A Malagos Farmhouse cheese tasting in 32 Sanson by Rockwell

THE famed artisan cheeses from Malagos Farmhouse in Davao has made its way to Cebu for a cheese tasting which was held May 31 at the 32 Sanson by Rockwell Land clubhouse in Lahug, Cebu City. No less than carefully selected wines from Bibendum Wines were served to pair with the delectable cheeses. The tasting was attended by Cebu’s hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs.

Malagos Farmhouse cheeses are credited to Olive Puentespina and her husband Roberto Puentespina Jr., who raise their own cows and goats in their farm in Sitio Malagos, Davao City. Malagos cheese was initially a practical solution to the farm’s excess goat milk. With Olive’s agriculture degree from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and a penchant for innovation, she started traveling to the United States to learn more about cheese-making and furthered her knowledge by visiting farms and vineyards in various parts of the world including America, Canada, Switzerland, Italy and Mongolia.

She brought home with her an in-depth knowledge of making artisan cheeses and developed protocols to ensure the exemplary manufacturing practices of the company that now produces cheeses of international standards that are also proudly Filipino.

What started out as a small venture grew to become a game-changer, establishing the Malagos brand as the sought-after producer of artisan cheeses in the whole country. Anywhere from 250-600 liters of cow’s and goat’s milk are processed daily to make 35kg-120kg of cheese to supply demand. Malagos is no longer just the site of a humble farm but is now on the culinary map of the Philippines, associated with fine food.

Malagos Farmhouse’s thrust is to serve Filipinos and prioritize them as customers. Currently, Malagos Farmhouse cheeses are available in over 70 establishments in the country. (PR)