Heritage meets culinary innovation as Marcelo’s Microcreamery officially launches its premium artisanal ice cream line at the iconic Romulo Cafe in Jupiter, Makati City. Founded by visionary and former athlete John Marcelo, this new microcreamery enters the highly competitive Philippine dessert market with a bold mission: to elevate the standard of local ice cream, honoring Filipino nationality, heritage, and the Marcelo family name.
Choosing Romulo Cafe as its exclusive launch destination and strategic culinary partner creates a definitive space where traditional Filipino cuisine seamlessly integrates with modern, micro-batch ice cream craftsmanship.
“I chose to launch it here because of our values,” says founder John Marcelo. “This restaurant in particular has a very rich history, aligned with a name, and we’re both writing a new chapter for tomorrow.”
A First-of-its-Kind Ice Cream Flighting Experience in Manila
To formalize this market introduction, the launch event features an exclusive Ice Cream Flighting program—a concept that sets a new benchmark for premium ice cream brands in the Philippines. Moving beyond a standard food tasting, the event is structured as an interactive dessert experience guided by a Special Event Passport. This passport, the very first of its kind in the local market, contains the rich backstory of each flavor.
It navigates attendees through a curated menu where Marcelo’s hyper-local, artisanal ice cream is expertly paired with Romulo Cafe’s signature Filipino desserts. This strategic menu pairing maximizes flavor profiling, offering a dynamic interplay of textures and temperatures that elevates classic Filipino comfort food into a premium dining experience.
“I took inspiration from my travels,” Marcelo explains. “Ice cream is a staple in our lives as Filipinos. I wanted to take that same experience of being able to discover something with child-like wonder while enjoying something sweet. This was a very personal experience for me, and I wanted to share that with the guests.”
The Heritage Line: Preserving Philippine Culinary Culture
The core identity of Marcelo’s Microcreamery is built on distinct flavor profiles that rival any international premium brand while preserving the richness of Philippine culinary culture. The brand’s signature Heritage Line serves as a premium translation of traditional Filipino desserts, featuring culturally recognizable flavors:
Inutak
Ube Macapuno Champorado
Latik-Latik
Mangga’t Suman
Bilo-Bilo
Chocolate Champorado (Coming Soon)
Bridging this local heritage with global culinary innovation is the brand’s exclusive Collaboration Line. By partnering with international dessert sensation Chef Nouel Catis—the creator of the viral Dubai Chocolate—Marcelo’s Microcreamery demonstrates how traditional Filipino ingredients can successfully merge with leading global food trends. This collection of Marcelo’s retails at P469.00 at select supermarkets nationwide.
“We decided to have this one stand out on its own,” Marcelo notes regarding the collaboration. “This is actually a symbol; I want to keep it a surprise for what we’re about to do. But this flavor right here is a declaration of not just national intent, but global innovation.”
A Legacy of Excellence: From the Racetrack to the Creamery
Ultimately, this launch establishes a new standard for Filipino excellence in the food and beverage industry. John Marcelo translates the high-performance legacy of his family’s professional racing background directly into the culinary world. From his father’s Asian circuit career, to his brother Jovy Marcelo making history as the only Filipino in the US IndyCar series, to his son Stefano’s achievements as a multi-awarded Philippine and Asian Champion, the Marcelo family is known for raising the Philippine flag internationally.
Applying that same precision, competitive drive, and national pride, Marcelo’s Microcreamery is setting the benchmark for premium ice cream, elevating Filipino flavors for the global stage.
Where to Buy Marcelo’s Microcreamery: The Marcelo’s Microcreamery Heritage line is now available for premium dessert lovers at Landers Superstore, The Marketplace, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, Romulo Cafe, and select partner restaurants nationwide.
