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.

Ladies Who Lead - Recognizing New Women leaders in Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

The best man for the job is a woman!

The word "care" will always be associated, if not the majority of Filipinos, with all women, particularly mothers, who have tirelessly given everything they could to shape leaders and contributing individuals beginning in our collective "home." In fact, times have changed, and more empowered women are now taking on leadership roles in their respective fields.

 

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, the largest hospitality management chain in the Philippines with six brands, twelve properties, and 4,500 room keys across the country, is recognizing three intelligent, hardworking women who have overcame numerous challenges with various mindsets and are now taking on new leadership roles within the company.

Keep going and learn to stand tall

 

“I am positive that change will come naturally. In the future. I would like to be defined and seen as a leader alone, and not a woman leader. Keep going despite the times when the world fails to be kind. We must learn to stand tall and take care of ourselves. there is no point in beating yourself up over things that you cannot change. Ultimately, fall in love with the process, not the goal. Don’t be afraid to be too much and enjoy as you watch everything fall into place.” ~Owen Samonte, Director of Sales and Marketing

Rowena Samonte, General Manager of Twin Lakes Hotel

The next time you visit the Twin Lakes Hotel, one of the most popular hilltop resorts in the south of Luzon near Tagaytay, make sure to say hello to GM Samonte. Owen, or "Owen" to many, rose from Director of Sales and Marketing to her current position as first lady general manager of a 122-room hotel in the center of Megaworld's 1,200-hectare Twin Lakes estate. Despite the title, she talks about how the world is still changing.

As society comes to better terms with inclusivity, she sees it as a privilege and a responsibility to part-take in the effort of eliminating prejudiced biases with gender and preference as a primary basis.

With almost three decades of humble service in the industry under her belt, the first-time general manager has undoubtedly accomplished a lot. She has advanced from operations to sales until she reaches the level of executive leadership. She recalls beginning her career as a cashier at an outlet and progressing to Assistant Director of Events and Management at Edsa Shangri-La in Manila. She also tried out other international brands like Mandarin Oriental and Intercontinental Hotel, as well as local brands like B Hotel in Quezon City and Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, before joining Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, the largest Filipino-owned hotel chain, in 2020.

When asked about the best advice she can give to the younger generation about becoming a better version of themselves.

For the month of March, in honor of Women’s Month, imagine quiet moments with the cold gentle breeze over “Afternoon High Tea”. Enjoy this best in the property’s high ceiling European Style lobby or al fresco, overseeing the hotel’s vineyard and mesmerizing view of Taal lake. Make the month of March  memorable for you and the family, for dining and room bookings visit www.twinlakeshotel.com.ph or email reservations@twinlakeshotel.com.ph

Believe in the good in everyone

“Mentorship is a tool I personally have benefited from the most and is my privilege and responsibility to pass it forward. You bet, and quite a lot! But if there’s one observed universal fact across cultures that ties us all in, is that you will never go wrong when you believe in the good in everyone. You can never tell how your day is going to end. You take things like how the shores welcome the waves of the sea. You can never control it, but you can always make the most out of it. What more from life can you ask for?” ~Maia Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay

Maia Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay

Sweet and loving. Maia Israel, who rose from resort manager to general manager of the Belmont Hotel Boracay in a year, has always been admired for her nurturing leadership style.

She admits to having been blessed with leaders who took the ways of the heart to motivate outcome and positive results when she thinks back to the days when she started her career in the hospitality industry as a member of the reservations team at Shangri-La Mactan in the 1990s. From there, she worked for brands like Marriott International and Banyan Tree in the Maldives, Indonesia, Fiji, and Cambodia, among other places.

 

Were there tough days? With most of her experience growing in the revenue, rooms operations and F&B of numerous beach resorts all over the world. 

 

She appreciates the distinction between the two MHR properties in Boracay Newcoast, one of which is the Savoy Hotel Boracay. She stated that in contrast to the usual parties that the island is typically known for, Belmont takes a straightforward and tranquil approach. The hotel is ideal for small to large family get-togethers, business travelers, and elderly guests who want peace and quiet while enjoying Boracay's sun, sand, and sea. with 442 rooms, two restaurants, a spa, a pool, and a beachfront dedicated to watching the golden sunrise.

 

Get treated to a night or two and plan those private dinners by the beach with Belmont Hotel Boracay. Email www.reserve@belmontboracay.com.ph or visit www.belmonthotelboracay.com for room reservations and other arrangements for a comfortable stay.

Believe in the good in everyone

“More than the destination, picturesque scenery, and complete facilities is really the collection of memorable moments that builds connections and spark joy. A memorable authentic Filipino customer experience is constantly evolving and adequately adapts to the needs of the customer. We Filipinos are known to be hospitable and are a happy people. We are enablers, and we do so with warmth and a smile that doesn’t need to be taught or practiced. It is important to aim to constantly improve the overall experience of each investor or customer has with the brand. MHR has a transformational leader in the person of its very own Managing Director, Ms. Cleofe Albiso, who empowers key executives. MHR’s structural pillars are in place and steps are being taken to further improve and strengthen the organization to support further growth. Have the chance to greet another day with a smile, be able to make a difference in the lives of others as much as you inspire them to bring the good forward. We welcome and recognize our new leaders with so much pride and joy knowing that there’s so much instore for everyone who believes in what a homegrown brand like us can do.” ~Claire Bernabe, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ newest addition to the brand management team

Claire del Rosario Bernabe, Director of Customer Experience and New Ventures of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

It’s all about the experience. Exactly 30 years in the hospitality industry with local and international experience. Waving the flagship of the largest homegrown hospitality management brand.

 

Nothing ever works perfectly. While no brand will ever possess everything, its enablers will always have the opportunity to learn and discover. She is excited about the upcoming projects in her new position as Director of Customer Experience and New Ventures at Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR).

 

Fortunately, Bernabe celebrates the organization's faith, investors, and employees with MHR. as a person who comes from well-known brands. Bernabe has held leadership positions with numerous brands in her field, including Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Century International Hotels, Marco Polo Davao, Novotel Garden Plaza Saigon, Movenpick Saigon, and Discovery Shores.

 

Looking into the future, Cleofe Albiso, top executive of Megaworld hotels and Resorts announces that “opportunities are endless with the organization”. Albiso believes that everyone should have equal access to opportunities as long as we remain humble and put in the effort to achieve them. MHR is planning to open the largest hotel in the Philippines this year, the Grand Westside Hotel, in Paranaque's Entertainment City, with more than 1,500 rooms. Albiso and her team hope to fill the positions they have open by using this method.

  

To all the women and allies joining in the cause to elevate other women and campaign for inclusivity, trust that you are all welcome across all properties of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. Get a 20% discount for your next stay whenever you go to Boracay, Cebu, Iloilo, Metro Manila, or near Tagaytay.

Twin Lakes Hotel, located at Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Laurel Bantangas

Belmont Hotel Boracay, located at the Newcoast Drive, Boracay Newcoast, Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Stay in Belmont Hotel Manila or Savoy Hotel Manila within Newport City in Pasay across NAIA terminal 3, Kingsford Hotel Manila located in the Entertainment City of Paranaque, Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Twin Lakes Hotel near Tagaytay, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Iloilo Business Park of Iloilo City, Belmont Hotel Boracay or Savoy Hotel Boracay located at the Newcoast Boracay or even in Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown in Cebu or in the newly opened Belmont Hotel Mactan Newtown. Learn more about it and visit www.megaworldhotels.com to plan your next hotel getaway. Travel more! For further information, visit the website, email salesinquiry@megaworldhotels.com or visit Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ official facebook page.