Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 Day 2: Unveiling The Food That Binds At The Fatted Calf x Restaurant Fiz Singapore Dinner Collaboration

The rich, diverse and multi-colored tapestry of Southeast Asian cuisine with distinct threads of culinary traditions paint a vivid palette of bold flavors that define the region in the global table. Yet behind all the complex blend of spices, aromatics and indigenous ingredients lies a subtle even nuanced and seemingly invisible weave that ties and links our unique culinary cultures in a much larger more complex quilt. This is the food that binds, masterfully executed with each exquisite course at The Fatted Calf x Restaurant Fiz collab...

Chefs JajJay Sycip and Rhea Castro Sycip of The Fatted Calf and Hafizzul Hashim of Singapore's Restaurant Fiz take us on a deep and immersive exploration with Malaysian and Filipino cuisine finding common threads in an exquisite collaboration for the recent Tagaytay Food Festival. In a lavish multi-course feast, the chefs revealed threads of shared ingredients, techniques and flavors that ties Malaysian and Filipino cuisine together in a mutual homage and respect for tradition. Read on and find your seat for a unique one-time only dining experience at The Fatted Calf...

Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 Day 2: Food For Thought, A Heritage Lunch Buffet At Taal Vista Hotel's The Veranda and Sumptuous Sunset Sessions

The heavy fog and continuous rains up in Tagaytay failed in holding back the infectious enthusiasm of Tagaytay's tightly-knit community of chefs, restaurateurs, farmers and producers. Rain or even more rain, the organizers had a full itinerary lined up. 

The events of the day before still lingered as you wake up to another rainy day in Tagaytay. Not that I hate the rain, in fact the thick fog brings its own captivating spell to the southern dining destination. Today's festivities include an insightful session with industry stalwarts and yes, more feasts to celebrate Tagaytay Food Festival 2025's theme of The Food That Binds revealing even more complex layers in Tagaytay's ever evolving food and restaurant scene. But first, breakfast...

Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 Day 1: Celebrating The Food That Binds with Tradition and Creativity

How far would you go for the food you love? Three memorable days in Tagaytay proved that no distance is far enough to deter you from the food you love, not even the constant rains and fog could dampen your craving. More than nourishment, the food that sustains us also binds us together shaping and defining our culture and identity. In a celebration of creativity and community, the Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 edition reminds us once more how food reconnects us with the land, produce and local culture from the simplest staple to intricate expressions. 

From July 18 to 20, the famed southern region showcased its full tapestry of colorful flavors from traditional local and international cuisine to modern contemporary executions in a lavish display of regional pride. Chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, producers and brands eagerly responded to the call to represent the very best of Tagaytay as the premier dining destination down south of Manila in a unified and collaborative celebration. The first in a series of five posts, here's a look back at the Tagaytay Food Festival 2025 retracing the memorable events from Day 1...

Boosting NextGen Tourism: PHILTOA Officially Launches 36th Philippine Travel Mart

The country's most anticipated travel expo is formally launched setting the stage with renewed vision and purpose and a continuing commitment to enhancing the travel experience. Driven by sustainability, digitization, inclusivity and health & wellness, this is your gateway to a more meaningful experience with the wonders of travel...

At the exclusive preview held at The Peninsula Manila, the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability, inclusivity and wellness redefining an industry that's more connected, responsible, future-ready and more in-tune to the new generation of travelers with the theme Boosting NextGen Tourism. These will be showcased at the 36th Philippine Travel Mart scheduled for September 5-7, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center. Make your travel plans, and let PHILTOA show you the way...

Experience Dining Reimagined As Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts Unveils A New Chapter In Flavor And Craftsmanship

Starting July 24, Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts embarks on a bold new chapter in its culinary journey redefining and elevating the dining experience across its signature outlets. The hotel-wide program features exciting new flavors, immersive stations and reimagined menus for an elegant yet approachable experience deeply rooted in popular guest favorites, seasonal ingredients, refreshed spaces and a renewed commitment to sustainability and culinary excellence. Step inside Hilton Manila and experience dining reimagined...

The exciting new chapter uncorks the infinite possibilities and full potential of Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts' creative culinary team, unleashing a world of exquisite, rich and diverse flavors at Madison Lounge & Bar, Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise, Port Bar and Kusina Sea Kitchens. Bigger, better, leveled up and elevated, the extensive and lavish new offerings presents a vibrant new perspective on refined culinary expressions inspired and refreshed by unrestrained creativity. Read on for a tasty peek at dining, reimagined at Hilton Manila...

IloIlo's Famous and Iconic Dish Comes to Pasig at Pat-Pat's Kansi Ortigas

For generations, bowls of sumptuous and comforting boiled fork-tender beef shank and bone marrow soured with batuan filled countless appetites and nostalgic stories enriching our daily routines. Make no bones about it, the iconic kansi continues to warm our palates on both sunny and rainy days. From the Jaro district in Iloilo to the busy commercial and business district of Pasig, Pat-Pat's Kansi Ortigas brings its rich culinary heritage and cherished family traditions served in a steaming hot bowl of savory goodness at its newest location in the metro...

Recently designated as the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines, Iloilo is home to many regional local staples that have shaped and defined our palate. From Batchoy and Inasal to Pancit Molo and Kadios, Baboy, Langka, Iloilo spins its own unique vibrant tapestry of colorful flavors to the rich and diverse weave of our national culinary identity. And when you mention Iloilo, the dish kansi is soon part of the conversation. And no other name is more associated with the local specialty than Pat-Pat's Kansi, now with its newest branch in the Pasig Ortigas area. Read on for a serving of Iloilo's pride in a bowl...

Vibrant New Stories Emerge at Makati's Poblacion...

An eclectic neighborhood in the midst of change and transition ushers in a new chapter in its on-going story. Familiar and new names in the 'hood paint a colorful tapestry constantly evolving yet remaining as diverse Poblacion has always been known for with its own distinctive pulse and creative vibe. Let's take a walk around the neighborhood...

It's been years since I last visited Poblacion, but the same spirit remains just as unique and proudly rebellious even defiant staying true to its non-conformist nature. Despite the changes and absence of former establishments, a new batch of hotspots takes their place continuing a tradition that has long defined the neighborhood alongside the enduring dives of Poblacion. It's this continuous wave of change that breathes and injects new life to the neighborhood forever in transition. Welcome to the latest chapter of Makati's iconic neighborhood...

Let's Talk Bacon. And Ham and Sausages Too by Jones Dairy Farm...

Pork, salt and spices, the very same recipe used by seven generations of the Jones family since 1889 remains the flavorful base for the bacon, smoked ham and breakfast sausages of Jones Dairy Farm. And absolutely no fillers, binders, preservatives, MSG and nitrites. It's time to rethink our choices for bacon, ham and sausages and keep up with the Joneses...

For 136 years since Milo C. Jones created his classic breakfast sausage using his mother's recipe in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, few things have changed at Jones Dairy Farm. And rightfully so. Today, the private family-owned business has become a beloved institution with its growing range of meat products that now includes Canadian Bacon, Meatballs, Liver Sausage and Scrapple to complement its core of all-natural sausages, bacon and ham all prepared in the enduring family tradition setting it apart from the usual commercial options. It's been called the Jones Difference. And it's your turn to discover the enduring flavors from Jones Dairy Farm...

When It Rains, Fire Up The Table Top Grills for the All-You-Can-Eat All Day, Everyday Yakiniku Feast at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ and Dessert at Morelli's Gelato

The regular afternoon downpour can just ruin any plan for the day. You can simply wait out the rain or better yet, fire up the table top grill. See you at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ and let it rain...

Known for its grilled thinly sliced meats, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ which translates to "bull's horn" brings traditional yakiniku with an unlimited, all-you-can-eat twist all-day long guaranteed to satisfy any carnivorous craving. Priced at P 1,249 (adults) and P 598 (children), enjoy a lavish selection of appetizers, homemade pickles, fresh salads, soups, yakitori, eight savory options of beef, pork and chicken ready for grilling and desserts. And when it rains, the table-top grills at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is ready to warm your palate and serious cravings (for more on Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, see my posts Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, Now Grillin' at GH Mall in Greenhills on the formal launch from early last year and Fire Up Your Table Top Grill. It's Eat-All-You-Can All Day, Everyday at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in GH Mall...from late last year). Rain or no rain, come hungry at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ...

Coffee and Grilled Pork Chops at H Proper Coffee Roasters

It isn't common to find exquisite coffee in your usual restaurant. And rarer to still to find hearty and comforting cuisine in a coffee shop. H Proper Coffee Roasters changes all that...

You're constantly on the prowl for a cup of coffee made with the finest single origin beans from around the world including Colombia, Ethiopia and Brazil but you're also looking for a satisfying meal and not just a snack. Plus, options for refreshing cocktails too. Now you can enjoy all these in one spot as H Proper Coffee Roasters redefines the coffee experience with a full menu of comforting cuisine plus fresh baked treats anchored by their premium coffee selections. Who's game for some Grilled Pork Chops? Then, read on...