Belmont Hotel Manila Reimagines Batangas Flavors Through PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined

“Through PAMANA, we want to share the richness of Filipino cuisine with our guests and introduce them to the stories and traditions behind every dish. Working with Filipino chefs also allows us to celebrate their creativity and show how familiar flavors can be presented in new ways while remaining connected to their roots.” ~Mayann Malapote, Hotel Manager of Belmont Hotel Manila

Belmont Hotel Manila brings the flavors and culinary heritage of Batangas to the table through PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, a special culinary collaboration featuring Chefs Grant Zuniga and Aaron Valeroso.

Launched as part of the hotel's 11th anniversary celebration, the dining experience puts a contemporary spin on Filipino flavors, combining regional ingredients with modern cooking techniques while keeping the character of Batangueño cuisine at its heart.

Available at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026, the featured creations include:
🍽️ Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo — PHP 1,200
🍗 Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit — PHP 1,200

PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, a culinary collaboration celebrating the flavors and heritage of Batangas through contemporary Filipino cuisine.

The dishes showcase ingredients and flavors associated with Batangas, transforming familiar Filipino dishes into contemporary plates while highlighting the culinary traditions that inspired them.

The name PAMANA, which means heritage or inheritance, reflects Belmont Hotel Manila's legacy program dedicated to celebrating Filipino cuisine and the people who continue to carry its traditions forward. Through collaborations with local culinary talents, PAMANA creates a platform for regional flavors and stories to reach a wider audience.

With Taal and Batangas serving as the inspiration, PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined offers diners an opportunity to experience Filipino heritage through a modern culinary lens—one plate at a time.

From an Online Kitchen to a Culinary Collaboration

From left: Chef Rey Nalzaro, Executive Chef of Belmont Hotel Manila; Chef Aaron Valeroso; and Chef Grant Zuniga, featured chefs for PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined and restaurateurs based in Lipa, Batangas.

Chefs Grant Zuniga and Aaron Valeroso began their entrepreneurial journey during the pandemic, starting with an online kitchen that eventually grew into a multi-awarded restaurant venture in Lipa, Batangas.

Their culinary paths have also taken them beyond the Philippines. Both chefs studied in Italy, gaining international culinary knowledge that they have since brought back into their work. Chef Grant further honed his craft through experience in hotels and award-winning restaurants in the United States, while Chef Aaron built his experience working in five-star hotels in the Philippines.

For PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, the chefs return to the flavors and traditions of their home region, drawing inspiration from Batangas' culinary heritage and giving familiar Filipino dishes a contemporary interpretation.

The result reflects both their individual experiences and their shared passion for Filipino cuisine—bringing together international techniques, local ingredients, and the flavors that connect them to Batangas.

Batangueño Flavors on the Plate

The Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo brings together two culinary traditions in one plate, pairing the tangy character of Filipino sinigang with the creamy texture of Italian risotto. Topping the dish is grilled maliputo, a prized fish associated with Taal Lake, whose smoky and savory notes add depth while keeping the dish closely connected to Batangas' food culture.

The Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit draws inspiration from a Batangueño specialty traditionally prepared with luyang dilaw, or turmeric. The addition of gata, or coconut milk, gives the dish an earthy, aromatic character and a richer finish. The chicken is prepared using the confit technique, a slow-cooking method that results in tender, flavorful meat.

Together, the two creations offer a contemporary perspective on regional Filipino cooking, showing how familiar flavors and local ingredients can be reinterpreted without losing their connection to tradition.

For diners looking to experience the collaboration, Belmont Hotel Manila is located in Newport City beside Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 and is accessible through Runway Manila. Its location makes Café Belmont a convenient dining option for hotel guests, travelers between flights, business professionals, and local diners.

Café Belmont, Belmont Hotel Manila’s all-day dining restaurant, offering Filipino and international cuisine in Newport City, Pasay City.

PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined is available at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026, with both dishes priced at PHP 1,200 each. For inquiries and orders, visit www.belmonthotelmanila.com, call (02) 5318 8888 or +63 927 007 9952, or email dine@belmontmanila.com.