Hotel Sogo Reinvents Brand for Barkadas and All Types of Celebrations

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Hotel Sogo , Quezon Avenue -Quezon City , Philippines

Hotel Sogo, the largest hotel chain in the Philippines, beefs u its Go! Go ! Sogo promo encouraging barkadas and couples to patronized the hotel for bonding , relaxation , group study and for all types of celebrations with the family.

Hotel Sogo branches

Hotel Sogo boasts of exquisite features and comfort at affordable rates ! Families can enjoy free Wi-FI access , cable TV with in-house movie channel , digital music system , 24-hour food and beverage service among the hotel’s most popular amenities.

sky bar function areas overlooking the city line

The Hotel Sogo-Quezon Avenue branch ( Skybar had a SRO of around 350 pax and with sitting capacity of around 250 PAX) One can view the skyline with over 180 degree view  of the surrounding cities and building. In fact, they would get 20 to 25 company during the peak season like during the month of December and January .

Hotel Sogo 2016 Media Thanksgiving Party

The promo also highlights the hotel’s accessibility , high- quality  and affordable service . Hotel Sogo is also known for having courteous , well -trained and hospitable employees for its continuous trainings and seminars at their House Hospitality Training School called Hotel Management Institute of the Philippines.

Hotel Sogo employees and management

Coinciding with its promo, Hotel Sogo extends help through Doctors on Wheels ( DOW) Program , by providing free medical consultations and medications to under-served communities throughout the country.

Dj Ligaya together with Ms. Sue Germinaino

” Hotel Sogo has always believed in being of service to the Filipino , not only to the patrons of our hotels, but especially to the underprivileged community . Since Hotel Sogo started its operation , Hotel Sogo has strived and has been committed to delivering important service to the Filipinos’, adds Ms. Sue Germiniano . Since the inception of DOW in 2015 , about 3,000 indigent residents have already benefited from the program.

catering services

Moreover, this coming May , Hotel Sogo is launching its first ever Digital Film Contest for amateur and professional film makers throughout the country . The contest aims to help convey their creativity and imaginations through Digital Films.

prizes allotted to the media and bloggers 

Three entries will be chosen as winners and will receive Php 100,000 ( 1st Prize) , Php 70,000 ( 2nd Prize ) and Php 50,000 ( 3rd Prize ) . Mechanics and Guidelines will be release this May for interested film makers.

Some branches would host band concerts, bikini contest and singing contest in some of their branches.

Note: The author would like to ” THANK” Think Tank Global Branding , Inc. and Hotel Sogo management for the invitation.

 Website: http://www.hotelsogo.com/

https://www.facebook.com/hotelsogo
You can also find them on twitter: https://twitter.com/hotelsogo.

A Taste OF Sorsogon Delicacies: Suman, Binut-Ong and Hinagom

Sorsogon City, Sorsogon province -Philippines

Whenever one travel to another town or place, one should try their food and desserts. It was rice harvest season, so we were able to sample local delicacies. Although these delicacies are available whole year round , the best quality desserts are made from fresh harvested rice produce .

hinagom/ hinagum

Hinagom or Hinagum  recipe is simple, it’s made from freshly harvested rice that’s pounded, roasted in a pan, then pounded again in a mortar mixed with coconut meat and sugar before wrapping in leaves. It tastes quite similar to Espasol of Laguna. In the capital city of Sorsogon – 1 pack of hinagom cost between Php 5.00 to Php 20.00 per pack .

There are several ways that a Hinagom is presented, We saw round shaped hinagom, elongated shape among others. The rice dessert is also popular in nearby Samar Island too..

This is best accompanied  with chocolate , coffee or salabat ( ginger tea) .

suman kalabasa

Suman and Suman Kalabasa – I prefer this type of combination. Sticky rice is grounded and grounded kalabasa ( squash ) is also added. boiled with coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves.This delicacy cost Php 5.00 in Sorsogon City . We knew some distant relatives who are experts in making these delicacies .

Binut-Ong

Binut-Ong – This is another sticky rice dessert which is popular in Bicol region. Coconut milk ( gata ) is added unto the mixture . This is sold for Php 10 per piece in Bulan and Sorsogon City.

Binut-Ong

 Binut-Ong can easily fill your appetite and this is best accompanied with tea, coffee or chocolate , especially ideal for breakfast or afternoon snack.

 

Boiled Pili fruit

Boiled Pili Fruit is another favorite of Bicolanos , It cost Php 1.00 per piece in Sorsogon City . This was due to the tight supply . There was a big typhoon which hit the province last year and the pili trees had not recovered . The pulp is eaten and best dipped in condiments like fish sauce called ( guinamos) , vinegar , soy sauce with chopped chillies and onions. Otherwise it only cost 3 pieces for Php 1.00 or 50 centavos when it is pili season.

There is also a proper way to boil or blanched the pili , as demonstrated by Ms. Maita Liao -Amador of Sorsogon City . One must only put the pili fruit after the water had started to boil and then blanching or poaching the fruit for just less than 3 minutes and let them cool; the skins will rub off very easily .

The fruit is highly perishable, so one must cook it as soon as possible. While the pulp does not stay fresh for long , one must eat the pulp within a few hours.  Fruits placed in warm place will turn soft and brown fast for the same reason that pectinase is activated and renders the fruit inedible in a matter of few hours. the nut is a bit more practical to use.

While we ate a lot of pili fruit during our brief stay in Sorsogon. One must not try to over eat ,it can also be a purgative or laxative .

suntan or santan

Suntan or Santan is another must try when you are in Sorsogon province. Suntan is similar to Coconut Jam of Quezon province .  This is good alternative for sandwich spread  .  The slight twist is that some who makes this jam had included pili nuts or crush pili nuts .  This is a good pasalubong treat especially for those with sweet tooth.

The small suntan in plastic bottle will cost from Php 50.00 to Php 75.00 depending on the source. We got our suntan jam from a peddler who makes homemade atchara , kakanins ( native sweets) at the Bulan public market .