stray too far off and you might “buzz” out. Keep your balance, and don’t let drama derail your grind.

4. The Longer You Last, the Better the Prize

Consistency is key. It’s not about being viral for a day — it’s about building value that lasts. Keep showing up. The longer you stay in the game, the bigger the rewards.

5. Makikita Mong Bigla Kang Sumakses!

One day, you’ll look back and realize — you made it. Not by luck, but by daring to try, staying on course, and loving what you do.

So fellow bloggers, vloggers, creators — keep playing the game, steady your hand, and remember: the prize isn’t just at the end, it’s in every moment you choose to keep going.

SOCIAL MEDIA CAPTION:

"Paano ba sumakses?"

Success is just like this lumpia wire game — one steady step at a time, without letting distractions throw you off.

Keep creating. Keep showing up. The longer you last, the better the prize!

#SumaksesTips #BloggerLife #WazzupPilipinas #PinoyContentCreator #LumpiaWisdom

Overlay the quote:

“The longer you last, the better the prize!” in bold, eye-catching text.

1. Step by the Step

Caption Overlay: "Take it one step at a time."

2. Sa Lumpia

Caption Overlay: "Find your flavor."

3. Without Touching the Wire

Caption Overlay: "Avoid the noise. Stay steady."

4. The Longer You Last, the Better the Prize

Caption Overlay: "Stay consistent. Success takes time."

5. Makikita Mong Bigla Kang Sumakses!

Caption Overlay: "One day you’ll see — you made it!"

Inspiration can come from anywhere — even from a fun fair game involving lumpia and a wiggly wire. While waiting in line at a local event, I saw a sign that humorously asked: “Paano po sumakses?” The instructions that followed, though meant for a game, felt surprisingly like life advice. Especially for bloggers and content creators.

Let’s break it down and turn this quirky moment into your new blogger mantra.

1. Step by the Step

Just like in the game, success is a matter of small, intentional moves. Don’t rush the process. One blog post at a time, one partnership at a time. Remember: your journey is not a sprint but a series of steady steps.

2. Sa Lumpia (Find Your Flavor)

Whether you blog about food, travel, tech, or lifestyle — embrace your niche. Find your lumpia — that unique voice or angle that makes you stand out. Authenticity is always tastier than trying to copy someone else’s plate.

3. Without Touching the Wire (Stay Focused)

In the game, the goal is to reach the end without hitting the wire. In blogging, the “wire” is distraction, burnout, or comparison. Stay focused on your path. Avoid toxic noise. Silence the buzz, and stay on course.

4. The Longer You Last, the Better the Prize

Consistency is everything. Great bloggers aren’t built in a day. Keep showing up. Keep posting. Keep improving. The ones who last — win. Algorithms may change, trends may shift, but quality and dedication never go out of style.

5. Makikita Mong Bigla Kang Sumakses!

Then one day, you’ll see — you’ve made it. You’ll have followers who trust your words, clients who respect your work, and a voice that matters. Success doesn’t always come with fireworks — sometimes, it arrives quietly… then all at once.

Final Words

Success isn't always glamorous. Sometimes, it’s like a fun game — messy, wobbly, unpredictable, but incredibly rewarding. So hold on to your wire, find your balance, and keep moving forward.

Sumakses ka na!