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The Inaugural MICHELIN Guide Manila And Environs & Cebu 2026 Reveals 1 Two Stars, 8 One Star & 25 Bib Gourmands
- The first-ever edition for the Philippines spans Manila, surrounding regions, and Cebu features 108 restaurants in total: 1 Two Stars, 8 One Star, 25 Bib Gourmand, and 74 MICHELIN Selected
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2025 – Michelin proudly unveiled the first-ever restaurant selection for the Philippines with the launch of the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026, celebrated on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, within the prestigious Newport World Resorts.
The 2026 edition marks a historic milestone, spotlighting the Philippines’ vibrant gastronomic identity and elevating its place on the global culinary map. The selection includes a total of 108 establishments, with Manila and Environs represented by 90 restaurants, and Cebu by 18, reflecting both metropolitan sophistication and regional soul.
“We are honored to present the first edition of the MICHELIN Guide in the Philippines,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. “This selection pays tribute to a new generation of Filipino chefs, and international chefs who have embraced the Philippines, drawing inspiration from local heritage, bold flavors, and heartfelt hospitality. Whether it’s fine dining or street-side eateries, our inspectors were truly impressed by the culinary authenticity and creativity found across the country.”
In this inaugural selection, 9 restaurants are awarded MICHELIN Stars:
1 restaurant achieves the rare distinction of Two MICHELIN Stars with its debut, recognizing its excellent cooking that’s worth a detour!
Helm (Manila): A modern restaurant fusing the chef’s British-Filipino heritage with Spanish techniques, known for creative precision.
8 restaurants receive One MICHELIN:
- Asador Alfonso – Spanish-inspired dishes with rustic elegance.
- Celera – Contemporary Asian fusion with global flair.
- Gallery by Chele – Celebrated for its sustainability ethos.
- Hapag – Elevating local ingredients with a refined hand.
- Inatô – Intimate counter dining with sculptural detail.
- Kasa Palma – Wood-fired global flavors with French technique.
- Linamnam – 10-seat fine dining inside a former childhood bedroom.
- Toyo Eatery – Modern Filipino rooted in everyday soul.
These restaurants represent a variety of culinary styles, from refined interpretations of traditional Filipino fare to boundary-pushing fusion menus — all guided by precision, consistency, and a deep respect for ingredients.
The Green Star Community: Showcasing Dedication to Mindful Gastronomy
The MICHELIN Green Star editorially highlights restaurants that, among the MICHELIN Guide selection, have inspired and impressed Inspectors with their committed vision for the future of gastronomy.
This year, Gallery By Chele has newly captured the Inspectors’ attention for their inspiring visions.
Bib Gourmand: Quality at Great Value
The Bib Gourmand selection features 25 restaurants — 19 in Manila and Environs and 6 in Cebu — applauded for offering good food at moderate prices.
Highlights Include:
- Bolero – Spanish-Mediterranean fare built for sharing.
- Cabel – Pan-Philippine dishes with a southern tilt.
- Lampara – French-Filipino plates in a relaxed setting.
- COCHI – Located on a corner of BGC, this restaurant brings typical Filipino flavours into a modern setting.
- Pilya’s Kitchen – Signature ribbon noodles at a food market counter.
- The Underbelly – Bold Japanese-inspired ramen by a young chef.
In Cebu
- The Pig & Palm – Pork-led small plates in a stylish space.
- Esmen – 60-year-old eatery known for traditional linarang.
- Abaseria Deli & Café – From export office to comfort food hotspot.
MICHELIN Guide Special Awards
Three special awards honor individuals behind the scenes:
- Young Chef Award: Chef Don Patrick Baldosano (Linamnam), for reinventing Filipino cuisine with techniques like fermentation and aging.
- Service Award: Mrs. Erin Recto (Hapag), who balances her role as Sommelier and Operations Director with heartfelt hospitality.
- Exceptional Cocktail Award: Mr. Benjamin Leal (Uma Nota), recognized for culturally rich, inventive drinks blending Japanese, Brazilian, and Southeast Asian inspirations.
MICHELIN Selected Restaurants
Beyond the MICHELIN Star and Bib, 74 establishments (62 in Manila & Environs, 12 in Cebu) are named MICHELIN Selected for quality, consistency, and character — showcasing everything from local flavors to global influences.
“The enthusiasm and dedication we’ve witnessed from chefs and restaurateurs here is truly inspiring,” added Mr. Poullennec. “We look forward to continuing our exploration and sharing the Philippines’ culinary stories with the world.”
CLICK HERE to download images and content from the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Ceremony Manila and Environs & Cebu.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Swiss-Belhotel International Unveils Mobile App, Advancing its Integrated Digital Ecosystem
The launch of the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App completes a strategic technology upgrade initiated last year, which included the implementation of a new booking engine, the transition to an enhanced website, and the introduction of an advanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. With the addition of the mobile app, Swiss-Belhotel International now offers a fully connected digital ecosystem, ensuring a seamless journey from discovery to booking and beyond.
Commenting on the launch, Matthew Faull, Executive Director and Senior Vice President – Information Technology, E-commerce and Distribution, said: “The launch of the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App represents the completion of a carefully structured digital transformation programme. By aligning our booking engine, website, CRM and now mobile platform into one connected ecosystem, we are able to deliver a more efficient, responsive and guest-centric experience. This is not simply about technology adoption, but about creating meaningful value through integration.”
Adding to this, Priyanka Kapoor, Group Director – Sales, Marketing, Branding and Communications, said: “At the heart of this launch is our commitment to our loyal guests. The Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App allows us to offer greater value, more personalised engagement, and exclusive member benefits. It reinforces our focus on direct relationships with our guests, ensuring they receive the best rates, the best privileges, and a seamless brand experience.”
Built around the principle of ‘One App, Many Benefits,’ the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App enables guests to book directly at the best available rates while unlocking exclusive member privileges. Users can easily sign up or log in to access personalised offers, ensuring that loyal guests are consistently recognised and rewarded.
More than a booking tool, the app is designed to simplify the entire travel journey, offering a streamlined, intuitive interface that enhances both convenience and engagement. By integrating its core digital platforms into a single environment, Swiss-Belhotel International strengthens its ability to deliver a consistent and elevated guest experience across all touchpoints.
As digital expectations continue to evolve, Swiss-Belhotel International remains focused on investing in technologies that enhance accessibility, strengthen guest relationships, and support long-term growth. The Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App stands as a key step in this direction – bringing together innovation, efficiency, and guest-centricity within a single, unified platform.
Hashtag: #SwissBelhotelInternational #HospitalityTechnology #Hospitality
https://www.swiss-belhotel.com/
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Swiss-Belhotel International
Swiss-Belhotel International operates in 20 countries, managing 165+* hotels, resorts, and projects across New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, with regional offices in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Indonesia, UAE, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Committed to delivering world-class hospitality, the group also offers the Swiss-Belexecutive Card (SBEC), a loyalty program providing many benefits, discounts from 10% to 35% on rooms, dining, and other services, plus priority check-in, complimentary upgrades, and late check-out. No collecting points, no waiting for redemption, with the free-to-join Green Global tier, members can enjoy instant discounts from their first stay! Book stays and access special offers tailored for SBI guests and SBEC members through the Swiss-Belhotel International App – available in
App Store and
Google Play Store. Stay connected with us on
Facebook,
LinkedIn,
Instagram, and
TikTok for the latest updates and exclusive benefits. Visit
swiss-belhotel.com for more information.
*Numbers may fluctuate
Media OutReach
Eight Months of Care: Olymptrade Supports Elderly Communities
From September 2025 to April 2026, the program combined consistent distributions with practical assistance. During this time, more than 1,700 food boxes were delivered, helping ensure access to essential nutrition for elderly residents.
The initiative also included healthcare support. Around 300 people received vision checks, with 152 of them receiving eyeglasses based on the results. In addition, approximately 300 people received medicines each month, supporting the management of common health conditions.
Additional assistance included the distribution of first aid kits, hygiene kits, and prepared meals, helping cover both daily needs and immediate care.
Members of the Olymptrade community also took part in the initiative, joining two distribution days to help with the process and spend time with elderly residents.
The eight-month program marks an important milestone in the partnership, but not its conclusion. Olymptrade plans to continue supporting local communities through similar initiatives, guided by a simple principle: Care that counts.
Hashtag: #Olymptrade
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Paymentology and Change Financial join forces to fast-track next-generation payments in Australia
The collaboration combines Paymentology’s cloud-first processing platform with Change Financial’s local BIN sponsorship, regulatory expertise and in-market presence – enabling fintechs, digital banks and programme managers to launch and scale debit, credit and prepaid programmes more efficiently in the Australian market.
Change Financial is a Mastercard Principal Issuer in Australia, providing local scheme connectivity and compliance support. Together with Paymentology’s real-time, multi-cloud processing infrastructure, the partnership creates a streamlined pathway for fintechs looking to enter or expand in the country.
Australia represents one of the world’s most advanced digital payments markets. The national payments market was valued at USD 849.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.35 trillion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.09% between 2026 and 2034. Cards and mobile wallets now sit at the centre of everyday transactions, as digital adoption continues to accelerate. Australians made approximately AUD 160 billion in mobile wallet payments in the past year alone, with billions of transactions recorded annually, highlighting strong demand for digital-first, contactless and mobile-enabled payment experiences.
Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth Asia Pacific at Paymentology commented: “Australia is one of the most sophisticated payments ecosystems globally, with strong consumer adoption of digital, contactless and mobile-first experiences. By partnering with Change Financial, we’re combining next-generation issuing infrastructure with trusted local BIN sponsorship and expertise, unlocking faster payment method adoption for fintechs and helping them scale confidently in the Australian market.”
Change Financial brings deep experience supporting fintechs and financial institutions through local sponsorship, scheme relationships and programme enablement.
Jennifer Mateer, Chief Commercial Officer at Change Financial added: “We collaborate closely with fintechs and programme managers every day to launch innovative payment solutions with speed and confidence. Our partnership with Paymentology combines our local market expertise with global-scale issuing infrastructure, enabling innovators to accelerate time to market and deliver compelling card payment experiences to Australian consumers and businesses.”
Hashtag: #Paymentology #Fintech
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Paymentology
Paymentology is the leading next-generation issuer processor, empowering fintechs, digital banks and retail banks to effortlessly launch and manage innovative payment solutions on a global scale. The company drives greater customer choice and value through easy-to-use, integrated platforms and services that help clients to disrupt the status quo, accelerate time to market, and achieve growth.
With a superior multi-cloud platform offering a vast global footprint, and enhanced real-time data, Paymentology distinguishes itself as a leader in the payments industry. Its team of payments experts, with deep local market knowledge, operates across 50 countries and 14 time zones, providing 24/7 support. Paymentology is deeply committed to expanding financial inclusion globally, changing lives and positively impacting the communities in which it operates.
For more information, visit https://www.Paymentology.com.
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