Batangas Heritage Meets Contemporary Filipino Cuisine at PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined

Belmont Hotel Manila continues its celebration of Filipino culinary heritage with Belmont Hotel Manila, a special collaboration between Chefs Grant Zuniga and Aaron Valeroso.

Created for the hotel's 11th anniversary celebration, the culinary experience takes inspiration from the flavors of Taal and Batangas, giving familiar Filipino dishes a contemporary interpretation through thoughtful ingredients and cooking techniques.

Guests can experience the two featured dishes at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026, with each dish priced at PHP 1,200:

PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, a culinary collaboration celebrating the flavors and heritage of Batangas through contemporary Filipino cuisine.

🍽️ Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo
🍗 Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit

The menu brings together the comforting flavors of Filipino home cooking and the creativity of modern culinary techniques. From the distinct character of maliputo to the familiar flavors of sinigang and adobo, each creation pays homage to the culinary identity of Batangas while presenting it in a fresh way.
The name PAMANA, meaning heritage or inheritance, reflects the program's purpose: to celebrate Filipino cuisine and the people who continue to preserve and reinterpret its traditions.

Through collaborations with Filipino chefs and culinary talents, PAMANA gives regional food stories a place at the table—and introduces these traditions to diners in new and unexpected ways.

“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.” ~Mayann Malapote, Hotel Manager of Belmont Hotel Manila

From an Online Kitchen to a Culinary Collaboration

From left: Chef Rey Nalzaro, Executive Chef of Belmont Hotel Manila; Chef Aaron Valeroso; and Chef Grant Zuniga, featured chefs for PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined and restaurateurs based in Lipa, Batangas.

The story behind Taal, Reimagined is also a story of two chefs who turned an uncertain period into an opportunity to build something of their own.

Chefs Grant Zuniga and Aaron Valeroso started their entrepreneurial journey during the pandemic with an online kitchen. What began as a modest venture eventually developed into a multi-awarded restaurant in Lipa, Batangas, establishing their presence in the local culinary scene.

Both chefs pursued culinary studies in Italy, while their professional experiences took different paths. Chef Grant expanded his culinary background through hotels and award-winning restaurants in the United States, while Chef Aaron gained experience in five-star hotels in the Philippines.

Their diverse backgrounds come together in Taal, Reimagined, where they reinterpret flavors rooted in Batangas culinary traditions.

Rather than simply reproducing familiar dishes, the collaboration allows the chefs to view Filipino food through the lens of their experiences—combining international influences with a strong connection to the flavors and food traditions of home

Batangueño Flavors on the Plate

Two dishes take center stage in PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined, each offering a different expression of Batangas' culinary heritage.

The Sinigang Risotto with Grilled Maliputo marries the bright, tangy notes of sinigang with the rich creaminess of Italian risotto. Grilled maliputo, a fish closely associated with Belmont Hotel Manila, adds a smoky savory character that anchors the dish in the flavors of the region.

The Adobo sa Dilaw Chicken Confit explores another Batangueño favorite. Inspired by the traditional use of luyang dilaw or turmeric, the dish combines turmeric with gata to create an earthy and aromatic flavor profile. The chicken is then slowly cooked using the confit technique, resulting in a tender texture and deeper flavor.

What makes the collaboration compelling is the balance between familiarity and reinvention. The dishes remain rooted in Filipino culinary traditions while introducing techniques and presentations that give them a distinctly contemporary identity.

Located in Newport City beside NAIA Terminal 3, Belmont Hotel Manila is connected to the airport through Runway Manila, making Café Belmontan accessible destination for travelers, professionals, hotel guests, and diners looking for a taste of Filipino cuisine with a modern touch.

Café Belmont, Belmont Hotel Manila’s all-day dining restaurant, offering Filipino and international cuisine in Newport City, Pasay City.

PAMANA: Taal, Reimagined is available at Café Belmont until December 31, 2026, with both dishes priced at PHP 1,200 each. For inquiries and orders, visit www.belmonthotelmanila.com, call (02) 5318 8888 or +63 927 007 9952, or email dine@belmontmanila.com.