Pamana: Taal, Reimagined (Belmont Hotel Manila, Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

Pamana: Taal Reimagined

Last October 21, as part of their 11th year celebration, the 4-star Belmont Hotel Manila invited members of online and print media to Pamana: Taal, Reimagined, an exclusive preview, at Café Belmont, of a curated culinary experience showcasing modernized, reimagined heirloom dishes inspired by traditional flavors.

 

Chefs Aaron Valeroso and Grant Zuniga of Prism Restaurant Cafe

Pamana (which translates to “heritage”) celebrated the richness of Filipino cuisine through the creative interpretations of their featured chefs, Chef Aaron Valeroso and Chef Grant M. Zuñiga of Prism Restaurant Café (an upscale, tropical summer-house setting complete with a gorgeous White Dining Hall, a Glass House, and a poolside lounge in Lipa City, Batangas) assisted by Chef Dan Jason A. Acido, Executive Chef (since November 2024) of Belmont Hotel Manila.

 

Belmont Hotel Manila Executive Chef Dan Jason A. Acido

Aaron and Grant are both graduates of Culinary Arts at De La Salle-College of St.Benilde (DLS-CSB).  Aaron also studied Culinary Science and Gastronomy at Alain Ducasse Education, a network of international schools dedicated to French culinary and pastry arts, and was a former Demi Chef at Conrad Manila. Grant also studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF) and was an apprentice at Dolce Stil Novo alla Reggia, a 1-Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant led by acclaimed Chef Alfredo Russo, and owner/chef at Tavolo. Together they opened Prism Cafe, which started as an online drinks shop in 2021.

 

Dinner is served.....

Pamana Taal Reimagined, a special culinary journey to the rich, vibrant flavors of Taal, Batangas, featured a curated four-course dinner, highlighted by two signature Filipino-inspired main dishes inspired by the culinary heritage of the Southern Tagalog Region.  The activity started with welcome remarks by Mr. Rupert Tancioco and Mr. Joshua Reyes, Director of Operations and Marketing and Communications Manager, respectively, of Belmont Hotel Manila plus a video showing the story behind Pamana: Taal Reimagined.

 

Malasuge Cerviche

Dinner started with Malasugue Cerviche, a refreshing local take on a classic ceviche. This appetizer consisted of fresh, delicate white meat of malasugue (blue marlin) brightened with the citrusy sweetness of pomelo, and paired with fragrant, coconut-sampaguita emulsion and a smooth quail egg.

 

Seafood Linarang

This was followed by Seafood Linarang, a rich, sour-savory seafood broth with a distinctive tang, paired with modern textural elements like crisp sweet potato (kamote) and pandesal melba, a thinly sliced, toasted Filipino bread.

 

Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit

Next was the first of the two main entrees – Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit, a modern, elevated spin on traditional Filipino Adobong Dilaw (yellow chicken adobo) from Batangas which combines the classic soy sauce-free (true to pre-Hispanic adobo and regional Batangas traditions), vinegar-and-turmeric (luyang dilaw) base of the savory, tangy flavors of yellow adobo with the French confit technique—slow-cooking tender chicken submerged in oil.

 

Sinigang Rissotto with Grilled Maliputo

This was followed by Sinigang Rissotto with Grilled Maliputo, a masterful Forward-Filipino fusion dish that reimagines the country's beloved sour soup into a creamy, texturally complex Italian classic.  This modern creation features rich, creamy Arborio rice slowly simmered in a highly concentrated, tamarind-infused broth with the familiar sour notes of sinigang. It is crowned with a smoky, char-grilled fillet of maliputo (Caranx ignobilis), the prized, buttery freshwater giant trevally endemic to the volcanic waters of Taal Lake in Batangas.

 

Sampaguita Cheesecake

Capping this delightful dinner was a dessert of Sampaguita Cheesecake, a unique, signature floral dessert featured across select Megaworld Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines.  This smooth, delicate cheesecake, a sweet and tarty delight, incorporated the sampaguita flower’s fragrant notes complemented by the nutty sweetness of coconut ganache and the gentle aroma of pandan.

 

Belmont Hotel Manila General Manager Ms. Mayann Malapote

Ms. Mayann Malapote, Belmont Hotel Manila General Manager, delivered the closing remarks. These featured dishes are available, until December 31, 2026, at Café Belmont for ₱1,200 each.

 

Chefs and hotel executives

Belmont Hotel Manila: Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay City, 1309 Metro Manila. Tel: (02) 5318 8888.  Mobile number:  (0927) 007-9952. E-mail: dine@belmontmanila.com. Website: www.belmonthotelmanila.com.

Prism Restaurant Café: El Madero Farm and Resort, Brgy. Bagong Pook, Lipa City, Batangas. Tel: (043) 727-1004.  Mobile number: 0917-592-9200. Facebook: www.facebook.com/prismrestaurantlipa. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 AM to 10 PM.

Savoy Hotel Manila Makes it Six in a Row

 

Savoy Hotel Manila

Savoy Hotel Manila (SHM) has done it again, winning not just once, not just twice, thrice, four in a row or even five in a row.  They did it six in a row, again winning the title as the Philippines’ Leading Airport Hotel during the prestigious 33rd World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia held last September 27, 2026 (World Tourism Day) at the Asia, Oceania and Indian Ocean gala ceremony held at Crossroads Maldives. 

The 33rd World Travel Awards at Crossroads Maldives

The hotel previously won in 2025 (October 13, InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong), 2024 (September 4, Manila, Philippines), 2023 (September 6, HoChi Minh City, Vietnam), 2022 (September 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) and 2021 (October 19, London, United Kingdom). It was also a double victory as, for the second time around, SHM was also won the continent-wide award as Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel (winning against 9 other hotels from Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, China, India and Malaysia) having also won as Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel in 2021.   SHM General Manager Ferdinand “Den” V. Navarro was on hand to receive both awards for the hotel.

SHM General Manager Ferdinand "Den" Navarro holding the two awards

The WTA, founded in 1993, is the foremost symbol of excellence in global travel, recognizing destinations that exemplify outstanding hospitality and tourism.  The 684-room hotel, strategically located 350 meters across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 (offering unparalleled convenience for travelers), plus seamless access to Terminals 1 and 2 via the Skyway, is now entering its ninth year of delivering exemplary Filipino hospitality and award-winning service. Not bad for a hotel which opened its doors just eight years ago, on June 28, 2018.  

Savoy Hotel Manila's two awards

The six awards recognizes the hotel's commitment to service excellence and authentic Filipino hospitality for travelers, particularly those near NAIA Terminal 3. The awards also acknowledged the hotel's consistent delivery of genuine Filipino hospitality and its high standard of service. The win is seen as a reflection of the hotel's dedicated staff and the support of its guests and partners.  

 

One of Savoy Hotel Manila's 684 rooms

The hotel was also nominated as the World's Leading Airport Hotel in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021; Asia's Leading Airport Hotel in 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022; and Asia's Leading Marketing Campaign in 2023.   

Savoy Hotel Manila is part of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR) portfolio of hotels across 7 brands with 8,500 to 9,000 room keys.    In Metro Manila, aside from Savoy Hotel Manila, there’s Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Belmont Hotel Manila, Kingsford Hotel Manila, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Grand Westside Hotel, Movenpick Manila Bay Westside. Grand Westside Hotel, with 1,530 rooms, is recognized as the Philippines’ largest hotel.  Just outside of Metro Manila is Twin Lakes Hotel in Batangas near Tagaytay City.

 

SHM officers and staff saying "Thank You"

In the Visayas, there’s Savoy Hotel Boracay, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, Belmont Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Mactan (transitioning to Mercure Mactan Cebu), the 404-room Belmont Hotel Iloilo, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, and Courtyard by Marriott (Iloilo).  

Upcoming new additions are the 10-storey, 313-room Paragua Sands Hotel (San Vicente, Palawan), the 554-room Chancellor Hotel Boracay, the 300-room The Kingsford Hotel Bacolod (Negros Occidental), the 339-room ArcoVia Hotel (Pasig City, Metro Manila) and the 337-room Savoy Hotel Capital Town (City of San Fernando, Pampanga). 

Savoy Hotel Manila: 101 Andrews Ave., Newport City, 1309 Pasay City. Tel: +63 (02) 5317-2869.  E-mail: stay@savoymanila.com. Website: www.savoyhotelmanila.com.

A Lifestyle Above Par: BingoPlus VIP Club Brings VIPs to the Fairway

 

From country club greens to golf gatherings, BingoPlus (a prominent Philippine entertainment platform) VIP Club elevates the VIP lifestyle through a shared passion for the game of golf. A great day on the course offers more than a good score. It is the anticipation of the opening drive, the pleasure of playing in beautiful surroundings and the conversations that continue long after the final putt. 

For BingoPlus VIP Club, these are the moments that make premium experiences worth bringing to its members. The initiative aims to bring high-end, lifestyle experiences to its premium members by blending competitive sports with exclusive community networking. 

Its August and September golf calendar included the Ateneo Alumni Golf Tournament (hosted as part of the club's ongoing golf series activities) at Beverly Place Golf Club, the UP Alumni Engineers Golf Tournament (featured dedicated on-course hospitality and representation for club members) at Sta. Elena Golf Club and San Beda University Alumni Association gatherings (where VIP members and influencer Lea Macapagal joined this collegiate and alumni tournament) at Alabang Country Club. 

September also featured the exclusive Malbon Buckets Club 008 (MBC008) golf event at Alabang Country Club (co-presented by the BingoPlus VIP Club and sponsored by brands like Nike Golf alongside Malbon Philippines), with guests like golf personality Lea Macapagal, at the Alabang Country Club, and the Rotary International District 3800 Golf Federation event at the historic Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City. 

BingoPlus VIP Club also co-presented the JCI Manila Golf League Season 2 semifinals which took place on September 11, 2026, at the Hann Reserve - Dragon's Landing in New Clark City, Pampanga, as well as the finals at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna, won by Team Kabet after defeating Bachuca Bunkers Golf Club in the title match. 

For invited VIPs, they offer opportunities to enjoy different courses and spend time with fellow enthusiasts. These gatherings also bring together people whose connections stretch beyond the course, from university friendships to professional circles. Supporting them allows the Club to contribute to occasions that already matter to its members. 

Alongside travel, dining and shopping, golf brings a social dimension to the BingoPlus VIP Club lifestyle. Appreciation feels personal when it reflects how members enjoy spending their time. Sometimes, that means an invitation to a round. Other times, it means showing up for the community that makes the game worth coming back to.