On motherhood, business, and food from cold to warm plates

It was a meal made to linger in both the memory and heart—a heartfelt tribute from Cold Storage to the women who have nourished lives in more ways than one.

Hosted at Lobby 385, the Mother’s Day Encore event was Cold Storage’s way of saying thank you—through food. Not just any food, but a gastronomic journey built on the brand’s choicest ingredients and a deep, personal legacy. At the heart of it were Marco and Morris Qua, who now lead the Cold Storage brand, honoring not only their customers but the woman who raised them, strong-willed, reserved, and ruled by principle—their mother, Elizabeth Qua.

In this interview, Elizabeth said she didn’t shower her children with gifts or compliments. She raised them with standards instead. “I do not praise them where they can hear it, I want them to strive for excellence,” she declared. She didn’t say, “I’m proud of you” out loud—but the pride was always there, tucked quietly into the life she built for them, the one she expected them to carry forward with dignity.

And carry it they did. Today, her two sons and daughter are exactly the kind of grown-ups who make you believe in that quieter, more deliberate kind of parenting. Hardworking, gracious, and unafraid to get their hands wet, Marco and Morris Qua now lead the family business with a synergy that doesn’t need explaining. They complement each other with the kind of seamless understanding usually reserved for synchronized swimmers or long-married couples. Their achievement simmers. Their success isn’t inherited. It’s earned. Years of early training under the watchful eyes of their parents—especially their father—taught them the ins and outs of the seafood business and responsibility. Their bond as brothers is unshakable. Their shared vision, unstoppable.

On May 21, the Qua brothers hosted a special event at Lobby 385 called “With Love, From the Sea: A Mother’s Day Encore.” It was a celebration of motherhood in the most heartfelt way—through food, thoughtfulness, and gratitude. “This is for all the moms who helped us along the way, their recipes, their tips, their lessons, and for their loyalty to Cold Storage products. This is our way of saying thank you,” Marco Qua explained. And it certainly felt that way. Upon entering, each mother was welcomed with a smile, led to a table set with blooms and place cards, and offered a plate from The House of Laverne to personalize with her name or a word of meaning. It felt like something between a lunch and a love letter.

From the very first sip—a welcome drink served with care—the menu was intentional because it was so considered. It wasn’t just curated, it was composed, with every course showcasing the versatility and quality of Cold Storage’s premium offerings. From the Seafood Cioppino in a sourdough bread bowl to the Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing, every dish felt like a quiet act of care. The appetizers—Hokkaido Kani Mussels, Baked Croquette, and Stracciatella Capers—were the first taste of Chef Kalel’s vision. The mains, from Black Cod Miso Saikyo Yaki to Kopa Grilled Salmon Tandoori and the 800g Angus Striploin, fed the body and affirmed the spirit. Dessert—Classic Tiramisu and Mulled Wine Poached Pears—was a closing note as tender as a mother’s well-earned approval.

Throughout, Marco and Morris made it a point to thank their guests. People say food is love, and the brothers leading Cold Storage made a roomful of moms feel the love that day. For decades, they’ve brought the best of the sea to Filipino homes with the promise: to choose well and honor the values that started it all. Indeed, they have been serving quietly for nearly 200 branches and 400 products now.