When rain changes the plans for the day, comfort can sometimes be found in the simplest things: a warm Filipino meal, a quiet room, time to rest, and the opportunity to pause without having to go too far.

This rainy season, Belmont Hotel Manila introduces Rainy Day Comforts, an overnight experience that brings together Filipino comfort food, access to wellness and leisure facilities, and a meaningful contribution to the continued planting of Sampaguita.

Designed for guests looking to slow down and enjoy a more unhurried stay, the experience brings familiar Filipino flavors directly to the room. Guests may choose between Beef Pares or Batangas Lomi, offering a warm and satisfying meal to enjoy in the comfort and privacy of their accommodation.

The experience also gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the hotel’s facilities at their own pace, from a quiet swim at the rooftop pool to a workout at the gym or a relaxing session in the sauna.

Beyond personal comfort, the experience also contributes to a larger purpose.

A portion of every Rainy Day Comforts stay will support Seeds of Hope, Belmont Hotel Manila’s initiative supporting the Sampaguita community and the continued planting of Sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines. The initiative contributes to the hotel’s continuing sustainability efforts and its connection to Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ Petals to Purpose, helping create meaningful impact through the cultivation and care of Sampaguita.

Located at the heart of Newport City and right across Runway Manila, Belmont Hotel Manila offers a convenient escape for travelers arriving through NAIA Terminal 3, airport guests between journeys, and those looking for a nearby pause from the usual pace of the city.

Rainy Day Comforts starts at Php5,399, inclusive of an overnight stay, a choice of Beef Pares or Batangas Lomi, and access to the rooftop pool, gym, and sauna. Available until September 30, 2026.

Guests may book their stay through belmonthotelmanila.com or by emailing stay@belmontmanila.com.

Because when the rain changes the plans, there is still time to Savor the Moment.

The post Belmont Hotel Manila turns rainy days into moments of comfort and purpose appeared first on Lakbay Magazine.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), the largest homegrown hotel operator in the Philippines, is cooking a rich collaboration with Chef Nouel Catis, the original creator of the viral Dubai chocolate. United by a shared vision on Filipinization and cultural sustainability, both are exploring the creation of an iconic food or beverage offering that not only delights taste buds but also champions Filipino heritage on the global stage.

The possible partnership was revealed during MHR’s Media Huddle at Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay on August 13, 2025, where discussions hinted at a signature creation designed to resonate deeply with local pride while appealing to international markets.

“This collaboration is deeply aligned with our strong advocacy for Filipinization, which supports the Department of Tourism’s mission to celebrate local culture, cuisine, festivals, and crafts. At the heart of this advocacy is our Sampaguita brand of service, our heartfelt expression of Filipino hospitality that we proudly share with every guest,” said Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.

“We want something that lingers. We want something that would go viral for a long time,” Chef Nouel said.

“Beyond commercial success, I’ve always been about leaving a legacy. I wanted to re-enter the Philippine market not just to sell, but to pass on knowledge and skills to future chefs. When I learned about MHR’s Sampaguita service and this year’s theme of the Culinary Conference, ‘Celebrate Your Roots,’ I knew this was the right vessel for my return,” he added.

Chef Nouel was a featured speaker at MHR’s 4th Culinary Conference, held August 11–14, 2025, at Twin Lakes Hotel. The annual gathering brings together MHR’s executive chefs and F&B leaders to explore culinary trends and strengthen their craft.

Albiso added, “We launched the Culinary Conference in 2022 right after the pandemic to reinspire our chefs. The ultimate goal is to do better each year as our culinary leaders grow in number and vision. This year, the theme ‘Celebrate Your Roots: Rooted in Tradition, Inspired by Innovation’ honors the Philippines’ diverse culinary heritage while looking ahead to new flavors, stories, and techniques.”

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Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), the Philippines’ largest hotel operator, has officially introduced its first-ever Sampaguita Park, located within Southwoods City in Biñan, Laguna. The park, spanning 4,300 sq.m. of green space, is being developed in partnership with Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI) and the Rotary Club of Biñan, Laguna, with target completion date by 2nd quarter of 2026.

“Over the years, the Sampaguita has become more than just a symbol of our brand of service. It has taken on a deeper role, evolving into a full-blown advocacy that has moved beyond hotel operations and the four walls of our properties. Today, it reflects our collective desire to give back, to honor our heritage, and to build something that can uplift communities in a lasting and tangible way,” Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.

“With the creation of the Sampaguita Park, we don’t just celebrate Filipino culture, but also bring opportunities to the people who will nurture and enjoy it. This is our small contribution to preserving the beauty and meaning of our national flower while working alongside our partners and the community to create a space that inspires, educates, and sustains. We are honored to be part of something that may hopefully bloom beyond this one park and into many other places where our heritage lives,” Albiso added.

To mark the introduction of the park, MHR hosted an intimate media huddle on July 31 at Savoy Hotel Manila. The event was attended by key figures from MHR and its partners, including Albiso; Ederlinda Decano, Group Director of Finance and MHR’s Sustainability Lead; Charlene Go-Co, Head of Marketing Innovations at MHR; Dante Cerrer, Regional Township Director for Estate Management at GERI; and Serge Igonia, representing both the San Pedro Laguna community and the Rotary Club of Biñan.

The park is a tribute to the Sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower, and the values it represents: love, honor, dignity, and healing. Almost 3,000 Sampaguita seedlings were garnered from the hotel group’s “Petal to Purpose” Earth Hour campaign last March and will be used in the upcoming sowing activity and will be nurtured by the local community of San Pedro, Laguna.

The Sampaguita Park serves as a cultural destination reinforcing the country’s push as a tourist destination. The park also provides sustainable livelihood opportunities for local farmers through the support of the Rotary Club of Biñan, Laguna. The local farmers will be assigned to maintain the park and create products from the harvested blooms.

Sampaguita Journey

MHR’s Sampaguita journey began in July 2023 as part of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ tangible efforts to embrace Filipinization in hospitality. At the time, the goal was to adopt the national flower and create a multi-sensory signature that welcomes guests with the scent, sounds, flavors, and stories of the Sampaguita.

By late 2023, MHR had planted 2,500 seedlings across four Megaworld townships and its Central Nursery in Ternate, Cavite. Today, more than 18,000 liters of our Cool Sampaguita scent have been used across MHR’s 13 properties, and over 30,000 grams of food-grade buds used in the curated Sampaguita menu. Through the group’s collaboration with Dwellbeing, more than 8,200 families have received meals through its extended partnership with Project PEARLS.

The Sampaguita Park marks a significant step in heritage preservation and community engagement and underscores MHR’s role in nation-building through meaningful private-public partnerships. With the support of its partners, government agencies, and guests, MHR hopes the Sampaguita Park will become a model project for replication in other communities.

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What started as a symbolic gesture for Earth Hour has bloomed into a heartfelt advocacy, as guests of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) properties across the country donated nearly 3,000 Sampaguita seedlings under the “Petals to Purpose” campaign.

In March 2025, the campaign aligned with Earth Hour by offering guests the opportunity to purchase a Sampaguita seedling for only PHP60, which will be planted by the group in several locations and partner communities promoting sustainability while celebrating the Sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower and the group’s brand of hospitality.

As part of this initiative, 100 Sampaguita seedlings were officially turned over to Project PEARLS Foundation, a non-profit organization that empowers underprivileged children and families through education, healthcare, nutrition, and community development.

“Sampaguita started as MHR’s brand of service, but it has become the heart of our purpose. Through this initiative, we wanted to plant seeds of hope, joy, and national pride. We are humbled and grateful to be embraced by Project PEARLS in this advocacy and it is a blessing to be part of something so deeply rooted in compassion and purpose. As this movement continues to blossom, we look forward to creating more shared spaces where people can experience the Sampaguita spirit together,” said Charlene Go-Co, Head of Marketing Innovations at MHR.

The turnover was held at the Project PEARLS Community in Bocaue, Bulacan on July 11, 2025, attended by MHR executives including Eden Decano, Director of Finance; Charlene Go-Co, Head of Marketing Innovations; and Karlo Evangelista, Corporate Sustainability Manager. They were joined by the sustainability champions of each MHR property.

Project PEARLS plans to plant the donated Sampaguita seedlings around its learning center, while some will be given to local families and young scholars to care for and grow at home.

“One of the beautiful outcomes of this partnership is the growing awareness of the Sampaguita among our young scholars. Our on-site teacher has started incorporating lessons about the flower, its meaning and cultural significance,” said Monica Aclan, Deputy Executive Director of Project PEARLS.

This collaboration builds on MHR’s earlier engagement with Project PEARLS in November 2024, where MHR hosted a Sampaguita-themed Thanksgiving event. During that celebration, MHR planted 300 Sampaguita seedlings and led interactive community workshops including storytelling, coloring, Sampaguita lei-making, and feeding programs, all inspired by the national flower.

The remaining Sampaguita seedlings raised through the Petals to Purpose campaign will soon take root in thoughtfully chosen locations, including spaces where more communities can gather, reflect, and experience the quiet beauty of this national flower. This furthers MHR’s long-term commitment to sustainability and community partnerships.

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