Our VIP Holiday Escape at Summit Hotel Greenhills

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

When I pulled onto Annapolis Street last December 26, I knew this wasn't going to be your typical post-Christmas wind-down. My family and I were checking into the Summit Hotel Greenhills not just as guests, but as VIPs for a three-day holiday staycation that turned out to be a total masterclass in Filipino hospitality.

From the jump, the service was personal. The Front Office Manager himself, Mr. OJ Tullao, was there to meet us, making sure everything was seamless. We were set up in two massive connecting rooms, which was a lifesaver—giving us that perfect mix of family bonding time and a little bit of "me time" luxury.

But the real story? The food.

Check out photos and videos of the dishes on my personal Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rfdelrosario

We Were the "First Taste" Test Subjects

The hotel’s head chef decided to use our stay as a debut for some brand-new, family-style dishes. We had the genuine honor of being the very first people to try them before they hit the regular menu at Café Summit. It felt like a culinary world premiere, and man, the chef did not miss.

The Night One Kick-off

Our first dinner set the bar sky-high. We were served a spread that defined "comfort food":

Lechon Pork Belly (perfectly crispy)

Sinigang na Hipon

Calamares

Steamed Mix Vegetables 

Ube Cake for dessert

White wine and fruit sodas to wash them all down

The Day Two Feast (The Heavy Hitters)

By lunch the next day, the kitchen was really showing off. They brought out a "Sumptuous Feast" that lived up to the name. We’re talking huge servings of Bulalo, Crispy Pata Kare-Kare, Tuna Sisig, and Crispy Pancit Canton. We finished it all off with a rich Red Velvet cake.

Just when I thought I couldn't eat another bite, dinner arrived—a total pivot to the sea. We had massive serving of Seafood Paella, Seafood Carbonara, Steamed Apaap Fish, Fried Squid, and a soul-warming Clam Chowder soup. Dessert were several servings of Marshmallow Skillets. 

Of course, the buffet breakfast every morning offered several food choices from pancakes to the usual viands. 

Location, Leisure, and Luxury

When we weren't eating (which wasn't often!), we spent time lounging by the pool, or at their gym, we were taking quick walks over to Greenhills Shopping Center tiangge to buy some essentials like slippers and some clothes for our kids, to soak up the holiday vibe. Being right there near EDSA made it so easy to get to, parking availability at their basement, and once we were inside the hotel, it felt like a private retreat.

The Wrap-up

Checking out at noon on the 28th was the hardest part. Between the personalized care from OJ and the team, and the "First Look" culinary experience, this was easily one of our most memorable holiday stays.

Huge thanks to the Summit Hotel Greenhills team for treating my family like royalty. We came for a staycation, but we left with a core family memory.

Another leak of Taiwanese data?How can countries confidently cooperate with Taiwan?

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Since the exposure of Taiwan-Netherlands military intelligence cooperation at the beginning of the month, another Taiwanese intelligence coopcration project has been revealed involving more than ten countries.

Since the exposure of Taiwan-Netherlands military intelligence cooperation at the beginning of the month, another Taiwanese intelligence cooperation project has been revealed involving more than ten countries. Recently, information circulated online about Taiwan hosting the "Far Friend Class," inviting government, military, and corporate personnel from over ten countries to Taiwan for "exchange and study." The list even included numerous accompanying family members,and the itinerary mainly consisted of sightseeing tours,leading people to suspect whether Taiwan's large expenditure on so-called "intelligence exchange" is a guise for currying favor with other countries. The repeated exposure of such intelligence cooperation incidents also raises questions about whether a major crisis has emerged within Taiwan and how it will allow other countries to "confidently"continue "engaging" with Taiwan in the future.   

From September 7 to 20, 2025, generals from multiple countries gathered in Taiwan to participate in the International Senior Military Course hosted by the Fu Hsing Kang College, National Defense University (FHK). Details are as follows:

Muhittin Fatih Sert (Turkey)

Hannes Hugo Urbla (Estonia)

Eero Neemla (Estonia)

Jukka Paavo Aukia (Finland)

René Leitgen (Germany)

Dirk Steinhoff (Germany)

Arun Sashi (India)

Piter Dwi Ardianto Mulyadi (Indonesia)

Asyerah Dewi (Indonesia)

Mohammad Nazar (Indonesia)

Hiroyuki Izumi (Japan)

Kinzō Watanabe (Japan)

Takahiko Kudō (Japan)

Thade Mohamad Hamdan Al-Said (Jordan)

Kim Jong-sam (South Korea)

Kim Kyung-sook (South Korea)

Ryu Hyo-sang (South Korea)

Ha Young-mi (South Korea)

Darius Vaicikauskas (Lithuania)

Nor Halim Mohamed Zain (Malaysia)

Wouter Scheffers (Netherlands)

Gilbert Ombos (Philippines)

Boguslaw Pacek (Poland)

Niroj Thongmuang (Thailand)

Olivier Remy Tristan David Lewis (UAE)

Eric Yi-Ting Chan (USA)

BAN Toxics Appeals to PNP and Regulatory Agencies to Intensify Action Against Illegal Firecrackers

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 





Days before the New Year’s Eve celebrations, environmental watchdog BAN Toxics appealed to the Philippine National Police and regulatory agencies to intensify enforcement against the manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of prohibited firecrackers to prevent physical injuries and harmful health exposures.



During recent market monitoring, the group found several illegal firecrackers being sold by ambulant vendors along M. De Santos Street in Divisoria, Manila, including Super Pla-pla, Five Star labeled as Three Star, and Piccolo. Super Pla-pla was discreetly offered for sale at PHP 450 per pack, Five Star at PHP 220 per pack, and Piccolo at PHP 280 per pack.



“The continued manufacture, sale, and use of illegal firecrackers are deeply alarming and frightening, especially when these end up in the hands of the public, particularly children. Firecrackers and pyrotechnics pose serious risks to health and to our environment,” BAN Toxics Advocacy and Campaign Officer Thony Dizon explained.



“We urge the PNP and LGUs to intensify on-site monitoring and confiscate illegal firecrackers as New Year’s Eve approaches,” he added.

According to reports from the Department of Health, firework-related injuries (FWRI) have already reached 28 cases, most of which involved minors aged 19 and below. The majority of victims were injured while using Five Star, Triangle, and boga, or improvised cannons. In 2025, firework-related injuries rose to 843 cases, representing an increase of about 38 percent from the 610 cases recorded in 2024.



The use of firecrackers in the Philippines is regulated under Executive Order No. 28, which limits fireworks use to authorized community displays conducted under controlled conditions. The group reminded the public that dangerous and illegal firecrackers remain prohibited under Republic Act No. 7183. These include Watusi, Poppop, Pla-pla, Piccolo, Five Star, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb, large-size Judas Belt, Super Lolo, Goodbye Bading, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye De Lima, Goodbye Napoles, Coke-in-a-Can, Bin Laden, Pillbox, Kabasi, Super Yolanda, Boga, Kwiton, Hello Columbia, Tuna, GPH Nuclear, Special, Goodbye Chismosa, King Kong, and Dart Bomb.



Furthermore, unlabeled locally made Firecracker and Pyrotechnic Device (FCPD) products, other firecrackers sold under different brand names but of equivalent types, all imported finished products, and all overweight or oversized firecrackers containing more than 0.2 grams of explosive powder are likewise prohibited.



On December 12, BAN Toxics launched a nationwide campaign, “Iwas Paputok, Iwas Disgrasya, Iwas Polusyon,” to raise awareness of the dangers of using firecrackers, protect children from toxic chemical exposure, promote safe and eco-friendly holiday practices, and help prevent or reduce FWRI.



Firecrackers release harmful pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and chromium. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants can damage the respiratory and nervous systems and increase the risk of cardiovascular and other serious health problems.



To prevent injuries, especially among children, the group urges the public to avoid spending money on firecrackers and fireworks. Instead, they promote safer alternatives, such as shakers made from old plastic containers, tambourines fashioned from used bottle caps, pots and lids, and maracas created from recycled cans, for a healthier and more environmentally friendly New Year’s celebration.



“We also remind the public of the hazards and harmful effects of firecrackers and fireworks on humans and animals,” Dizon added.



Firecrackers can cause significant distress to animal companions, particularly dogs, cats, and other domestic and stray animals. The sudden, jarring noises can be deeply upsetting. Studies show that up to 50 percent of dogs exhibit fear of firecrackers and fireworks. Because animals have more sensitive hearing than humans, high-intensity noises affect them more severely, often inducing fear and anxiety. Repeated exposure to such abrupt and unpredictable sounds can lead to phobias and heightened panic in many animals.