Taal Vista Hotel's OG Series honors Filipino culinary heritage
A taste of tradition
Published Aug 27, 2025 07:43 am
This August, Taal Vista Hotel invites guests to take part in a culinary journey that goes beyond the plate. In celebration of Buwan ng Wika, the hotel proudly presents the OG Series in Veranda: Filipino Fiesta—a month-long gastronomic celebration that brings together the iconic flavors of La Loma and Malabon.
Guests have one last chance this weekend, August 30 to 31, 2025, to catch the final installment of the three-part buffet series that began August 16 to 17 and continued August 23 to 24. The celebration spotlights the country’s beloved fiesta staples, headlined by lechon masters Mila’s Lechon, Monchie’s Lechon, and Elar’s Lechon. Each weekend features a different lechon artisan alongside Malabon classics such as Nanay’s Pancit Malabon, Jay R’s D’ Original Okoy, Hazel’s Special Puto, Dolor’s Kakanin, and Ellet’s Sweets Halo-Halo.
GOLDEN THREADS Pancit Malabon takes center stage with its rich seafood flavors and vibrant toppings, a noodle dish that captures the heart of every Filipino feast.
In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Taal Vista’s chef Kim Dalisay shared that the OG Series is more than just a buffet—it’s a storytelling platform. According to him, the concept was born out of a desire to preserve heritage food while celebrating Filipino culture.
“The OG Series is actually about promoting our culinary heritage, and of course celebrating the culture of Filipinos,” chef Kim explained. “These are generations of recipes passed on from one family member to another. We wanted our guests to experience that here in Tagaytay—and beyond.”
Launched in May with Binondo’s Best, followed by Kapampangan Kravings in July, the OG Series has been steadily building its roster of culinary collaborations. Each leg brings regional flavors to the forefront, highlighting the “OGs”—originals whose recipes and traditions have stood the test of time. For this third leg, Taal Vista shines the spotlight on Malabon’s festive cuisine and La Loma’s lechon mastery.
More than a celebration of flavor, the initiative also champions sustainability. By reaching out to local food makers and featuring their specialties, Taal Vista Hotel creates meaningful connections between communities and guests, ensuring that heritage food remains alive for future generations.
“We started collaborating with Filipino-Chinese heritage food in Binondo, then Pampanga, and now Malabon and La Loma. Soon, we’re hoping to work with Ilonggos and Ilocanos,” he shared. “Tagaytay is a heritage hotel, and we want our guests to celebrate that heritage with us.”
Guests can experience the Filipino Fiesta buffet every weekend this August, with Saturday lunch and dinner seatings, and Sunday lunch paired with a cultural show for an even more festive experience.
“We invite everyone to join us here at Taal Vista,” chef said. “Come celebrate with us, enjoy our lechon, Pancit Malabon, okoy, puto, kakanin, and halo-halo. These are very original recipes that we truly love, and we’re excited to share them with you.”
With each bite of crispy lechon skin, each spoonful of pancit or halo-halo, the OG Series serves as a delicious reminder: Filipino food is more than sustenance—it is memory, heritage, and celebration, passed from one generation to the next.