Montelibano and Cajili

A Taste of Bacolod There is one thing that binds Roberto Montelibano and Jose Maria Cajili: the Bacolod palate. Montelibano and Cajili are just among the brave entrepreneurs of Bacolod who ventured in the food industry, hoping to offer their townsfolk a lasting tang on their lips, and the rest of the country with such tasty homegrown flavor. Montelibano founded in 1993 GH Foods, Inc., which produces the American variety of cucumber (Gherkins) into sweet pickles (Whole Pickles, Pickle Chips, Pickle Relish and Mixed Pickles). Also produced by GHFI are nata de coco, kaong, and coconut milk. According to Montelibano, GHFI was set up to provide flavorsome complements to some of the common finds in the Filipino plate. He said that their products, which are freshly packaged in glass bottles (pickles, nata de coco, and kaong) and tin cans (coconut milk), are singled out by some major restaurants in Metro Manila to match their menus; Pancake House, Dencio’s, and UFC, to name some. “No matter how challenging it is, we always make sure that our products appeal to the taste of almost every consumer,” Montelibano said. “The secret is to stay true to the ‘fresh’ and tested procedures which have since produced quality goods.” Before GHFI, Montelibano has also established RM Poultry Dressing Plant, which offers services for Poultry Dressing Operations and Blast Freezing and Storage. The company, recognized for four consecutive years as the Cleanest Triple-A Dressing Plant in Region 6, has been an active dressing plant business partner of Swift Foods, Inc. in Negros since its inception until today. On the other hand, before Cajili came up with the idea to serve what would be known as one of Bacolod’s best, Chicken Inasal was unknown to many. But when Bacolod Chicken House was founded in February of 1976, the scrumptious chicken wonder became an instant favorite. With three branches in Bacolod City and four branches in Manila serving tastefully marinated and grilled spare ribs, pork barbecue, and lechon manok, Bacolod Chicken House continues to literally wow eaters from all the country over. As well, at Bacolod Chicken House, the eating public does not only seek its meaty chicken but also its “pinangat” (gabi leaves with tinunuan), pansit moto, crablets, fruit punch with ubod and Napoleones (one of Bacolod’s delicacies). Because of the warm response of the multitudes favoring their food, Cajili said that there are plans for his tasteful business to go global. On July 13, Montelibano and Cajili will each be recognized by President Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as an Inspiring Bacolod Entrepreneur, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo sa Bacolod slated at the La Salle Bacolod Coliseum. Go Negosyo sa Bacolod is part of PCE’s latest campaign, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions in key cities outside Metro Manila. Go Negosyo sa Bacolod is supported by the Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bacolod City Economic and Business Council through the representation of Bobby Montelibano (President) and Bro. Rolly Dizon (Chairman), respectively. Go Negosyo sa Bacolod is presented by Philippine Airlines, PAGCOR, Globe, Hyundai, PLDT, Smart, Islands Souvenirs, DTI-OTOP and RFM Corporation. Other partners of the event include SM Supermalls and La Salle Bacolod, The Philippine Star, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Bulletin, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law, Ideal Minds Corporation, and Full Circle Communications.