The Manila Hotel Expands its Vegan and Vegetarian Culinary Selections

The Manila Hotel, long regarded as the Grand Dame of the Philippines, broadens its culinary offerings with an enriched selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes now available across all dining outlets. Led by executive chef Konrad Walter, with the support of consultant Riza Shanti Lim, the initiative reflects the hotel’s commitment to inclusive, ingredient-driven, and sustainable cuisine.

This development comes after an intimate dinner hosted at the Champagne Salon, where members of the media were served an elegant vegetarian set menu. The experience was met with glowing feedback, proving that meat-free dining can be both refined and indulgent.

“Our menus are rooted in freshness and balance,” said executive chef Konrad Walter. “We focus on seasonal produce and non-processed ingredients to create dishes that are not only nutritious, but also full of flavor. We’ve seen guests try them out of curiosity, and walk away surprised at how satisfying and complex vegan cuisine can be.”

Vegan and Vegetarian Selections Across The Manila Hotel

From light bites to full-course meals, the hotel’s restaurants now offer a wider range of vegan and vegetarian dishes inspired by global flavors and classic techniques.

At the renowned buffet restaurant Café Ilang-Ilang, guests can enjoy a rotating selection of vegan dishes, primarily available at the Halal station, with additional vegan-friendly offerings thoughtfully incorporated across various stations. Diners can still indulge in the diverse international flavors Café Ilang-Ilang is known and loved for, ensuring a well-rounded, globally inspired dining experience for everyone.

Champagne Room, the hotel’s premier fine dining restaurant, elevates the vegan experience with a Vegan Degustation Menu that changes monthly. Each rotation showcases a refined selection of meat-free courses, crafted to highlight seasonal produce and elegant presentation.

At the hotel’s Chinese fine dining restaurant, Red Jade, meat-free dishes take center stage with a Vegetarian Set Menu featuring Vegetarian Peking Duck, Hot and Sour Soup with Vegetable Dumpling, Braised Potato Eggplant, and Chilled Coconut Jelly with Avocado, to name a few. A la carte dishes like Vegetable with Bean Curd Soup and Stir-Fried Vegetables and Mushroom in Crispy Taro Ring further expand the meat-free repertoire.

At the Lobby Lounge and Tap Room, diners can enjoy vegetarian favorites such as Pizza Bello Giardino, Vegetable Samosa, Spring Rolls, and Fresh Grilled Tofu Salad. Vegan options include Whole Wheat Penne Primavera, and a hearty new addition, the Vegan Portobello Mushroom Burger.

At the Delicatessen, guests will find a line of handcrafted vegan pralines in flavors like strawberry, mango, peanut butter, and fruits and nuts. These are joined by the luscious Vegan Almond Chocolate Cake, a sweet yet guilt-free indulgence.

For guests who prefer to dine in the comfort of their room, In-Room Dining also features an existing array of vegan and vegetarian options, including Vegetable Spring Rolls, Pizza Bello Giardino, Vegetable Maki, Vegetable Samosa, Mezze Plate, Matar Paneer, Tofu and Vegetable Chopsuey, among others.

A Distinctly Vegan Banquet Experience

For private functions and celebrations, The Manila Hotel now offers a Vegan Set Menu, developed by consultant Riza Shanti Lim and executed by The Manila Hotel’s culinary team. This multi-course menu includes Fresh Garden Spring Rolls in Peanut Cream Sauce, Papaine Moringa Soup with Crisps, Pako Fern Salad with Watermelon, Vegan Skewers, 8 Spice Curry, Creamed Buko Pandan Plaintain with Chia Seeds. To complete the experience, guests are served two signature beverages: the JL Blend, inspired by The Manila Hotel’s president Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr., and Amrutha Tea, a gently brewed herbal infusion.

A Continuing Legacy of Excellence and Inclusivity

With the expansion of its vegan and vegetarian offerings, The Manila Hotel embraces the global shift toward plant-based dining without losing sight of its rich culinary heritage. This direction reflects a forward-thinking approach to hospitality, one that welcomes evolving guest preferences while setting a new standard for conscious, world-class cuisine.

For more information or reservations, call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, email restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph

Mercato Centrale Partners with Peddlr to Power Small Food Businesses' Growth

Metro Manila, August 1, 2025 — Mercato Centrale Group, the country’s leading food business incubator, has partnered with tech solutions provider Peddlr Philippines Inc. to provide digital tools that help small food entrepreneurs streamline operations and scale their businesses. 

The strategic collaboration introduces Peddlr’s point-of-sale and analytics platform to food Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the Mercato ecosystem, supporting their shift toward data-driven and tech-enabled operations.

The partnership was formalized by leadership teams from both organizations during the contract signing, including Mercato Centrale’s CEO RJ Ledesma and General Manager Dan Aguilar, along with Peddlr’s Head of Product Kendrick Chan and Go-to-Market Senior Associate Janri Tomioka.

“This partnership is a vital part of Mercato Centrale’s vision,” said  Ledesma. “It’s not enough to serve great food. Our vendors need to understand operations, manage finances, and build customer relationships. With Peddlr, they can take control of their business using practical and accessible tools.”

Peddlr’s mobile app streamlines operations for food businesses by offering point-of-sale functions, inventory tracking, QRPH-enabled payments, and real-time sales monitoring. Once available only to larger enterprises, these tools are now being extended to MSMEs through the partnership with Mercato Centrale.

“Access to analytics changes the game for our vendors,” said Aguilar. “They can now run promos more effectively, adjust pricing, and monitor margins. It’s an essential upgrade for today’s entrepreneurs.”

To bridge the digital divide, the partnership includes training and onboarding support for vendors with limited digital experience or older devices. It also establishes a secure data-sharing ecosystem that connects Mercato Centrale directly with its merchant network,  enabling more targeted initiatives and enhanced support for MSMEs. For partners with older tech devices or less digital experience, the organizations plan to provide training and onboarding so they can also utilize these digital features.

Mercato and Peddlr aim to bring these tools to hundreds of vendors across Metro Manila, enabling them to grow smarter and more sustainably in an increasingly competitive food landscape. 

New Tech, New Class: The Best of ASUS Laptops for Students in 2025

PASIG CITY, Philippines (August 1, 2025) — ASUS Philippines welcomes the new school year yet again with the ASUS New Tech, New Class sale! From accessible AI laptops and the latest stylish notebooks to high-performing devices – ASUS offers the best tech to empower every kind of student. Purchases of qualifying products come with exclusive bundles that complete the back-to-school essentials. This special promo runs until September 30, 2025, only – go to the nearest ASUS and ROG stores now!

STUDY SMARTER WITH A VIVOBOOK AI LAPTOP

The Vivobook S16 (S3607QA) and Vivobook 16 (X1607QA) are Copilot+ PCs designed for the modern multitasker – best for students who are active in classes and extracurriculars. Powered by the latest Snapdragon X Series processor with 45 TOPs NPU, these laptops deliver faster AI performance anytime and anywhere with battery life to spare! The Vivobook S16 (S3607QA) boasts up to 32 hours of usage, a vibrant 16-inch 2.5K display with a 144Hz refresh rate, and a premium metal design in Matte Gray at just 1.59 cm thin and 1.74kg light. Meanwhile, the 16-inch Vivobook 16 (X1607QA) promises up to 27 hours of all-day use. Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price Vivobook S16 S3607QA Snapdragon X with 45 TOPs NPU / 16GB LPDDR5X / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600, WQXGA) 16:10 / Matte Gray ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home 2024, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 50,995 Vivobook 16 X1607QA Snapdragon X with 45 TOPs NPU / 16GB LPDDR5X / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Quiet Blue ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home 2024, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 45,995 Vivobook AI laptops are also available for those who need a productivity partner for everyday use. Vivobook S16 (S3607CA) and Vivobook S14 (S3407CA) are smart choices for students who need daily AI power in sleek form factors. Powered by up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255H and promising up to 20 hours of nonstop computing, these Vivobook S models are great for running AI-integrated programs and doing schoolwork seamlessly.  The Vivobook S16 (S3607CA) features a large 16-inch WUXGA 144Hz display inside a 1.59cm thin and 1.7kg light chassis, in the Matte Gray color. Tailored for students who are always on the go. While the ultraportable Vivobook S14 features a 14-inch display, with thin and compact 1.59cm and 1.39kg chassis in stylish Cool Silver. Rounding up the list of ASUS AI laptops is the ever-dependable 16-inch Vivobook 16 (X1607CA). With an Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 225H, this Vivobook provides the ideal balance of AI performance and efficiency, ready to take on all kinds of homework and projects.  Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price Vivobook S16 S3607CA Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 255H / 16GB DDR5 / 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Matte Gray ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 65,995 Vivobook S14 S3407CA Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 255H / 16GB DDR5 / 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 14.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Cool Silver ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 52,995 Vivobook 16 X1607CA Up to Intel Core Ultra 5 225H / 16GB DDR5 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Quiet Blue ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 50,995 During the promo period, these Vivobook Copilot+ PCs and AI laptops will come complete with the ASUS Backpack and the ASUS Marshmallow MD100 mouse worth PHP 1,795. BE STYLISH AND RELIABLE VIVOBOOK CLASSIC SERIES Students can march to the beat of their drums and still stay on top with the trusted Vivobook Classic Series! This lineup of dependable laptops is ready to keep up with today’s trends and school demands, offering great value for money. Whether it is taking notes, doing assignments, or finishing projects, these Vivobooks deliver solid performance in style.  The Vivobook 15 (X1504) and Vivobook 14 (X1404) are sleek, reliable laptops built to handle everyday tasks, powered by up to Intel Core 5 processor (Series 1). Crafted with comfort and convenience in mind, both have a 180-degree ErgoLift Hinge, a three-sided NanoEdge display, and the ASUS ErgoSense keyboard. Prioritizing user safety, these Vivobooks the ASUS Antimicrobial Guard Plus, which inhibits 99% of viruses and bacteria – ideal for long study sessions at any environment. For more ease of use, both models support fast charging and can reach 60% battery life within 49 minutes. While Vivobook 15 (X1504) and Vivobook 14 (X1404) share ASUS’ signature military-grade durability, they differ in sizes and color options – to fit different preferences. The Vivobook 15 (X1504) has a larger 15.6-inch FHD screen, housed in 1.79 cm thin and 1.7 kg body – available in Cool Silver and Quiet Blue. On the other hand, the Vivobook 14 (X1404) has a more compact design, with a 14-inch FHD screen, a 1.4kg light and 1.79 cm thin frame, and in Cool Silver, Quiet Blue, and Terra Cotta. Of course, the Vivobook 16 (X1605, M1605) is also part of the ASUS Back to School festivities. Whether powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 or an AMD Ryzen 5 7000 CPU, the Vivobook 16 in classic Indie Black color features a slim and light 1.99 cm thin and 1.88 kg chassis and provides a large and immersive 16-inch WUXGA display – for the more multitasking space. It also comes with the same crowd-favorites performance and protective enhancements found in Vivobook 15 and Vivobook 14.  Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price Vivobook 16 M1605 Up to AMD Ryzen 7 7730U / 16GB DDR4 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD / 16.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Indie Black  ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 40,995 Vivobook 16 X1605 Up to Intel Core i9-13900H / 16GB DDDR4 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD / 16.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Indie Black ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 40,995 Vivobook 15 X1504 Up to Intel Core 5 120U / 16GB DDDR4 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 / Cool Silver, Quiet Blue ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 35,995 Vivobook 14 X1404 Up to Intel Core 5 120U / 16GB DDDR4 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 14.0-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 / Cool Silver, Terra Cotta ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home 2024, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 35,995 For the more budge-savvy students, Vivobook Go 15 (E1504) and Vivobook Go 14 (E1404) are go-to options as well. With up to Ryzen 5 7000 and Intel Core i3-N305 processors, these laptops maintain the same industry-grade security and power without breaking the bank!  The Vivobook Go 15 comes in a 15.6-inch Full HD display, in a 1.79 cm and 1.63 kg slim chassis in Cool Silver, Green Gray, or Mixed Black. Meanwhile, the Vivobook Go 14 comes with a 14-inch FHD screen at just 1.38 kg – in Mixed Black. Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price Vivobook Go 15 E1504 Up to Ryzen 5 7520U or Intel Core i3-N305 / 8GB DDR4 or 16GB DDR5 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 / Cool Silver, Green Gray, Mixed Black ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 25,995 Vivobook Go 14 E1404 Up to Ryzen 5 7520U or Intel Core i3-N305 / 8GB DDR4 or 16GB DDR5 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 14.0-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 / Mixed Black ASUS Backpack, Lifetime Office Home, 1-month M365 Basic, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) ASUS Marshmallow Mouse PHP 25,995 Each purchase of a participating Vivobook Classic until September 30, 2025, will also come complete with an ASUS Backpack and the ASUS Marshmallow MD100 mouse. STUDY HARD, GAME HARDER WITH ASUS GAMING V16 Get ready to play when the bell rings and school is out! The ASUS Gaming V16 (V3607) is made for students ready to dive into other realms right after assignments are done. Powered by up to an Intel Core 7 240H CPU and up to RTX 5070 GPU, this budget gaming laptop can handle all kinds of schoolwork and after-class quests – and without overheating too! Thanks to ASUS IceCool Thermal technology. Its 16-inch WUXGA screen quality and 144Hz refresh rate delivers smooth and immersive visuals whether exploring documents or dungeon maps. With its Matte Black chassis at only 1.8 cm slim and 1.95 kg light, students equipped with the V16 stay sleek, stylish, and discreet no matter where they are.  Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price ASUS Gaming V16 V3607 Up to Intel Core 7 240H / RTX 5070 / 16GB DDR5 / 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch 144Hz WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Matte Black ASUS Backpack, 3-month PC Game Pass, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) TUF Gaming M4 Air Mouse PHP 56,995 Get this bang-for-the-buck gaming laptop with an ASUS Backpack and a TUF Gaming M4 Air mouse, worth PHP 1,850. BE THE BEST IN CLASS WITH THE TUF GAMING LAPTOPS Grind to the top and outclass the rest with TUF Gaming laptops. Built to withstand real-world and in-game challenges, these machines combine military-grade durability and reliable firepower to see every student through their wins.  The TUF Gaming F16 (FX608, FX607) packs serious power with up to a 14th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU and up to an RTX 5070 GPU combo – making this line ready for hardcore gaming and heavy multitasking. Backed by up to a 165Hz 16-inch 2.5K IPS display, visual experience will surely be immersive and smooth whether users are studying, editing, or grinding. Moreover, when the pressure is on, students can also stay cool thanks to its upgraded cooling system! TUF Gaming F15 (FX507) offers an option for those who prefer horsepower in a 15.6-inch frame. While equipped with a 144Hz screen, a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and up to an RTX 4060 GPU, this TUF laptop also possesses the gaming caliber and quality of its 16-inch sibling. Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price TUF Gaming F16 FX608 Up to Intel Core i7-14650HX / RTX 5070 / 16GB DDR5 / 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch 165Hz WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Jaeger Gray, Mecha Gray ASUS Backpack, 3-month PC Game Pass, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) TUF Gaming M4 Air Mouse PHP 79,995 TUF Gaming F16 FX607 Up to Intel Core 5 210H / RTX 4050 / 16GB DDR5 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch 144Hz WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 / Jaeger Gray, Mecha Gray ASUS Backpack, 3-month PC Game Pass, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) TUF Gaming M4 Air Mouse PHP 59,995 TUF Gaming F15 FX507 Up to Intel Core i7-13620H / RTX 4060 / 16GB DDR5 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 15.6-inch 144Hz WQXGA (2560 x 1440) 16:9 / Mecha Gray ASUS Backpack, 3-month PC Game Pass, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) TUF Gaming M4 Air Mouse PHP 47,995 For the more compact gamers who want power in a smaller package, the TUF Gaming A14 (FA401WV, FA401KH) is a viable choice. While powered with an unrivaled combination of the Ryzen AI CPUs and up to an RTX 5050, this 14-inch powerhouse is housed in a sleek frame – at just 1.69 cm thin and 1.46 kg light! Its 165Hz, 2.5K WQXGA display with 100% sRGB coverage ensures color accuracy and smooth visuals – best for editing projects and exploring open-worlds. Its easy upgradeability allows users to tailor the laptop according to their needs as well. Even better, this unique gaming laptop is also touted as a Copilot+ PC with its 50 TOPs NPU, unlocking not only advanced AI features for games but also unlimited potential in seamless productivity. The TUF Gaming A16 (FA607) is a strong contender at a more affordable price point – powered by the Ryzen 7 7445HS and RTX 4050 combo with a 16-inch 144Hz display. TUF Gaming A15 (FA507, FA506) is also available with the same CPU, up to RTX 4060 GPU, and the same refresh rate options as the 16-inch counterpart, but in a 15.6-inch body. Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price TUF Gaming A16 FA607 AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS/ RTX 4050 / 16GB DDR5 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 16.0-inch 144Hz FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 / Mecha Gray ASUS Backpack, 3-month PC Game Pass, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) TUF Gaming M4 Air Mouse PHP 65,995 TUF Gaming A15 FA507/FA506 Up to AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS / RTX 4060 / 16GB DDR5 / 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 15.6-inch 144Hz FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 / Graphite Black, Mecha Gray ASUS Backpack, 3-month PC Game Pass, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) TUF Gaming M4 Air Mouse PHP 43,995 TUF Gaming A14 FA401 Up to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 / RTX 5050 / 16GB LPDDR5X / 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / 14.0-inch 165Hz 2.5K WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 16:10 / Jaeger Gray ASUS Backpack, 3-month PC Game Pass, ASUS Warranty (2Y International + 1Y Accidental Damage) TUF Gaming M4 Air Mouse PHP 99,995 All TUF Gaming laptops featured in the promo are also eligible for the TUF Gaming Backpack and a TUF Gaming M4 Air mouse. #playALLYourgames AFTER SCHOOL WITH ROG ALLY Featuring up to an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor in an ergonomic handheld gaming device, the ROG Ally (ZC71L) is always ready to run any game during the much-needed downtime from a busy school week. Get ready to be immersed in its 7-inch 120Hz FHD display and experience other realms unlike before. With a premium cooling system, keeping cool is always an option.  Series Max Specs Out of Box Back to School Starting Price ROG Ally RC71L