Guide

Sending Cebu lechon to Manila from the United States

5 min read · for Filipinos in California, Texas, New York, Illinois and Nevada

Ordering a whole Cebu lechon for family in Metro Manila from the United States, and the two things that trip people up: the time difference and who takes delivery.

The time difference, plainly

Manila is 13 to 16 hours ahead. In practice, 6pm on a Friday in Los Angeles is about 10am on Saturday in Manila. The Philippines does not change its clocks at any point in the year.

One thing to watch: the clocks where you are change twice a year and the Philippines never does. So the gap between you and Manila shifts by an hour in spring and autumn. Check it on the day you order rather than going from memory.

When to order

The recommended lead time is 72 hours. Shorter notice is often still possible and depends on what is available, so it is worth asking rather than assuming. Booking earlier holds a roasting slot — the pig is roasted to order for your date, so the slot is the thing that gets taken, not the size.

Work backwards from the party, not forwards from today. Decide the hour the lechon should be on the table in Manila, convert that to your own time, then count back three days. The date changes, not just the hour. A Saturday lunch in Manila happens on your Friday evening, so order two or three days earlier than feels natural.

Paying from the United States

Credit card is accepted. An invoice is sent through PayPal to the email address you give us, so you can pay from wherever you are without a Philippine bank account and without your family paying anything.

If you would rather someone at home handled it, that works too — a relative can process it locally and we will coordinate with them directly.

Who receives it

You give us a contact person in Metro Manila and that person takes delivery. Management and the designated driver coordinate with your contact person directly so the handover goes smoothly. You do not need to be reachable yourself on the day.

Photos are provided on delivery, so you will see that it arrived even if you are asleep or at work when it does.

What arrives

A whole lechon, roasted to order in Quezon City and driven to the address by car. It travels in an open tray, not a sealed box, because trapping the heat is what softens the skin. Every order includes a litre of seasoned vinegar. A free note card is included if you want a message to arrive with it.

Choosing the size

Plan roughly 250–300g of cooked lechon per adult when it is the main dish. Go by the guest count below, and if you are between two sizes take the larger one.

Prices as of 7 October 2026. Small (10–13 kg, ₱12,500) is listed but currently not available. Cooked weight is a little under half the live weight and is an estimate. If you are between two sizes, take the larger one.

For the full working, including children and leftovers, see the guest size guide.

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