Discover Batangueño Cuisine at Belmont Hotel Manila’s PAMANA Culinary Experience

MANILA, Philippines – Belmont Hotel Manila highlights Batangas’ culinary heritage through PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, a special dining collaboration featuring Filipino chefs Grant Zuniga and Aaron Valeroso.

Launched as part of the hotel’s 11th anniversary celebration, the culinary experience presents two Filipino-inspired dishes that combine regional ingredients with contemporary cooking techniques. Available at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026, the featured creations are Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo and Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit, priced at PHP 1,200 each.

PAMANA, meaning heritage or inheritance, is Belmont Hotel Manila’s culinary initiative celebrating Filipino cuisine, regional food traditions, and the people who preserve and reinvent them. Through collaborations with local culinary talents, the program offers guests a contemporary dining experience that introduces them to the diverse flavors of the Philippines.

“Through PAMANA, we want to share the richness of Filipino cuisine with our guests and introduce them to the stories and traditions behind every dish. Working with Filipino chefs also allows us to celebrate their creativity and show how familiar flavors can be presented in new ways while remaining connected to their roots,” said Mayann Malapote, Hotel Manager of Belmont Hotel Manila.

From an Online Kitchen to a Culinary Collaboration

Chefs Grant Zuniga and Aaron Valeroso began their entrepreneurial journey during the pandemic, starting with an online kitchen that eventually developed into a multi-awarded restaurant venture in Lipa, Batangas.

Both chefs studied in Italy, where they gained exposure to international culinary techniques. Chef Grant further refined his skills through experience in hotels and award-winning restaurants in the United States, while Chef Aaron built his professional background working in five-star hotels in the Philippines.

For PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, the chefs draw inspiration from Batangas’ culinary traditions, giving familiar Filipino dishes a contemporary presentation. Their creations reflect their combined experiences and their commitment to showcasing the country’s regional food culture.

Two Dishes Celebrate the Flavors of Batangas

The culinary collaboration features two dishes that reinterpret traditional Filipino flavors while highlighting ingredients associated with Batangas.

Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo

The Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo pairs sinigang’s signature sourness with the creamy texture of Italian risotto. The dish brings two distinct culinary traditions together on one plate.

Grilled maliputo, a prized fish from Taal Lake, adds smoky, savory notes to the risotto. It also highlights the local ingredients and food traditions that shape Batangas’ culinary identity.

The dish offers a contemporary take on familiar Filipino flavors, pairing the comforting character of sinigang with the richness of an Italian-inspired preparation.

Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit

The Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit draws on a Batangueño specialty defined by its use of luyang dilaw, or turmeric. Combined with gata, or coconut milk, the dish delivers earthy, aromatic flavors with a rich finish.

The chicken is prepared using the confit technique, which involves slow-cooking the meat in fat to achieve a tender texture. This method gives the traditional dish a contemporary presentation while retaining Adobo sa Dilaw’s distinctive character.

Together, the two creations offer diners a new perspective on Batangas cuisine, demonstrating how regional specialties can evolve while remaining connected to their culinary roots.

Where to Try PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined

Café Belmont, inside Belmont Hotel Manila in Newport City, lets travelers and local diners experience the culinary collaboration without leaving Metro Manila.

The hotel sits beside Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 and is accessible via Runway Manila, the pedestrian link connecting the airport to Newport City. Its location makes it a convenient dining option for hotel guests, airport travelers, business professionals, and residents looking to explore Filipino cuisine in a contemporary setting.

PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined is available at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026. Each featured dish is priced at PHP 1,200.

For reservations, inquiries, and orders, visit www.belmonthotelmanila.com, call (02) 5318-8888 or +63 927 007 9952, or email dine@belmontmanila.com.

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