TPB, DOT spearhead Philippines participation in Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ)

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, together with the Department of Tourism (DOT), brings the Philippines to the Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ), the biggest travel trade fair in Japan from 22-25 September 2022.

The country’s participation in TEJ aims to reintroduce the country’s new tourism products, sustain the presence of the country, and develop and renew business partnerships, not only with the Japanese market but also with other tourism stakeholders worldwide.

Jointly organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the four-day exhibition started off with business-to-business meetings to strengthen partnerships among tourism industry practitioners. The expo site will be officially open to the public on 24 September where visitors can see and experience tourism products from different countries.

This year’s expo carried the themes “Taking on the New Era: Restart” for trade and “Hello New Journey” for the general public, and with this, visitors of the Philippines booth will be treated to culture, adventure, and gastronomic offerings catering to the new and diverse trends of tourism and traveling. The Philippines will be highlighting its top tourism destinations such as Manila, Boracay, Cebu, and Bohol among others.

The country’s delegation was headed by DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar H. Tamano and TPB Officer-in-Charge Charles Aames M. Bautista, together with private sector partners from Attic Tours Phils. Inc., Bai Hotel Cebu, Bohol Beach Club, Cebu Air, Inc., Gladex Travel Services, Herald Suites Hotels, Hotel 101 Manila, Philippine Airlines, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and Waterfront Hotels & Casinos.

“Tourism Expo Japan opens an avenue for every national tourism organization to stimulate demand for overseas and domestic travel. The Philippines has so much to offer with our 7,641 islands. This is an opportunity to showcase that beyond our amazing beaches, we get to highlight our adventure, culinary, wellness, and MICE offerings,” said TPB OIC Bautista.

DOT Undersecretary Tamano will represent the Philippines as one of the panelists in the Ministerial Round Table Discussion to tackle on “Climate Change – Tourism Stakeholders’ Endeavors” and “Coexisting with COVID in the Post-Pandemic World – Solutions for the New Tourism Industry” with other tourism ministers and key representatives from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

TEJ is expecting to receive 150,000 visitors with 1,800 exhibitors from 154 countries and 47 prefectures. The event has become an important brand exercise for national tourism offices in Asia showcasing destination attractions and product offerings.

New Airbnb data shows how tourism has dispersed post-pandemic, benefiting rural off-the-beaten-path communities in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

●     Across parts of Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific, Airbnb recorded an increase in non-urban nights booked in Q2 2022 when compared with Q2 2019

●     In the Philippines, travel interest in destinations outside major cities have increased with guest searches for Siquijor surging over 280 percent

●     Tourism dispersal is creating new economic opportunities for more people in emerging destinations as they look for ways to combat rising costs of living

As the travel rebound continues to unfold, the benefits of tourism are spreading across the Asia Pacific. In Southeast Asia, new analysis by Airbnb reveals that the resurgence in domestic and inbound tourism is empowering locals to earn a living and make ends meet.

With people continuing to embrace flexible new approaches to travel and living, communities that have traditionally missed out in the past are increasingly well-positioned to secure a bigger slice of the tourism pie, according to new Airbnb report ‘Further Afield: Spreading the Benefits of the Travel Revolution’. Across the region, this has presented fresh opportunities for locals looking to supplement their income as they grapple with rising costs of living.

Across the Asia Pacific, Airbnb nights booked in non-urban areas have increased in South Korea (up more than 180 percent ), India (up about 140 percent), and Australia (up about 60 percent) in Q2 2022 as compared to Q2 2019. In Southeast Asia, searches for stays in Siquijor in the Philippines surged by more than 280 percent while searches for Marang in Malaysia almost doubled.

The typical earnings for non-urban Hosts increased correspondingly in the same period for a number of destinations. In Australia and South Korea, typical host earnings have more than doubled as travel returned in full force. In the Philippines, almost half of local Airbnb hosts surveyed said their earnings have helped them navigate rising costs of living including housing, daily necessities, and home improvement needs.

Not only are travelers eyeing destinations off the beaten path, they’re also looking to stay longer. Notably, nights booked for long-term stays (stays longer than 28 days) in non-urban areas approximately doubled in popular travel and remote working hotspot Thailand in Q2 2022, up from Q2 2019 pre-pandemic.

In Southeast Asia, a number of destinations outside major metropolitan hubs were popular  among travelers on Airbnb for long-term stays in Q2 2022. Examples included:

●       Dapa, Panglao, Dumaguete and Silang in the Philippines

●       Ipoh, Kuah, Semenyih, and Port Dickson in Malaysia

●       Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta and Krabi in Thailand

Mich Goh, Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “More than two years since the start of the pandemic, we continue to see fundamental shifts in travel that are creating new opportunities for off-the-beaten-track communities. It’s incredibly exciting to see travelers so enthusiastic about exploring new destinations, as well as the positive economic impact cascading to locals.

“The increasing popularity of Dapa, Panglao, Dumaguete and Silang reinforce the importance of the Department of Tourism’s plans to drive tourism development in the countryside and promote lesser-known destinations.  We are committed to continuing to work together with governments and stakeholders to keep inspiring travelers to step off the beaten path, and help ensure more communities can share in the benefits of tourism.”

In addition to encouraging travelers to explore further afield through innovative search tools such as Categories and I’m Flexible, Airbnb remains committed to partnering with governments and communities in Southeast Asia, including in the Philippines. The company has partnered with Thailand and Indonesia’s tourism authorities on a range of ‘Live and Work Anywhere’ initiatives to attract global digital nomads and remote workers, as part of broader efforts to drive inbound tourism as travel returns.

Readers can view the full report here https://news.airbnb.com/further-afield/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding travel trends, the travel industry and the future of travel, the behavior of Hosts and guests and about our future performance, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “could,” “potential,” “objective,” or “continues” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur at all.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the objectives expressed or implied in this press release. Therefore, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the effects and duration of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on us, the travel industry, travel trends, and the global economy generally; any further and continued decline or disruption in the travel and hospitality industries or economic downturn; changes in political, business, and economic conditions, including current geopolitical tensions and regional instability; and the other risks listed or described from time to time in Airbnb’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including Airbnb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and subsequent Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks, which are, or will be, on file with the SEC and available on the investor relations page of Airbnb’s website.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information and estimates available to us as of the date of this press release. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any information contained in this press release, except as required by law.

Landco Pacific Raises the Bar for Premium Resort and Leisure Living

An outlier that pioneered in offering premium leisure developments in the country long before it became a trend, Landco Pacific Corporation continues to evolve as it celebrates more than 30 years of operations.

Peninsula de Punta Fuego, a premier seaside private residential community situated on 88 hectares of the pristine coast of Nasugbu, Batangas was developed in 1990. Offering the finest in leisure and resort living, the sprawling development has become the inspiration for the company’s expansion.

Through the decades, Landco Pacific offered distinctive leisure communities and townships catering to the ever-changing needs and lifestyle of the upscale market. It understands the sense of prestige and a taste for the good life that savvy businessmen and women, heads of families, techpreneurs, and go-getters aspire for in their real estate investment.

Master-planned projects were built with design concepts centered on unique architecture and aesthetic values, resulting in 1,000 hectares of residential and mix use premium residential properties in its portfolio across the country. These communities make residents, investors and visitors feel at home in artfully-designed spaces that complement and protect the natural environment with sustainable features.

Landco’s portfolio includes Peninsula de Punta Fuego and Terrazas de Punta Fuego; Ponderosa Leisure Farms in Silang, Cavite; WoodGrove Park in San Fernando, Pampanga; Waterwood Park in Baliuag, Bulacan; Montelago Nature Estates in San Pablo, Laguna; The Courtyard at Lakewood Golf Estates in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Woodridge Garden Village in Zamboanga City; and Hacienda Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon and Landco Canyon Woods in Lemery, Batangas.

Its BeachTowns include Playa Laiya and Club Laiya in Laiya, San Juan Batangas; Playa Calatagan and CaSoBe – Calatagan South Beach in Calatagan, Batangas and Playa Azalea and Costa Azalea in Samal island, Davao.

The BeachTowns are Landco Pacific’s latest developments located in scenic seaside tourist spots that are the highly coveted developments in Batangas and Samal. A modern home that can double as a business in the BeachTowns, is steps away from the white sand beach and complemented by resort and leisure amenities under the Millennial Resorts Corp. brand.

Recognizing the demands for a healthier lifestyle and seaside living as the country and the global community recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, Landco Pacific ramped up its offerings of its BeachTowns with soon-to-be-launched premium condominium developments in upscale communities in Batangas.

CaSoBe

The 15-hectare CaSoBe is a master-planned development that offers mix-use residential and commercial lots, situated in the rising business hub and resort destination. The development features wide open spaces and beautiful promenades, with parks and retail landscapes.

Setting it apart from other beach properties, CaSoBe elevates the resort lifestyle with inviting details such as blue roads, street art, and creative lamp posts.

Hospitality amenities like Crusoe Cabins, Cocoons, Aquaria Water Park and Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar are already fully operational and managed by Millennial Resorts. The first EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Certification for a resort hospitality project in the country was awarded to Crusoe Cabins at CaSoBe. Recently, Millennial Resorts opened the 300-capacity event space called Canopy, serving the growing tourism market of Calatagan.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-registered CaSoBe is a sustainable development envisioned to contribute to the quality of leisure tourism and property development targeting environment, economic, and social sustainability.

Club Laiya

The 24-hectare Club Laiya is located in Laiya, San Juan Batangas. It is also a LEED-registered and master planned estate that features leisure living in a true supra resort community highlighting wide open spaces and beautiful promenades, with parks and retail landscapes.

The Seaside District at Club Laiya provides various offerings serving both the tourist market and the serious investor. For the leisure seeker, apart from having access to Laiya’s expansive white sand beaches, they can also avail of the resort amenities of Millennial Resorts such as the Cocoons, Captain Barbozza restaurant, and The Beach Club.

Designed as a contemporary resort destination, it is the place to see and be seen, property owners and tourists alike enjoy an active lifestyle with water sports and activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, and yachting.

The Spinnaker at Club Laiya and The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego

Continuing to evolve, Landco Pacific is in the planning stage of its latest developments – premium condominiums The Spinnaker at Club Laiya, San Juan, Batangas and The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas. These are going to be low-rise and low-density upscale resort condominiums. Current residents and investors will be given priority in availing of these resort condominium units.

An MPIC company

After more than 30 years of pioneering sustainable leisure landscapes, Landco Pacific unfolds a new chapter in its story.

Corporate tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, among the country’s biggest visionary business leaders, announced in April and May the full acquisition of Landco. He shared that the listed conglomerate he chairs Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has raised its stake in Landco Pacific, making the upscale real estate developer now a 100-percent owned subsidiary of MPIC, from 38 percent previously.

MPIC was previously strong on real estate and property until it divested into infrastructure and tollways. But realizing the value that Filipinos have put on resort living, Pangilinan said MPIC is once again building up its presence in real estate development and tourism.

This further strengthens Landco Pacific which already has a strong track record in creating leisure and luxury home communities in the Philippines for more than 30 years. The evolution continues for Landco Pacific, backed by MPIC, one of the country’s biggest conglomerates.

Landco Pacific Corp. is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and known for pioneering premium landscapes for more than 30 years. For more information about Landco and its BeachTowns Club Laiya and CaSoBe, its hospitality provider Millennial Resorts, and upcoming developments, view the video on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll4Qe-6gWeI&feature=youtu.be or visit their website or Facebook page.

Go grand at this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo by booking these incredible Airbnb Stays

Osmeña Boulevard will erupt in colors and festivities once again as Cebu’s magnificent ‘Festival of Festivals’ makes its much-awaited comeback this year on August 28. A total of fifty festivals are joining this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo — making it the biggest and grandest to date!

If you’re going to the Queen City of the South to witness the jaw-dropping talent and creativity of the Cebuanos, why not book an equally stunning Airbnb Stay hosted by Cebu’s top Airbnb Superhosts? They may even fill you in on the newest hole-in-the-wall gems and intriguing side-trips to explore after all the merriment and street dancing!

Luxurious pool villas in the heart of Cebu

If you’re bringing the entire family or the whole barkada, you might want to check out Superhost Chad’s modern luxury villa. With seven bedrooms spanned across three floors, a home theater, a kitchen stocked full with delicious supplies for breakfast, and an infinity pool with spectacular ocean and city views — this villa will definitely not disappoint.

For a secluded yet luxurious experience,  Luxury Villa in Busay may be your go-to. Nestled in the mountain town of Busay, this villa boasts top-notch amenities and in-house staff ready to accommodate any needs, including delectable meals prepared by your personal chef. The guest favorite? Definitely the infinity pool with panoramic views of the city.

Nature sanctuaries in the outskirts for longer Cebu getaways

If you crave peace and quiet after the festivities, Nala’s Farm lies within just an hour’s drive from the city. Perched on a hill, the stay provides incredible views of the surrounding mountains and resplendent sunsets. Guests can opt to dip in the pool for a quiet afternoon, or sweat it out with a game of volleyball, basketball, or table tennis in the recreational area.

Get closer to the water and stay at Sam Xander’s Stone Beach Villa located just by the beach. Enjoy dinners and picnics al fresco on the patio, a crisply manicured lawn, and a bonfire area for late-night smores roasts. The villa also sits close to great diving spots if you and your loved ones are up for an underwater adventure after Pasigarbo.

Another seaside Cebu gem is Playa Norte located in Danao City. This expansive designer beach home can comfortably accommodate up to ten guests, and features rustic wood furnishings and multiple seaview rooms.  Guests can soak up the sunshine in an outdoor tub, swim, and kayak at the beach, or curl up with a book or two on the sofa.

For an enjoyable and hassle-free Pasigarbo sa Sugbo experience, all Airbnb Stays now come with AirCover — the most comprehensive protection in travel and included for free in every stay. To discover more incredible places to stay in Cebu, visit airbnb.com or download the Airbnb app.

Relax like BTS: IN THE SOOP Estate Now on Airbnb

●     An exclusive getaway to rest and recharge in the countryside at the place where BTS stayed during the filming of HYBE’s original content.

●     The expansive property will immerse guests in the serene natural rhythms of PyeongChang, South Korea, a mountainous region famed for its lush forests and rolling hilltop vistas.

●     Two lucky guests from around the world will enjoy leisurely experiences that authentically recreate those BTS participated in while on the show

K-Pop fans rejoice! The expansive property where 21st-century pop icons BTS stayed during the filming of HYBE’s original content, IN THE SOOP BTS ver. Season 2, is now on Airbnb for an overnight stay for the first time ever. Guests will get the chance to find a moment of peace in the lush countryside of South Korea’s Gangwon region – just as the seven members did while enjoying everyday life and rest on the original content produced by HYBE.

During the second season of IN THE SOOP BTS, the band members experienced leisurely moments and reconnected with nature amidst their busy schedules. Guests will stay at the property, which is a part of a larger estate, and relive their favorite IN THE SOOP BTS moments, such as:

●  Reading books in the study like RM or relaxing, Jin-style, on the unicorn-shaped float in the home’s pool

●   Finding creative inspiration and strumming guitars like SUGA, snapping selfies with a Polaroid like j-hope or painting on a canvas as V does

●    For more high-energy entertainment, weight training like Jimin, flying high on a trampoline like Jung Kook or bouncing a ball in the basketball court like Bam, Jung Kook’s dog

 

About the stay

The one-night stay* on August 29 for only $7** — a nod to the band’s seven members — will immerse two lucky guests in the various elements the K-pop group personally enjoyed during their time on property only a few months ago, including:

●    Some of the same furniture and amenities that appeared on the show so guests can truly channel the lifestyle of BTS

●    A karaoke machine, sound system and all of BTS hit tracks and albums, including “Permission to Dance”, “Butter” and their just-released album, Proof

●    Specially catered dishes like charcoal grilled Korean beef (which the band referred to as “the best taste in the universe” in the show), and tteokbokki, or simmered rice cakes. Plus egg tarts produced by Bang & Bakers, currently  served at HYBE INSIGHT, HYBE’s music museum.

How to book

Guests can request to book this stay on Tuesday, August 2 from 11 AM KST (10 AM PHT) at airbnb.com/inthesoopbts. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Seoul, South Korea. Round trip car transportation will be provided for the 20-minute journey from KTX PyeongChang station to the IN THE SOOP BTS property.

While only one overnight stay will be offered, “geok jeong ma” — there will be an opportunity to check out the IN THE SOOP BTS property while staying at other listings near the property soon.

For those looking to discover similar stays surrounded by nature, Airbnb recently introduced a new way to search and discover homes through Airbnb Categories. With 200,000 countryside homes available around the globe, there are plenty of “in the soop” inspired getaways.

Those hoping to stay in the IN THE SOOP BTS ver. ‘Pyeongchang’ Filming Location should note that this stay’s rules require following applicable local rules and guidelines as well as Airbnb’s COVID-19 Safety Practices, which will include wearing a mask and practicing social distancing when required by local laws or guidelines. Staff will also comply with local rules and guidelines while on-site, and will abide by our five-step enhanced cleaning process.

 

*This one-night stay is available for one participant and their fellow guest and is not a contest.

**Plus taxes and fees

Airbnb is closely monitoring Korea COVID-19 infection rates and government policies and will offer booking guests a US $1,000 Airbnb travel credit if Airbnb determines it is necessary to cancel the stay.

 

 

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 900 million guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.

 

About HYBE

HYBE, rebranded from Big Hit Entertainment in March 2021, is a global entertainment lifestyle platform company that seeks boundless expansion in order to innovate the music industry. Ever since, HYBE has been expanding its multi label system including BIGHIT MUSIC, BELIFT LAB, SOURCE MUSIC, PLEDIS Entertainment, KOZ ENTERTAINMENT, ADOR, HYBE LABELS JAPAN, while HYBE AMERICA also manages its affiliate labels including Big Machine Label Group. In addition to the label business, HYBE established an integrated structure with its  solution business that creates concert, video content, game, original story and retail, as well as a platform business through Weverse, a global fandom platform. Composed of its three headquarters based in Korea, Japan and the US, the company works towards bringing innovative change throughout the global music industry.

 

About BTS

BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a GRAMMY-nominated South Korean boy band that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and the way they interact with their fans, the band has established themselves as 21st century pop icons breaking countless world records. While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, the band has mobilized millions of fans across the world (named ARMY), collected six No.1 Billboard Hot 100 singles in a span of a year and just over a month, and performed multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world. They were also named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year 2020. BTS were nominated two years in a row for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 63rd and 64th GRAMMY Awards and have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards like the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards (Artist of the Year 2021) and MTV Video Music Awards.

 

About IN THE SOOP

IN THE SOOP, an original content produced by HYBE, features artists embarking on a break in the woods as they step away from their regular work routines. Starring artists reconnecting with nature, HYBE released a series of shows from “In the SOOP BTS Ver.”, “In the SOOP BTS ver. Season 2”, “IN THE SOOP SEVENTEEN ver.”, to its spin-off “IN THE SOOP : Friend-cation”. Based on the concept of restful and healing break from the series, HYBE introduces off-line pop up stores with lifestyle products in multiple cities around the world including Seoul, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Fans will also be able to experience a unique accommodation and F&B experience at IN THE SOOP BTS ver. ‘Pyeongchang’ Filming Location starting August 2022. Through IN THE SOOP, HYBE continues to provide immersive entertainment lifestyle experiences through original content featuring artists, merchandise and offline stores.

2GO Travel brings back Php99 Sea Sale

 2GO Travel, the Philippines’ largest premier sea travel provider, gives passengers another chance to score promo fares for Safe, Sulit, Saya voyages to various destinations via a Sea Sale with one-way fares for as low as Php99.

The Php99 promo fare covers voyages from Manila to Tagbilaran vice versa. Meanwhile, passengers can avail tickets for as low as Php399 for voyages from Manila to Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, as well as Palawan (Puerto Princesa and Coron) vice versa.

Passengers traveling from Manila to Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Dipolog, Ozamiz, and Zamboanga vice versa may also avail of fares for as low as Php499.

2GO also offers promo fares as low as Php299 for voyages from Cebu to Cagayan De Oro vice versa, Cebu to Butuan and Ozamiz, and Dumaguete to Zamboanga.

The seven-day sale runs from August 15-21 for voyages from September 15-October 11. The promo fare includes a generous 50kg Baggage Allowance and accommodations.

With 2GO, travelers can begin their sailcations the minute they step onboard. 2GO offers cruise-like experiences, such as exciting activities onboard, spacious and clean accommodations, hot and fresh meals, a variety of food and drink, and views of the country’s beautiful islands from its famous sundeck.

2GO Travel also continues to emphasize that safety remains an utmost priority. Aside from being fully vaccinated, all crew members of vessels coming from Manila have received at least one booster shot.

“We have always been consistent with our health and safety protocols. We have made sure that this is a continuing effort because what matters to us is that our passengers can go on with their sailcations to their desired destinations in a safe and enjoyable manner. It has always been our goal for passengers to have a memorable experience onboard,” said Blessie Cruz, 2GO’s Group Head for Marketing.

Companies and groups can also arrange fun team buildings before festivals on 2GO vessels, particularly on MV 2GO Masagana and MV 2GO Maligaya. The two ships serve as unique and enjoyable MICE venues with facilities that can accommodate gatherings with exclusive use of the meeting rooms with audio and video set-up and live entertainment during evening functions.

Work Week Enders at Richmonde's The Exchange

 If your work week is constantly hectic, then you need to end it right by having a night or two of unabashed good time. Give yourself a well-earned pat on the back and get some after-office perks as Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ bar lounge reopens its doors to welcome back the city’s busy workforce. Every Thursday and Friday, The Exchange creates a fun hotspot where you can let your hair down, reminisce the good ol’ times, and even let your singing fantasies come true!

All eyes will be on stage as The Exchange holds Thursday Jamming Night and Friday Retro Replay with resident pianist Bobbet Bernades and ‘80s cover band, Big Bash Band, respectively.

Celebrate the almost-weekend with your pals at The Exchange’s Thursday Jamming Night with the bar’s resident pianist, Bobbet Bernades, and take your karaoke sessions to the next level. From 7:00pm to 10:30pm, sing your heart out on stage and take the spotlight with live piano accompaniment or cheer on your lounge-singer-wannabe friend. From acoustic sounds and bossa nova vibes to pop tunes and standard ballads, wow the crowd with your wide range of repertoire.

Relive and rediscover the smash hits of the 70’s and ‘80s as The Exchange’s resident crowd-drawer make its long-awaited a comeback. The Big Bash Band resumes its live performances at the Friday Retro Replay all Fridays of August and September. At no cover charge or minimum consumption, The Exchange will transport you in time as you groove to the band’s infectious beats from upbeat disco, funky pop, and hip new wave songs. The throwback tunes continue all throughout the night with cool remixes and vintage MTVs for an old-school kind of night.

Just a few of the must-try bar chow at The Exchange:  Queso Fundido, Onion Rings, Moules Marineres, and Caroline Pulled Pork Pizza.

Queso Fundido

Onion Rings

Moules Marineres

Caroline Pulled Pork Pizza.

And as you enjoy the bar’s entertainment, get your fix of bottomless fun with drink-all-you-can offers. Happy Hour, available from 6pm to 9pm, gives you limitless orders of local beers and select cocktails, served with chips, crackers, and nuts, for only PhP 850 nett. Wine lovers also get a treat with Unli Pours of house red and white wine for two (2) consecutive hours at PhP 800 nett.

End the week with bottomless fun at The Exchange: Drink-all-you-can Happy Hour from 6pm to 9pm for PhP 850nett and Unli Wine Pours for 2 hours straight for PhP 800 nett.

Complementing your drinks is The Exchange’s bar chow choices which consist of a mix of all-time faves like the classic sisig kapampangan (pork mask, chicken liver, citric acid, chilies, sea salt), sinugba (cured marlin, grilled pork belly, pinakurat, red onions), the popular onion rings (beer-battered onion rings, house-blend ranch, srirachianaise), and Angus burger (beef steak, mozzarella, cheddar, pretzel bun); and house specials like queso fundido (spiced queso dip with pulled pork), moules marineres (sauvignon blanc steamed New Zealand mussels), and jojos & chili con carne (spiced potato wedges, homemade chili, mozzarella), from Richmonde Ortigas’ Executive Chef, Tristan Galang. All takers of Happy Hour and Unli Pours get 20% off on bar chow orders.

The Exchange, located at the 2^nd floor of Richmonde Hotel Oritgas, is open Thursdays and Fridays from 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and table reservations, call +632 8638 7777 or +63 917 534 4352

As the initial venture of leading real estate company, Megaworld Corporation, into the hospitality business, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is a proud local brand that opened in 1999 at the heart of the then-burgeoning Ortigas Center. It is now a member of the steadily growing stable of homegrown brands under the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts group. For more information on Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, log on to www.richmondehotelortigas.com.ph and for the latest news on the hotel, follow @RichmondeHotelOrtigas on Facebook and Instagram.