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| General Manager Den Navarro giving out plants as media token |
You see, at Savoy Hotel Manila, sustainability is more than just a program; it's a way of life. All thanks to the General Manager Den Navarro for his forward-thinking leadership. Since 2021, the hotel has embraced a comprehensive and heartfelt approach to sustainability. structured around three core pillars: People, Planet, and Business. Each pillar is a testament to the hotel's deep commitment to positive impact, both within and beyond its walls.
Before I let you in on the meaning of these pillars, let me share with you part of his heartfelt message during our media BBQ poolside party last week, which is about the circle of happiness, which forms the groundwork of their company’s advocacy. The cycle begins with the love for God, for family, self, workplace, and the community. I, for one, believe in this as love fuels relationships, allowing us to form deep bonds with the aforementioned. It is the foundation of healthy and fulfilling connections, which foster trust and camaraderie and encourage open communication and a willingness to help, leading to greater relationship satisfaction.
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| (from left) Karlo Evangelista - Corporate Sustainability Manager, Thessa Dela Paz - Director of Marketing and Communications, Den Ferdinand V. Navarro - General Manager, and James Luna - Assistant Manager. |
PEOPLE: Empowering Communities and Enriching Culture
Savoy Hotel Manila believes that true sustainability begins with people. The hotel has cultivated long-standing partnerships with local foundations and institutions, fostering inclusivity, education, and community development. In 2023, Savoy began partnerships with the Pangarap Foundation and the Philippine Institute for the Deaf, supporting their missions through employment initiatives and advocacy programs.
The hotel also joined the Department of Education's Brigada Eskwela program at Villamor Airbase Elementary School, promoting a better learning environment for local youth.
In 2024, Savoy collaborated with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS), a food rescue organization, to help combat food insecurity and reduce food waste.
Internally, the hotel nurtures a culture of sustainability through programs integrated into its employee orientation since 2022. Employees participate in a range of fun and impactful activities such as "Farm On," a farming challenge that promotes growing food in urban spaces; the "Trashion Show," a fashion event featuring upcycled materials; "We Race for Green, a sustainability themed Amazing Race; and an annual eco-conscious Christmas decoration contest.
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| Photo from Savoy Hotel Manila hybrid farming at the hotel's rooftop |
PLANET: Protecting the Environment for Future Generations
Savoy Hotel Manila has made great strides in minimizing its ecological footprint.
Since 2022, its hybrid farming initiative has produced an impressive 456 kilos of herbs and vegetables, helping to reduce the carbon impact of food sourcing.
Through its "Waste We Can" program, the hotel successfully diverted 2.5 tones of recyclable waste from landfills between 2022 and 2024. Initiatives such as the in-room "Green Program" encourage Guests to reuse towels and linens, significantly reducing water and energy consumption.
The hotel also took part in the "Trash to Cash" program in 2022, transforming waste into value while promoting recycling awareness. Its bold step toward renewable energy, with the transition to MPOWER by March 2025, marks a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.
BUSINESS: Leading by Example in the Industry
Savoy Hotel Manila's sustainability achievements have not gone unnoticed. In November 2022, the hotel became a signatory of the prestigious Glasgow Declaration, signaling its dedication to climate action in tourism. That same year, it was awarded the "Badge of Honor" under the "We Save Sustainability Program," jointly presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI).
In 2023, Savoy earned the "Guardians of the Grub" badge from the UK's WRAP for its outstanding food waste management efforts. It was also certified by Green Destinations through the Good Travel Scan and later recognized as a Top 6 Finalist at the Green Destinations Story Awards at ITB Berlin 2024.
Most recently, Savoy was named "Eco Warrior Champion" in the 2024 "Trash to Cash" initiative. The hotel was also the only hospitality representative in the September 2024 Study Mission to Taiwan, alongside the China Productivity Center and the Development Academy of the Philippines, further cementing its role as a sustainability trailblazer in the industry.
From supporting communities to protecting the planet and earning global recognition, Savoy Hotel Manila's sustainability journey is a powerful story of leadership, passion, and purpose. It's a journey that continues to grow, one initiative, one partnership, and one bold step at a time.
The Sampaguita Initiative
Aside from all that was mentioned, one lasting and profound project they initiated together with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts is incorporating the symbolism of our national flower into their services, which includes a signature menu.
I couldn’t help but be bemused by how they made use of the flower, its scent, its meaning in the company’s values, its essence. Sampaguita may look simple, but anyone can easily be captivated by its aroma. With its refreshing and revitalizing aroma, it turned the hotel’s lobby and Sampaguita Wellness Packaged room into a relaxing oasis. I love that their signature oil for their massage services for the in room or in the spa is infused with sampaguita essential oil, as it is antibacterial and antifungal, and of course, the aromatherapy can not be discounted.
With my last visit, I was able to try two of their beverages that have sampaguita syrups added. They are Tamarind Mojito (Tamarind with Sampaguita Mocktail) and Sampaguita Bliss, a two-toned mix of citrus and blue pea tea with an infusion of sampaguita.
I must say, I was amazed by their signature sampaguita menu as they were able to incorporate the said flower even in their entree. According to Chef Kit Carpio, Executive Chef of Savoy Hotel Manila, they discovered that they can use dried sampaguita to cure and smoke their meats, including fish.
In Pan Seared Sea Bass with Rice Pilaf, the fillet was seasoned with spices along with the crushed dried flowers before pan-roasting, which complemented well with the tart Ripe Mango Salsa served with it.
The Barbecue Rub Pork Belly on the other hand has that appetizing glaze from the special barbecue sauce, but the dry rub which consists of orange and lemon zest, dried sampaguita flower, salt and sugar added an extra delightful layer of savoriness to it.
For the dessert, there is no shortness of options. I had tried the Tres Leches Sampaguita, a soft, cake drenched in tres leches (three different kinds of milk/milky cream) infused with sampaguita, with a tinge of bitterness at the end cutting the sweetness of the cake.
There is more to this initiative as it does not only give back to the sampaguita farmers. Savoy Hotel didn’t stop there; they actually buy a sampaguita seedling and plant it in your honor every time you book a Sampaguita staycation package. Aside from purchasing their plants and flowers, they have set aside time to spend with the families of the scholars benefiting from their sampaguita project and have taught them how to make sampaguita polvoron as an added source of livelihood.
All these projects are testaments to their love and passion for what they are doing. Making the hotel and its people truly inspiring and more so setting benchmarks in the hotel industry’s sustainability effort.
Kudos to them!
-the Philippines' largest hotel operator chain-exemplifies Filipino hospitality through its signature Sampaguita service. Ideally located just 350 meters from NAIA Terminal 3 and with seamless access to Terminals 1 and 2 via the skyway, the hotel offers unparalleled convenience for travelers.
Nestled in the vibrant Newport City, Guests are steps away from an array of restaurants, coffee shops, retail outlets, and entertainment venues. Its prime location ensures effortless connectivity to key business hubs like Makati and Bonifacio Global City, as well as recreational destinations such as Villamor Golf Club and Manila's cultural landmarks.
Recognized as the Philippines' Leading Airport Hotel, Savoy Hotel Manila features 684 thoughtfully designed rooms, making it the perfect choice for both business and leisure travelers. Here, comfort meets vibrant experiences, ensuring a stay that's as seamless as it is memorable.
For reservations and inquiries, contact us at: Email: stay@savoyhotelmanila.com/ dine@savoyhotelmanila.com
Telephone: +63 (02) 5317 2869/ +63 (02) 5317 2817
Mobile/WhatsApp/Viber: +63 917 8505310
101 Andrews Ave., Newport City, 1300 Pasay City
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