Hot Wheels Designer Brendon Vetuskey Rolls in Nostalgia to Kingsford Hotel Manila

“Hotels can be more than places where people stay. We can become part of the destination experience and create spaces where communities, businesses and visitors connect. Partnering with Metrics Ph allows us to support the collector community while exploring new opportunities for events, partnerships and experiences that can bring people to Manila.” ~Jorold Montelibano, General Manager of Kingsford Hotel Manila

Many people have fond childhood memories of Hot Wheels that begin with their first collection, a favorite car, or a race across the living room floor. Others never really lost that childhood fascination. It simply became a lifelong passion for collecting, trading, and discovering the histories of each diecast.

Hot Wheels diecast designer and Red Line Club design lead Brendon Vetuskey met with local and international collectors and enthusiasts at an exclusive private dinner held in partnership with Metrics Ph, the organizer of the Philippines Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, putting that shared nostalgia front and center at the Kingsford Hotel Manila.

Attendees, including the CEO of Metrics PH, enjoy an intimate dinner presentation with Hot Wheels lead designer Brendon Vetuskey.

It was more than just a get-together for diecast enthusiasts, bringing together collectors, families, business executives, tourism stakeholders, and hospitality representatives. It illustrated how a shared interest can forge strong bonds between communities and generations.

The event gave Kingsford Hotel Manila an opportunity to create an experience that goes beyond a standard hotel stay. The family-friendly hotel provided an ideal setting for an experience that brought together collectors who have been involved in the hobby for years, enthusiasts discovering new pieces, and kids and kids at heart who still love Hot Wheels.

From childhood memories to a collector community

The event gained a global creative perspective thanks to Vetuskey's involvement. Since joining Mattel in 2007, he has contributed to numerous Hot Wheels designs. At the moment, he serves as Red Line Club vehicles' primary diecast designer.

Vetuskey shared insights about Hot Wheels design and the process of creating diecast vehicles at the exclusive dinner, which followed an exclusive presentation and discussion with collectors and invited guests.

For Vetuskey, however, the appeal of collecting goes beyond the cars themselves.

“You might meet someone and start talking about your favorite Hot Wheels from childhood or the first car you ever collected. Those stories and shared memories are what makes collecting special.” ~Brendon Vetuskey, Hot Wheels Diecast Designer and Red Line Club Design Lead

Collectors take home a personal memento as Brendon Vetuskey signs Hot Wheels memorabilia

Collectors take home a personal memento as Brendon Vetuskey signs Hot Wheels memorabilia

Brendon Vetuskey connects with the Philippine collecting community, sharing stories from his journey as a Hot Wheels designer.

This sense of connection continues to influence the Philippines' growing collector culture. Collectors and enthusiasts can gather at Metrics Ph to celebrate a cross-generational hobby, share their collections, and tell stories.

Shared passion becomes a hotel experience

The event also offered a glimpse of how specialized communities can create new tourism and hospitality opportunities.

For collectors, a place can become more than just a venue for an event. It can be a place where people meet, form friendships, and exchange stories based on shared interests. For Kingsford, it's an additional opportunity to create experiences that foster community and visitor interaction.

Fans of Hot Wheels are still remarkably familiar with the appeal. Whether they have been collectors for a long time or are just remembering the thrill of opening a brand-new diecast car as children, the excitement is still there.

The nostalgia that brought children and children at heart together at the Kingsford Hotel Manila is proof that some childhood passions never really matured. They simply develop new strategies to bring people together.

Parañaque City preserves Heirloom Recipe with Kingsford Hotel Manila

“Our heritage gives us our identity, but it is through the hospitality of our people and the commitment of our partners that we bring that identity to life for every visitor. This is why we deeply value the partnership of Kingsford Hotel Manila in helping the City Government of Parañaque preserve and promote the rich cultural identity of our beloved city.” ~Edwin L. Olivarez, Parañaque City Mayor

Every city has a story to tell, and the most fascinating details are often found at the dinner table rather than in museums or monuments. Parañaque offers visitors more than just excellent lodging, shopping, and recreational opportunities. It is currently considered one of Metro Manila's top entertainment and lifestyle destinations. Beneath the city's contemporary landscape lies the rich history of Palanyag, the city's historical name, and its culinary traditions continue to bring generations of Parañaqueños together. One of the city's most popular regional specialties is Lauya de Palanyag, a hearty stew that captures the city's cultural identity and enduring sense of community.

As culinary tourism continues to gain importance in encouraging travelers to experience destinations through authentic local flavors, Parañaque is strengthening its identity through the preservation and celebration of dishes that reflect its heritage. One of the city's newest partners in this advocacy is the Kingsford Hotel Manila, which was the first hotel to formally offer Lauya de Palanyag on its menu. Situated in the vibrant Entertainment City, the hotel offers guests a genuine taste of Parañaque along with modern hospitality.

"This is only the beginning. We plan to introduce even more traditional Parañaqueño dishes to our menu as part of our commitment to promoting the city as a premier culinary destination. We are deeply honored to partner with the City Tourism Office on this journey." ~Jorold Montelibano, General Manager of Kingsford Hotel Manila

Destination Stewardship

To celebrate this important partnership, the Kingsford Hotel Manila organized a special preview where community leaders and media partners could try the traditional dish. The event was graced by Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and his wife Janet Olivarez, as well as OIC City Tourism of Paranaque Cisette Ricardo.

This collaboration closely aligns with Megaworld Hotels & Resorts' core values of sustainability through heritage preservation and mindful travel through its Sampaguita Brand of Service. This partnership also exemplifies a shared objective of boosting domestic travel by offering authentic culinary experiences that support local farmers and uphold cherished home-cooked traditions.

By using regional cooking techniques and sourcing local ingredients, Kingsford Hotel Manila actively works to prevent cultural erasure brought on by urban development. Instead, the hotel uses its platform to preserve the stories of ancient Palanyag for visitors from all over the world, Balikbayans, and modern tourists.

More Than Just a Dish

Lauya de Palanyag is associated with the early Palanyag settlement, when farming and fishing provided the means of subsistence. The narrative states that inland farmers contributed fresh vegetables like cabbage and sweet kamote (sweet potato), while coastal fishing communities supplied patis (fish sauce). The result was a substantial stew that symbolized the abundance of both land and sea. Slowly cooked for hours while families labored in the fields and at sea, the dish evolved into a comforting meal shared at the end of a long day. Now celebrated as a representation of Parañaque's rich culinary legacy, Lauya de Palanyag preserves the tastes and traditions that have been passed down through the generations.

Locals altered the recipe to fit their personal preferences, resulting in distinctive variations across different barangays. Some communities favor slow-simmering tender beef or pork, but there are differing views on whether to add squash or sweet potatoes. But the key ingredients—a dependence on cabbage, sweet saba bananas, the distinctive aroma of kutchay (Chinese chives), and a characteristic reddish broth that is naturally colored with atsuete (annatto) and balanced with panutsa (palm sugar) for a savory-sweet flavor profile—remain remarkably consistent across heritage communities like La Huerta, Tambo, and Don Galo.

Ensaladang talong, or eggplant salad, is a traditional side dish that completes a true Lauya de Palanyag. In keeping with the dish's varied origins, some barangays boil the eggplant, while others smokegill it before mashing it with vinegar and garlic. In the end, Lauya de Palanyag is more than just comfort food—it's a bowl of Parañaque's living history.

“Lauya de Palanyag is more than just a dish, it is a celebration of Parañaque's rich culinary heritage and the warmth of Filipino hospitality. Our goal was to honor this traditional recipe by preserving its authentic flavors while presenting it with the refinement expected in a hotel setting. Every ingredient reflects our commitment to supporting local producers, promoting sustainability, and creating a meaningful dining experience that connects our guests with the culture and history of Palanyag.” ~Angelo “Chubby” Timban, Executive Chef of Kingsford Hotel Manila

A Flavorful Invitation for Families to Reconnect and Reminisce

Food has always been the ultimate anchor for Filipino families, serving as the centerpiece for storytelling, celebration, and passing down traditions from one generation to the next. As a heartfelt thank you to the community, Kingsford Hotel Manila is extending an exclusive dining privilege to the people who give the city its life. Residents and professionals working within Parañaque City can enjoy a special 20% discount on their total bill at Kingsford Café with every order of Lauya de Palanyag. Priced at Php 700, this comforting, heritage dish is perfect for sharing with families and friends.

To avail of this exclusive offer, guests simply need to present a valid ID verifying their Parañaque residence or workplace. For full promotional details and mechanics, please visit Kingsford Hotel Manila’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/kingsfordmanila. To explore more of our heritage-driven culinary offerings or to secure your table, please contact dine@kingsfordmanila.com or call +63 917 805 3585.