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| General Manager Den Navarro giving out plants as media token |
The Manila Hotel invites guests to immerse themselves in a season of reflection, culinary delights, and family-friendly festivities with a carefully curated lineup of Holy Week and Easter events, as well as special dining offers this April. From a magical Easter celebration to a spiritual Visita Iglesia pilgrimage, along with dining experiences at Café Ilang-Ilang, Lobby Lounge, and M Takeout, there is something for everyone to experience.
Easter at the EGGmerald City
Families are in for a wickedly fun Easter at The Manila Hotel’s Tent City on April 20, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Inspired by the whimsical world of Wizard of Oz, Easter at the EGGmerald City will transform the venue into an emerald and pink-colored wonderland filled with activities for children, including bouncy castles, face painting, cupcake making, arts and crafts, egg decorating, a magic show, balloon twisting, a musical, and much more. Hotel mascot Willy the Bear will make a special appearance, ready to meet junior guests and pose for photos.
This Easter, Savoy Hotel Manila is bringing a unique and exciting take on the traditional staycation and Easter Sunday buffet! Families can enjoy not just one, but two special ways to celebrate while treating little ones to the ultimate holiday surprise—a FREE pass to the much-awaited Bunnies & Baskets Easter Carnival Party on April 20, 2025, at 12:00 NN at Savoy Café!
Get ready for a day of non-stop fun as kids enjoy thrilling games, fantastic prizes, face painting, loot bags, and an exciting Easter Egg Hunt! Plus, they can dress up in their best carnival-themed costumes for a chance to win the Best in Costume award!
A powerful movement dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and children took center stage at The Manila Hotel with the official launch of Ladies for a Cause. Composed of strong, passionate, and driven women from various sectors, the initiative aims to make a lasting impact on maternal and child health, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life—from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday.
My tea-loving heart is so delighted to have tried some of Duchess Fine Teas at their recently concluded event at the World Food Expo held at World Trade Center last March 27.
At the event hall, stood the most attractive and unique booth, its charm boasts a regently crafted space inspired by the Bridgerton Netflix series, which has drawn people to see what it was all about- and they came to taste some of the world’s curated fine teas.
It was a sensorial experience, every sip and aroma infusing in every flow from every teapot brings you to a world that not many knew of, a culture, we Filipinos need to be educated about.
This tea culture, as Dee Ledonio is so passionately putting forward, was actually led by serendipity.
I’ve known Dee for a long time already, and I know her as an entrepreneur who embraces the challenges and rewards that come with building something from the ground up. She is one whom I really look up to when it comes to business and one who has inspired many with her skills in strategy, innovation, and leadership.
Imagine, it only took her a few months to establish Duchess Fine Teas and has now captured the tea aficionado market.
How Duchess Fine Teas Came to Be
Dee fell in love with the culture of tea through her travels across Europe, particularly the UK.
She wandered through charming tea cafés, marveled at exquisite blends, and experienced firsthand the ritualistic elegance of tea drinking. From the rich, malty flavors of Assam to the delicate floral notes of Darjeeling, she discovered that tea was more than just a beverage-it was an experience, a lifestyle, and a bridge to different cultures.
Then came Christmas of 2024, when she received a beautifully curated gift set of fine loose-leaf teas from India. The moment she opened it, she was captivated-the aroma, the packaging, the artistry of the blends. It was a sensory delight, yet it also sparked a lingering question:
"Why is it that in the Philippines, our tea selection is so limited?"
That question ignited an idea.
What if Filipinos had access to the same world-class teas she had discovered abroad? What if loose-leaf teas, elegantly packaged in tin canisters and pyramid tea bags, could be introduced to a market that had long been dominated by instant tea and sugary blends? With the help of a trusted friend and co-founder, Dee began sourcing premium, branded teas from India-the birthplace of some of the world's most celebrated teas.
One country led to another, and soon, Duchess Fine Teas was bringing in carefully curated selections from Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and China. Each tea told a story, each blend carried the heritage of its origins, and Dee knew it was time to introduce Filipinos to the true art of tea drinking.
With a growing health-conscious community in the Philippines, the timing was perfect. More and more Filipinos were seeking natural, wellness-driven alternatives to coffee and sugary drinks.
Tea, with its centuries-old reputation for healing, relaxation, and sophistication, was ready to take its rightful place in the local market.
Thus, Duchess Fine Teas was born—not just as a brand, but as a movement to redefine tea culture in the Philippines. From a single Christmas gift to a full-fledged business, Dee's journey is a testament to how inspiration can come from the simplest moments—and how passion, vision, and the right opportunity can turn an idea into something truly extraordinary.
Vision
To be the premier tea brand that redefines tea culture by offering an exceptional selection of globally sourced, high-quality teas, bringing elegance, wellness, and a refined experience to tea lovers worldwide.
Mission:
1. Curate the Finest Teas - To source and distribute premium teas from renowned tea-producing regions, ensuring superior quality, authenticity, and sustainability.
2. Promote a Lifestyle of Elegance & Wellness - To inspire a refined yet approachable tea culture that encourages relaxation, mindfulness, and well-being.
3. Deliver an Exceptional Experience - To provide an immersive tea-drinking experience through beautifully crafted packaging, educational content, and expert curation.
4. Expand Tea Appreciation - To introduce tea enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike to diverse tea traditions, flavors, and rituals from around the world.
5. Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing - To support responsible sourcing practices by working with ethical tea producers and advocating for sustainability in the tea industry.
6. Create Community & Connection - To build a global community of tea lovers, fostering conversations and shared experiences through tea.
Branded Fine Teas, Sourced Globally.
Then it happened, and I learned that Aklanon cuisine has distinct characteristics of its own, even though having historical traces from the Visayan region. After stumbling upon Boracay Island Flavors at Savoy Hotel Manila, I couldn't undo my admiration for the said cuisine. The Chicken Binakol made me remember my Lola Vita, (she's a Boholana) who has a recipe book with that dish included and she wished she could have cooked it when we visited her when I was young. I never had a chance to taste it even knowing about it in my early teen years. That recipe book happened to be a treasure trove and the only book I read when I was on vacation at that time, which probably inspired me to be who I am now, a food lover.
Do you know where I finally had a taste of the Binakol? It's at Savoy Hotel Manila during the launch of Boracay Island Flavor menu offering, which sadly ran for a couple of weeks only.
How happy I was when I saw it at the menu of Savoy Cafe Boracay. I guess you know what transpired next?
It was until dinner when I had a chance to again rekindle my liking for Aklanon dishes. Savoy Cafe has an extensive selection for Filipino and international cuisines. But what I love is how they have infused the regional dishes and their local ingredients to some of their dishes. Aklanon dishes are so steeped on Visayan traditions and mainly uses what the islands are rich of, like the coconut. Hence, most of the native dishes uses gata or coconut milk, it's water and the meat of course. Various use of the coconut have been passed on from one generation to another, from different meat to seafood and to their meryenda (snack) or desserts, and the hotels' restos in the Newcoast area were not exempted to this.
It was hard choosing the dishes we are to have as everything looked appetizing. My husband then asked the staff for help in ordering, likely their best-seller or her preference. Her initial suggestion was The Binagoongang Lechon Rondalla. With a cheerful smile and warm service, I can tell what the culture of this hotel is, such a charm, and so we did order her suggestion and it was beyond our expectations.
Here are the dishes we ordered...
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| Chicken Binakol |
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| Savoy Special Pizza |
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| Binagoongan Lechon Rondalla |
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| Grilled Salmon with Salad |
Tucked away in Gifu Prefecture, Higashi Mino is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. With the highly anticipated Chuo Shinkansen set to make the region more accessible, Higashi Mino is poised to become a sought-after destination. But with rising concerns about over-tourism, now is the perfect time to explore this culturally rich area before the crowds arrive.
As Osaka Expo 2025 approaches, Higashi Mino is gearing up to shine on the global stage. Beyond its scenic hiking trails, it offers an authentic cultural journey through traditional
TRAVEL MADNESS EXPO (TME), one of the most anticipated events in the Travel Industry, offers the best travel deals for a decade now. With new travel experiences and more exciting destinations both local and international, travelers can look forward to great value for their money for the 2025 edition.
Travel Innovators Inc, President MA. PAZ ALBERTO and 12th TME CHAIRPERSON, as always, is making sure that no stones shall be unturned for this highly-anticipated annual event.
“We are ready to provide you with the ultimate travel experience. Our exhibitors are working tirelessly to curate the best and most unforgettable trips for you to take. Whether you dream of exploring the hidden gems of the countryside or jetting off to far off lands, we are here to make it happen. From luxurious accommodations to thrilling excursions, we have thought of every detail to ensure that your vacation is nothing short of magical,” says Ms. Alberto.
Discerning travelers who seek seamless blend of comfort, convenience, and sophisticated living for extended periods will find Lanson Place Mall of Asia a haven. Lanson Place Mall of Asia’s elegantly appointed serviced residences redefine the concept of a "home away from home," making it perfect for the needs of long-term travelers and expatriates embarking on new adventures, and corporate guests requiring a refined and comfortable base,
Each residence is meticulously designed to cater to every need, featuring a fully equipped kitchenette for preparing favorite meals, a full-sized refrigerator to stock with essentials, water filtration system, an electric induction hub for convenient cooking, and the indispensable in-room washer/dryer. High-speed Wi-Fi ensures seamless connectivity for work and play.
The allure of a longer stay at Lanson Place Mall of Asia also lies in the exclusive resident privileges designed to elevate everyday living. Guests are invited to indulge in the serenity of the Residents' Lounge, maintain their wellness routine at the state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, and soak in breathtaking city views from the Rooftop Infinity Pool.
As the number of health conscious people rises, and I myself is a self-proclaimed one, tea is becoming the beverage of choice. As many have been seeking a balanced lifestyle. Now, with the launch of Duchess Fine Teas at WOFEX DRINKS 2025 from March 27 to 29 at the World Trade Center Manila, Filipinos can explore an extensive selection of branded fine gourmet teas from India, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Sri Lanka. Available in loose-leaf and pyramid tea bags, all blends come in beautifully designed tin cans, perfect for daily enjoyment or gifting.
