Hotel and Inn Review: PSU Golden Lion Hotel (Lingayen, Pangasinan)

 

Date of Stay: February 14 to 17, 2025

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: ********

Room Comfort: *******

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: *******

Value for Money: *******

PSU Golden Lion Hotel

The last time my family and I visited Lingayen was way back in 2018 and now I am back to this historic town with my wife Grace and son Jandy, this time staying at the five-storey PSU Golden Lion Hotel, the only state-of-the art training hotel in the heart of the provincial capital.  

Hotel Lobby furnished with  La-Z-Boy lounge chairs

Front Desk

The grand piano was a nice touch at the lobby

This fairly new hotel, inaugurated last December 2, 2022, not only offers quality hospitality service to local and foreign guests but also serves as a practical laboratory for hospitality students of Pangasinan State University (PSU), allowing them to be more equipped in the fields of both hospitality and tourism management.

 

Twin Deluxe Queen

The very spacious ensuite bathroom

We stayed in a very spacious. airconditioned Twin Deluxe Queen Room (Php3,500), one of 42 well-appointed, non-smoking rooms with electronic key lock, telephone, a 42” Smart flat-screen LED TV, mini ref, work desk, coffee and tea making facility, iron and ironing board, and plenty of closet and drawer space.  It even had a counter where we could conveniently unpack our luggage.  Our equally spacious bathroom had a bidet, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries. 

Executive Suite

Presidential Suite

Living area of Presidential Suite

Their other comfortable and spacious accommodations include the Queen Deluxe Double (Php2,000), Junior Executive (Php3,000), Executive (Php4,000), Suite (Php5,500) and Presidential Suite (Php10,000).  Free high-speed wifi is available throughout the hotel.

 

The brightly-lit and cozy Golden Lion Restaurant by Jowtoo

Beef Salpicao

The hotel has two food and beverage outlets.  The Golden Lion Restaurant by Jowtoo, its fine dining restaurant (open from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM), can seat 120 patrons.  It offers Filipino and international (pizzas, maki rolls, etc.) cuisine plus expertly brewed coffee and a selection of shakes.  

9 Star Bar and Cafe

9 Star Bar and Cafe

The 9 Star Bar and Café, with a panoramic view of the university campus and Lingayen Gulf, can seat 64 patrons. You can also take your drinks, up a stairs, to the roof deck where you can watch the setting sun.

 

View from bar

The hotel also has four different venues uniquely designed to cater to a wide range of events such as weddings, conferences and corporate events. The 30-pax Ylang-Ylang Hall, a boardroom, can be rented for Php5,000 (3 hours). The 100 to 120-pax Kalachuchi Hall, an event room perfect for intimate gatherings, can be rented for Php10,000 (5 hours).

 

Aseana Hall

The Sunflower Hall, which can comfortably seat 100 to 120 guests, can be rented for Php12,000 (5 hours).  The Aseana Hall, a spacious 250 to 300-pax function hall that can be rented for Php30,000 (5 hours), can be customized, from the layout to the décor and everything in between.  All are equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.

 

Third floor lobby

It also has a 24-hour Front Desk, an elevator, luggage storage facility and basement parking.  The hotel, walking distance to the Provincial Capitol Building, Sison Cultural and Heritage Center and Lingayen Beach, is located 1.9 kms. (a 5-min. drive ) from the Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum, 2.2 kms. (a 5-min. drive) from the Cathedral of the Epiphany of Our Lord, 5.3 kms. (a 10-min. drive) from the Church of Our Lady of Purification (Binmaley) and 17 kms. (a 30-min. drive) from Robinson’s Place Dagupan. 

Check out "Provincial Capitol Building," "Church of Our Lady of Purification," "Sison Cultural and Heritage Center," "Cathedral of the Epiphany of Our Lord" and "Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum"

 

Hallway

We had a very pleasant stay at the hotel made more so by hotel General Manager Dr. Jerry L. Ceballos, Jr. (hailing from Batangas, he is also a former dean and a professor of International Hospitality and Tourism Management at PSU) who still gave us a complimentary extra bed for Jandy. The staff, from the Front Desk down to the security guard, were also very friendly and respectful.  The food at the restaurant was also delicious and very affordable.  At the moment they only accept payment by cash or Gcash.

 

L-R: the author, Grace and Jandy

Golden Lion Hotel: Alvear St., Capitol Compound, Poblacion, 2401 Lingayen, Pangasinan.  Tel: (075) 510-3673 and (075) 540-0925.  E-mail: goldenlionhotel@psu.edu.ph. Website: www.goldenlionhotel.psu.edu.ph. 

Lanson Place MOA Welcomes the Year of the Wood Snake (Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

For the second time this year, Lanson Place Mall of Asia (MOA), with red lanterns and delicate cherry blossoms adorning the premises, welcomed the New Year (the Lunar or Chinese version that is) and the Year of the Wood Snake (which symbolizes elegance, wisdom and intuition) with a vibrant, authentic, energetic and traditional celebration aimed to usher in good luck, fortune, and happiness for the upcoming year.

 

The Lion and Dragon Dance

It started, at 10 AM, with a dynamic Dragon and Lion dance at the hotel’s porte cochere. Symbolizing power, strength, and good fortune, this dance performance, by skilled artists, brought excitement and joy to the hotel’s guests and patrons, creating an atmosphere of positivity and optimism for the coming year.  

The Southern Lion with its single horn

The Chinese Lion Dance is performed by two persons, one of whom manipulates the head while the other manipulates the tail of the Asiatic lion.  The type of dance performed was the Southern Lion or Cantonese Lion Dance which originated in Guangdong and is the best known lion dance outside of China.  It has a single horn and is associated with the legend of a mythical monster called Nian.   

Performers beating the tanggu, gongs and cymbals

The dance was performed accompanied by the music of a beating tanggu (drum), cymbals and gongs, all synchronized to the lion dance movements and actions.  Paired with the lion dance was a God of Prosperity mascot to bring good luck and fortune. 

The God of Prosperity mascot

The Dragon Dance was performed by a team of experienced dancers who held the long sinuous body of the Chinese dragon on poles positioned, at regular intervals, along the length of the dragon, simulating the imagine movements of this mythological creature in a sinuous, undulating manner.

 

The Dragon Dance

Then, General Manager Nils Rothbarth, who led the festivities, together with Ms. Peggy E. Angeles (Executive Vice-President, SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation) and Ms. Angelica Vicencio (Director of Sales), participated in the captivating Lion Dotting Ceremony, painting a red spot on the eye (called eye-dotting) of a Chinese Lion, an act that symbolizes the awakening of the lion and the beginning of the new year.

 

The Lion Dotting Ceremony

After the Dragon and Lion dance performance, guests were ushered inside, to Madeline High Tea, where they were treated to a customized High Tea set which included mooncakes, steamed pork buns, pineapple cake, fortune pastries, etc.  While dining, Philippine Airlines flight attendant and psychic medium Ms. Jill Andrea Gepilano, of Collective.ph, gave her predictions for each Chinese Zodiac sign for the Year of the Wood Snake.

 

Psychic medium Jill Andrea Gepilano

Guests then proceeded t Cyan Modern Kitchen (with a stunning view of Manila Bay), at the third floor, where Mr. Rothbarth and Executive Chef Kristine Oro joined other executives and guests as they participated in the yusheng (also called yee sang or yuu sahng), a unique and interactive culinary activity designed to invoke prosperity, abundance and vigor.

 

Guests and media at Madeleine High Tea

This customary Cantonese noodle toss (also called Prosperity Toss), representing prosperity, luck, and good health for all those who partake in it, is a flavorful Chinese raw fish salad (which originated in Malaysia and Singapore) that includes various ingredients such as white radish (for success), red ingredients (for good luck), green vegetables (for youth), pomelo (for prosperity), salmon (for abundance), and golden crackers (for wealth). Sesame seeds and five-spice powder, which bring business growth and family blessings, and sweet sauce (symbolizing strong relationships) are added. 

GM Nils Rothbarth (third from left) with Executive Chef Ms. Kristine Oro (second from left)

These ingredients are mixed the all together and then toss up in the air using chopsticks.  Truly, a memorable touch to the celebration…..

 

The author (right) participating in the Prosperity Toss

After this ceremony, guests indulged in a delectable buffet of traditional dishes, symbolizing luck and abundance, which will be offered, from January 29 to February 4, at Php2,888 net per person.  It consisted of the following:

 

APPETIZER

 

Prosperity “Yu Sheng” with Smoked Salmon, Assam Miso Sauce

Cucumber salad

Jellyfish and Century egg

 

 

SALAD BAR

 

Lettuce and Cress

Hydroponic Lettuces, Micro greens

Dressings

Asian dressing, Mango citrus, thousand island, Ranch dressing

Condiments

Carrots, red bell pepper, turnips, cucumber, tomato, sweet corn, black olives, kiat kiat

Bacon Bits, Parmesan Cheese, Croutons

 

 

JAPANESE & KOREAN STATION

 

Sushi and Maki

Assortment of sushi, maki and gunkan

 

Sashimi

Tuna, Salmon

 

Assortment of pickles and kimchi

 

 

CHINESE DIMSUM SECTION

 

Pork and Shrimp Siu mai, Shark’s fin dumplings, Hakao,

Vegetable dumplings,

Chicken feet, cuapao

 

HEAT LAMP

 

Prawn Cracker

Roasted Peanuts

 

 

CHINESE NOODLE SECTION

 

Soup

Hot and Sour Soup, Polanchay Soup

Superior Beef Broth, Curry Laksa Soup

 

Noodles

Hongkong Egg Noodle, Vermicelli Noodle, Hofan Noodle

 

Meat and Seafood Condiments

Beef slice, Chicken balls, Squid Ball, Fish Cake

Beef Slices, Chicken Balls, Squid Balls and Fish Cakes

 

Vegetables

Spring Onion, Chinese Cabbage, Shitake Mushroom, Carrot,

Wood ear Mushroom, Beansprout, Green beans

 

Condiments

Fried Garlic, Calamansi, Chopped Red Chili, Light Soy Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, Sesame oil, Condensed Milk

 

HOT SECTION

 

Grill Station

Light Soy-Ginger Marinated Chicken

Salmon Belly

Squid

Marinated Pork Belly

Mahi Mahi

 

CHINESE MAINS

 

Pata Tim

Steamed Red Snapper, soy ginger sauce

Stir fried vegetables and tofu

Soy Chicken

Char Su

Seafood Noodles

Yeung Chow Fried Rice

 

L-R: Char Su,  Steamed Red Snapper in Soy Ginger Sauce and Roasted Pork Belly (Lechon Macao)

WESTERN MAINS

 

Cajun Seafood Boil

Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff

Slow Cooked Chicken, tomato, anchovy, and olives

Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Ratatouille on burgul

 

INDIAN MAINS

 

Gobi Manchurian

Chili Paneer

Lamb Biryani

Dhal Tadka

Naan Bread

Papadums

 

CHINESE ROASTED CARVING SECTION

 

Roasted Duck

Roasted Pork Belly (Lechon Macao)

Clow Cooked Beef Rump

Baked Salmon, citrus glaze

 

DESSERT

 

Banana Fritters

Chinese Egg Sponge Cake

Sesame Balls

Fruit Topped Chiffon Cream Cake

Fried Twisted Dough

Hong Kong Egg Tarts

Baked Nian Gao

Moon Cake

Almond Jelly Lychee

Mango Pudding

Deep Fried milk

Fa Gao

 

Fa Gao and Moon Cakes

Ice Cream Station

5 Kinds of Ice Cream

 

Sliced Fruits

Watermelon, Pineapple, Dragon Fruit, Hami Melon

 

Almond Jelly Lychee and Sliced Fruits

Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila: Block 12, Palm Coast Ave., corner Seaside Blvd., Mall of Asia Complex, Brgy. 76, Zone 10, CBP-1A, Pasay City, 1300 Metro Manila. Tel: + 632 7777-0000.      E-mail: reservations.lpmn@lansonplace.com and sales.lpmn@lansonplace.com.  Website: www.lansonplace.com.

Ganito Siya Noon, Paano Tayo Ngayon?: A Close Up of Eddie Romero's Cinematic Odyssey

 

Ganito Siya Noon, Paano Tayo Ngayon?: A Close Up of Eddie Romero's Cinematic Odyssey

The year 2024 was a momentous year for the late Eddie Romero, one of the country’s greatest film directors, producers and screenwriters and a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts (May 26, 2003) known for his picaresque yet meaningful films, whose birth centennial was held last July 7.  A centennial celebration, held at the Dusit Thani Hotel, united colleagues, loved ones, and admirers inspired by Romero’s cinematic vision and dedication to Philippine culture. Together, they paid tribute, not only to his invaluable contributions to film, but also to his enduring spirit as a storyteller who brought the Filipino experience to a global audience.

 

Eddie Romero

The gathering was attended by his friends, members of media, film colleagues (including Gloria Diaz) and a number of Romero’s relatives which include his sons Joey and Ansel and their spouses, his younger brother Rodolfo "Rudy" Romero, his nephews and nieces (which includes actress Chanda Romero) and grandchildren (including Pasay City Congressman Gustavo "Gus" Tambunting).

 

Jose Romero

Though reserved, Eddie’s gentle guidance shaped his sons into principled, thoughtful men.  In his welcome remark, Joey Romero (also a film director and a MTRCB board director), recalls his father’s mantra that defined, not only his life, but also his legacy, saying “You can be anything you want to be as long as you like what you’re doing and strive to be good, if not the best at it. You can be a carpenter but be darn good at it and like it.” 

Ancel Romero

Eddie believed that true success wasn’t about fame or wealth, but about what you could give back, especially to those less fortunate. This value was poignantly instilled in one quiet moment when he reminded Ancel to be grateful and compassionate toward those who had less. Ancel Romero recalls him saying “The most important value he instilled in us was putting others above oneself.”

 

Atty. Rudy Romero - Eddie's younger brother

Tributes to Romero where not only delivered through words, but also through songs, some of which were theme songs in movies Eddie directed.  The Letran Singing Ambassadors (established in 2004, it is the official choir of Colegio de San Juan de Letran) sang Iduyan Mo, a song, composed by Ryan Cayabyab (2018 National Artist for Music), and made for Romero’s film Aguila. Featuring an ensemble cast including the late Fernando Poe Jr., this 1980 epic, said to be one of the biggest Filipino films ever made, explores the impact of colonization and war on the Filipino spirit. 

 

Letran Singing Ambassadors

The choir also sang Saan Ka Man Naroroon, a song composed, in 1968, by Restie Umali and Levi Celerio (1997 National Artist for Music and Literature); and Allegro Musica, a fast song, with medley, also composed by Ryan Cayabyab and arranged by Anthony Go Villanueva.  Ms. Aleli V. Salazar (of the Ateneo Chamber Singers), on the other hand, sang Goodbye Joe, Hello, the theme song from the 1982 Filipino-American film Desire (starring Tetchie Agbayani), also directed by Romero.

 

Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?

The highlight of the day was the announcement, by Nicolas “Nick” A. Deocampo, celebrated filmmaker, film educator, and chairperson of UNESCO Philippines, that Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976, translated as “This Was How We Were Then…. How are You Doing Now?), one of Romero’s most celebrated films, has been selected for inclusion in the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Register, honoring its role in preserving cultural heritage for the world.  The MoW, a UNESCO program, established in 1992,  under the communication and information sector, is an international effort to promote the preservation of humanity’s most historically, and culturally, significant documents and treasures. 

 

Nicolas "Nick" Deocampo

The film, widely regarded as a masterpiece of Philippine cinema, delves deeply into Filipino identity and culture during the Spanish colonial era, skillfully blending humor, drama, and historical insight. This movie narrates the adventures and misadventures of Kulas (played by Christopher de Leon), a naive peasant boy, who wanders through the Philippine Revolution of 1896-1898 and the Philippine-American War of 1899-1901. Gloria Diaz, as Matilda “Diding” Diaz, plays the love interest of Kulas.  The events serve as catalysts for Kulas to come to a realization about his identity as a man and as a Filipino. This film reflects powerful themes that recur throughout Romero’s works, including the epic Aguila (1980), which spans generations.

 

Gloria Diaz - played Didang, Kulas' love interest

In 2013, the film was digitally restored and remastered by the ABS-CBN Film Archives in partnership with Central Digital Lab.   During its restoration, the film print had noticeable impairments such as heavy splices, scratches, and breathing and it took 2,479 manual hours just to restore the film.  Another 80 hours was spent for color grading, with Joey Romero (who had a cameo in the film) personally involving himself in its restoration and technical run and helping with the color grading process. For its restoration, ABS-CBN Film Restoration borrowed and used the only extant 35-millimeter copy of the film found in the collection of the Cultural Center of thePhilippines. The original mono audio was lifted from the Betacam copy, restored and upgraded, to stereo, by ABS-CBN Audio Post.

 

Romero being conferred the title of National Artist for Film by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Deocampo first met the film's director, Eddie Romero, while they were both working at Movie Workers Welfare Foundation or MOWELFUND (Romero was a prime mover in its creation as well as that of the Film Academy of thePhilippines and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB). For him, this classic uniquely captures the essence of Filipino identity, resilience, and heritage. This film doesn’t just tell a story; it embodies a legacy, a piece of history, and a powerful statement about Filipino culture and spirit.

 

Eddie Romero directing Fernando Poe Jr.

Deocampo marveled at the symbolism Romero infused into his work, describing it as “Perfectly semiotic” and explaining that each frame reflects the Filipino soul. He considers this film the “national text” of Philippine cinema—akin to Noli Me Tangere in literature.  As a cultural artifact, Ganito Kami Noon,Paano Kayo Ngayon? is a testament to the Philippines’ complex history and enduring spirit. His efforts to have it recognized, by UNESCO, highlights its role as a piece of national heritage for future generations—a cinematic time capsule preserving not only the past but the core of Filipino culture. For him, this film is more than a story; it’s a legacy embodying the heart of what it is to be Filipino.