History, Good Food and Entertainment at THE TRIBUTE HOTEL

Quezon City is my hood. I've known the people and history here because of our familiarity with the families who live here. For us, Tomas Morato wasn't just a name for a street, but the first Mayor of Quezon City 1939 to 1942. He was a loyal friend to President Manuel L. Quezon, and we heard he never divulged his location to the Japanese back in the day. Today, his family lives in a compound in the middle of Tomas Morato. The property is huge and they now dedicated a part of it for The Tribute Tower, a mixed use building that houses THE TRIBUTE HOTEL, the DON TOMAS restaurant and condominium units meant for the Morato family.

To tell you honestly, I haven't heard of The Tribute Hotel prior to this visit. This was built and delayed during the pandemic (understandable). But just hearing there is one made me so excited because there are little to no hotels here despite the popularity of the area. The actual building sits almost at the corner of Scout Gandia and Tomas Morato Avenue (99 Scout Gandia Street Quezon City). It's pretty huge, so you wouldn't miss it. 

I wanted to stay here merely for a "Staycation", I wanted rest and refuge as it's been a while since I got sleep. Checking in was a breeze, the lobby was enough to fit people before going to the room and they served a welcome drink. There were no lines, so when they handed me my key I went up and connected to WIFI because I still had work LOL.

Here's a reel to immortalize that!

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We also got to talk to the GM Christian Guballa who also is part of the Approche Hospitality Management Corporation who manages The Tribute Hotel and several other Sta. Lucia Realty properties.

After a good nap, we headed on to have dinner at the hotel's very own restaurant called "DON TOMAS". It was also a Friday which means they've got an acoustic band to play for patrons who choose to have dinner and a few bottles at this place. Food is good as they've got international dishes served at this place named after the Mayor. Thanks to Chef Erwin Rarugal who made arrangements for us to dine with sampler dishes since we couldn't make our mind choosing what's good for dinner. Take a look at this!

 

If you plan to dine here, I'd suggest Beef Rendang, Chicken Saté, Beef and Tendon (sweeter and soy based), the Chefs Burger (burger patty is pure beef). They also served us Cuapao Sliders, Calamares Fritos, Soft Taco Mussel Sisig, Squid Bombs, Salmon Kimchi, Chicken Biryani, Nasi goreng, Braised Pork, the Carbonara de Tomas (light carbonara salty bacon strips) and their pizzas. For desserts, I would highly suggest you get the Ube Langka Mochi (It must be eaten whole) and the Basque Cheesecake. If you're a matcha lover, get the Tiramisu Matcha.

Here's how it looks like at Don Tomas!

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Here's our short interview with Chef Erwin Rarugal. He also does the food in other properties of Sta. Lucia Realty, experience is good.

 

There are 2 Room Types in The Tribute Hotel, but you can always merge rooms for groups.

They have conference rooms that could fit over a 100 folks, and stay here too.

 

What's good is that they have an INDOOR POOL which you can enjoy even on rainy days! Plus a gym in front if you need it.

Plus a really good view of the neighborhood and nearby attractions in Tomas Morato!

If you like what you see, go head on and take refuge at THE TRIBUTE HOTEL. They can be contacted via their social pages (facebook.com/thetributehotel) or their website thetributehotel.ph. This property is managed and operated by the Approche Hospitality group. They currently have good rates and I'm going back soon!

The Grand Santacruzan at INTRAMUROS with The Runway Atelier

The Intramuros Administration, Department of Tourism, The Philippine Travel Agencies Association together with The Runway Atelier just held THE GRAND SANTACRUZAN at the Intramuros grounds today starting from Foro de Intramuros (in front of San Agustin Church) going to Puerto Real Gardens in Manila. 

The event was participated by Runway Atelier's models and artists, donning specially designed gowns to commemorate history and the Catholic faith. This is a yearly tradition for Filipinos to showcase its religious significance when Santa Elena tried to look for the holy cross. There will be models and escorts coming from The Runway Atelier participating in the procession, and it was so nice seeing them dressed in their gorgeous garbs and outfits, depicting iconic characters from scriptures. Last year (2024) THE GRAND SANTACRUZAN Reyna Elena was Karylle Tatlonghari and Rosa Mystica was her equally gorgeous Mom Zsazsa Padilla. 

Folks were at the venue as early as 3pm, and the crowd was a mix of foreign tourists, locals, people from the church, and relatives of those who were participating in the Santacruzan, They also walked around the Intramuros grounds and converged at the Puerta Real Gardens at the eastern part of the walled city. Faces did light up when they saw other participants, and it was so nice to see them wear their very detailed gowns, and suits for the consortes that evening. 

They gave special awards to Nazalea Vicera, Trixie Mariscotes. The Best Dressed Awards went to Marian Angeles, Anne Marie Tolentino, Criselle Ava Geronimo and Alynna Orfanel. Mr Photogenic Awards went to Ardie Matsada and Migs Casimiro. Ms Photogenic went to Zoe Shi and Lizzie Aguinaldo. The Crowd Favorite Award went to Rhianna Altos and Theodore Salgado. Mikael Collin also won Best Escort. Then they announced the Best in Arc Awards. 3rd Place went to Mikay Barruiz, 2nd Place was won by Alyanna Orphanel, and 1st Place went to Rhianna Alto and Theodore Salgado.

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Congratulations to all the winners and participants of this grand event. I heard there will be more things happening this month, make sure you follow The Runway Atelier social channels as they post events there regularly.

INTRAMUROS Administration Launches Summer Festival and Tourism Passport

It's going to be a lot different at the walls of Intramuros in Manila as they celebrate their 46th Anniversary and the 2 initiatives, the Intramuros Summer Festival and their exciting Intramuros Passport.

Atty. Joan Padilla says "We are on our 46th year of the Intramuros Administration and as a testament for our commitment, I am thrilled to announce the two initiatives the Intramuros Summer Festival and the Intramuros Passport. This will happen on April 26th, aimed to showcase history, vibrant culture, deepening Filipino identity in one day. We have programs, projects, activities to enjoin everyone in the development of the walled city. We have partner schools who made this possible, and we are also excited to launch the Intramuros Passport. This will unlock access to key locations, allowing you to collect stamps to remember your experience here. If you avail of it, you get free access to the Summer Festival and Sinag Concert in the evening. This is an opportunity to strengthen our partnerships, together with the CCP and Ballet Theatre, to perform here as this will be a commitment to the future of Intramuros. Mabuhay ang Intramuros!"

Head of Tourism Promotions Rhea Kristine Cy says "The Intramuros Summer Festival is taking place at the Plaza Moriones in Fort Santiago, and will have activities in other locations too. The local businesses, schools and residents will also have collaborations with them on this day. Domestic and International tourists are encouraged to come."

7:30 Zumba Session at the Plaza Moriones, 8am Street Parade to Plaza San Luis, Performers from schools of zletran, Manila, Mapua, PLM and Lyceum will also be there. UST will have a medical mission at the same time til 12 noon. Centro de Intramuros will have Storytelling Sessions from 2:30pm, Living Museum at 2pm in Centro de Turismo, Pop Up Markets at General Luna along the Riverwalk. The grand Sinag Concert will happen at 6-10pm at Plaza Moriones inside Fort Santiago. Artists like The Itchyworms, Earl Agustin, Over October and students will perform in the concert. This will be hosted by Zephy Francisco and Boobay. 

Intramuros is currently vying for Asia's Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards, so if you have time, go vote for them!

About the Intramuros Passport, Head of Business Management Dan Mendoza says "This is a milestone, a creative tourism initiative to position Intramuros as a vibrant tourism destination. To get it, you need to purchase it at ticket booths at managed sites and this will get you to Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, Baluarte de San Diego (8 sites) for only 350 pesos. It's non transferrable, seniors and pwd's will be given discounts. You get to earn passport stamps at each site, a rewarding cultural journey. It will be memorable, and there will be perks on pre selling starting April 26, because you get free tram rides, and the Summer Fest Sinag Concert. Discounts will be given to passport holders in participating partners like Barbara's, Tesoros, coffee shops and a whole lot more. There will be more things to come back to in Intramuros. You can scan the qr code for more information."

There will be FREE regular performances to be done by Philippine Ballet Theatre as they also partner with the Intramuros Administration, (they did this too in the 90's but it stopped in 2021 for various reasons) now they are forging shared visions to life!

Now that's just the start, there's a lot more that is going to happen in the walled city soon. More shows will be scheduled this year as they partner up with CCP and Philippine Ballet Theatre. Go get the Intramuros Passport today!