A cool merienda cena at Vermillion

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On a sweltering afternoon, Vermillion Hotel offered a delicious pause from the heat with a merienda cena that felt at once indulgent and familiar, turning an everyday Filipino ritual into a polished culinary affair.

Set against the elegant surrounds of the hotel’s lobby, the spread celebrated Ilonggo comfort food with a generous flourish. Bibingka, ibus, pichi-pichi, turon, arroz caldo, batchoy, pancit molo, pandesal and puto lined the buffet, each presented with the deft touch of the hotel’s chefs. The result was not simply a feast, but a thoughtful reimagining of native merienda, where nostalgia met refinement without losing its soul.

The live rondalla ensemble softened the room with distinctly Ilonggo melodies, adding texture and warmth to the gathering. It was this interplay of music, flavor and setting that gave the afternoon its easy elegance. Vermillion managed to make luxury feel less formal than intimate, less showy than sincere.

Among those spotted enjoying the spread were Vermillion Hotel PR officer Nonoi Ybiernas and designer Bo Parcon, Professors Jonathan Glorial and Boni Gaverza, West Visayas State University College of Education Dean Ricky Magno, Prof. Rudy Guillergan, Elizabeth Patnubay, Marissa Segovia, Cynthia Baga, Armand Dyrit, Dr. Vic Salas, Mr. and Mrs. Jaresh Ng, Yance Tupas, Manny Gaverza and Chef Miner del Mundo.

At its best, the gathering captured what hospitality should do so effortlessly: offer comfort, pleasure and a sense of place, all in one sitting.