SMX Convention Center Manila underscored its role as a leading venue for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) with the staging of Culinaire 2025: Canvas Reimagined, an event that combined culinary artistry, technology, and local culture.
The annual showcase, held at Halls 1 to 3 of SMX Manila, featured immersive technology, including a smart registration system with real-time voting, AI chat terminals for on-demand event information, and an AI-powered co-host who joined host RJ Ledesma on stage.
“Culinaire 2025: Canvas Reimagined is more than just a showcase of culinary mastery—it’s a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and innovation in the events industry,” said Michael Albaña, vice president and general manager of SMX Convention Center.
“This also marks our return to a much bigger canvas—quite literally. With the expansion of our event spaces and a growing portfolio of eight SMX branches nationwide, including new venues rising in Cabanatuan, Sta. Rosa, Sto. Tomas, Cebu, and right here in Pasay—we’re unlocking more opportunities to bring meetings, conventions, exhibitions and milestone events to more destinations across the country,” Albaña added.
The evening’s highlight was a three-course dining experience inspired by contemporary art and Filipino heritage. SMX’s partner caterers worked with local artists to present dishes that doubled as visual installations, including collaborations between Bizu Catering and Ycoy Sitchon, Conrad Manila and Mark Justiniani, Hizon’s Catering and Patrick Pura, Juan Carlo the Caterer and Katrina Cuenca, Kitchen City and Mylene Quito, M Catering and Jaime Raphael Atienza, Richgold Weddings and Samuel Penaso, The Creamery Catering and JP Pining, TJIOE the Caterer and Emmanuel Miranda, and Via Mare and Vanessa Bautista.
Guests also voted in the Culinary Awards and People’s Choice Awards, while mobile bars competed for the Best Cocktail and Mocktail titles. Event Shaker Mobile Bar, partnered with Tinta Buscalan and Pasa Kalye Artists, showcased a fusion of street art and mixology.
GQ Mobile Bar collaborated with artists Elwah Gonzales, Pancho Alvarez, and Carlo De Laza, impressing guests with inventive drinks and immersive presentations.
SMX Convention Center, part of SM Hotels & Conventions Corp., operates the largest privately owned convention center network in the Philippines, with eight venues nationwide and additional sites in development.
