Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global Celebrate Filipino-Chinese Heritage Through Sampaguita Planting
Pageant winners join Hotel Lucky Chinatown in promoting cultural appreciation and environmental stewardship at Manila’s Chinese Garden
Celebrating the enduring cultural ties between Filipino and Chinese communities, the winners of Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global joined Hotel Lucky Chinatown by Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts in a sampaguita planting activity at the Chinese Garden in Rizal Park, highlighting the importance of preserving shared heritage while caring for the environment.
Held on October 22, the activity brought together Ben Siao, Mr. Chinatown Global 2026, and Maria Yna Angela Uy, Ms. Chinatown Global 2026, the runner ups, CHiNOY TV, National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), and Hotel Lucky Chinatown associates to plant 70 sampaguita saplings at the garden. The initiative connected the pageant’s celebration of Filipino-Chinese identity with a meaningful effort to promote environmental responsibility.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global in celebrating the rich heritage of the Filipino-Chinese community. As a hotel rooted in the heart of Binondo, we recognize the importance of preserving the traditions that connect generations. Through this activity, we are proud to bring people together for a meaningful cause that honors our shared cultural identity while contributing to a greener future,” said Geraldine Gaw, General Manager of Hotel Lucky Chinatown.
The Chinese Garden holds special significance as a symbol of Filipino-Chinese friendship. Constructed between 1966 and 1967, it was a gift from the local Chinese-Filipino community commemorating the longstanding cultural ties and friendship between the Philippines and China.
For Hotel Lucky Chinatown, the partnership reflects its connection to Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown, where Filipino and Chinese influences have shaped generations of traditions and community life. Through initiatives that celebrate this shared heritage, the hotel supports opportunities for cultural engagement that extend beyond hospitality.
The collaboration with the NPDC also marks the first phase of Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ sampaguita planting efforts at Rizal Park, with plans to continue working together on future planting activities.
The activity also supports Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ Sampaguita advocacy, which brings together environmental stewardship and community involvement. Since its launch in August 2023, the initiative has resulted in more than 7,000 sampaguita seedlings planted across eight destinations, benefiting over 40 communities.
As part of the partnership, the winners were also named Mr. & Ms. Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts. During their reign, they will serve as ambassadors for the group’s Sampaguita advocacy, helping raise awareness of the initiative and its mission to nurture the country’s national flower while encouraging greater environmental consciousness.
