Passion, purpose, and perseverance

SPICE IT UP Rkitchen reimagines traditional Filipino delicacies like tuyo and tinapa, offering innovative twists such as lemon garlic tinapa, sweet and spicy tuyo, and spicy burong hipon

Life, much like a favorite dish, can be a delightful explosion of unexpected flavors. This sentiment resonates deeply with Reese Regua, a beauty vlogger turned entrepreneur, who first launched her beauty company, Sereese Beauty, before expanding into the culinary world with Rkitchen, a venture she co-founded with her husband.

Rkitchen reimagines traditional Filipino delicacies like tuyo and tinapa, offering innovative twists such as lemon garlic tinapa, sweet and spicy tuyo, and spicy burong hipon.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Reese, a business administration graduate, shared that Rkitchen’s origins lie in her family kitchen. "Rkitchen is inspired from our kitchen," she said. "With the inspiration of sharing these delicious gourmet foods to lots of people."

The foundation of the business was her mother’s cherished recipe, which sparked the idea to bring these flavors to a wider audience. From its humble beginnings, Rkitchen has expanded nationwide and into the international market, bridging Filipino culinary traditions across borders.

Currently, Rkitchen products are available in 82 locations across the U.S., including California, Hawaii, New York, and Washington. They are stocked in major international supermarkets like 88 Ranch Marketplace, Seafood City Supermarket, and Island Pacific, and are available on online platforms such as Weee!, Amazon, and Sukli.
Expanding their offerings, Rkitchen introduced coffee powder drinks in flavors like sea salt latte, butterscotch, and creamy caramel macchiato, designed to complement their gourmet products. Locally, Rkitchen operates kiosks in locations like SM North EDSA and is accessible through various e-commerce platforms.

When asked about her driving force, Reese credited her husband’s passion and her desire to uplift others. "When I saw how passionate my husband is with what he does and how many lives he has touched, I told myself that I also want to do the same—help more people," she shared. "Because business is not just business, you will also get the opportunity to give livelihood to others. And even though it's just one person you’re helping, it will fuel and encourage you to keep on going."

REESE REGUA with her husband Ryan

Building on their success, Reese and Ryan are now venturing into the hospitality industry with Ula Homes, a collection of luxury beachfront and hillside rental homes in San Juan, La Union, and The Mansion, an upcoming boutique hotel in the same region. The couple plans to integrate Rkitchen’s products into the culinary experience offered to their guests.

Reese’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is rooted in passion and perseverance.

"Stick with what you love so it doesn’t feel like you’re working each and every single day," she said. "If you really, really love something, then believe in that idea that is planted in your heart because you’re meant to do it."