Why Ube Kome Cloud is not your ordinary coffee

Installations representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, created in collaboration with Salcedo Auctions on display at the UNIQLO Manila Flagship Store

As the Philippines and Japan mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, the country’s leading auction house Salcedo Auctions partners with Uniqlo Philippines to present a series of immersive in-store experiences inspired by the traditions, creativity, and craftsmanship that connect both nations.

Reflecting Salcedo Auctions’ evolution beyond the auction room, the partnership builds on its growing portfolio of exhibitions, publications, cultural collaborations, and public initiatives that bring art, design, and heritage into dialogue with wider audiences. Building on expertise in culture, design, and retail, it celebrates the enduring friendship between Japan and the Philippines through contemporary design, artisanal craftsmanship, and thoughtful storytelling.

Anchoring the experience are three sculptural installations conceived by Salcedo Auctions and crafted from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified solid wood, meeting the international standard for responsible forest management. Responsibly sourced from sustainably managed forests, the installations reflect both organizations’ shared commitment to thoughtful design, environmental stewardship, and responsible material sourcing.

Inspired by the Philippines’ diverse landscapes, the works reinterpret the rice terraces of Luzon, the coconut groves of the Visayas, and the seas and waves of Mindanao. Interwoven are iconic Japanese motifs—including lotuses, cranes, and koi—handwoven in rattan by master artisans from Nueva Ecija. Passed down through generations, the province’s rich weaving tradition utilizes materials sourced from indigenous communities, sustaining local livelihoods while translating time-honored craftsmanship into contemporary forms.

The experience extends to a seasonal Japan-Philippines café collaboration by Café Salcedo, the café concept by Salcedo Auctions. Developed with Uniqlo Coffee, the Ube Kome Cloud debuts as a specialty beverage inspired by the shared traditions and craftsmanship of Japan and the Philippines.

Created with ube kinampay, the “Queen of Philippine Purple Yams” cultivated primarily in Bohol and prized for its natural sweetness, vibrant purple hue, and delicate vanilla notes, the beverage is blended with the nutty richness of Japanese rice (kome) milk and finished with a light coconut milk foam.

The Ube Kome Cloud marks the first in a series of limited-edition beverages that Uniqlo Coffee and Café Salcedo will introduce in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Japan–Philippines diplomatic relations, culminating in Uniqlo Philippines’ 15th anniversary in 2027. Each seasonal creation draws inspiration from the ingredients, traditions, craftsmanship, and creative exchanges that have long connected the two countries.

The collection was developed by Café Salcedo co-founder Diego Lerma, an incoming sophomore at Dartmouth College and the younger son of Salcedo Auctions founders Richie and Karen Lerma. Inspired by his interests in entrepreneurship, food culture, and environmental stewardship, the series reflects the same spirit of cultural exchange and thoughtful innovation that shapes the broader partnership.

We have always believed that Filipino culture is a living narrative

Reflecting on the collaboration, Salcedo Auctions chairman and chief specialist Richie Lerma said: “Through immersive experiences such as the Island installations and the Ube Kome Cloud—a flavorful expression of the Philippines and Japan in a cup—we’re continuously exploring how culture can become part of everyday life. At Salcedo Auctions, we have always believed that Filipino culture is a living narrative—one that continues to evolve through art, design, craftsmanship, and creative exchange. By bringing these elements into spaces people inhabit every day, we hope to make cultural heritage more immediate, more personal, and more internationally resonant.”

More than commemorating seven decades of diplomatic relations, the partnership demonstrates how art, design, craftsmanship, and everyday rituals can deepen cultural understanding. By transforming retail spaces into places of discovery and dialogue, Salcedo Auctions and Uniqlo Philippines affirm that the strongest cultural connections are forged not only through formal diplomacy, but through the experiences people share in their everyday lives.