Melo Villareal
Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Pageant Winners Plant 70 Sampaguita Saplings at Rizal Park
Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global 2026 winners Ben Siao and Maria Yna Angela Uy joined Hotel Lucky Chinatown by Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts for a sampaguita planting activity at Manila’s Rizal Park to promote Filipino-Chinese heritage, cultural appreciation, and environmental stewardship.
(Fourth person from the left) Alvin Kingson Tan, President of CHiNOY TV, Cecile Lorenzana, Executive Director of National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Eden Decano, Chief Finance Officer of Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts, Geraldine Gaw, General Manager of Hotel Lucky Chinatown, and Kelvin Uy, Senior AVP for Sales & Marketing of Megaworld Horizon, with Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global titleholders.
Held on October 22 at the Chinese Garden, the initiative brought together the pageant winners, runners-up, CHiNOY TV, the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), and Hotel Lucky Chinatown associates. The group planted 70 sampaguita saplings as part of a collaborative effort to celebrate shared cultural traditions while supporting environmental conservation.
The activity connected the pageant’s celebration of Filipino-Chinese identity with a practical initiative that encourages communities to protect the environment and preserve meaningful cultural landmarks.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global in celebrating the rich heritage of the Filipino-Chinese community. As a hotel rooted in the heart of Binondo, we recognize the importance of preserving the traditions that connect generations,” said Geraldine Gaw, general manager of Hotel Lucky Chinatown.
She added that the initiative brings people together to honor their shared cultural identity while contributing to a greener future.
Chinese Garden Highlights Filipino-Chinese Friendship
Located within Rizal Park, Manila’s Chinese Garden represents the longstanding friendship between the Filipino and Chinese communities. Constructed between 1966 and 1967, the garden was a gift from the local Chinese-Filipino community commemorating the enduring cultural ties between the Philippines and China.
The garden provided a meaningful setting for the planting activity, reinforcing the connection between heritage preservation and environmental responsibility.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown’s participation also reflects its ties to Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown, where Filipino and Chinese influences have shaped local traditions, cuisine, commerce, and community life for generations.
Through initiatives such as the sampaguita planting activity, the hotel continues to support cultural engagement beyond the hospitality sector.
The partnership with the NPDC marks the first phase of Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ sampaguita planting efforts at Rizal Park. Both parties plan to collaborate on additional planting activities in the future.
Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts Expands Sampaguita Advocacy
The initiative forms part of Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ Sampaguita advocacy, a program that combines environmental stewardship with community involvement.
Since its August 2023 launch, the advocacy has facilitated the planting of more than 7,000 sampaguita seedlings across eight destinations, benefiting over 40 communities.
The program aims to encourage environmental awareness while supporting efforts to nurture the sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower. By involving communities and partners in planting activities, the initiative also promotes shared responsibility for the country’s natural environment.
Pageant Winners Become Sampaguita Advocacy Ambassadors
As part of the partnership, Ben Siao and Maria Yna Angela Uy were also named Mr. & Ms. Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts.
During their reign, the titleholders will serve as ambassadors for the group’s Sampaguita advocacy. Their role includes helping raise awareness of the initiative and encouraging greater public participation in environmental efforts.
The partnership gives the pageant winners an opportunity to extend their influence beyond the competition by promoting cultural appreciation, community engagement, and environmental consciousness.
By planting 70 sampaguita saplings at the Chinese Garden, the collaboration shows how cultural celebrations can create opportunities for meaningful community action while strengthening the ties that connect Filipino and Chinese heritage.
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