Insider Spotlight
The 88-room hotel and casino complex in Station 0 is bringing in Chung Dam and Umi Matsu ahead of its Oct. 11 grand opening, expanding its food and beverage portfolio beyond in-house concepts.
Why it matters
The move reflects how Boracay operators are competing not only on rooms and beachfront access, but also on restaurants, entertainment and mixed-use experiences that can capture spending from tourists and local customers.
Golden TW Realty & Development Corp., developer of KABAN, said it signed an agreement with RVD, the operator behind the two Manila-based brands.
Chung Dam currently has outlets in Bonifacio Global City, Parqal in Parañaque and Molito in Alabang. Umi Matsu operates in BGC, Malate and Parqal in Parañaque.
What they’re saying
“The entry of Chung Dam, one of the country’s leading Korean restaurants, and Umi Matsu, an exciting Japanese dining brand, underscores our confidence in Boracay’s future and our commitment to further elevate the island’s dining, lifestyle and entertainment scene,” Golden TW and KABAN president and CEO Kevin Wong said in a statement.
The big picture
KABAN combines accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, retail and gaming in one complex, positioning itself as an integrated hospitality destination rather than a stand-alone hotel.
Its current food and beverage lineup includes Lamii, an all-day dining concept serving Filipino and international dishes.
The hotel held its soft opening on Sept. 16, with the grand opening scheduled for Oct. 11.
By the numbers
Boracay recorded about 2.16 million visitors in 2025, higher than the 2.08 million arrivals posted in 2024.
The partnership gives RVD a foothold in one of the country’s biggest tourism markets while strengthening KABAN’s restaurant mix as the property builds out its hospitality, dining and entertainment platform. —Daxim L. Lucas | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
