Insider Spotlight
• UnionBank launches an invite-only MICHELIN dining experience
• Filipino chefs take center stage in a global culinary moment
• Cardholders gain access through spend-based raffle entries
More than a decade later, that vision has materialized. The launch of the MICHELIN Guide Philippines, recognizing 108 local restaurants in its inaugural edition, marks a defining moment for the country’s culinary industry
UnionBank is positioning itself at the heart of that milestone with the launch of the Star Course Series, an exclusive, by-invitation-only dining experience available to select principal UnionBank Visa Credit Cardholders.
Why it matters
The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide in the Philippines signals more than international validation. It underscores how Filipino chefs are shaping modern Asian cuisine through creativity, technical rigor, and cultural storytelling.
UnionBank’s initiative ties premium financial services with experiential access, reinforcing how banks are increasingly competing through lifestyle-driven rewards rather than traditional perks.
What’s happening
Through the Star Course Series, UnionBank and Visa are offering cardholders access to curated dining events led by chefs from MICHELIN Starred restaurants.
“The MICHELIN Guide’s arrival in the Philippines is more than a culinary milestone—it’s a moment of national pride. UnionBank is honored to celebrate this historic achievement by giving our cardholders exclusive access to experiences that showcase Filipino talent on the global stage,” Mukul Sukhani, head of cards and loans in UnionBank, said in a press release on Dec. 22, 2025.
Zoom in
The opening dinner will take place on April 7, 2026, at Celera, a MICHELIN Starred restaurant known for bold pan-Asian flavors. The one-night-only experience brings together Filipino chefs Nicco Santos and Quenee Vilar of Celera with Chef Zor Tan of Born, Singapore’s One MICHELIN Star restaurant.
The collaboration promises a menu built on fearless flavors, thoughtful narratives, and a shared vision of contemporary Asian dining that resonates globally.
How to qualify
UnionBank Credit Cardholders can earn raffle entries through qualified dining and shopping purchases using their UnionBank Visa Credit Card. Registration via UnionBank TreatsHub is required, with the promotional period running from Dec. 18, 2025 to Feb, 14, 2026.
The top three cardholders in dining spend and the top three in shopping spend will automatically receive reserved seats for two.
The takeaway
By linking everyday card spend to rare, MICHELIN Starred experiences, UnionBank is turning transactions into access—giving Filipino culinary excellence a fitting platform while redefining what premium card benefits can deliver. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
