Azul sorry for ‘Tuslob Buwa’ trademark

CEBU, Philippines —  The owner of Azul, a local restaurant in Cebu City, has apologized to barangays Suba and Pasil in the light of his business copyrighting the name “Tuslob Buwa.”

Ian Sekong made the apology after Azul drew flak from netizens after the restaurant posted a “friendly reminder” on its Facebook page on March 3 that it has the intellectual property rights over Tuslob Buwa.

Tuslob Buwa or “Dipped in Bubbles” is a popular street food in Cebu often partnered with puso (hanging rice). Its main ingredients are pig’s brain and liver.

Sekong, in a media interview yesterday, said he had no bad intention in registering the trademark with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

He said he only wanted to protect Cebu’s culture by making sure the trademark is owned by a Cebuano.

“My only motive is to protect and preserve our food as a cultural heritage. At least the trademark is owned by a Cebuano,” he said in the vernacular.

Sekong admitted regretting taking ownership of the popular culture term.

He explained that the restaurant went through the proper process of acquiring the trademark’s intellectual property rights.

He said there was no objection even after it was published in the Official Gazette.

But without hesitation, Sekong said, Azul will return the word Tuslob Buwa to its “rightful owners.”

“I am willing to transfer the ownership of the name, Tuslob Buwa, to barangays Suba and Pasil,” he said.

The popular dish and cooking method, Tuslob Buwa, originally came from the said barangays.

In fact, Barangay Suba celebrates an annual festival for the dish.

Officials of both barangays sought the assistance of Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr. in addressing the issue, even stating that they will take legal actions against Azul.

Rama said he reached out to Sekong, who happens to be his lower batch in high school, and explained to him the situation.

“We are elated over the development. Finally, the issue had been ironed out” he said.

As for the transfer of the trademark, Rama said he will consult it with the City Legal Office.

Moreover, the barangay officials said they will no longer press charges against Azul.  KQD (FREEMAN)