Rogeliano A. Cenita, a Bohol agripreneur with documented ties to Inabanga, presented his food enterprise Bluecrust at the Asia-Pacific Agrifood Innovation Summit 2026 in Singapore, supported by the Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmers Challenge program.
The summit, held October 27–29 at the Suntec Convention Centre, provided participating enterprises with opportunities to connect with investors, industry representatives, and potential commercial partners across the Asia-Pacific region.
Bluecrust develops value-added food products from crustaceans, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Its participation formed part of a Philippine initiative to introduce youth-led agribusinesses to markets beyond the country.
Inabanga Connection Behind the Bohol Agripreneur
Cenita’s connection to Inabanga, Bohol, appears in an earlier DA Regional Field Office 7 report, which identified him with GOT Vegetable Farm in Inabanga during an initiative linking young farmers with private-sector partners.
His participation in the Singapore summit brings international attention to an entrepreneur whose agricultural activities have included the Bohol municipality.
At the summit, the official program identified Cenita as founder and CEO of Bluecrust Processed Food Manufacturing, a featured enterprise in the “Innovating Agriculture: Young Farmers Challenge Pitching Showcase.”
Young Farmers Challenge Opens International Opportunities
The DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service organized the Philippine participation in collaboration with the Philippine Agriculture Office in Bangkok, Thailand.
Through the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), participating enterprises presented their products and business models on the summit’s Innovation Stage. They also attended discussions on biomanufacturing, regenerative agriculture, food systems, and food traceability.
The DA said the international exposure aimed to help young agripreneurs build connections and discover ideas that could support business development. Its announcement did not disclose completed investment deals or export agreements for Bluecrust.
Bluecrust Builds on National YFC Recognition
Before its Singapore appearance, Bluecrust had earned national recognition through the Young Farmers Challenge.
The DA listed Bluecrust Processed Food Products of Region VII among the YFC 2024 Upscale national awardees, recognized at the July 17, 2025 ceremony in Baguio City. Each national Upscale awardee received an additional ₱500,000 financial grant.
The recognition marked an earlier milestone in Cenita’s efforts to develop the enterprise, ahead of its participation in the 2026 international showcase.
From His Father’s Catch to Processed Food Products
According to a July 2025 Philippine Information Agency report, Cenita founded Bluecrust in June 2024 after seeing opportunities to develop products from his father’s catch.
The son of a fisherfolk and a housewife, he pursued the business despite having no culinary arts background. He sought DA assistance and attended seminars and training to improve the enterprise.
PIA identified Saang in Oil, Crabtastic, Humbang Tahong, and Shrimpty among Bluecrust’s products at the time. Cenita also expressed his ambition to help more members of Bohol’s fisherfolk community through the business.
A Local Example for Young Agripreneurs in Inabanga
Cenita’s participation offers aspiring entrepreneurs in Inabanga a local example of how agricultural and fisheries resources can become the foundation of a food enterprise.
His journey connects product development, training, government support, and international business exposure. It also highlights the role of the Young Farmers Challenge in supporting enterprises beyond primary production, including food processing and marketing.
For Inabanga and the wider Bohol community, Bluecrust’s Singapore showcase marks another step in a homegrown entrepreneur’s effort to reach a broader market.
