Not every food trip is really about food.
Sometimes, you arrive hungry and leave with a story you didn't expect to hear.
That was our experience last Wednesday when JourneyEscapes with Ludy, led by Miss Ludy Atillo, brought us on a day-long Cebu experience that took us from healthy vegan meals to handcrafted chocolate and, finally, burgers with a purpose.
For Featuring Cebu, we are looking at this journey from a different angle: the people behind the places and the stories that make each destination worth visiting.
Daniel’s Diet: Food for the Body and Conversations for the Soul
Our day began at Daniel’s Diet in Molave, Escario, where we were welcomed with an assortment of vegan food for lunch and snacks.
Daniel’s Diet is open Sundays to Thursdays, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Fridays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
For someone who doesn't always think of vegan food first, I was pleasantly surprised. The food was flavorful, filling, and enjoyable. It was one of those meals that makes you realize that eating plant-based doesn't have to mean giving up good food.
But there was another reason our time at Daniel's Diet was memorable.
We listened to Coach Kristine, who shared about compatibility, dating, and family planning. Her talk encouraged us to look beyond the excitement of dating and consider the importance of knowing ourselves, understanding our partner, communicating well, and thinking about compatibility when building a relationship and planning a family.
It was an unexpected but meaningful part of our lunch.
Dahlia Chocolates: Discovering the Story Inside Every Cacao Bean
By 2:00 PM, our journey shifted from wellness to chocolate.
We headed to Dahlia Chocolates to experience their trending Dubai Chewy Chocolate Workshop.
As someone who personally loves Dubai chewy chocolate and orders it often, I was excited to finally learn more about the dessert instead of simply enjoying it.
What made the visit more memorable was meeting Filipino pastry chef Grace Aquino and her husband, Marlon Aquino.
The couple spent several years working in California before eventually deciding to retire early. Their next chapter, however, led them to something unexpected: cacao.
They discovered the potential of Philippine cacao and developed a deeper appreciation for the farmers who grow it. They saw how our local cacao could become exceptional chocolate and wanted to help showcase that story.
That passion eventually led them to open Dahlia Chocolates about two years ago, creating chocolates that celebrate Philippine cacao.
Dahlia also conducts cacao workshops, usually twice a month, giving participants an opportunity to learn more about cacao and the chocolate-making process.
Our Dubai Chewy Chocolate Workshop gave us a chance to get involved, experiment, and, of course, enjoy the delicious result.
For me, it was more than learning how to make a trending dessert. It was learning to appreciate the journey behind chocolate, from the cacao farmer to the finished treat.
Dahlia Chocolates
Dubby’s: When Six Burgers Became Something Bigger
We ended our JourneyEscapes at Dubby’s Ultimate Burgers, where the highlight wasn't just the burger.
It was the story of the man behind it.
We met Sir Paulo, who shared how Dubby’s was born during the pandemic.
His wife was a nurse, and during those difficult months, he would prepare burgers for her to bring as baon for herself and her colleagues. It was his way of supporting his wife and the healthcare workers around her.
Then came one day when there were six extra burgers.
He decided to sell them online.
Those six burgers led to orders. The orders kept coming, and eventually, Dubby’s became a growing burger business.
But what makes the story more meaningful is what Sir Paulo chose to do with the opportunity.
Sir Paulo is athletic and is part of PADS. His connection with the PWD community is personal because he grew up with a mother who has a hearing disability.
During the pandemic, he witnessed how many persons with disabilities lost their jobs. He wanted to help, and Dubby’s became one of the ways he could provide opportunities.
PWDs were hired as servers at Dubby’s, giving them a chance to earn and become part of the team.
That part of the story really touched me.
It showed how a business that started from a husband's simple act of caring for his wife eventually became a platform for helping other people.
And yes, the food deserves its own mention.
Dubby’s offers a variety of burgers, giving diners plenty of choices. For me, though, their fries were a standout. I could happily order them again.
Dubby’s Ultimate Burgers
The Real Destination: The Stories
Our JourneyEscapes with Ludy itinerary may have included three food destinations, but what we brought home wasn't just a full stomach.
We brought home stories.
A vegan restaurant reminded us to make healthier choices while opening conversations about relationships and family.
A chocolate shop showed us that Philippine cacao has a story worth celebrating, especially the farmers behind it.
And a burger business showed us that even six extra burgers can become the beginning of something much bigger, especially when a business is built with compassion.
That's what makes exploring Cebu exciting.
The best places aren't always the ones with the biggest names. Sometimes, they are the places where you meet people with stories worth sharing.
And for Featuring Cebu, that's exactly what we love to feature: Cebu beyond the destination, through the people, food, passion, and purpose behind it.
This is part of our JourneyEscapes with Ludy series, discovering local places and the stories that make them special.
0 comments