Don’t let holiday surprises ruin your trip—peace of mind is just a step away
You’ve planned every detail of your getaway, from flights and hotels to sightseeing and festive dining. But even the best-laid plans can hit a snag, especially during the busy holiday season.
Travel with confidence. Your holiday getaway can be worry-free from unexpected surprises with BDO Insure.
These ’ber months, enjoy your upcoming vacation without the stress of costly travel disruptions from unforeseen events. Experts agree: travel insurance is a smart move—and here are 5 key reasons why savvy travelers swear by it.
Accidents happen. Accidents or unexpected illnesses can happen when traveling. With travel insurance, emergency medical coverage up to P500,000 starts at just P350. You can also upgrade your plan to include emergency care for pre-existing conditions and extreme activities.
Flights get delayed or cancelled. Insurance can cover flight delays of 6 hours or more. For cancelled flights, you can claim prepaid, non-refundable costs like airline tickets, hotels, and transfers.
Travel plans change. Unexpected events like severe weather or family emergencies can force you to cancel or cut your trip short. In such cases, your plan may reimburse non-refundable expenses within your coverage limits.
Luggage issues are common. If your baggage is delayed or damaged, you can be reimbursed for essentials like clothing and toiletries. And if it’s confirmed lost or stolen, you can claim the value of items—up to your policy limits—including valuables like passports, cameras, and electronics.
24/7 global assistance. Travel plans provide access to a 24/7 multilingual global hotline, which can assist you in finding a medical facility or replacing a lost passport.
Your key to a hassle-free holiday
While it’s tempting to skip insurance to save a few pesos, the cost of coverage is small compared to the financial impact of emergencies or cancellations.
With BDO Insure, travelers can enjoy worry-free journeys through tailored, budget-friendly packages—expertly selected from top insurance providers to suit every kind of trip.
Throughout October, enjoy discounts on travel insurance premiums during the BDO Travel Sale online. BDO Insure provides Schengen Visa-compliant plans with Covid-19 coverage if you’re traveling to Europe.
Safeguard your travel plans, your peace of mind, and the memories you’re about to make. Your journey deserves nothing less.
You’re driving when you suddenly notice that your RFID account balance is low. You don’t have time to stop at a convenience shop for more money, and you prefer not to switch to the cash lane at the toll gate, which would mean waiting in a longer line.
Let BDO Pay help you out. You save time, effort, and money using it since there are no cash-in or convenience fees. Other payment applications can charge up to P12 to add money to your account. For drivers who have to add money to their RFID loads often, the savings pile up over time, allowing you to make your budget go further, whether it’s for petrol, snacks, coffee for the journey, or parking fees at your destination.
BDO Pay is an everyday payment app that lets you scan, send, and pay practically anyplace without needing to cash in. It’s powered by the country’s biggest bank. You can pay with any of your linked BDO accounts, like savings, checking, or credit cards. And since BDO backs it, you can be sure that your transactions are safe, reliable, and secure.
This is how you do it:
Just click on Pay Bills on the BDO Pay home screen. Then click “Transportation” and scroll down to pick either “Autosweep RFID” or “Easytrip RFID.” On the next page, type in your account number, subscriber account name, and the amount you want to load. Click Pay after choosing the account you wish to pay from. That’s it! Autosweep transactions load immediately, and Easytrip posts them right away if you complete the transaction before 10:00 PM.
Save it as a favorite and limit the taps to a minimum for an even speedier transaction next time.
Every time you pay, save. BDO Pay makes it faster and cheaper to reload your RFID accounts.
Paying your bills? No expenses, just ease
With BDO Pay, you can pay not only your RFID accounts but also other bills without incurring any convenience fees. You can pay your bills using your BDO account anytime, anyplace. There are more than 2,100 billers to choose from. Electric corporations, government entities, insurance firms, colleges, and even charities are all on the list.
Get BDO Pay now
Are you new to BDO Pay? Download the software from the software store, Google Play Store, or AppGallery and start enjoying no fees and no cash in. You don’t have to sign up; just log in with your BDO Online username and password. To start paying with the app, log in and connect your BDO bank account and credit cards.
You can make a BDO Online account and use your login information to sign up for BDO Pay if you have at least one BDO account or credit card but have not yet signed up for online banking. You can only choose Credit Card if you don’t already have a BDO Savings or Checking Account to utilize the app.
Need help? You may get help from BDO online and offline. You can call their 24/7 hotline at (+632) 8888-0000, visit one of their 1,200 branches around the country, or go to their website at www.bdo.com.ph.
In Partnership with Mountain Man to Promote Indigenous Flavors and Culture in Baguio
Nestled in the cool climes of Baguio City, John Hay Hotels redefines hospitality by embracing Cordillera culture and community empowerment through its vibrant partnership with Mountain Man, the culinary brand of the famed Romawac family that is deeply rooted in indigenous food heritage.
Landco Lifestyle Ventures (LLV), the hospitality arm of Landco Pacific Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, helmed by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, manages John Hay Hotels and leads this exciting collaboration. LLV commits not only to elevating guest experiences but also to fostering sustainable growth and welfare within the local community.
“Our vision is to create lifestyle destinations that not only showcase the natural beauty and culture of their locations but also actively contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of the local communities. Through partnerships like this with Mountain Man, we ensure that the heritage and traditions of the Cordilleras are honored and that our support helps uplift local SMEs, preserving their livelihoods for generations to come,” Patrick C. Gregorio, Head of Landco Lifestyle Ventures, emphasizes this holistic approach.
“We are also deeply committed to responsible tourism that empowers people. At John Hay Hotels, we don’t just want to offer visitors a beautiful place to stay—we want to build a thriving ecosystem where culture, community, and commerce grow hand in hand. This means supporting our local suppliers, providing fair wages and benefits to our colleagues, and creating memorable experiences that celebrate Baguio and the Cordilleras authentically,” Gregorio adds.
The Mountain Man’s signature open-fire Cordilleran dining experience on Saturdays at the Garden Wing of John Hay Hotels perfectly exemplifies this vision—offering guests an authentic, immersive taste of Cordillera heritage while supporting local farmers, fishermen, and artisans. Through this synergy, LLV and Mountain Man jointly nurture a sustainable hospitality ecosystem that honours culture, uplifts local communities, and delivers unforgettable experiences.
John Hay Hotels pays homage to Cordillera cuisine with local culinary master Mountain Man; and supports SMEs through sourcing of local ingredients.
A Culinary Journey Deeply Rooted in Cordillera Identity
Mountain Man, led by lakay ken baket, husband and wife Chavi and Millie Romawac, together with their family, is much more than a dining concept. It is the manifestation of a lifelong journey dedicated to preserving Cordillera’s indigenous culinary practices—many of which generations of elders and local communities have passed down. Their work began during the challenging pandemic years when they traveled extensively throughout the Cordillera provinces to document heirloom recipes, open-fire cooking techniques, and the cultural narratives that give these dishes meaning.
“We see food as a living story, a bridge connecting the past to the present,” shares Chavi. “Our goal is to keep these traditions alive not just as cultural artifacts but as everyday experiences that people can taste, share, and celebrate.”
“We are very happy to partner with Landco Lifestyle Ventures because we share a passion and commitment to uplifting Cordillera culture and communities. Their support enables us to bring indigenous cuisine to a wider audience while ensuring that the local farmers and artisans who make it possible are respected and valued,” Millie enthuses.
Their ‘Roofdeck Kitchen’ in Baguio has become a cultural hub where ancestral recipes meet contemporary sensibilities. This heritage now generously reaches guests at John Hay Hotels, where open-fire dinners recreate authentic Cordillera meals using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients—directly benefiting indigenous farmers and small-scale producers.
John Hay Hotels guests can savor iconic Cordillera dishes such as:
• Hinanglag — a slow-cooked pork belly inspired by Kiangan traditions, cooked in its own fat until tender and flavorful
• Pinikpikan-style Baguio Chicken Rice — featuring the indigenous chicken preparation ritual that tenderizes the meat and enhances its flavor
• Mountain Man Clambake — combining locally foraged watercress and fresh seafood from Pangasinan, bridging mountain and coastal culinary traditions
• Heirloom rice dishes made with grains from Ifugao farmers, paired with indigenous vegetables from Benguet and traditional condiments
These dishes are not merely food but living expressions of Cordillera culture, reflecting indigenous rituals, storytelling, and community values passed down through generations. The open-fire cooking technique stands as a sacred practice, symbolizing a deep connection to the land and ancestral traditions.
By sourcing directly from local small-scale producers and honoring traditional culinary methods, Mountain Man and Landco Lifestyle Ventures promote not only sustainable tourism but also the preservation and celebration of Cordillera identity, empowering indigenous communities to keep their culture alive and thriving.
An Invitation to Experience Cordillera’s Rich Heritage
John Hay Hotels invites locals and visitors alike to experience this unique culinary and cultural journey every Saturday evening at The Manor’s Garden Wing. The Mountain Man open-fire dinners provide a rare opportunity to savor the flavors of the Cordilleras while supporting a sustainable ecosystem that honors heritage, empowers communities, and fosters genuine connections.
“We hope each guest leaves with more than just a meal,” says Millie Romawac.
“They take home a story, a memory, and a piece of Cordillera’s soul.”
Rediscover Landco Lifestyle Ventures managed John Hay Hotels for leading sustainable tourism and gastronomy in Baguio.
Sustainable Tourism: Celebrating Culture, Cuisine, and Active Lifestyles
Sustainability is at the core of Landco Lifestyle Ventures’ strategy for John Hay Hotels, where every initiative benefits the environment, local communities, and the broader tourism ecosystem. The Mountain Man partnership exemplifies sustainable dining tourism, sourcing heirloom rice from Ifugao farmers, fresh vegetables from Benguet growers, and seafood from nearby coastal provinces. This approach enriches the guest experience with authentic flavors while ensuring economic benefits flow directly to indigenous farmers, fishermen, and artisans—helping preserve their livelihoods and traditional practices.
Complementing this culinary tourism is John Hay Hotels’ growing role in promoting sports tourism in the Cordilleras. Recently, the hotel proudly hosted the finish line of the Tour of Luzon, a major cycling race attracting athletes and visitors from all over the country. This event showcased Baguio’s challenging mountain terrain and vibrant community spirit, drawing attention to the region as a prime destination for active, outdoor tourism.
“Our goal is to enrich the facets of Baguio tourism with diverse attractions from gastronomy, festivals to sports events. We offer visitors a rich tapestry of experiences—whether savoring indigenous flavors or engaging with Baguio’s unique natural landscapes through cycling and other outdoor activities. Hosting the Tour of Luzon finish line was also a milestone that highlighted John Hay Hotels’ commitment to sustainable tourism, blending culture, community, and healthy living.” Patrick Gregorio explains the synergy on tourism.” Gregorio states.
“Sustainable tourism is about balance—celebrating our rich heritage while preserving our environment and supporting local livelihoods. This is the legacy we want to build for Baguio and the Cordilleras,” further highlighted.
Empowering John Hay Hotels Colleagues
Beyond cultural preservation and community support, LLV takes pride in its enhanced management practices that prioritize the welfare of John Hay Hotels’ colleagues. A recent implementation of a service charge ensures that employees receive fairer compensation, fostering a more motivated and empowered workforce. This initiative is part of LLV’s commitment to professionalize hotel operations while cultivating an environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
The success of John Hay Hotels also rests on how LLV cares for its own people. Implementing a service charge was a deliberate move to improve employee welfare—an often overlooked but crucial aspect of sustainable hospitality.
“Our colleagues are the backbone of what we do,” Gregorio affirms. “Ensuring they are fairly compensated and feel supported creates a culture of pride and excellence that our guests can genuinely feel. It’s a win-win for the team, the community, and the guest experience.”
