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.

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SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) was conferred the “2025 World’s Leading Sustainable Circular Economy” at the prestigious World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in Dubai for its “Plate for the Planet” program.

The said awards aim at recognizing, celebrating, and sharing game-changer stories of both individuals and organizations that make an indelible impact and contribution in sustainable travel and tourism. All submissions were meticulously screened by Sustainable Business students at Nova Business School and reviewed by the Advisory Board.

“Plate for the Planet” seeks to expand healthy and environment-friendly dining options, directed towards reducing dining wastes and mitigating GHG emissions in the food service industry. “Through the program, SMHCC endeavors to halve per capita global food waste at both the consumer and production levels, while greening supply chains and maintaining the food waste per cover, below industry levels as part of our decarbonization plans,” said SMHCC Vice President for Quality and Sustainability Leah Magallanes.

The program is part of SMHCC’s Sustainable Diner Program where every item on the menu is carefully curated, featuring locally sourced and hotel harvested ingredients. This initiative is a testament of SMHCC’s commitment to circular economy in its operations. Food waste is managed through traditional composting of layering with bacteria and the more modern way of using a bio digester. “Compost is then used as fertilizer in our gardens and partner farms, while the harvested herbs, vegetables, and fruits are used by our chefs to prepare a delicious dish – a ‘Plate for the Planet’. As such, we have partnered up with SM Foundation farmers through their Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) program for our composting and gardening efforts,” adds Magallanes.

In particular, “Plate for the Planet” advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) on Responsible Consumption and Production, reinforcing the company’s thrust on global sustainability standards. This strategic direction is systematically implemented across all SMHCC properties, integrating responsible practices into daily hotel operations. Dedicated Sustainability Champions at each property ensure these initiatives are actively upheld, measured, and continuously strengthened.

This global recognition affirms SMHCC’s leadership in driving circular innovation within the hospitality industry, proving that sustainability and exceptional guest experiences can go hand in hand. As the company continues to elevate its environmental commitment across all properties, it remains steadfast in shaping a future where every stay and every plate contribute to a more sustainable world.

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Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila has been officially awarded the Green Key Certification, an internationally recognized eco-label for excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable operations within the tourism and hospitality industry. The certification marks a significant milestone for the property, underscoring its commitment to integrating sustainability into every aspect of the guest experience while maintaining the refined standards of modern luxury living.

Green Key Certification recognizes establishments that meet strict criteria across environmental management, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and community engagement. For Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila, this achievement reflects a holistic approach to responsible hospitality—one that thoughtfully balances elevated living with mindful stewardship of the environment and the local community.

“Earning the Green Key Certification affirms our belief that sustainability and luxury are not mutually exclusive,” said Nils Rothbarth, General Manager of Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila. “At Lanson Place, we see sustainability as an ongoing journey—one that influences how we design experiences, engage our teams, and care for the communities and environments we are part of.”

As part of its sustainability efforts, the property has implemented initiatives aligned with Green Key criteria, including energy- and water-saving measures, waste management programs, and responsible sourcing practices. Beyond operations, Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila continues to champion community engagement initiatives, reinforcing its role as a devoted host not only to guests but also to its wider neighborhood.

The Green Key Certification positions Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila among a global network of hospitality leaders who are actively shaping the future of sustainable tourism demonstrating that thoughtful choices today can create lasting impact for generations to come.

To know more, visit https://lansonplace.com/mallofasia. Follow its official social media pages (Facebook | Instagram) to find out more.

Register for free membership, visit lansonplace.com/loyalty.

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Park Inn by Radisson Clark, SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation’s (SMHCC) renowned property in Central Luzon, has been conferred a Special Award for Innovative Use of Technology at the 5th Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards organized by the Department of Energy (DOE). This distinction underscores the hotel’s exemplary Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) initiatives and its successful adoption of advanced systems that deliver measurable energy savings and environmental benefits.

The award recognizes the hotel’s success in reducing energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests. Through the use of a smart system design and shared cooling infrastructure, Park Inn by Radisson Clark has demonstrated how innovation can support both environmental goals and operational efficiency.

Particularly, one of the key initiatives behind the recognition is the hotel’s use of an offsite cooling system that supplies chilled water from a nearby central plant. This approach allows the hotel to operate efficiently without its own chiller equipment, resulting in lower energy use, stable indoor temperatures, and reliable operations with minimal maintenance requirements.

Consequently, the hotel has achieved meaningful environmental benefits by integrating energy-efficient cooling components such as constant flow valves into its air-conditioning system. These improvements generate an annual energy savings of over 240,000 kilowatt-hours, helping prevent approximately 174 metric tons of carbon emissions each year.

“This award reflects our commitment to integrating sustainability into the core of our developments,” said Eric Uy, SMHCC Senior Vice President for Project Management and Technical Support Services. “The success of Park Inn by Radisson Clark illustrates that leveraging on shared infrastructure and modern technology can produce tangible energy savings, measurable operational efficiency, and long-term environmental value for the hospitality industry. At the onset, Park Inn by Radisson Clark was built with these in mind. The property was not just retrofitted for the sake of the award,” Uy added.

These reductions significantly contribute to SMHCC’s Road to Net Zero by 2040, positioning Park Inn by Radisson Clark as a model for energy-efficient hotel operations in the Philippines.

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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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