On May 30, 2025, the Sheraton Manila Hotel Ballroom became a stage for meaningful celebration as The Charity Dinner Soirée united arts, flavors, and purpose in one transformative evening. Orchestrated by the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils – Philippines and Newport World Resorts, together with Rotary District 3800, the event gathered hospitality leaders, artists, and change-makers to raise funds and awareness for Save the Children Philippines, Plastic Bank, and the Marriott Philippines Associates Welfare and Recovery Fund (MPAWER).
“This night went far beyond the traditional charity dinner,” said Dottie Wurgler, Chair of the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils – Philippines. “It was a confluence of purpose and creativity, made possible by the collective generosity of our partners and guests.”
Visual Arts
Upon arrival, a curated art exhibit by Celeste Lecaroz and Larni Castro Policarpio, in partnership with Rotary Club Passport One and One Gallery welcomed the guests. A total of four art pieces from Lecaroz and Policarpio were raffled to lucky patrons along with five pieces limited prints by BenCab Museum from the collection of Alice Eduardo.
For over two years now, Rotary Club Passport One and One Gallery have been curating and updating the art display at The Link by Manila Marriott under a program called The Art of Giving. “The Art of Giving does more than fill spaces with beautiful art. It creates livelihood for a community of artists, it supports the AV Fistula Creation Medical Mission of the Rotary Club of Passport One for less fortunate dialysis patients, and it allows us to fund the causes supported by the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils – Philippines.” says Governor-Elect of Rotary District 3800 Gina Sanchez.
Culinary Arts
For the first time, Executive Chefs from ten Marriott properties across the Philippines joined forces to craft an exclusive dinner that highlighted both regional heritage and sustainable sourcing.
The evening’s feast opened with a striking Gensan Whole Tuna Sashimi Station by Chef Jaimes Van Haght of Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mandaue City. Carved fresh from whole tuna sourced from General Santos—the country’s “Tuna Capital”—each slice celebrated sustainability and sea-to-table purity, paired with soy, wasabi, and calamansi to accentuate its oceanic freshness.
From Clark Marriott Hotel, Chef Patrick Sanchez brought the soul of Pampanga with his Cabalen Lumpiang Sariwa Tofu. A Kapampangan take on the classic fresh spring roll, it showcased crisp farm vegetables wrapped in soft crepe, smothered in annatto-infused peanut sauce—a homage to regional culinary mastery.
Guests were then warmed by the comforting depth of Chadol Doenjang Jjigae, a Korean-style soybean soup with beef brisket, lovingly prepared by Chef Kibum Park of Sheraton Manila Hotel at Newport World Resorts. A nostalgic nod to Korean home kitchens, the hearty broth married umami-rich doenjang with tender slices of chadol.
As the main course rolled in, Chef Rej Casanova of The Westin Manila plated a bold and elegant Arroz Negro Meloso con Pescado al Vapor Pil Pil—a black risotto made with lapu-lapu and a velvety, zero-waste pilpil sauce crafted from discarded fish parts and garlic oil, embracing sustainability without compromising flavor.
Meanwhile, Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort’s Chef Christian Frigo reimagined backyard Cebuano barbecues with his Sinugbang’ Baboy ug Binisayang’ Atsara. The tender pork belly confit was complemented by pickled local vegetables and a sweet mango sauce, punctuated by the crunch of chicharon-inspired pork skin.
A showstopping centerpiece came courtesy of Chef Meik Brammer of Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, who served a Carrara Wagyu Rib Eye MB 4-5 Roast carved live and accompanied by creamy dauphinoise potatoes and forest mushroom sauce. Sourced from premium Australian cattle with Japanese heritage, the buttery, marbled wagyu was indulgence at its finest.
Desserts were no less memorable. Sheraton Manila Bay’s Chef Marvin Collamat delivered a refreshing Green Tea Mango Sago, marrying tropical mango with earthy green tea and chewy sago for a light yet layered finish. He followed it up with the nostalgic Almond Chocolate Rocher, his very first pastry creation, elevated by Batangas barako coffee and Davao chocolate—a true homage to local flavor and personal journey.
From Four Points by Sheraton Boracay, Chef Gilbert Musngi presented a Bakery Corner full of Filipino comfort favorites, highlighted by the Ube Pan de Coco—a soft roll filled with rich purple yam and sweetened coconut, blending childhood nostalgia with artisanal flair.
Canapés showcased international techniques and local pride. Chef Meik Brammer returned with two standout bites from Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts: the Crispy Duck Momo Wrapper, stuffed with savory duck and served with hoisin sauce, and the Urban Farm Purple Bokchoy Rice Paper Rolls, which highlighted the hotel’s very own I Love Earth Urban Farm produce, paired with feta and candied walnuts for a fresh, sustainable twist.
The Westin Manila’s Chef Alvaro Romero-abreu Ray presented Ensaladilla de Gambas, a modern Spanish tapas favorite of prawn, carrots, and potato salad in creamy mayo—a dish he once disliked but grew to love, now elevated through simplicity and soul.
Chef Andrea Burzio of Sheraton Manila Hotel at Newport World Resorts offered the indulgent Bignè al Tartufo, Italian cream puff pastries filled with truffle-laced mashed potatoes and cream cheese, finished with garlic aioli and chives—an elegant fusion of rustic Italian flavors and refined technique.
From Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa, Chef Rosselle Carias served Caprini Arancini, golden black rice balls filled with porcini mushrooms and goat cheese, sourced from local farms and finished with an arugula pesto, celebrating the bounty of Palawan.
Finally, Chef Bonn Reyes of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo honored Iloilo’s coastal heritage with Igbon Concepcion Sustainable Crab Cakes, made from blue swimming crabs harvested through sustainable practices on Igbon Island. Served with batuan hollandaise, the dish exemplified ocean conservation wrapped in golden crunch.
Performing Arts
The evening culminated at the Newport Performing Arts Theater with a bold and heartfelt staging of Delia D. The Musical, an original production by Full House Theater Company that brought the spotlight to identity, artistry, and acceptance. Inspired by the vibrant world of Filipino drag culture, the musical tells the story of Delia D., a drag performer who joins a reality TV singing competition and, in the process, discovers not just her voice—but her truth. Featuring the music of celebrated producer Jonathan Manalo, the show blended humor, drama, and powerful vocals to depict a journey of self-discovery and courage. More than just a performance, Delia D. was a celebration of authenticity, resilience, and the right to take up space—on stage and in life.
Partnerships with Purpose
With proceeds benefiting Save the Children Philippines, Plastic Bank, and MPAWER, the event reaffirmed Marriott’s commitment to community and environmental stewardship.
The event also marked the 6th anniversary of the partnership between the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils – Philippines and Save the Children Philippine. The monumental turnover of the check is a symbolic moment that captured the true spirit of the evening as MWBC formally presented the Php 750,000 donation to Save the Children Philippines. The contribution—raised through the collective efforts of Marriott associates, hotel leaders, partners, and supporters of the numerous initiatives of Marriott Worldwide Business Councils – Philippines—will directly support the organization’s programs focused on child protection, education, and emergency response. This heartfelt gesture underscored Marriott’s enduring commitment to creating a better, safer future for Filipino children—one where every child is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
“At Marriott, true service extends beyond our hotels and into the heart of our communities,” said Bruce Winton, Area General Manager of Marriott International.
The evening included powerful speeches from key partners, certificate awards for contributors, and live performances by Karen Jaysette. Guests later transferred to the Newport Performing Arts Theater for a soul-stirring staging of Delia D.