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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

CBA’s KaKaAni Ice Cream Scoops 1st Runner-Up in PCCI’s BIDA

Oct. 22, 2025

Harold Vidaira | SCO

A remarkable taste of innovation from Central Luzon State University (CLSU) has captured national attention as the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) Tropea’s KaKaAni Ice Cream, a student-led enterprise, has clinched 1st Runner-Up in the Food Category of the prestigious Business and Development Awards (BiDA), organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). Outshining hundreds of entries from across the Philippines, the KaKaAni team advanced through three rigorous stages of competition, culminating in a final judging held at the PCCI headquarters in Taguig City on September 29, 2025. The team formally received their award at the SMX Convention on October 21, 2025. This national recognition highlights the team's creativity, determination, and dedication to promoting Filipino culture and innovation through entrepreneurship. The KaKaAni team is composed of entrepreneurship students Mark Lester Quimpo, Francine Olar, Jensel Abuan, Pauline De Vera, and Jelomie Catabona, under the mentorship of Ms. Via Shane R. Santiago. More than a dessert, KaKaAni Ice Cream is a tribute to Filipino heritage—crafted with nostalgic flavors and locally sourced ingredients that embody comfort, culture, and community. Each scoop represents not only a delightful treat but also a symbol of success, tradition, and the sweet potential of homegrown innovation. The milestone reinforces CLSU’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of visionary and socially responsible Filipino entrepreneurs, equipped to bring pride and progress to their communities and the nation. #SievingForExcellence

Related SDGs
  • 4

    Goal 4: Quality Education

  • 12

    Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • 17

    Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals

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CLSU Stages "Cacao TALKS 2026" to Bolster Value Chain

To showcase the latest findings and technologies in Cacao, the Central Luzon State University held the Cacao TALKS (Transforming Agriculture through Livelihoods, Knowledge and Sustainability) 2026: A Cacao Value Chain Conference on March 11, 2026, at the RIE Amphitheater. The conference convened over 120 cacao farmers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, with more than 1,000 views on Facebook Live, synchronizing efforts to elevate the Philippine cacao value chain. The event was made possible under the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) funded project titled “Productivity, Technical Efficiency, and Competitiveness of the Cacao Value Chain in the Philippines” led by Dr. Edilyn V. Lansangan, which aimed to transition the industry from traditional farming to a technology-driven, market-competitive sector. During the opening program, University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, represented by Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, emphasized the importance of the gathering, noting that the presence of stakeholders reflects a collective drive to position cacao as one of the primary engines for rural development. “Today's conference brings together a diverse and dynamic community of stakeholders, from farmers and researchers to entrepreneurs, policymakers, and development partners. Your presence reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the Cacao Value Chain and unlocking the vast potential of Cacao as a driver of sustainable agriculture, livelihood generation, and rural development.” A high-level technical session featured industry leaders and researchers who addressed the multifaceted challenges of the sector. Philippine Cacao Industry Council (PCIC) President Consul Armi Lopez-Garcia and Dr. Divina M. Amalin of De La Salle University headlined a panel that covered national industry status, and the potential of cacao in the market. In addition, experts from CLSU, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), University of the Philippines Mindanao, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) discussed advanced pest management and the integration of modern agricultural techniques. Beyond production, the conference bridged the gap between the laboratory and the marketplace. Ms. Eva Ritchelle D. Padua, owner of The Dulce Chocolate House, provided an entrepreneurial perspective through presenting a developed product from cacao. The event also featured a technology demonstration held at PHilMech. The event is spearheaded by CLSU together with PCIC/Philippine Cacao Industry Association, Inc. (PCIA), PhilMech, UPLB, DOST-PCAARRD, and Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC). #SievingForExcellence

Mar. 12, 2026

“My Puhunan” TV Show to Feature Tilapia Ice Cream

One of the Kapamilya Channel programs, titled "My Puhunan Kaya Mo!" visited Central Luzon State University (CLSU) to capture the story behind the world-renowned Daerry’s Tilapia Ice Cream on March 6, 2026. Accompanied by the developer herself, Dr. Dana G. Vera Cruz, the crew made a quick visit to the Dungon Museum and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at CLSU before diving into the production of the university’s most curious delicacy. The program aims to highlight how CLSU transformed a humble aquatic staple into a sweet, award-winning sensation that defies expectations with its creamy texture and zero-fishy taste. Watch and support this inspiring story, airing on March 15, 2026, at 4:00 pm on Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live.

Mar. 12, 2026

COS Launches the FIRST Program to Elevate Research and Teaching

The College of Science (COS), led by its College Dean, Dr. Angeles M. De Leon, officially launched the Faculty Immersion in Research, Scholarship, and Teaching (FIRST) Program today, March 12, at the CLSU International Studio. Attended by College Deans, faculty members, and staff, the FIRST Program is a strategic initiative anchored under the Educating for Leadership, Enterprise, Value-Creation, and Advanced Talent Ecosystems (ELEVATE) Program of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) to transform the University into a world-class national research institution. Rather than a one-time workshop, it is an institutionalized, annual cycle of training and mentorship. “The success of the FIRST Program will depend not only on its design but on the active participation, collaboration, and commitment of our faculty members. This is an invitation for all of us to continue learning, mentoring, and growing together as a community of scholars,” De Leon said in her message. This program reflects the unwavering commitment of the University to strengthen not only its faculty but also the future of its students and its broader institutional impact. #SievingForExcellence

Mar. 12, 2026

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Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines 3120
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