From greasy delights like fried chicken and sisig to certified classics in the realm of fine dining, HBO Southeast Asia regional director Alexander de Leon shares his favourite dishes and restaurants in the Philippines
After helming Instagram’s marketing department in the Asia-Pacific for six impressive years, Gen.T 2018 and 2019 honouree Alexander de Leon put his tech and business acumen to work at HBO, where he now leads the team as regional director for Southeast Asia. The new position is somewhat of a full-circle moment for de Leon, who once worked for the network as a young intern.
Though currently based in Singapore, de Leon keeps his ear close to the ground of the Philippine F&B scene, keeping up with the latest buzz sweeping the metro. However, as he will likely concur, you can never go wrong with the classics. Read on to learn what he considers his reliable go-to restaurants, the casual eateries that hit the spot, and more.
See also: A Taste of Home: Bambina Olivares On Her Go-To Restaurants in Metro Manila
What do you miss most on the food/drink front when you are away from the Philippines or haven’t been back for a while?
The food and drink scene in the Philippines has a unique entrepreneurial spirit—so many new restaurants and bars are popping up all the time. Just when I think I have a favourite spot, my foodie friends always have new places for me to check out whenever I’m back home.
What is the first dish you want to eat when you return, and where do you go for it?
There are two, depending on my mood: the steamed cheeseburger at Sweet Ecstasy and the crispy sisig at Manam.
Do you have a favourite restaurant in the Philippines? For fine dining and or more casual experiences?
I’m adventurous when it comes to trying new places, but I’m also very nostalgic at heart. More often than not, I find myself going back to some of the staples that have been consistently good for so long—Antonio’s, Tsukiji, Mecha Uma, Wildflour and The Curator.
See also: The Best Sisig in The Philippines According to Top Chefs