Manila Bulletin’s HATCH Contemporary Visions, Timeless Setting Opens at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel

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The Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel came alive on March 25, 2026, as distinguished guests, artists, members of the media, and content creators gathered for the opening reception of HATCH 2026, the 8th edition of the premier art showcase by the Manila Bulletin in partnership with The Manila Hotel.

With the theme Contemporary Visions, Timeless Setting, HATCH 2026 bridges heritage and modern expression. This year’s edition brings together 12 contemporary and emerging Filipino artists, each invited to interpret the iconic acrylic egg transforming it into a compelling vessel of storytelling, identity, and imagination.

Set against the storied backdrop of The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby, the opening reception formally presented this year’s featured artists to the public: Marko Belo, Dino Blanco, Norman Blanco, Rachel Anne Lacaba, Jao Mapa, Raf Page, Tokwa Peňaflorida, JP Pining, Angelo Roxas, Alber Tabanao, Rene Tolentino, and Krishnamurti.

The event was graced by Mr. Basilio C. Yap, chairman of the board of The Manila Hotel; Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, vice chairman of The Manila Hotel and president of the Manila Bulletin; Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr. president of The Manila Hotel; Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel; and Leslie Araujo, brand and marketing manager of the Manila Bulletin and project head of HATCH 2026; alongside members of the media and content creators.

Welcome remarks by The Manila Hotel's vice president for sales and marketing Marvin Kim Tan

In his remarks, Marvin Kim Tan shared, “What began as a platform to showcase fresh ideas has grown into a meaningful space that champions creativity and emerging talent. We are proud to continue supporting this initiative and the community it has built over the years. Our sincere thanks to Manila Bulletin for their continued partnership, and to the 12 artists featured this year. When Ernest Hemingway visited in 1941, he remarked, ‘It’s a good story if it’s like The Manila Hotel.’ May this year’s exhibit at our Grand Lobby be another great story to tell.”

Inspirational words from The Manila Hotel president Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr.

Cris 'Krishnamuti' Villanueva is among the 12 artists featured in this year's Hatch exhibit

Jao Mapa joins the selection of featured artists in this year's Hatch exhibit

HATCH: The 5th Edition

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For the forthcoming Easter season, The Manila Hotel, in partnership with Manila Bulletin, brings back HATCH – a one-of-a-kind showcase of artfully crafted Easter eggs. Displayed as a focal point of the Grand Lobby of the hotel, guests will be treated to a delightful display of novel collaboration of Filipino artists.

With the aim to promote the local art scene and highlight the creative genius of local artists, HATCH: The 5th Edition features 18 uniquely customized acrylic eggs showcasing multitude of creative styles and distinct personalities of Filipino contemporary artists who come from different disciplines. Just as the artists adapted their respective unique styles of mixed media, each Easter egg has a different story to tell.

Featured artists include: Addie Cukingnan, Agi Pagkatipuna, Al Perez, Aner Sebastian, Carlito Ortega, Carlo Magno, Cindel Tiausas, Carlos Cee Cadid, Demet dela Cruz, Migi Sebastian, Egai Fernandez, Emmanuel Nim, Jinggoy Salcedo, Margie Organo, Maria Magdamit, Migs Villanueva, Monnar Baldemor, Reen Barrera, Remy Boquiren, Roger “Rishab” Tibon.

In 2020, Manila Bulletin won the gold award for HATCH during the 55th Anvil Awards. The exhibit moved from city to city where visitors were introduced to an exceptional showcase of Filipino artistry.

HATCH will be on display at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel until April 23, 2023.

Antique Rep. Loren Legarda leads Manila Bulletin-Tangere’s February senatorial survey

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Three-term Senator, Deputy Speaker, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda topped the latest Manila Bulletin-Tangere senatorial preference survey for the May 2022 elections.

Conducted from Feb. 25 to 27, 2022, with 2,400 respondents, the survey results showed Legarda with 51.92 percent of the voter preference.

Ranking 2nd and 3rd were former Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (46.04 percent) and Broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (46 percent).

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (45.58 percent), Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero (41.71 percent), Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (37.79 percent), and Senator Joel Villanueva (34.67 percent) ranked 4th to 7th.

Completing the top 12 were Senator Risa Hontiveros (30.13 percent), actor Robin Padilla (28.63 percent), Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (27.54 percent), former Senator Jinggoy Estrada (22.04 percent), and former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (20.83 percent).

The survey results showed former Vice President Jejomar Binay (20.79 percent) at 13th place.

At 14th to 16th places were former Senator JV Ejercito (20.29 percent), Senator Richard Gordon (18.83 percent), and former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (18.08 percent).

The Manila Bulletin-Tangere survey was conducted among 2,400 mobile application users—552 in Northern and Central Luzon, 552 in Mindanao, 528 in Southern Luzon and Bicol, 480 in the Visayas, and 288 in the National Capital Region.

Style Weekend Anniversary Party for #StyleWeekendWomenWhoWow

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Style Weekend Anniversary party held at Manila Hotel, March 21, 2016 with (L-R) RJ Ledesma (Emcee), Style Weekend’s EIC Liza Ilarde, "Women Who Wow' celebrities Rita Nazareno, Pie Alvarez and Cristalle Belo.

Cheers to all women who inspire and show everyone how beautiful life is. 

Women living in style are featured at the Style Weekend Magazine's 2016 Edition "Women Who Wow" right in time for March’s International Women’s Month.

Style Weekend, the fashion and lifestyle magazine from Manila Bulletin is celebrating their 9th year anniversary and their fifth year featuring inspiring women. A great party held at the Champagne Room of Manila Hotel last Monday, March 21, 2016 presenting the admirable eight “Women Who Wow” from different fields who show women empowerment through their body of work and advocacies.

Style Weekend’s EIC Liza Ilarde

Cristalle Belo hands over the check to Move.Org Foundation

Liza Ilarde receives the check for Aldub Libraries on behalf of Maine Mendoza

"Women Who Wow" Pie Alvarez, Mayor of San Vicente, Palawan

This year's Style Weekend magazine's annual 'Women Who Wow' issue, is headlining by Maine Mendoza, known as "Yaya Dub in the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!'s "Kalyeserye" segment. Simple but classic beautiful Maine, a natural comic and her popularity even grew bigger, making her name a part of the Filipino household.

Aside from Maine Mendoza, the "Women Who Wow" includes Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach; Mayor of San Vicente, Palawan and Greeneration Ambassador Pie Alvarez; Entrepreneur, adventure seeker, always on a mission, Cristalle Belo; 'Little Miss Sure Shot", a former domestic helper in Hong Kong turned professional photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani; Always busy, passionate, actress, and TV host Isabelle Diaz; Creative Director of S.C. Vizcarra, makers of world-class handbags Rita Nazareno; and the bookstore mogul, the mover behind National Book Store Xandra Ramos Padilla.

This is the first time that Style Weekend came out with two covers which feature Maine in casual and in formal get-up. The first cover showing Maine clad in a black and denim ensemble was photographed by Shaira Luna.

The second cover shows Maine in a Mark Bumgarner gown hand-painted by Heart Evangelista.

The two covers are available only in the glossy edition of Style Weekend that is sold in select National Book Store outlets. The newsprint edition comes with Manila Bulletin for free every Friday. Digital editions may also be downloaded via the Manila Bulletin app or through subscription on their website.

Happy Anniversary and congratulations to Style Weekend Magazine and to Style Weekend’s EIC Liza Ilarde.

#StyleWeekendWomenWhoWow