Press Room

My Unforgettable Experience at the First Balikbayan Hotel in The Philippines

by Joe Carillo
Magandang Balita UK
July – September 2007

My first pleasant experience at The Mabuhay Manor – The First Balikbayan Hotel in Manila ocurred with their free pick-up service at the airport. The driver was gracious enough to help me with our luggage. As soon as we arrived at The Mabuhay Manor which is just 15 minutes away from NAIA, warm smiles from the hotel security and bellman greeted me, making me feel very much welcome.

I noticed that local board games particularly the “sungka” and “dama” are being played by guests upon entering the lobby. It has a distinctive Filipino fiesta look in its interiors, with “banderitas” hanging in the chandeliers and a penchant for wood furniture and design. The hotel staff are very friendly, providing us with drinks while checking in.

We booked a Manor Suite, the bi-level room beside the outdoor swimming pool. On the ground level there is the dining area, kitchenette, tv, phone, toilet, sofa bed and mini bar, perfect for accommodating my relatives who want to visit us during our stay here. Two queen-sized beds and a jacuzzi await us on the second floor. It also has another television, telephone and toilet for added convenience. The room is spacious enough for our balikbayan boxes and our luggages.

After a restful sleep, we headed to the swimming pool area so my nephews can take a dip in the kiddie pool. Since it is about 6:00 pm already, I saw that the Sutukil Restaurant is now open since it is just near the pool. I learned from the brochure that Sutukil got its name from Cebu - meaning a merry mix of Sugba (grilled), Tula (simmered in tasty broth) and Kilaw (drenched in vinegar) and it has a wide selection of seafood displayed in the open kitchen counter. I had Sinigang na Salmon Head, Inihaw na Pusit, Buttered Garlic Shrimps and Lato prepared for us. It was so delicious, a perfect dinner upon arrival in the country. The waiters are also a big help in deciding what kind of cooking will be ideal for the meal.

Although still on a jetlag, we headed off the following day to Lola's in the second floor where a Filipino buffet breakfast is laid out for its guests. I had a very nice meal of garlic rice, adobo, pancit, tinapa and pinakbet. For dessert, I had suman, other assorted kakanin and fruits in season. It felt like being home even if we have yet to go to Pangasinan. The food, the native music and the ambiance just made me want to stay there until breakfast time is over. The dining staff told me that the buffet food varies each day so that guests can taste different meals coming from various provinces.

At 10:00 am with still some hours to spare before we leave for Pangasinan, it was time for some shopping in SM Mall of Asia, one of the biggest malls in the Philippines and just a few minutes away from The Mabuhay Manor. The hotel also provide a service van going to Mall of Asia which is very convenient for us. But before going to the mall, we had a short visit to the Baclaran Church – my mother being a devotee of the Mother of Perpetual Help. It took us a couple of hours to buy some pasalubongs to our relatives and other items for our road trip. Back to the hotel, we tried their lunch menu at the Sala. We had Bistek Pilipino, Binakol, Lechon Kawali and Banana Choco Chip Cake for dessert. It was superb and still very Pinoy.

We truly enjoyed our stay and so we reserved a room for our trip back to Manila before going back to London. The prompt service, the warm staff and the ideal facilities are very well-suited for vacationing balikbayans.

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