Philippine embassy invites Cabalen to showcase halal ready-to-eat meals at Hospitality Qatar 2026

Philippine food manufacturers are introducing halal-certified, shelf-stable ready-to-eat products for consumers across Qatar and the wider GCC, Ambassador Mardomel Celo D. Melicor told Gulf Times at the opening of Hospitality Qatar 2026. The embassy invited Philippine restaurant brand Cabalen, which showcased a line of packaged meals.

Philippine food manufacturers are expanding their footprint in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) retail market by introducing halal-certified, shelf-stable ready-to-eat products for consumers across Qatar and the wider region, Gulf Times reported. Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Mardomel Celo D. Melicor spoke to the paper on the sidelines of the opening of Hospitality Qatar 2026 on Monday, 12 October.

According to Melicor, the Philippine Embassy in Qatar invited Philippine brand Cabalen to take part in this year's exhibition, where the company showcased a line of packaged meals designed to meet growing demand for convenience and long shelf life. The Cabalen Group delegation was led by Ferdinand "Dean" K. Dayao of Cabalen Business Development and Franchising Corporation, while embassy officials were led by First Secretary and Consul General Cassandra B. Sawadjaan.

"Cabalen is known in the Philippines primarily as a restaurant chain, but they innovated in response to challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. They are now producing off-the-shelf food items that consumers can easily prepare using a microwave, making them highly convenient and fully halal," Melicor said.

Halal tourism and flights

Melicor also pointed to expanding opportunities in halal tourism, saying local governments and private enterprises in the Philippines are working to build facilities that cater to Gulf travellers.

"The market for halal tourism primarily involves families rather than individual travelers. Facilities must cater to groups that include both adults and children, requiring tailored amenities and services," he explained.

Gulf Times reported that the embassy is engaging with regional stakeholders and airlines, including Qatar Airways, to streamline connections to secondary destinations such as Northern Mindanao. Melicor said that by collaborating with Qatar Airways, travellers from Doha can book integrated itineraries to regional destinations like Dipolog or Cagayan de Oro on a single booking pass.

About the exhibition

The 11th edition of Hospitality Qatar, organised by IFP Qatar, ran from 12 to 14 October at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) with 120 local and international exhibitors, Amazing Qatar reported. Exhibitors spanned sectors including hotels and resorts, food and beverages, and restaurant and catering equipment.

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