Chase and his dreams

On his 34th birthday, entrepreneur Chase Cokaliong showed why he is considered Cebu’s 'King of Giveaways.'


Photos JACQUELINE HERNANDEZ

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Chase Cokaliong toasts with guests during his 34th birthday celebration at Mott 32 at NUSTAR Resort and Casino, Cebu City on May 20, 2023

The scion of the family behind the Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc. threw a birthday bash like no other when he gave away a whopping ₱1.5 million cash, a brand new car, and some appliances.

“It was a very busy day,” Chase said.

Hundreds trooped to the SM Seaside on Saturday, May 20, where Chase gave away exciting prizes.

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Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Congressman Vincent Franco 'Duke' Frasco

Chase wanted a unique birthday celebration, something that would make people happy. All in all, his giveaways reached at least ₱2.5 million.

“I was very overwhelmed. I didn’t expect that many people to go and the crowd was into it,” he said.

“During the Spin-a-Wheel, we gave away cash prizes totaling ₱1.5 million, a Toyota Wigo which is worth around ₱650,000, a MacBook, and a television set,” said Chase.

It wasn’t the first time Chase gave away prizes and he assured that last Saturday’s giving spree was not the last.

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Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo

“Every year, I will do something that will make the people happy. We always give. We want to make it a normal thing that even if it’s not my birthday, we will give something to the people,” he said.

Last year, Chase said his giveaways reached about ₱100,000 but he upped the ante this year.

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Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard 'Ahong' Chan, Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, and Marguerite Lhuillier

So what can the people expect from Chase next year?

“Definitely, there will be something. That’s in the works already,” he said.

For his birthday wish, Chase is asking for the family business to grow stronger.

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Blake Go, Divine Lee, and Tonette Carcel

“I wish for myself more success because the more I get, the more I can give. That’s my principle in life,” Chase said.

After an eventful celebration at SM Seaside, Chase then treated his family, close friends, and business partners to a grand birthday party at Mott 32 at Nustar Resort and Casino.

The nine-course dinner was highlighted by another raffle. Five guests won ₱5,000 each and 10 others got ₱10,000 each.

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Cheryl Ho, Congresswoman Cindi Chan, Katherine Ho with Tritzie and Chase Cokaliong

One guest went home with the top purse amounting to ₱34,000.

Adding spice to the party was the presence of Katherine Ho, who serenaded the crowd with several songs, both in English and in Mandarin.

Ho sang an original, “19” and capped her performance with a Mandarin cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow,” as heard in “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Ho is known for her performance of Coldplay’s “Yellow” in Mandarin Chinese for the 2018 film, Crazy Rich Asians.