Belmont Hotel Manila Celebrates Batangas Culinary Heritage Through PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined

Belmont Hotel Manila Celebrates Batangas Culinary Heritage Through PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined | MANILA, Philippines – Belmont Hotel Manila celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Batangas through PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, a special dining collaboration featuring Filipino chefs Grant Zuniga and Aaron Valeroso. Launched in celebration of the hotel’s 11th anniversary, the culinary experience reinterprets traditional Batangueño flavors through contemporary cooking techniques while preserving the essence of Filipino cuisine.

Available at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026, the collaboration features two signature dishes: Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo and Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit, priced at PHP 1,200 each.

PAMANA Highlights Filipino Culinary Heritage

PAMANA, which means heritage or inheritance, is Belmont Hotel Manila’s culinary legacy program dedicated to celebrating Filipino cuisine and recognizing the chefs, communities, and traditions that continue to shape the country’s food culture.

Through collaborations with Filipino culinary talents, the initiative introduces regional specialties to a wider audience while exploring how traditional recipes and local ingredients can be presented through contemporary gastronomy.

“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.

Filipino Chefs Bring Batangas Flavors to Contemporary Dining

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

Both chefs trained in Italy, bringing international culinary influences into their approach to Filipino cuisine. Chef Grant further refined his craft through experience in hotels and award-winning restaurants in the United States, while Chef Aaron gained professional experience in five-star hotels in the Philippines.

For Taal, Reimagined, the chefs draw inspiration from Batangas’ culinary traditions and regional ingredients, transforming familiar dishes into contemporary creations that reflect their culinary backgrounds and shared appreciation for Filipino food.

Reimagining Batangueño Cuisine Through Local Ingredients

The culinary collaboration showcases two dishes that highlight the distinctive flavors of Batangas while introducing innovative interpretations of Filipino favorites.

Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo combines the familiar sour and savory profile of sinigang with the creamy texture of Italian risotto. Grilled maliputo, a prized freshwater fish associated with Taal Lake, adds a smoky, savory character to the dish while highlighting the region’s local food heritage.

Meanwhile, Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit draws inspiration from the Batangueño specialty known for its use of luyang dilaw, or turmeric. The combination of turmeric and gata (coconut milk) creates an aromatic and earthy flavor profile that gives the dish its distinctive character. Prepared using the confit technique, which involves slow cooking to achieve a tender texture, the chicken offers a contemporary interpretation of the traditional adobo sa dilaw.

Together, the two creations demonstrate how regional Filipino dishes can evolve through modern culinary techniques while retaining their cultural identity and connection to their origins.

A Filipino Culinary Experience at Café Belmont

Located in Newport City beside Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, Belmont Hotel Manila provides a convenient dining destination for hotel guests, airport travelers, business professionals, and local diners. The hotel is accessible through Runway Manila, connecting the property to the airport.

Through PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, Belmont Hotel Manila continues to celebrate Filipino culinary traditions by bringing regional flavors, local ingredients, and contemporary cooking together in a dining experience that honors the country’s gastronomic heritage.

The special culinary collaboration is available at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026, with both featured dishes priced at PHP 1,200 each.

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