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Euden Valdez - Philstar.com
December 17, 2025 | 3:55pm
HONG KONG — For many Filipinos, travel is ultimately a pursuit of happiness. By traveling, we enrich our lives by collecting moments that linger long after the suitcase is unpacked.
True enough, we won’t be getting over the 2025 MAMA Awards, which this author attended last November 28 and 29 at Hong Kong’s newly opened Kai Tak Stadium.
Powered by the Metrobank Travel Signature Visa card, we unlocked the experience of a lifetime in Hong Kong—a destination of breathtaking views, world-class dining and shopping, and now, premier entertainment.
The VIP treatment
In partnership with Visa, Metrobank once again held its 2025 MAMA Awards promo, which rewarded winners with VIP passes to the world’s biggest K-pop spectacle. It was an all-expense paid trip that included round-trip tickets, transfers and a luxurious hotel stay.
The choice of accommodation was the five-star Regent Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui. Perched at the edge of the Kowloon Peninsula, the hotel offered a cinematic vantage point, with massive glass windows framing the glittering Victoria Harbor day and night.
Waiting inside our well-appointed room was the exclusive 2025 MAMA Awards Visa merch! This year’s loot featured the newly introduced MAMA Awards mascot named Vee, which came in the form of a trendy bag charm and blind box.
It also had the collab with PEACEMINUSONE, the clothing brand of Bigbang’s G-Dragon. A tote bag and a t-shirt featured the design “PEACEMAMAONE” in reference to MAMA Awards.
The indulgence continued every morning at Harbourside for the hotel's breakfast buffet. The spread was a feast for the senses offering made-to-order noodles, steaming hot dim sum and delicate pastries against the backdrop of the waking harbor. It was the perfect way to fuel up before the awards night.
The ultimate K-pop experience
Sadly, a deadly fire at a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong happened days prior the 2025 MAMA Awards. Although it wasn’t cancelled, organizers announced major changes to show support to the victims and the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
READ: ‘Support Hong Kong’: 2025 MAMA Awards issues statement after deadly fire
More importantly, Korean artists and actors at the two-day awards offered their heartfelt sympathies, and hoped that their music could help them bring comfort and courage.
So along with their heartfelt sympathies, the K-pop idols gave their best during their performances set at the 2025 MAMA’s grand stage and conceptual productions.
Together with K-pop fans, we got to witness some of the most-established names in the industry, including second-gen group Super Junior, Fans Choice of the Year winner, Enhypen, on Day 1; and G-Dragon on Day 2 who was the 2025 MAMA’s biggest winner.
He won Best Dance Performance Male Solo, Best Male Artist, and Artist of the Year. He was also the finale artist, singing an unexpected and an emotional ballad to end his otherwise powerful set.
Other MAMA highlights included Babymonster’s cover of “What It Sounds Like” and “Golden” from hit Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters;” and the presence of Hong Kong legendary actor Chow Yun Fat who led a minute of silence in remembrance of the lives lost from tragic fire.
RELATED: LIST: Highlights, winners of 2025 MAMA Awards
The Metrobank Travel Signature Visa proved to be a reliable card at the new Kai Tak Stadium, as its food stalls only accepted Visa payments. We made sure to eat up and hydrate so we had the energy to cheer for and sing along with our idols.
The gateway to top-notch dining and shopping
While the MAMA Awards provided the adrenaline, Hong Kong’s culinary scene fueled the soul.
We reserved a table at the two-star Michelin Guide resto, Lai Ching Heen, at Regent Hong Kong, savoring exquisite truffle and crab roe dumplings, of course, the signature Peking Duck served three ways: first as the classic pancake wrap, then used as filling for crispy tofu, and finally, the most decadent fried rice.
Of course, we conveniently used our Metrobank Travel Signature Visa to settle the bill. It made our lunch more fulfilling knowing we were saving with the card’s low 1.68% foreign exchange fee.
We balanced this fine dining with accessible local favorites, enjoying quick meals at Café de Coral and the famous egg waffles at Mammy Pancake.
The card proved just as essential for retail therapy. With its competitive forex rate and the feature to earn 1 mile for every P30 spent, shopping felt guilt-free.
We browsed luxury flagships along Nathan Road, then took a quick trip to Mong Kok to hunt for bargains. At Sneaker Street (Fa Yuen Street), we scoured rows of shops for limited-edition kicks at competitive prices, while the nearby Ladies' Market offered a variety of clothing, accessories and souvenirs.
Unforgettable moments unlocked!
From its low 1.68% foreign exchange fee for Michelin dining and shopping sprees, to exclusive pass to events like MAMA Awards—the Metrobank Travel Signature Visa is designed to unlock unforgettable moments whenever you travel.
It allows you to earn perks and rewards while spending so you can focus on the experiences, not the costs.
Your dream trip is waiting, and the Metrobank Travel Signature Visa is the key to unlock it. — PHOTOS BY EUDEN VALDEZ
Editor’s Note: This #BrandSpace story is created with Metrobank. It is produced by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.
