The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has officially approved the registration of the Alburquerque Asin Tibuok [G/4/2024/00008] from Bohol as a Geographical Indication (GI), marking it as one of the country’s cultural and economic treasures.
According to IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo, the approval of the Asin Tibuok as a GI “supports the preservation of culture and the way of life while also bolstering branding, market access and revenue opportunities for communities.”
“The inclusion of the Alburquerque Asin Tibuok into our growing list of geographical indications further underscores IPOPHL’s efforts to safeguard the country’s cultural icons, likewise potential economic drivers, under a strengthened intellectual property framework,” Arevalo added.
As a side of an IP Key Southeast Asia workshop organized jointly by IPOPHL and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, a ceremony was held for IPOPHL to officially turn over the certificate to the local government unit.
Alburquerque Councilors Jacqueline Buates and Francisneil Teves were also present to receive the certificate. Tourism Officer Dina L. Manlangit also graced the event to witness the turnover.
The Asin Tibuok is a traditional sea salt made through a labor-intensive, centuries-old technique that involves the burning of coconut husks, ash filtration and the boiling of seawater in specialized clay pots to create the dense, egg-shaped salt masses.
Asin means “salt” and Tibuok means “whole,” perfectly describing the physical appearance of this artisanal salt that endures in Alburquerque, Bohol, the last bastion of a dwindling cultural heritage craft.
Unrefined and additive-free, the salt contains halite, a natural form of sodium chloride, and is known for its smoky, sweet flavor blended with a coconut aroma.
With Asin Tibuok’s registration, the Philippines now has three registered GIs: Guimaras Mangoes, Aklan Piña and Alburquerque Asin Tibuok.
