A new tea, a season of hands-on experiences, and an invitation to discover the craft and culture behind every cup
Manila, Philippines, 7 May 2026 — Tea is something most Filipinos have known their whole lives. It is in our mornings, our conversations, our quieter moments. While it feels familiar, there is so much more to learn about tea: the regions it comes from, the seasons that shape it, the generations of craft that bring it to the cup.
This May, CHAGEE invites you to explore the world of tea making. To welcome International Tea Day on May 21, CHAGEE Philippines is marking the occasion with a new jasmine oolong tea, and a series of experiences designed to bring people genuinely closer to tea culture.
A New Tea, and the Story Behind It
On May 8, CHAGEE introduces the BO·YA Jasmine Tieguanyin Tea series, the newest addition to its BO·YA Jasmine series.
The BO·YA name carries a two-thousand-year-old story of genuine connection that echoes through the ages, featuring Boya, a master musician whose playing was so deeply felt that only one person, a humble woodcutter named Ziqi, could fully understand it. Their bond became one of Chinese culture’s most enduring expressions of genuine connection: the idea that something made with real honesty will always find the people who appreciate it. It is a hope that runs through every cup in the BO·YA series: That somewhere out there, for every blend crafted with care, there is someone who will pick it up, take a sip, and simply understand.
The new drink opens with a gentle front note of jasmine before the distinct orchid character of Tieguanyin, a prized variety of oolong, slowly follows. This builds the first sip into a taste that is floral, layered, and quietly complex. The Tieguanyin oolong base is sourced from the high-altitude gardens of Southern Fujian, China, while the jasmine flowers come from Hengxian in Guangxi, known in the world for producing jasmine of exceptional quality and lasting fragrance.
BO·YA Jasmine Tieguanyin Milk Tea: PHP 159 (R) / PHP 175 (L)
BO·YA Jasmine Tieguanyin Brewed Tea: PHP 130 (R) / PHP 145 (L)
Something to Savour Beyond the Cup
Alongside the new drink, CHAGEE has designed a small collection of tea-inspired merchandise for the season, including a Tea-Scented Charm, a Tea Icons Keychain, and the Tea Roots Tumbler, each drawing from the natural elements and imagery behind CHAGEE’s teas. Selected merchandise will be available bundled with BO·YA Family drinks in-store during the launch period.
And for those who want to go a little deeper, CHAGEE will also be releasing a specially curated publication dedicated to the culture and heritage of tea, available at select stores from May 21. More details to follow closer to International Tea Day.
Experiencing What Makes a Good Cup of Tea
To fully immerse Pinoy tea lovers in the process of tea-making, CHAGEE will launch a Sip and Learn Tea Workshop on May 11, where invited guests will be guided by a Tea Master through the aromas, flavours, and stories that make a great cup of tea. It will be a first step, and an intentional one: a reminder that the story of tea is best experienced in person, and that there is more to come for those who are curious.
A second session – which the public can join by signing up through the CHAGEE app – will follow at SM North EDSA on May 21, and a final session at Robinsons Galleria on June 6, so there are plenty of opportunities to take part throughout the season.
On International Tea Day itself, CHAGEE is also inviting Filipinos to slow down and take a real tea break. From May 18 to 21, during meryenda time at 3 PM, the first 100 customers at every CHAGEE Philippines store can claim a complimentary Regular BO·YA Jasmine Tieguanyin Milk Tea. It is CHAGEE’s way of marking the day simply and sincerely: with a good cup of tea, shared with as many people as possible.
“Most people drink tea every day, and that is exactly why we think it is worth pausing to understand it a little better,” said Philip Dee, Tea Master at CHAGEE Philippines. “When you stop and look closely, what you find is extraordinary. Centuries of knowledge, farmers who understand their soil the way musicians understand their instruments, and a quiet kind of craft that most of the world never gets to see. International Tea Day is a meaningful reminder of all of that, and an invitation for all of us to slow down, pay attention, and discover what has always been in the cup.”
CHAGEE’s International Tea Day offerings are available across all Philippine stores from May 8. For those who have ever been curious about what makes a great cup of tea, this May is a good time to find out. For more information, visit CHAGEE Philippines FB, IG, TikTok, or download the CHAGEE App.