By Tito Mike
CAGAYAN DE ORO— Northern Mindanao’s hospitality industry marked another milestone on 24 September 2026, as Newdawn Hotel Plus hosted a Media Launch and Partners Night to celebrate the certification of Aster Kitchen, the hotel’s dedicated banquet kitchen making it the city’s First Halal-Certified Hotel Kitchen, offering Halal-Food Services: Banquets, Events, Catering, Buffet Breakfast, and Room Service.
Atty. Mohammad Hussien Lucman, Chief, Administrative and Finance Division, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) -Region 10 hailed the feat which was attained through the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board, Inc. (MMHCBI), under the supervision of NCMF Region 10.
“We at the NCMF accredit halal certifier entities which in turn certifies halal,” Lucman said.
This achievement directly aligns with the NCMF’s official mandate under Republic Act No. 9997 to promote, develop, and regulate the Philippine Halal industry, ensuring the preservation of the integrity and credibility of halal compliance for the benefit of Muslim Filipinos and travelers alike.
The Certificate issued to Newdawn Hotel Plus Aster Kitchen which took effect on 08 September 2026 to 08 September 2027, found the establishment compliant with Halal standards in the sourcing, preparation, cooking, and serving of food. It was issued and granted following the thorough inspection, and scrutiny of Aster Kitchen by the MMHCBI Board in accordance with Islamic Law and Guidelines of the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board in Cotabato City.
Sunrise Industry
Department of Trade and Industry Region 10 Assistant Regional Director Almer Masillones cited how the aforementioned developments signify a rising awareness and investment in the region’s Halal industry.
In February 2026, the Regional Halal Committee awarded 14 micro, small, and medium enterprises across Northern Mindanao with Halal certificates as part of DTI-10s efforts to support MSMEs in enhancing consumer confidence, supporting Muslim-friendly markets, and opening opportunities for domestic and export growth.
“We have also participated in Halal trade fairs and promotion activities and witnessed Halal lanes being established in supermarkets,” Ms. Masillones said. “These milestones showcased the region’s growing Halal industry and expanded market opportunities for Halal-certified products.
In fact, ten Halal-certified MSMEs from Region 10 were present during the launch to showcase their products, representing the growing number of entrepreneurs in the region investing in Halal certification and developing products for local and global markets.
“The developments that we are celebrating today signifies that the Halal efforts in Northern Mindanao continues to expand to include the hospitality and tourism industries,” she added.
The Challenge
Nevertheless, Lucman acknowledged how achieving a Halal certification is no small feat.
“Transitioning a premier hotel restaurant into a fully halal-compliant facility is paved with immense struggles and institutional hurdles. It demands strict adherence to rigorous logistics, navigating highly complex documentation, and restructuring supply lines to guarantee entirely separate, halal-compliant ingredient sourcing,” he stressed.
Beyond the steep certification costs, he cautions how the true challenge lies in the continuous, unwavering enforcement of strict sanitation, cross-contamination prevention, and deep cultural retraining for staff.
“By completely restructuring a kitchen infrastructure to protect the sanctity of Tayyiban (pure, clean, and wholesome standards), New Dawn Hotel Plus has transformed these operational burdens into an inspiring triumph for the region. Tayyiban (طَيِّبًا) is an Arabic word that means good, pure, clean, wholesome, and pleasing.
Challenge met
Engr. Ruel Vincent C. Banal, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations of the
Department of Science and Technology – Northern Mindanao, lauded what he termed as “the result of two years of hard work, commitment, resources, and partnership.”
“This achievement did not happen overnight. Our journey began in 2023, when DOST and Newdawn embarked on a shared goal toward Halal certification. Our RediHalal Team walked them through the series of Halal training, assessment, development of their Halal Assurance and Management Manual, and the final Halal audit, leading to this certification.”
“More than the technical requirements, what made this journey meaningful was Newdawn’s willingness to learn, adapt, and continuously improve,” Banal noted. “For DOST, this is what partnership is all about: Agham na Ramdam. As we continue to support the Halal industry, we hope to make science and technology, and innovation not only understood, but truly felt, experienced, valued, and, in our case today, celebrated.”
Muslim-Friendly
This certification perfectly complements the hotel’s prestigious recognition by the Department of Tourism Region X last January 2026 as Northern Mindanao’s premier Muslim-Friendly Accommodation in Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao. From Muslim-Friendly rooms with Quiblah, Qur’an, and prayer mats, an designated prayer area, and Halal Pasalubong, Aster Kitchen is the pinnacle of Newdawn Plus Hotel’s Halal services.
For Newdawn Hotel Plus, the achievement supports a broader goal of strengthening Northern Mindanao’s position as an all-inclusive destination for meetings, conferences, government and business events.
“We are seeing increased requirements from government and MICE clients for Halal-certified food service.. We are proud to be the first to offer DOT accredited Muslim-Friendly accommodations, Halal food service, and partner with Halal-certified Pasalubong MSMEs,” said Tricia Grace Rañises, Group Vice President for Sales & Marketing. “Newdawn Hotel Plus -Aster Kitchen gives event organizers another reason to confidently choose Cagayan de Oro for their meetings, conferences and gatherings.”
Along with its Halal-certification, Aster Kitchen is developing a culinary identity inspired by a fusion of Mindanao and Southeast Asian cuisines. Its featured catering offerings include Chicken Piaparan, Fish stew with Langka (Biyaran a Badak), Chicken Rendang, its signature Halal-certified Pancit Macau with Seafood, Roast Chicken, and other hotel pastries such as Ube Ensaymada and Butter Torta.
Earlier, Zubaibai Seafood Restaurant at the 5th Level of SM CDO Downtown was granted a Halal Certificate for Restaurant Operations and Food Preparation, Kitchen Handling, Menu Management, and Food Service Activities by the FIQH and HALAL COUNCIL of the PHILIPPINES, Inc. effective 14 May 2026 until 13 May 2028.
Babu Kwan
The first Halal-certified restaurant in Northern Mindanao was the Moro-themed and inspired Babu Kwan restaurant which opened at Cagayan de Oro in April, 2019 at the ground floor of Saavedra Building (Vines Pension House), Yacapin corner Aguinaldo Streets, Barangay 32, Cagayan de Oro City, just across Wilshire Inn and 110 meters from Masjid Oro Jama-ah along Aguinaldo Street.
Owned by couple Abdelnur (Abde) and Norkhalila Mae (Khal) Mambuay-Campong, it sought to restore the Meranaw Culture and Lifestyle shattered by the Marawi Siege, and promote Halal foods in accordance to Islamic laws as mentioned in the Holy Quran and Hadiths.
Aside from being the first Halal-certified restaurant in Northern Mindanao by the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board Inc. on June 12, 2019, Babu Kwan was also cited with the Q Asia Publication Quality Excellence Awards in the restaurant category, and conferred the Seal of Quality Service Excellence, based on customer satisfaction.
Its Halal Certification was renewed on March 31, 2023 since the first one’s effectivity was extended since no onsite inspections were possible in the interim due to the global pandemic constraints. However, its owners have since emigrated to Canada.
