The Manila Hotel Partners with TESDA to Strengthen Hospitality Training

The Manila Hotel has entered into a landmark partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partnership designates the historic hotel as an official training ground for aspiring hoteliers and hospitality professionals, marking a significant step in advancing enterprise-based education in the country.

The agreement was formalized during Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on August 13, 2025, with TESDA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Benitez as guest of honor. During the forum, TESDA awarded The Manila Hotel Certificates of TVET Program Registration—its first in partnership with the hotel—recognizing its comprehensive training programs under the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) scheme.

Lo bueno, si breve: Spanish writer Lorena Escudero to conduct microfiction workshops at UP Diliman and Instituto Cervantes

Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines – Diliman, and several cultural partners, will present Lo bueno, si breve, a workshop on microfiction in Spanish led by Spanish author Lorena Escudero.

The sessions will take place on August 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, and on August 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Instituto Cervantes de Manila (Makati branch).

Aimed at students and young writers, the workshop is designed to help participants hone their skills in Spanish creative writing. Through practical exercises, Escudero will guide them in exploring the expressive power of brevity and the techniques for crafting compelling microrrelatos (very short stories).

Celebrate Filipino culture and heritage at Ortigas Malls' Buwan ng Wika festivities

This August, Ortigas Malls invites you to immerse yourself in the richness of Filipino language, arts, and culture with a vibrant lineup of events at GH Mall and Estancia Mall. Get ready to celebrate "Buwan ng Wika" with month-long activities that promise fun for the whole family while paying homage to our heritage.

GH Mall: The Language of Local Entrepreneurship

Over at GH Mall, the Buwan ng Wika celebrations give a nod to the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels our local economy. From August 15 to 17 at the South Wing Atrium, the Nakakalocal Bazaar returns for its fourth year, celebrating homegrown brands and vendors. It's the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and discover unique, proudly Filipino products. Right alongside it, the Kiddopreneur event from August 16 to 17 at the East Wing Atrium will empower the next generation of Filipino innovators, teaching them the language of business and commerce in a fun and engaging way.

Zarzuela > Sarswela, A Musical Bridge Between Spain and the Philippines

On August 26, Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain, the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Teatro de la Zarzuela will present Zarzuela-Sarswela, a concert featuring a selection of pieces from classic Spanish zarzuelas alongside works from Philippine sarswelas. The recital, the culmination of the zarzuela workshop led by Spanish pianist Ramón Grau, will take place at the Education Auditorium (4F Albertus Magnus Building), UST, at 5pm. Admission is free, and early registration is encouraged at https://forms.office.com/e/gqQYWUHzSb.

This concert marks the grand finale of Zarzuela Viva, a month-long celebration of the shared cultural heritage between Spain and the Philippines, featuring weekly zarzuela screenings, an immersive workshop, and this closing recital.

The zarzuela, one of the most treasured art forms in the Spanish-speaking world, was also among the most popular cultural expressions in the Philippines for decades. As Alexandra Chua, Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music, observes: “In the Philippine context, the sarswela is not merely a borrowed tradition, but a powerful symbol of Filipino transcultural identity and creativity. Embedded within it are distinctly Filipino stories and narratives that reflect local experiences, struggles, and aspirations. Through the reimagining of inherited forms, the sarswela becomes a dynamic expression of Filipino agency and cultural voice.”

Travel & Lifestyle Expo 2025: Travel, Explore, Discover, and Roam at Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati

A Celebration of Travel, Culture, and Lifestyle from August 29 to 31, 2025 

Manila, Philippines – Get ready to Travel, Explore, Discover, and Roam! The much anticipated Travel & Lifestyle Expo 2025 is back, happening on August 29 to 31, 2025, at  the Activity Center, Upper Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati. 

Organized by JJ Events Management, in partnership with STEP UP Travel + Events, the 3-day event will once again bring together top travel destinations, lifestyle brands, tourism agencies, and media partners to offer exciting deals, immersive experiences, and fresh travel inspiration for all wanderlusts and adventurers. 

Kuris-kuris Exhibit by Gibraltar at Gateway Gallery from August 16 to 22

Filmmaker and visual artist Ray Defante Gibraltar is marking an important period in his life with a pair of milestone projects — his first solo art exhibit and first book. Both deal with themes of mental health and are direct expressions of his former struggles with addiction.

Titled “Kuris-kuris At Ang Pagpapaamo sa Aking mga Dragon,” the art exhibit features  striking abstract mixed media pieces that portray a tapestry of mental, psychological, and emotional turmoil. Kuris is a Bisayan (Cebuano) word for doodles or scribbles

The exhibit runs from August 16 to 22, 2025, at Gateway Gallery, 5th floor, Gateway Tower in Araneta City. It’s the same venue where Gibraltar held his previous exhibit, Under Construction, a two-man show with colleague Jom Vega in August 2024.

Folded into the “Kuris-kuris” opening event is the debut of Gibraltar as a published author. Titled “Nag Dyo-dyornal Din ang Adik (Mga Pinta at Kuwento Tungong Kahinahunan),” the book is a companion piece to the exhibit, containing a catalogue of all artworks in the exhibit and essays on select pieces that feature the autobiographical stories and inspirations behind them.

Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. and Uratex Renew Partnership to Inspire Curiosity Nationwide

The Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI) and URATEX are proud to renew their partnership for  another 10 years. URATEX is one of the founding partners of The Mind Museum, marking a new  chapter in their shared mission to champion the arts and sciences for learners of all ages. This  renewed collaboration builds on a relationship rooted in shared purpose, innovation, and a deep  understanding of the power of widespread inspired learning in science, math and the arts to shape  futures. 

Uratex President and CEO Mrs. Natividad Cheng affirmed the new strong potential of this  partnership saying “We, in Uratex, want to be able to reach as many Filipino communities as  possible through the innovations that we do to improve Filipino lives. Since BAFI has music, math  and science programs and projects that are so engaging, and reaching out across our country as  well, this made us really think it was a natural alliance.” 

A Taste of Heritage: Cordillera Cacao Shines at John Hay Hotels

John Hay Hotels and chocolatier Angeleah Montilde present an artisanal experience celebrating Cordillera’s cacao legacy through craft, culture, and purposeful luxury.

Amidst the cool mountain breeze and towering pine trees of the Cordilleras, a unique experience unfolds at John Hay Hotels, one that blends heritage, artistry, and conscious craftsmanship into a celebration of cacao’s rich legacy.

Through an exclusive partnership with Angeleah Montilde, Baguio-based founder and chocolatier of Kokomo Chocolate, John Hay Hotels presents artisan chocolate-making workshops that immerse guests in purposeful luxury, featuring the ancestral rhythms of Cordillera cacao, from its origins in the highland soil to the delicately crafted bars that tell stories of community and culture.

Landco Pacific Corporation Champions Education and Sustainability through its Adopt-a-Scholar Program

Batangas youth empowered to become future leaders in hospitality

Landco Pacific Corporation, a pioneer in premium leisure and sustainable seaside developments for over 30 years, deepens its commitment to community development through its Adopt-a-Scholar Program. This is an initiative that provides long-term support to underprivileged yet deserving youth from the surrounding communities of Landco BeachTowns Club Laiya and CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach) in Batangas.

The Manila Hotel Expands its Vegan and Vegetarian Culinary Selections

The Manila Hotel, long regarded as the Grand Dame of the Philippines, broadens its culinary offerings with an enriched selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes now available across all dining outlets. Led by executive chef Konrad Walter, with the support of consultant Riza Shanti Lim, the initiative reflects the hotel’s commitment to inclusive, ingredient-driven, and sustainable cuisine.

This development comes after an intimate dinner hosted at the Champagne Salon, where members of the media were served an elegant vegetarian set menu. The experience was met with glowing feedback, proving that meat-free dining can be both refined and indulgent.

“Our menus are rooted in freshness and balance,” said executive chef Konrad Walter. “We focus on seasonal produce and non-processed ingredients to create dishes that are not only nutritious, but also full of flavor. We’ve seen guests try them out of curiosity, and walk away surprised at how satisfying and complex vegan cuisine can be.”

Dragon Court Elevates Hot Pot Dining with New Sets and Individual Stations

Hot pot season is officially in full swing at Dragon Court, the signature Chinese restaurant of Manila Prince Hotel. Beginning August 1, 2025, guests are invited to gather around the table for a feast of simmering flavors with its new hot pot sets, now made even more enticing with the addition of individual hot pot stations, offering a fully customizable dining experience.

Elevated Indulgence: Premium Hot Pot

For those with a refined palate, the Premium Hot Pot set is now available at a special rate of Php 1,088 nett person, regularly Php 1,288. This set includes premium ingredients such as beef tenderloin, sausage, shrimp, oyster mushrooms, and squid balls, among others. All served alongside an abundant serving of vegetables and noodles to complement the broth of choice and dipping sauces.

Elevate your moviegoing experience at Gateway Cineplex 18

There’s nothing like going to the movies. As the lights dim and as the screen comes alive, you are instantly transported to new worlds. There you experience a plethora of stories and experience different lives. It is escape, exploration, and discovery all at the same time. It allows us to delve into our shared human condition—deepening our understanding and broadening our horizon. It is nothing short of magical. 

And that transformative power of cinema is exactly what’s celebrated at Gateway Cineplex 18. 

“Movies are a way to escape, but they also bring us together and connect us with one another,” Irene Jose, COO of Uniprom Inc. said. “We know our moviegoers want to be immersed in the story, which is why we’ve made it a point to deliver an exceptional cinema experience. And now, we’re taking it even further by introducing unique, first-of-its-kind concepts here in the country.”

The Manila Hotel Reopens Heritage Museum

The Manila Hotel reopens Heritage Museum following extensive enhancements aimed at delivering a more engaging historical experience. Located at the lobby level of the iconic hotel, the revamped museum presents a newly curated collection of artifacts, documents, and interactive displays that highlight the hotel’s role in Philippine history, culture, and hospitality since 1912.

The Heritage Museum showcases the hotel’s architectural and cultural legacy, notable guests, world leaders, and contributions to society over the past century. Previously unseen photographs and antique décor pieces are now on display, giving visitors a closer look at the milestones that shaped The Manila Hotel’s legacy. New additions include digital installations, the hotel’s oldest surviving menu, and a curated display of antique furniture, among others.