alino-hotel

Quezon City Day: Celebrating the City We Proudly Call Home

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:51:29 GMT

Quezon City Memorial Circle, sunset. Source: www.tourism.gov.ph

Every August 19, Quezon City celebrates Quezon Day, honoring the birth anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon—the visionary leader whose dream gave rise to what is now the Philippines' largest city. More than just a holiday, the occasion celebrates a city built on progress, community, and a shared sense of purpose. ( Republic Act No. 6741 )

Established in 1939, Quezon City was envisioned by President Quezon as a modern capital that would support the country's growing population and aspirations. It later served as the nation's capital from 1948 until 1976 and remains the country's largest city by land area, as well as a thriving center for business, education, healthcare, and culture. ( Quezon City Government, Encyclopaedia Britannica )

Did You Know?

Quezon Day is celebrated every August 19. Through Republic Act No. 6741 , the day is observed as a special working holiday nationwide and a special non-working holiday in Quezon City, Quezon Province, and Aurora.

Quezon City was originally envisioned as the country's future capital. Wide roads, government institutions, and thoughtfully planned communities reflected President Quezon's vision of a modern and progressive Philippine capital.

Today, Quezon City is home to some of the country's leading universities, hospitals, business districts, and cultural institutions. Its diverse communities continue to make it one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in the Philippines.

Quezon City skyline at night

Proud to Call Quezon City Home

At Alino Hotel , we're proud to be part of the Quezon City community.

Nestled in the historic neighborhood of New Manila , our hotel was built on the belief that hospitality goes beyond providing a place to stay. Guided by our promise of Alagang Filipino , we strive to create thoughtful experiences that make every guest feel genuinely welcome.

From our meeting rooms named after New Manila's iconic streets to kutchara , our all-day Filipino restaurant celebrating the country's rich culinary heritage, every detail reflects our appreciation for the community we proudly call home.

As we celebrate Quezon City Day, we also celebrate the people, neighborhoods, and stories that continue to make Quezon City one of the best places to live, work, gather, and grow.

Celebrate Quezon City Day with Alino Hotel

In celebration of Quezon City Day , Alino Hotel is inviting all our fellow QCitizens to enjoy 15% OFF our Best Available Rates throughout the entire month of August .

Whether you're planning a relaxing staycation, celebrating a special occasion, or simply taking a well-deserved break close to home, now is the perfect time to rediscover your city while experiencing the warmth of Alagang Filipino .

Your stay includes:

Comfortable overnight accommodation in any room category

Complimentary breakfast for two at kutchara

15% OFF food and beverages at kutchara

Offer valid until August 31, 2026.

Guests must present a valid Quezon City Resident ID or a government-issued ID showing a Quezon City address upon check-in to avail of the offer.

Book your neighborhood getaway today.

Happy Quezon City Day from all of us at Alino Hotel, where every stay is delivered with Alagang Filipino .

Why Alino Hotel Named Its Meeting Rooms After New Manila's Iconic Streets

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:51:08 GMT

Alino Hotel meeting rooms

When choosing names for our meeting rooms, we wanted them to be more than just labels on a door.

We wanted them to tell a story—one that celebrates the neighborhood we proudly call home.

Located in the heart of New Manila , Alino Hotel is surrounded by streets that have witnessed nearly a century of Quezon City's history. That's why our function rooms proudly bear the names Broadway , Hemady , and Gilmore —three of the neighborhood's most recognizable streets and enduring landmarks.

Long before New Manila became one of Quezon City's most sought-after residential communities, it was part of the Magdalena Estate , a visionary development by Doña Magdalena Hemady in the 1930s. Inspired by American urban planning, the estate featured wide, tree-lined avenues and generously sized residential lots that offered a peaceful escape from the bustling city.

Many of the roads that continue to define New Manila today were established during this period, each contributing to the neighborhood's unique identity.

Alino Hotel high-rise tower with the New Manila, Quezon City skyline in the background, surrounded by residential rooftops during daytime

Broadway: A Street Inspired by New York

Among New Manila's most iconic avenues is Broadway , a name inspired by the famous boulevard in New York City. Doña Magdalena Hemady envisioned New Manila as a prestigious residential community with international appeal, even earning the reputation as the "Hollywood of the Philippines" during the golden age of Philippine cinema as film studios and movie personalities made the neighborhood their home.

Today, Broadway remains one of New Manila's defining streets, connecting generations of families and preserving the charm of one of Quezon City's most established neighborhoods.

Hemady: Honoring a Visionary

Originally known as Pacific Avenue , the road was later renamed Doña Hemady Avenue in honor of Doña Magdalena Hemady , widely regarded as one of the country's pioneering real estate developers and the visionary behind New Manila.

Her vision transformed what was once a vast estate into a thriving residential community known for its spacious homes, leafy streets, and enduring sense of neighborhood.

Gilmore: Where Heritage Meets Innovation

Today, Gilmore Avenue is synonymous with technology, earning its reputation as Metro Manila's premier destination for computers, gadgets, and electronics. Yet behind this modern identity lies a street deeply rooted in New Manila's history, serving as one of the original avenues that shaped the neighborhood's development nearly a century ago.

It is this blend of heritage and progress that continues to define both Gilmore and Quezon City itself.

Meetings Inspired by Place

At Alino Hotel, every meeting begins with a story.

Whether you're hosting a birthday celebration in Broadway , a strategy session in Hemady , or a workshop in Gilmore , each space pays tribute to the rich heritage of New Manila while providing the modern comforts and thoughtful service that define the Alino experience.

Located on the hotel's 6th and 7th floors , our versatile function rooms are designed for everything from intimate executive meetings to corporate seminars, training sessions, product launches, social celebrations, and private events.

Hemady Rooms inside Alino Hotel

Hemady Rooms

Named after Doña Magdalena Hemady, whose vision helped shape New Manila, the Hemady Rooms on the 6th Floor offer flexible meeting configurations.

Hemady 1 (45 sqm) accommodates up to 48 guests in theater style , 20 in classroom , or 24 for banquets .
Hemady 2 (89 sqm) accommodates up to 89 guests in theater style , 50 in classroom , or 48 for banquets .

For larger gatherings, Hemady 1 and Hemady 2 may be combined , creating a more spacious venue for conferences, workshops, seminars, corporate events, and social celebrations.

Broadway Rooms inside Alino Hotel

Broadway Rooms

Inspired by one of New Manila's most recognizable avenues, the Broadway Rooms on the 7th Floor provide an ideal setting for meetings and events of various sizes.

Broadway 1 (78 sqm) accommodates up to 78 guests in theater style , 40 in classroom , or 40 for banquets .
Broadway 2 (70 sqm) accommodates up to 70 guests in theater style , 30 in classroom , or 40 for banquets .

Like their namesake streets that connect communities, Broadway 1 and Broadway 2 can also be combined , making them perfect for larger corporate functions, networking events, and even weddings and other social celebrations.

Gilmore Function Room inside Alino Hotel

Gilmore

Reflecting the innovation and energy associated with Gilmore Avenue, the Gilmore Function Room (90 sqm) offers a versatile venue for presentations, training programs, meetings, and intimate receptions.

It accommodates up to 70 guests in theater style , 42 in classroom , or 40 for banquet-style events .

Boardroom inside Alino Hotel

Boardroom

For executive meetings and confidential discussions, the Boardroom offers an intimate setting for up to seven guests . Conveniently located on the 7th Floor , it is ideal for board meetings, interviews, client presentations, contract signings, and strategic planning sessions. It also serves as an excellent breakout room alongside the larger function spaces.

Whether you're planning a half-day workshop, a company town hall, a product presentation, or an intimate celebration, Alino Hotel offers thoughtfully designed venues paired with warm, attentive service rooted in Alagang Filipino .

Proudly Rooted in Quezon City

This August, as Quezon City celebrates another year of history and progress, we're reminded that every great city is built not only through its landmarks, but through the stories of its neighborhoods and the people who bring them to life.

In celebration of Quezon City Day , Alino Hotel is inviting all our fellow QCitizens to enjoy an exclusive 15% OFF on our Best Available Rates throughout the entire month of August .

It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy a relaxing staycation close to home while rediscovering the neighborhood you know and love.

All stays include:

Overnight stay in any room category
Complimentary breakfast for two at kutchara
15% OFF food and beverages at kutchara

Guests must present a valid Quezon City Resident ID or a government-issued ID with a Quezon City address upon check-in to avail of the offer.

Book your neighborhood getaway today!

We look forward to welcoming you home—with the warmth of Alagang Filipino.

Why kutchara Could Be Your New Favorite Filipino Restaurant in Quezon City

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 04:53:54 GMT

Restaurant entrance with illuminated signage in kutchara, located at Alino Hotel

Finding a restaurant that suits every occasion isn't always easy. One day you're catching up with family over Sunday lunch, the next you're meeting clients for a business lunch or celebrating a special milestone with friends.

At kutchara , you'll find a dining experience that feels just as comfortable for everyday meals as it does for life's memorable moments.

Located on the ground floor of Alino Hotel , kutchara is more than a hotel restaurant. It's an all-day Filipino dining destination where familiar flavors, regional specialties, and genuine hospitality come together in one welcoming space.

Filipino Comfort Food, Thoughtfully Prepared

Breakfast buffet spread with pastries and local delicacies in kutchara, located at Alino Hotel

At the heart of kutchara is a menu inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines.

Led by Executive Chef Rexsan Abarquez, whose Ilonggo roots have shaped his passion for regional cuisine, the restaurant celebrates both beloved classics and lesser-known specialties from across the country.

Signature dishes include the rich and comforting Kansi at Baka , the hearty Ilo-Ilo Batchoy , and the flavorful Sinugbang Lumot na Pusit , alongside Filipino favorites such as kare-kare, crispy pata, sisig, and many more.

Every dish is prepared with the belief that great food brings people together, creating moments that are meant to be shared around the table.

A Place for Every Occasion

Whether you're planning a casual lunch or a special celebration, kutchara welcomes every kind of diner.

For Families

From weekend lunches to birthday celebrations, kutchara offers a warm and relaxed setting where families can enjoy comforting Filipino dishes together. With generous portions and flavors that appeal across generations, every meal becomes an opportunity to reconnect.

For Friends

Whether it's catching up over dinner or celebrating life's milestones, kutchara is a place where conversations linger long after the last bite. The inviting atmosphere makes it just as perfect for spontaneous meetups as it is for planned celebrations.

For Business Meetings

Looking for a restaurant in Quezon City for your next client lunch or business meeting?

Conveniently located in New Manila, kutchara offers a quiet and comfortable setting for productive conversations over thoughtfully prepared Filipino cuisine. For more intimate gatherings, kutcharita , the restaurant's private dining room, accommodates up to 12 guests and is ideal for business meetings, executive lunches, presentations, or small private celebrations—all complemented by the same warm service and signature flavors that define the kutchara experience.

Looking for a restaurant in Quezon City for your next client lunch or business meeting?

Kutcharita private dining room for business meetings in kutchara, at Alino Hotel

private celebrations—all complemented by the same warm service and signature flavors that define the kutchara experience.

For Hotel Guests

Whether you're starting the day with the signature Silog Festival breakfast, enjoying lunch after a meeting, or winding down with dinner, kutchara offers convenient all-day dining just steps from your room.

For Food Explorers

For diners looking to discover regional Filipino cuisine, kutchara offers something beyond the familiar.

Through its culinary diversity, guests can look forward to seasonal menus celebrating the diverse flavors of the Philippines, while selected international-inspired offerings bring fresh perspectives for local diners and international visitors alike.

A Restaurant That Feels Like Home

More than its menu, what makes kutchara special is the feeling it creates.

Inspired by the same philosophy of Alagang Filipino that defines Alino Hotel, every guest is welcomed with genuine warmth, attentive service, and thoughtful hospitality that makes every meal feel personal.

Whether you're celebrating a milestone, enjoying weekend lunch with loved ones, meeting colleagues over coffee, or simply craving Filipino comfort food, kutchara is ready to welcome you.

Visit kutchara

�� Ground Floor, Alino Hotel
970 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City

Opening Hours

Daily | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

For restaurant reservations and inquiries:

�� 0917 133 8075 (SMS & Viber)

Discover Quezon City: A Guide to Its Iconic Neighborhoods

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:56:55 GMT

Quezon City is more than the largest city in Metro Manila. It's a destination made up of vibrant neighborhoods, rich history, thriving food scenes, and communities that continue to shape the city's character. Whether you're visiting for business, leisure, a family celebration, or a medical stay, every corner of Quezon City offers something unique.

Explore the Many Sides of Quezon City

Few cities offer as much variety as Quezon City.

In the north, you'll find expansive parks and government centers. Cubao remains one of the country's busiest commercial and entertainment hubs, while Tomas Morato has long been a favorite destination for dining and nightlife. Banawe continues to attract food lovers with its renowned Chinese restaurants, and Maginhawa has become synonymous with creative cafés and local culinary gems.

Yet tucked between these bustling districts lies one of Quezon City's most enduring neighborhoods— New Manila .

New Manila: Where Heritage Meets Modern Living

Known for its tree-lined streets, timeless homes, and quieter pace, New Manila has long been one of Quezon City's most distinguished addresses.

Originally developed in the 1930s by Doña Magdalena Hemady, the neighborhood was envisioned as an elegant residential community inspired by spacious avenues and generous green spaces. Streets like Broadway , Gilmore , Victoria , and Doña Hemady continue to tell the story of the area's rich heritage, while landmarks connected to President Manuel L. Quezon and the golden age of Philippine cinema remain part of its legacy.

Today, New Manila offers the perfect balance of accessibility and tranquility. It is conveniently located near Robinsons Magnolia, Greenhills, Cubao, and major business districts, while remaining a peaceful retreat away from the city's fast pace.

Meet Your Newest Neighbor: Alino Hotel

Deluxe Queen room at Alino Hotel

Nestled along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, just minutes from St. Luke's Medical Center, Alino Hotel brings a fresh perspective to hospitality in Quezon City.

Built on the philosophy of Alagang Filipino , Alino is designed to be more than just a place to stay. Every room, gathering, and guest experience is thoughtfully curated to make visitors feel genuinely cared for.

Whether you're planning a staycation, attending a corporate meeting, celebrating a milestone, visiting loved ones, or seeking comfortable accommodations during medical treatment, Alino offers warm hospitality with modern comforts in the heart of New Manila.

Guests can also enjoy thoughtfully designed offerings including:

Comfortable accommodations for business and leisure travelers
Dog-friendly stays for guests traveling with their canine companions
Kalinga Packages for patients, caregivers, and families staying near St. Luke's Medical Center
Flexible event spaces for meetings, weddings, and celebrations
A location that's central to many of Quezon City's most popular destinations

Experience Filipino Comfort at kutchara

kutchara restaurant dining area at Alino Hotel

No visit to Alino is complete without dining at kutchara , the hotel's all-day Filipino restaurant.

Inspired by the diverse flavors of the Philippines, kutchara serves familiar favorites alongside regional specialties crafted by Executive Chef Rexsan Abarquez, whose Ilonggo heritage inspires many of the restaurant's signature dishes.

From comforting bowls of Kansi at Baka and Ilo-ilo Batchoy to its signature Filipino breakfast and seasonal culinary experiences, every meal celebrates the richness of Filipino cuisine while welcoming new influences throughout the year.

Whether you're gathering with family, catching up with friends, or simply looking for your next favorite restaurant in Quezon City, kutchara offers an inviting dining experience rooted in warmth and hospitality.

Stay Close. Stay Thoughtfully.

Whether you're discovering New Manila for the first time or rediscovering your own neighborhood, Alino Hotel invites you to experience Quezon City through a different lens—one where every stay, gathering, and celebration is delivered with Alagang Filipino .

From its welcoming rooms and thoughtfully curated experiences to the comforting flavors of kutchara , Alino is proud to be the newest neighbor in one of Quezon City's most beloved communities.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Plan Your Visit

Alino Hotel New Manila
970 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City

�� Reservations: +63 917 133 8075 (SMS & Viber)
�� Email: reservations@alinohotel.com

Stay updated on the latest room offers, dining experiences, events, and neighborhood stories.

Beyond the Lobby: How Alino Showed Alagang Filipino to Elderly at Anawim Lay Mission

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:57:01 GMT

Initiative led by Alino's General Manager, Frencie Duadua

What It Means to Show Up

There is a phrase Filipinos grow up hearing. Tuloy po kayo. Come in. You are welcome here. It is not just an invitation. It is a posture: the instinct to make room, to feed someone before they ask, to care for the person in front of you as if they were family.

That is Alagang Filipino. And for Alino Hotel, a boutique hotel in Quezon City built on that very value, it has always meant more than warm service and well-appointed rooms. It means that care does not clock out when the lobby doors close.

Last May, the Alino Hotel team had the privilege of carrying those values and honoring the elderly of Anawim Lay Missions Foundation in Montalban, Rizal.

What Alino Shares with Anawim Lay Missions’ Values

Anawim Lay Missions Foundation was founded by Catholic lay preacher Bo Sanchez and opened its doors in 1996 to elderly people roaming the streets with nowhere to go.

As of April 2026, Anawim is home to 43 lolas and 17 lolos. Sixty people who found, in a small facility in Montalban, the family they had lost or never had.

Among the hotels in Quezon City, Philippines, Alino is one of the few that look beyond its own walls and ask: where else can we bring this warmth.

Anawim provides each resident with medical care through volunteer physicians, home life built around daily routines and community, spiritual nourishment through prayer and reflection, and one-on-one counseling — because loneliness is a common problem that older people face, and this problem is heavier for the abandoned and rejected elderly.

Alino's food and package giveaways

Lola playing sudoku

What the Day Looked Like

The Alino team engaged in the event

For the lolas and lolos of Anawim, a visit from the outside world is not a small thing. It is proof that someone thought of them. That they were worth driving an hour for. That their Saturday was worth rearranging someone else's schedule for.

For the Alino team, the visit was a reminder of why the hotel was built the way it was. Alagang Filipino is easy to talk about inside a hotel lobby. It means something different when you carry it many kilometers outside the city and sit with people who have experienced what it looks like when nobody shows up.

The "Game Na!" shirts the team wore that day carry a date and a feeling. Game na is the phrase a Filipino uses when they are ready, genuinely and without reluctance. Not for the record. Not for the photo. Just ready to extend care.

The Same Warmth, a Different Address

Alino Hotel's brand promise is Care in Every Detail. At the hotel, that shows up in a staff member who learns a returning guest's name, a room already prepared for a traveling family, a kutchara meal that tastes as if someone made it for you specifically.

At Anawim, it showed up in a different form. A team that drove an hour to sit with people the world had forgotten. Meals shared in a facility in Montalban. A game na shirt worn not for branding, but for belonging.

Alagang Filipino is easy to talk about inside a hotel lobby. It means something different when you carry it outside the city and sit with people who have experienced what it looks like when nobody shows up.

Alino Hotel will continue showing up. Follow the hotel's social media pages for the next one.

Book your stay at Alino | Explore kutchara | Learn about Alagang Filipino

Tuloy po kayo . You belong here.

Art at Alino: A Sanctuary for Filipino Creativity

Fri, 22 May 2026 01:06:07 GMT

What is Art at Alino?

Art at Alino is the in-house art program that turns our hotel into a living gallery. Every floor of our 20-storey property is dedicated to works by Filipino artists who are shaping the country's contemporary creative scene. From the lobby to the elevator landings to the quiet corner outside your room, you are never more than a few steps from a piece chosen with care.

This is not decor. It is a sanctuary built for Filipino creativity. We commissioned, curated, and placed every piece because we believe a hotel should reflect the culture it lives in, not borrow someone else's. Walk our hallways and you are walking through a story about who we are as Filipinos, told in paint, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

Whether you are here for a quick hotel staycation, a weekend of gallery hopping, or a longer creative reset, Art at Alino is the part of your stay that does not need an itinerary. And when you are ready to see more, the city's strongest art galleries are minutes away.

Experience Art at Alino

A curated gallery on every floor. Works by Filipino artists shaping the country's contemporary scene. A boutique hotel in Quezon City built for travelers who notice the details.

Book your stay at Alino

Why does Art at Alino matter?

Most hotels treat their walls as filler. A framed print. A neutral landscape. Something that will not offend anyone. We took a different view. We treated our walls as one of the most important conversations we could have with the people who stay with us.

Art at Alino matters because it changes what a hotel can be. It makes a building into a host, not just of guests but of artists, ideas, and Filipino culture. It tells every guest who walks through our doors that this property is paying attention to the country it is rooted in.

For creative travelers, it is a quiet thrill, the kind of detail that turns a trip into an experience. For staycationers, it is the design difference between Alino and the boutique hotels in Quezon City that simply stack rooms on top of each other. And for anyone in town to see the city's galleries and museums, it is a stay that begins before the first exhibit.

What you will find on every floor

Art at Alino is built on a simple idea: the hotel itself is the artwork. Each floor was designed in collaboration with our curators and the artists themselves, so that no two corridors feel the same.

Here is what you will find when you step out of your room:

A rotating roster of Filipino artists. Our roster features both established and emerging names, so the work feels fresh, not safe.
A mix of mediums. Painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and the occasional textile. Every floor is curated to give you something new to notice.
Site-specific commissions. Some of the works were made for Alino, in response to the space. They cannot be seen anywhere else.
Quiet placement, intentional viewing. Pieces are placed where you actually pause. Beside the elevator. Outside your door. At the end of a corridor, where the light is good.
Stories beside the work. Each piece comes with a short note about the artist and the work, because context is part of the experience.
The lobby as a first impression. The pieces at our entrance are chosen to set the tone for the rest of your stay.

The QC arts circuit, with Alino at the center

Quezon City is one of the most underrated arts districts in the country. While most travelers default to Makati or BGC, the city's quietest and most rewarding art galleries in Quezon City sit a short drive from Alino. We point our guests to these every week. Here is the circuit we recommend.

Smart Araneta Coliseum and New Frontier Theater

Both venues are in Araneta City, less than 10 minutes from Alino. Smart Araneta Coliseum hosts the country's biggest concerts and live shows, from OPM legends to international tours. New Frontier Theater, just across the way, leans into intimate music nights, theater productions, and comedy. Check their schedules before your trip. Most weeks, there is something worth catching.

Ateneo Art Gallery

Widely recognized as the first museum of Philippine modern art, the Ateneo Art Gallery is about 15 to 20 minutes from Alino, at the Areté complex on Katipunan Avenue. Its permanent collection includes works by Fernando Zóbel, Vicente Manansala, BenCab, and Egai Fernandez. The third-floor galleries rotate contemporary and experimental projects, including the annual Ateneo Art Awards. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

Vargas Museum at UP Diliman

A short drive further into Diliman brings you to the Jorge B. Vargas Museum, home to one of the country's most important collections of Filipino masters. Paintings by Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, and Vicente Manansala live on its second floor. The ground floor rotates contemporary local works. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

Cubao Expo

Within walking distance of Araneta City, Cubao Expo is a low-rise complex of indie galleries, vintage shops, tattoo studios, and coffee bars. It is one of the city's most enduring underground art scenes, and the right place to see what younger Filipino artists are making right now. Best visited in the late afternoon.

Gateway Gallery, Araneta City

Inside Gateway Tower on the fifth floor, minutes from Alino, Gateway Gallery is Araneta City's own art museum. Managed by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, its flagship exhibit is SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art, thirty large-scale paintings telling the country's history through the work of Filipino artists, including National Artists BenCab and Abdulmari Imao. The gallery also runs the Small Room, a space devoted to emerging and non-mainstream Filipino artists. Open daily, ten in the morning to six in the evening. Free admission.

Who is Alino Hotel built for?

Art at Alino exists for the traveler who notices the details. If that is you, Alino will feel like a place that was built with you in mind. Our 128 rooms, rooftop pool, gym, function spaces, and dog-friendly policy were designed for guests who want a stay that feels thought through.

Creative travelers: Designers, photographers, writers, and curators who want a hotel that respects their aesthetic.
Staycationers: Locals who consider us one of the best hotels for staycation in QC, booking a weekend of rest, food, and quiet inspiration.
Gallery-goers: Travelers and locals planning a circuit of QC museums and galleries who want a thoughtful home base.
Groups of friends: Guests traveling together for an arts weekend who want a hotel that adds to the trip, not subtracts from it.

Frequently asked questions about Alagang Filipino

What does Alagang Filipino mean in English?

Alagang Filipino translates loosely to "Filipino care" or "care the Filipino way." It refers to the cultural tradition of looking after others, especially guests, with warmth, attentiveness, and genuine concern. It is the heartbeat of Filipino hospitality.

What is Filipino hospitality known for?

Filipino hospitality is known for its warmth, generosity, and personal touch. Filipinos are famous for treating guests like family, offering food the moment someone arrives, and giving visitors the best of what the home has to offer. It is widely recognized as one of the warmest hospitality traditions in the world.

How does Alino Hotel reflect Alagang Filipino?

Alino Hotel was built around Alagang Filipino. From a team that greets you with a genuine "Tuloy po kayo," to a restaurant serving Filipino comfort food, to art commissioned from Filipino artists, every detail is designed to make you feel cared for the Filipino way.

Is Alino Hotel a good choice for a staycation in Quezon City?

Yes. Alino is widely chosen as one of the best hotels for staycation in QC, especially for families and pet owners. We offer rooftop pool access, family-ready rooms, a dog-welcome package with no extra fees, and a location minutes from Araneta City and Eastwood.

Experience Alagang Filipino for yourself at Alino Hotel

Reading about Filipino hospitality is one thing. Feeling it is another. Alino was built to be the place where you experience it firsthand.

When you stay with us, you can expect:

A team that learns your name and remembers what made your last stay special.
A meal at kutchara that tastes like it came from someone's home kitchen.
A pet-friendly policy with no surcharges, because every member of the family deserves the same welcome.
A location in New Manila that puts St. Luke's, Araneta City, Eastwood, and Ortigas within easy reach.

Book your stay | See our rooms | Explore Kutchara

Tuloy po kayo . You belong here.

The Man Behind the Menu: Meet Chef Rexsan Abarquez of kutchara

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:33:00 GMT

Who is Chef Rex?

Chef Rexsan Abarquez is the man behind the menu at kutchara at Alino Hotel. He is also a quiet study in what happens when a kitchen story comes full circle. Twenty years ago, Rex was a messenger delivering packages to Keyland Corporation. In 2025, that same company hired him as Alino Hotel's fourth employee, this time to run the kitchen.

Born and raised in Iloilo, Rex grew up watching his lola cook the heirloom dishes that still anchor his menu today. From there he built a career across some of the country's most respected hotel kitchens. Twenty-plus years and five hotel kitchens later, the food at kutchara is the closest he has come to cooking the way he was first taught.

If you have been searching for the best Filipino restaurant in Quezon City that serves real, unprocessed Filipino food cooked by someone who knows where it comes from, Rex is the chef you were looking for.

Eat at kutchara

Filipino comfort food cooked by Chef Rex inside kutchara at Alino Hotel. A boutique hotel in Quezon City with a chef who learned this food from his lola.

Book your stay at Alino

Why does Chef Rex matter to your meal at kutchara?

A lot of restaurants serve Filipino food. Few are cooked by someone who has been at it for twenty years across five of the country's best hotel kitchens, and fewer still by someone who still cooks from his lola's instinct.

Rex matters because his food is the rare combination of trained and rooted. Trained, in the Sofitel and Mandarin Oriental sense, the discipline that comes from years inside operations where every plate has to be exact. Rooted, in the lola sense, the muscle memory of what real Filipino comfort food in Manila tastes like when it is made by someone who grew up with it.

For locals looking for restaurants in Quezon City that take Filipino cooking seriously, and for travelers asking where to eat in Quezon City without ending up at the same chain in every mall, kutchara is the answer.

How Chef Rex came full circle to Alino

Most chef stories follow a straight line. Rex's loops back on itself in a way that is rare even by Filipino standards.

From Iloilo to his Lola's kitchen

Long before any uniform, Rex was a kid in Iloilo watching his lola cook the dishes that would later become his menu. Kadios simmered slow. Lapu-lapu fried whole and finished in a slick of sarciado sauce. Tikoy folded into turon at merienda. He did not learn this food in school. He learned it the way most Filipino kids learn their lola's cooking, by paying attention.

The messenger who delivered to Keyland

In his early twenties, Rex worked as a messenger. Among his regular routes was Keyland Corporation, the developer that would, two decades later, build Alino Hotel. He delivered to their office, picked up paperwork, and moved on. He had no idea he would come back through the same front door.

Twenty years across the country's top hotel kitchens

Then came the long climb. Rex spent the next twenty years inside some of the most respected hotel kitchens in the Philippines:

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Mandarin Oriental Manila
Makati Shangri-La
Conrad Manila, as Sous Chef on the pre-opening team
Marco Polo Ortigas, as Acting Executive Chef

Each of those kitchens taught him something different. Sofitel taught him scale. Mandarin taught him precision. Shangri-La taught him service. Conrad taught him how to open a kitchen from zero. Marco Polo taught him how to lead one. By the time he arrived at Alino, he had cooked through every layer of the hotel kitchen.

The trade test, April 2, 2025

When Rex applied to Alino, the ownership panel asked for a trade test. Five courses, cooked and plated alone, in front of them, in the new kitchen.

He arrived at 9:30 in the morning. He cooked until 11:30. Here is what he served:

Smoked Salmon to open
Ensaladang Labanos for the cold course
Bistek Tenderloin for the meat
Sarciadong Lapu-Lapu for the fish
Ube Tikoy Turon to close

The panel hired him that day. He became Alino Hotel's fourth employee. The man who once delivered packages to Keyland Corporation was now running the kitchen of the hotel they built

What you will taste at kutchara

Rex cooks with an instinct most professional kitchens have lost: real Filipino ingredients, the ones his lola used, the ones you cannot fake with a bottled shortcut.

If you walk into the kutchara at Alino Hotel kitchen on a busy night, this is what you will find on his prep table:

Batuan, the sour Visayan fruit that gives sinigang and KBL their distinctive sharpness. Rex uses it fresh, never powdered, the way his lola did.
Libas, sour leaves used in regional Filipino cooking, brought in for dishes that ask for something brighter than tamarind.
Kadios, the small dark pigeon pea that anchors his Iloilo classics. He cooks them slow until they hold their shape but give up their starch.
Sukang Paombong, the traditional nipa palm vinegar from Bulacan. He uses it instead of commercial white vinegar because the flavor profile is completely different. One is sharp. The other is alive.
Calamansi, picked young and acidic, used to finish dishes the way salt finishes others. He prefers it to bottled citrus juice for the same reason he prefers paombong over commercial vinegar.

This is not Filipino food filtered through a hotel kitchen. This is Filipino cooking the way Rex was taught, served at hotel standard. That is the trick of Kutchara, and it is the trick most restaurants in Quezon City cannot pull off.

Who kutchara is built for

Kutchara is for guests who care where their food comes from. If you have been asking where to eat in Quezon City when you actually want Filipino food cooked with intention, you are in the right place. We are inside Alino Hotel at 970 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in New Manila, steps from St. Luke's Medical Center, minutes from Araneta City and Eastwood.

We host:

Staycation guests at Alino who want a Filipino meal that feels like home.
Locals from QC looking for restaurants in Quezon City that take Filipino cooking seriously.
Visiting family of patients at St. Luke's Medical Center who want something familiar and good after a long day.
Diners from across Metro Manila searching for the best Filipino restaurant in Quezon City worth crossing the city for.

Frequently asked questions about Chef Rex and kutchara

Who is Chef Rexsan Abarquez?

Chef Rexsan Abarquez is the chef at kutchara, the Filipino restaurant inside Alino Hotel in Quezon City. Born and raised in Iloilo, he has spent more than twenty years in some of the country's most respected hotel kitchens, including Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Mandarin Oriental Manila, Makati Shangri-La, Conrad Manila, and Marco Polo Ortigas.

What does kutchara serve?

Kutchara serves Filipino comfort food the way Chef Rex learned it from his lola in Iloilo, cooked at hotel kitchen standards. The menu uses real, unprocessed ingredients like batuan, libas, kadios, sukang paombong, and calamansi.

Where is kutchara located?

Kutchara at Alino Hotel is at 970 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City. It is steps from St. Luke's Medical Center and minutes from Araneta City and Eastwood.

Is kutchara open to non-hotel guests?

Yes. Kutchara is open to walk-in diners. You do not have to be a hotel guest to eat here, which is why so many locals already count us among their go-to restaurants in Quezon City.

Meet Chef Rex. Eat at kutchara.

The Kutchara story is a full-circle story. A boy from Iloilo, a young messenger, a twenty-year hotel career, and a kitchen of his own inside a hotel built by the company he once delivered to. The food on the plate carries all of it.

When you book a table at Kutchara, you can expect:

Filipino comfort food cooked by a chef who learned it from his lola.
Real, unprocessed Filipino ingredients sourced for flavor, not for shortcut.
A menu rooted in Iloilo and refined across twenty years of hotel kitchen experience.
A location in New Manila that puts you minutes from Araneta City, Eastwood, and St. Luke's Medical Center.

Book a table at kutchara | See the menu | Stay at Alino

Tuloy po kayo . You belong here.

Alagang Filipino at Alino: What It Means to Be Truly Taken Care Of The Filipino Way

Mon, 18 May 2026 07:53:22 GMT

What is Alagang Filipino?

Alagang Filipino is the Filipino tradition of caring for others the way you would care for your own family. It is rooted in values that have shaped Filipino life for generations: malasakit (genuine concern for another person's well-being), pakikipagkapwa (treating others as kin), and bayanihan (showing up for one another). In hospitality, Alagang Filipino is what makes a guest feel less like a customer and more like someone you have been waiting for.

The phrase itself comes from the Tagalog words alaga , meaning care, and Pilipino , meaning Filipino. Put together, it describes a kind of care that is unmistakably ours. It shows up in the Lola who insists you bring home leftovers, the Tita who offers her bed to a visiting cousin, and the neighbor who knocks on the door with halo-halo on a warm afternoon. It is care offered before it is asked for.

For Filipinos, hospitality is not a profession. It is a value passed down at the dinner table. This blog shows what Alagang Filipino really means, why it should shape how you choose where to stay, and how Alino Hotel was built from the ground up to bring it to life.

Experience Alagang Filipino at Alino

128 beautifully designed rooms, a Filipino comfort food restaurant, and a team that learns your name. A boutique hotel in Quezon City built around genuine care.

Book your stay at Alino

Every room features modern comforts including high-speed Wi-Fi for sharing photos instantly, 55-inch Smart TVs for family movie nights, coffee and tea setups for early risers, microwaves for midnight snacks, and electronic safes for valuables. Thoughtful working areas also allow remote-working family members to stay productive without missing out on bonding moments. At Alino Hotel, comfort, convenience, and connection come together to create the perfect setting for unforgettable family reunions.

Why does Alagang Filipino matter when you choose a hotel?

When you book a hotel, you are not just paying for a room. You are entrusting a place with your rest, your family, your pet, or your recovery. Alagang Filipino matters because it turns that exchange from a transaction into a relationship.

Hotels built on Alagang Filipino notice the things others miss. The child who needs a cot. The pet who needs a bowl. The guest who is in town to visit a family member at St. Luke's Medical Center and would rather not be asked too many questions at check-in. Care rooted in malasakit does not need a script. It responds to what is actually in front of it.

For Filipino travelers, this is the warmth of a familiar welcome, the kind that can turn a trip into a homecoming. For international guests, it is the warmth Filipino hospitality has been recognized for, generation after generation. And for anyone planning a staycation, business stay, or quiet recovery trip in Quezon City, it is the difference between a hotel that hosts you and a hotel that takes care of you.

What are the values behind Alagang Filipino?

Ask a Filipino what is Filipino hospitality, and they will tell you a story instead of a definition. But under every story is a small set of values woven into everyday Filipino life. Each one shapes how Filipinos welcome, feed, and care for the people they invite in.

The values behind Alagang Filipino include:

Magiliw na pagtanggap. A warm and gracious welcome. The host meets you at the door, smiles because they are genuinely glad you came, and makes you feel expected, not merely received.
Malasakit. Genuine concern for another person's well-being. Malasakit is the reason a Filipino will rearrange their day to help you, check on you, or quietly worry about you long after you have gone.
Pakikipagkapwa. The deep recognition that the person in front of you is a kapwa , a shared self. It is the value that makes Filipinos treat strangers like family.
Kumain ka na? Three words that mean "Have you eaten?" In Filipino culture, you do not let a guest stand in your home without offering food. To feed someone is how you say I see you, and I want you to be well .
Tuloy po kayo. A phrase that means "please, come in." It is not a transactional greeting. It is an act of welcome that tells you the door is open, the chair is pulled out, and the rice is warm on the stove.
Giving your best. When guests arrive, you bring out the good plates, the softest pillow, and the corner of the house with the most light. Not for show, but because the people you welcome deserve nothing less.

How does Alino Hotel bring Alagang Filipino to life?

You can read about Filipino hospitality in a guidebook. You can watch it in a film. But to feel it, you have to be in a space that was built around it. Alino Hotel was designed from the ground up to make Alagang Filipino tangible. Our name comes directly from the phrase. So does every choice we make, from the dishes on the menu to the art on the walls.

A welcome that begins with "Tuloy po kayo"

The first words you hear when you walk through our doors are not a corporate greeting. They are "Tuloy po kayo," said by someone who means it. Our team learns your name on arrival and remembers it on your way out. If you are checking in late, there is water at the desk and a soft seat waiting. If you are traveling with kids, the bunk and crib are already set up in the room. If you are bringing your dog, the bowl and welcome treat are ready on the floor.

A meal at kutchara that tastes like Lola made it

Walk into kutchara , our in-house restaurant, and the first thing you notice is the smell. Garlic. Vinegar. A pot of sinigang on a slow simmer. Every dish on the menu is rooted in Filipino comfort food. The adobo is dark and glossy. The kare-kare carries the nutty weight of real peanut sauce. The sinigang is sour the way your mother makes it, not the way an instant mix tells you it should be. This is the meal you remember from your lola's table, served by people who understand exactly why that meal matters.

Art on the walls that says this place was made with love

Look up as you move through our floors. The pieces on the walls are part of our Art at Alino program, a collection of works by Filipino artists who shape the country's contemporary creative scene. Every floor tells a different story. Every piece was chosen, not filled in. We commissioned these works because we believe a hotel should reflect the culture it lives in, not borrow someone else's.

Service that notices before you ask

You will not always see Alagang Filipino. That is the point. Real care has already happened by the time you think to ask for it. It is the extra towel folded on the bed because housekeeping noticed you had a child with you. It is the warm bottle of water at the door before your early flight. It is the corner room you preferred, blocked again on your return visit, without you having to ask.

Who is Alino Hotel built for?

Alino was designed for guests who want more than a clean room and a working wifi password. Among affordable hotels in Quezon City, we are a 20-storey boutique hotel at 970 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in New Manila, steps from St. Luke's Medical Center, minutes from Araneta City and Eastwood, and a short drive from Ortigas.

Our 128 rooms, rooftop pool, gym, function spaces, and dog-friendly policy serve guests who all want the same thing: a stay that feels thought through.

Families on staycation: A pool the kids will love, family-ready rooms, and a Kutchara menu they will actually finish.
Business travelers: Fast wifi, a quiet floor, and a comfortable bed close to Eastwood, Ortigas, and Makati.
Medical visitors: Steps from St. Luke's Medical Center, with calm, private spaces built for rest and recovery.
Pet owners: A genuine dog-friendly policy with no extra fees, because pets are family too.

Frequently asked questions about Alagang Filipino

What does Alagang Filipino mean in English?

What is Filipino hospitality known for?

How does Alino Hotel reflect Alagang Filipino?

Is Alino Hotel a good choice for a staycation in Quezon City?

Experience Alagang Filipino for yourself at Alino Hotel

Reading about Filipino hospitality is one thing. Feeling it is another. Alino was built to be the place where you experience it firsthand.

When you stay with us, you can expect:

A team that learns your name and remembers what made your last stay special.
A meal at kutchara that tastes like it came from someone's home kitchen.
A pet-friendly policy with no surcharges, because every member of the family deserves the same welcome.
A location in New Manila that puts St. Luke's, Araneta City, Eastwood, and Ortigas within easy reach.

Book your stay | See our rooms | Explore Kutchara

Tuloy po kayo . You belong here.

alino-hotel

Quezon City Day: Celebrating the City We Proudly Call Home

Did You Know?

Proud to Call Quezon City Home

Celebrate Quezon City Day with Alino Hotel

Your stay includes:

Book your neighborhood getaway today.

Why Alino Hotel Named Its Meeting Rooms After New Manila's Iconic Streets

Broadway: A Street Inspired by New York

Hemady: Honoring a Visionary

Gilmore: Where Heritage Meets Innovation

Meetings Inspired by Place

Hemady Rooms

Broadway Rooms

Gilmore

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Proudly Rooted in Quezon City

Book your neighborhood getaway today!

Why kutchara Could Be Your New Favorite Filipino Restaurant in Quezon City

Filipino Comfort Food, Thoughtfully Prepared

A Place for Every Occasion

For Families

For Friends

For Business Meetings

For Hotel Guests

For Food Explorers

A Restaurant That Feels Like Home

Visit kutchara

Opening Hours

Discover Quezon City: A Guide to Its Iconic Neighborhoods

Explore the Many Sides of Quezon City

New Manila: Where Heritage Meets Modern Living

Meet Your Newest Neighbor: Alino Hotel

Experience Filipino Comfort at kutchara

Stay Close. Stay Thoughtfully.

Plan Your Visit

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Beyond the Lobby: How Alino Showed Alagang Filipino to Elderly at Anawim Lay Mission

What It Means to Show Up

What Alino Shares with Anawim Lay Missions’ Values

What the Day Looked Like

The Same Warmth, a Different Address

Art at Alino: A Sanctuary for Filipino Creativity

What is Art at Alino?

Experience Art at Alino

Why does Art at Alino matter?

What you will find on every floor

The QC arts circuit, with Alino at the center

Smart Araneta Coliseum and New Frontier Theater

Ateneo Art Gallery

Vargas Museum at UP Diliman

Cubao Expo

Gateway Gallery, Araneta City

Who is Alino Hotel built for?

Frequently asked questions about Alagang Filipino

Experience Alagang Filipino for yourself at Alino Hotel

The Man Behind the Menu: Meet Chef Rexsan Abarquez of kutchara

Who is Chef Rex?

Eat at kutchara

Why does Chef Rex matter to your meal at kutchara?

How Chef Rex came full circle to Alino

From Iloilo to his Lola's kitchen

The messenger who delivered to Keyland

Twenty years across the country's top hotel kitchens

The trade test, April 2, 2025

What you will taste at kutchara

Who kutchara is built for

Frequently asked questions about Chef Rex and kutchara

Who is Chef Rexsan Abarquez?

What does kutchara serve?

Where is kutchara located?

Is kutchara open to non-hotel guests?

Meet Chef Rex. Eat at kutchara.

Alagang Filipino at Alino: What It Means to Be Truly Taken Care Of The Filipino Way

What is Alagang Filipino?

Experience Alagang Filipino at Alino

Why does Alagang Filipino matter when you choose a hotel?

What are the values behind Alagang Filipino?

How does Alino Hotel bring Alagang Filipino to life?

A welcome that begins with "Tuloy po kayo"

Boardroom