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They're the first Integrated Resort in the Philippines and in the APAC region to make a commitment to cage-free egg sourcing
(L-R) Hotel Okura Manila General Manager Jan Marshall and Specialty Chef for Yawaragi Chef Ryuji Tsuchida, Multi-property Vice President for the Philippines of Marriott International and General Manager of Marriott Hotel Manila Bruce Winton and Marriott Hotel Manila Executive Chef Meik Brammer, Resorts World Manila Director for Corporate Communications Joee Guilas and Executive Sous Chef of Happy 8 Sew Kong Goh, Sheraton Manila Hotel General Manager Anna Vergara and Executive Chef Kiko Santiago, and Hilton Manila incoming General Manager John Lucas and Executive Sous Chef Lord Bayaban
The LEVER Foundation, a United States-based international NGO sang its praises to Resorts World Manila for its commitment to join the global shift towards the use of only cage-free eggs across all hotels, and food and beverage (F&B) outlets in the IR by 2025 as part of its sustainable culinary initiative.
Kicking off its overarching sustainability program dubbed, “I Love Earth”, the launch commenced at Manila Marriot Hotel and led the Sustainable Culinary initiative advocating the use of cage-free eggs.
This sustainable milestone commenced with a themed cage-free lunch featuring amazing culinary creations from Executive Chefs of Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila, and Hotel Okura Manila who all graced the occasion.
Chef Meik Brammer & Chef Rej Casanova of Marriott Hotel Manila's version of the iconic Tapsilog: Batangas Cage-Free Egg Custard, beef tapa flakes, puffed rice, labuyo pearls, and calamansi
Here are some quotes from the occasion:
“Cage-free eggs are just the start. With “I Love Earth,” we are uniting the efforts of RWM and all its hotel partners to promote not just sustainable operations throughout the property, but also sustainable living among our staff and all our stakeholders.” - RWM CEO
“It is indeed an honor to be entrusted by RWM with this important role and lead the significant endeavor of chartering the course of I Love Earth, a concerted initiative of all hotels and operating units within the IR towards sustainable operations. Purposely and sincerely, we embrace what this program stands for, and that is putting Earth to Heart, the same dictum that we in Marriott International also champion, all aimed at serving our valuable guests, communities and fellow associates brilliantly, while taking great care to respect and preserve our environment.” - Bruce Winton, Multi-property Vice President of Marriott International for the Philippines and over-all Chairman of the I Love Earth sustainability program
Chef Francisco Santiago from Sheraton Hotel Manila made Eggs Two Ways - Cage-free soft egg and Cured Egg Yolk, with bohol asin tibuok, pulled pork barbecue and adlai rice
On the other hand, Marriott Hotel Manila Executive Chef Meik Brammer chairs the Sustainable Culinary Committee of I Love Earth, taking the lead in joint sourcing of cage-free eggs of all the hotels and F&B outlets in RWM.
“Egg is a symbol of a new life or a start of something bright and sunny. Our pledge to use cage-free eggs is just one of the many things we are doing and we want to do in terms of Sustainable Culinary. It is an honor to be able to lay the groundwork in launching a noble endeavor, more so to become a part of jumpstarting a hardworking sustainability program such as I Love Earth,” - Chef Meik Brammer
(L-R) Hotel Okura Manila Specialty Chef for Yawaragi Chef Ryuji Tsuchida, Marriott Hotel Manila Executive Chef Meik Brammer, Resorts World Manila’s Happy 8 Executive Sous Chef Sew Kong Goh, Sheraton Manila Hotel Executive Chef Kiko Santiago, and Hilton Manila Executive Sous Chef Lord Bayaban
Pandesal bagel, house-made corned beef, fresh lettuce, cage-free egg foam, and poached egg yolk finish with hollandaise is what the 'Cloud 9' is all about. This one is created by Chef Lord Bayaban of Hilton Hotel Manila
The initiative also advocates the use of local produce and farmers, with Batangas Free Range Chicken (BFRC) as one of the partners which will supply sustainable products to the different hotels and F&B outlets, sampled its egg products during the launch.
Spicy, sweet, and savory. Resort Worls Manila Happy 8 Chef Goh Sew Kong and Chef Fook Lim Loh made Vegetarian Cage-free Egg Rendang with Malaysian wok-fried cage-free egg, sauteed vegetables and brown rice
BFRC, founded by Emerson Sicar, is a Social Enterprise (SE) that was born out of passion to provide alternative healthy poultry products and livelihood in the Philippines.
They are not cages, but Mama Hen Playhouses: these cage-free chickens are so well taken care of, they are provided with spaces to roam around and spaces for rest and relaxation. Because of this, they are able to withstand the sometimes intense weather conditions in the Philippines such as heat.
Emerson Sicar of Batangas Free Range Chicken
Robyn del Rosario, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation closely worked with RWM and Marriott Hotel Manila to provide useful information that would help further polish the project.
“We congratulate Resorts World Manila for being the very first Integrated Resort in the Philippines and in the APAC region to commit to sourcing only cage-free eggs for its operations. The new cage-free egg policy will improve the welfare of animals in the complex’s supply chain while also reinforcing Resorts World Manila’s commitment along with the other participating hotels to provide world-class experiences to its guests,” - Robyn del Rosario
We ended our meal with a cool Onsen Tamago from Chef Ryuji Tsuchida of Hotel Okura Manila: Japanese soft cooked egg served with Dashi Aonori.
Leading animal protection and food safety organizations around the world to encourage a switch to cage-free eggs, which are more humane to animals and safer for consumers. On caged egg farms, each egg-laying hen is confined for nearly her entire life in a cage so small she can barely turn around. Research by the European Food Safety Authority and others has found that cage-free egg farms are up to 25 times less likely to be contaminated with key strains of salmonella compared to hens raised in cages. Battery cage egg production has been banned throughout the European Union as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, India, and parts of the United States.
In recent years an increasing number of restaurant, hospitality, retail, and packaged food brands have pledged to use only cage-free eggs in the Philippines.
About Lever Foundation
Lever Foundation is a global NGO based in the United States and operating across Southeast Asia. Lever Foundation works with leading food companies in the Philippines and across the region to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, with a focus on cage-free eggs and alternative protein.
About Resorts World Manila
Resorts World Manila is the first integrated resort in the Philippines. RWM’s two main wings, the Newport Grand Wing and Newport Garden Wing are one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destinations that feature gaming thrills, world-class performances, unique events, exciting lifestyle options, and now highest speed 5G connectivity.
Conveniently located across from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, with a direct connection via the RUNWAY MANILA footbridge, RWM is an instant gateway to the renowned Philippine hospitality. It is home to five international hotel brands, MARRIOTT Hotel Manila, HOLIDAY INN Express Manila Newport City, HILTON Hotel Manila, SHERATON Manila Hotel and HOTEL OKURA Manila which makes Resorts World Manila the integrated resort with the highest room key count in the Philippines. RWM also features a wide range of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) venues, including a three-story convention center that houses the country’s largest hotel ballroom, the Marriott Grand Ballroom.
About Marriott Hotels
With over 550 hotels and resorts in over 60 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest's stay, helping to relax, clear minds, stimulate new ideas and anticipate travelers’ needs, leaving them inspired to reach their full potential. Boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play, Marriott leads the industry with innovations, including the Greatroom lobby and Mobile Guest Services that elevates style & design and technology. To learn more, visit www.marriotthotels.com. Stay connected to Marriott Hotels on Facebook, @marriott on Twitter and @marriotthotels on Instagram. Marriott Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.