The Manila Hotel Celebrates May with a Feast of Flavors and Festive Promotions

As summer unfolds, The Manila Hotel embraces the vibrant month of May with a variety of food and beverage promotions across its iconic dining destinations.

Pahiyas Food Festival at Café Ilang-Ilang

In celebration of the colorful Pahiyas Festival, Café Ilang-Ilang pays tribute to the rich culinary traditions of Quezon Province. From May 5 to 31, 2025, diners can indulge in a buffet featuring regional specialties such as Paco Salad, Hardinera, Lucban Longganisa, Kulawong Puso ng Saging, Adobo sa Puti, Pancit Habhab, Ginisang Santol, Nilupak, Kalamay,and Tayabas Bonete. These dishes, among others, will be served on rotation during lunch and dinner buffet.

Hardinera, Pako Salad and Sinantolang Hipon at The Manila Hotel's Pahiyas Food Festival at Cafe Ilang-ilang

A Mother’s Day Tribute at Champagne Room

From May 9 to 11, 2025, a specially curated menu awaits the queen of every family. This special set menu begins with a choice ofFresh Pomelo-Prawn Roll in Pink Crepe or Beetroot Cured Gravlax, followed by either Light Cream of Carrot-Squash Soup or Cream of Zucchini Soup, Four-Cheese Ravioli or Mixed Mushroom Risotto. A refreshing Pink Peach Sorbet cleanses the palate, leading to the main course selection of Grilled U.S. Beef Tenderloin or Pan-Seared Gindara Fillet with Dill Lemon Sauce. A Sweet finale features Mango Pavlova or Baked Alaska, capped with coffee and pralines. The set menu is served with a complimentary glass of Pebble Lane Rosé. Early reservations are encouraged via +632 8527 0011 or restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com.

Floral Symphony: Manuel Baldemor’s ‘Flowers of May’ Exhibit

The Art Gallery bursts into bloom as renowned Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor returns with a floral-themed collection. Following his contemplative Kuwaresma series, Baldemor’s ‘Flowers of May’ exhibit captures the joy and color of Flores de Mayo through vibrant depictions of flowers in his signature style.The exhibit runs until May 31, 2025. Admission is free.

Manuel Baldemor's Flowers of May exhibit at The Art Gallery

Cinco de Mayo at Lobby Lounge and Tap Room

Spice up the season with a month-long Cinco de Mayo celebration. Lobby Lounge and Tap Room serve up Mexican-inspired à la carte dishes includingMexican Grouper Ceviche, Pan Fried Beef Tortilla, Mexican Pizza, Grilled Mexican Chicken Burger, and Nachos & Dip. Tequila-based cocktails complete the celebration, available throughout the month of May.

Cinco de Mayo

Cool Summer Delights to Beat the Heat

Satisfy sweet cravings and cool down with The Manila Hotel’s summer delight line-up such as Buko Halo Halo, Tropical Banana Split, Mango Delight, Minatamis na Saging and Mantecado Sorbetes, Kit Kat Crêpes, and Dreamy Drizzle—a decadent 10-scoop ice cream with assorted toppings such as barquillos and chocolate candies. Guests can also enjoy Korean-style Bingsu in Strawberry Cheesecake, Mango Graham, and Tiramisu. Available at the Lobby Lounge and Pool Bar until May 31, 2025.

Buko Halo-halo

Red Jade Presents Machang for the Dragon Boat Festival

To mark the traditional Dragon Boat Festival, Red Jade presents a limited-time selection of Machang—glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves and filled with flavorful ingredients. Options include Red Rice with Red Bean, Red Dates with Lotus Seed, Salted Egg with Pork and Mushroom, and Baby Abalone with Black Mushroom. Prices start at Php 200. These savory delicacies are available until May 31, 2025.

For inquiries, call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, email info@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

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Met the new king in Korean barbecue - SamgyupKing

While everybody is busy getting their carts full for 11.11, I met with a few friends and checked out a new Korean barbecue restaurant in Quezon City. I don't go much to Fisher Mall and it's quite a treat to be able to try out SamgyupKing which offers not just the usual Korean barbecue fares but they have some Filipino street food favorites that would lure you in to try.

Located at the 4th floor of Fisher Mall in Quezon Ave, near the cinema area, SamgyupKing is quite spacious and help yourself with their refreshing milk teas before you decide on what to get for your table at the buffet area.

They had pork, beef, and sausages. As I've mentioned, they have Filipino street food so expect some isaw, sliced pork intestine, and pig skin. Feel free to fill your bamboo tray with all the flavorful skewers of your selection before you cook them at their unique mechanical grill.
They also have galbi pork and chicken and on the other counter if you want to do it traditional with your tongs or chopsticks.

Banchan is also quite easy to reach. I had my favorite baby potatoes and kimchi that makes my samgyup meal complete with a dollop of gojuchang and rice rolled into fresh lettuce for that scrumptious bite.

Did I mention that it is only P499 per head? Quite reasonable for an unlimited samgyup-party that is perfect to enjoy with your family or friends. It is open during Fisher Mall hours, 11:00am til closing.

Follow their social media accounts: @samgyupking on Facebook and Instagram.

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Manila's hidden treasure: Sinigang con Lechon Kawali

My officemates were talking about this a lot and finally I got to try this last Wednesday. A 15-minute drive from our office in Sta Mesa and we're able to get to Alas Pares -- Manila's hidden gem that serve a very delicious and interesting dish made with a twist from our home made sinigang.

The dish costs P 95 per order and can serve two people with 1 cup of rice. But I just had it for me for total experience. The familiar sour sinigang broth was just right with okra, watercress, the works. But instead of the usual soft meat in sinigang, they put in crispy Lechon Kawali. So you'll have a crispy treat in every soup bowl of sinigang that is an amazing surprise.

Check out Alas Pares and their highly-recommended Sinigang con Lechon Kawali any time, any day. Below is the map of their location in Manila. Landmarks are Egoy's Ihaw-ihaw and Iglesia Lokal ng Washington. Enjoy!

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Food finds for the whole family at UP Town Center

Bring the whole family up to the extended family in these places in UP Town Center.

Casa Verde
Casa Verde is one of the first restaurants I tried in UP Town Center. I've never seen this restaurant empty and expect a queue every time you go. The serve a variety of food but match this with the fun interiors that include vintage memorabilia with a cozy urban feel. The servings are so big that it can be shared by 4 or more. And the prices are very reasonable so it satisfies your stomach and wallet.

Instagram: @CasaVerdePH

Gringo

Their tender, juicy, and perfectly roasted chicken is best with rice. I would like to have it home to extend the delicious meal. But you can also enjoy it in its own with booze or Gringo's signature rainbow Mojitos.

Instagram: @gringochickenribs

Sarsa
Take yourself to authentic Ilonggo-style Chicken Inasal of Sarsa Kitchen.

It is so good to be Filipino with our local delicacies that each in the family will enjoy. Isaw, liempo, pansit and more are available here. 

They also have a very interesting dessert that looks like buchi. But it's actually healthier because it's made of pumpkin but it is so yummy because chocolate oozes out of it. You have to try it.

Instagram: @sarsakitchen

So where are you taking the folks tonight?

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BELLAVITA honors best Lipa delicacies

Batangas is a must-visit at the south of Luzon. Home to marine ecosystem and exceptional delicacies, the Tagalog has a lot to offer. A few of them are the kapeng barako, warm and comforting pansit Lomi, suman and of course, crispy pata.

Just last October 25, emerging socialized housing facility BellaVita of the Ayala Properties group, honored these delicacies with the Pinakapanalong Lipa Delicacies --  a culinary contest presenting the local specialties of Lipa City. Spectators and foodies gathered in this food festival and witnessed the blessing of BellaVita housing. Now people from the outskirts of Lipa and Batangas can enjoy the delicacies that the locals are proud of and enjoy the calming atmosphere and convenience in BellaVita Lipa.

Best restaurants in Lipa vied for the titles of "Pinakapanalong Lipa Delicacies" in different categories serving warm and comforting pansit Lomi, suman and of course, crispy pata. From the start of the cook-off at 8AM,  Here are the participants and also their earned winnings:

Pinakapanalong Lomi:
LBN Lomi House
Benok’s Lomi House - 2nd Runner Up
Hanzel Special Lomi House - Grand Winner
Filian Goto and Lomi House - 1st Runner Up
Sizzling Lomi House

Pinakapanalong Crispy Pata:
Hanzel Special Lomi House - 1st Runner Up
Tolit’s D Sizzler
Filian Goto and Lomi House - Grand Winner
3G’s Fat Crackles - - 2nd Runner Up

Pinakapanalong Suman:
Aida Barcelos - 1st Runner Up
Nida Apenado - Grand Winner
Filian Goto and Lomi House - 2nd Runner Up

The first-ever food competition organized by Amaia was judged by Amaia executives, officials, and some friends from the media, including Liwag, Burt Aurelio, Project Development Team Leader (South); Alain Sazon, Project Development Manager (South); Ruthlea Bijis and Lorna Silava of Lipa BellaVita In-House Sales; and bloggers Jeman Villanueva and Josephine Bonsol.

For more inquiries, visit http://www.bellavita.ph or like https://www.facebook.com/BellaVitaLandCorp.

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