If you met Nilo Quizon today, you’d probably think he has spent his entire career in luxury hospitality to land the job as the general manager of Amorita Resort & Spa Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
It’s the way he carries himself—with quiet confidence and warm friendliness—that makes that assumption seemingly valid. That, however, is far from the truth as his journey to the top was anything but conventional.
How a Trip to the Sari-Sari Store Changed Nilo Quizon’s Life Forever
Born in Quezon Province and raised in Tondo, Manila, the 47-year-old grew up challenged financially. He was in and out of school, taking whatever jobs he could find—from working in a bakery to selling merchandise at a department store—just to help make ends meet.
Thinking he would never be able to enter a classroom once again, he moved back to his home town in Quezon and had come to terms with the fact that completing his education wasn’t part of his fate. Then, almost by accident, he found his way back to school.
One morning, on his way to a sari-sari store to buy shampoo, he bumped into former classmates heading to a TESDA scholarship examination. With no second spared, he decided to join them.
As luck would have it, he passed the exam. His friends didn’t.
Through the scholarship, he was able to take Hotel and Restaurant Management, a decision that would change his life drastically.
From the Laundry Room to Boardroom: Nilo Quizon’s Remarkable Rise
Graduating with honors, Quizon earned an internship at a hotel in Manila where he intentionally spent more than the required hours so he could learn more. He started in the laundry department, sorting linens, operating industrial machines, and eventually handling guests’ garments. But he became hungry for more that’s why after his shifts, he would quietly shadow the housekeeping team, teach himself how to prepare guest rooms, and understand different aspects of hotel operations.
His natural curiosity and hardwork eventually rewarded him with higher ranks in other hotels, including luxury ones. In 2017, Quizon joined the One-Of Collection as the housekeeping manager of Amorita Resort in Bohol. Over the next five years, he helped shape the property’s service culture before being promoted to resort manager of The Funny Lion El Nido in 2022.
Under his leadership, the boutique resort earned a string of local and international accolades, culminating in Quizon being named as one of the Best General Managers in the Philippines at the recent Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026. Now, he sits as the general manager of Amorita Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
How Nilo Quizon Is Redefining Luxury Hospitality Through People and Community
With the recognition and promotion came even greater expectations. “Sobrang taas ng expectations siempre,” he says. “Lahat ng natutunan ko from both properties [Amorita and The Funny Lion], yun ang foundation ng mga gagawin ko dito.”
One of his proudest initiatives was creating the Amorita Legendary Infinite Experience, a comprehensive service handbook that compiles the team’s best practices, guest touch points, and hospitality standards developed over the years.
He is also fervently working with local communities, a move that he deems important in creating awareness of the space. “I want to tie up with local artisans. I look forward to working with Palawan Pottery, Asiano Arts and Crafts, and since Puerto Princesa is known for the Palawan cockatoo (locally known as katala), which the resort’s restaurant is named after, I keep in touch with the Katala Foundation Inc. para alam namin how to protect these animals.” They also support the cooperative operating the Canigaran Floating Cottages and Sandbar by bringing guests there and availing of their service.
Nilo Quizon’s journey proves that in hospitality, the most remarkable luxury isn’t extravagance or opulence—it’s actually heart.
His Favorite Food Spots in Puerto Princesa
1. Catalina’s Bakeshop and Cafe
“After ko matikman yung buko puff, hinahanap-hanap ko na siya. I promote it even to our guests. Also, their home-cooked food. I feel at home there. And everything’s affordable.”
What to eat: Monggo, Ginataang Gulay. And of course, the puffs.
2. Ka Joel’s Restaurant
“When it comes to authentic Filipino seafood dishes, this is also one place I go to and suggest to guests looking for exotic food since they serve crocodile sisig. They also have many vegetable dishes.”
What to order: Seafood Kare-Kare
3. Rene Saigon
“For the popular Chao long and noodle dishes, this is where I go. Their noodle soups come with garlic baguette.”
What to order: Beef stew chao long and the vermicelli rice noodle salad
4. El Txoko
“I’ve only found two Spanish restaurants in Puerto Princesa and they’re right next to each order along Rizal Avenue. Ito yung mas okay sa dalawa. Whenever I have friends visiting, I bring them there.”
What to order: gambas, croquettes
5. Katala Restaurant
It’s Amorita Resort and Spa’s all-day dining restaurant where corporate chef Greg Villalon gets to pay homage to regional Filipino dishes in a not-so-traditional way. The menu includes a delicious banana heart tempura with eggplant and bokchoy antipasto, a suam soup with lemongrass-turmeric corn puree, a chicken inasal with a tablea mole crust, and the restaurant’s signature dessert, purple yam creme caramel cassava flan cake.
“Our guests have told us, after they dined, na dito lang nila natikman ang ganitong klase ng pagkain. Very positive feedback when it comes to food.”
What to order: Pork belly rendang and the Palawan cashew pie
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of Puerto Princesa’s top dining spots include Catalina’s Bakeshop & Cafe, Ka Joel’s Restaurant, Rene Saigon, El Txoko, and Katala Restaurant at Amorita Resort & Spa. These establishments offer everything from Filipino comfort food and fresh seafood to Vietnamese noodles, Spanish tapas, and contemporary regional cuisine.
For authentic local flavors, Catalina’s Bakeshop & Cafe is known for its home-style Filipino dishes and famous buko puffs, while Ka Joel’s Restaurant serves seafood specialties like Seafood Kare-Kare and even adventurous dishes like crocodile sisig.
Ka Joel’s Restaurant is one of the city’s go-to spots for Filipino seafood dishes. Their Seafood Kare-Kare is a house favorite, alongside a menu featuring fresh local seafood and vegetable dishes.
Rene Saigon is one of the best places to try chao long, a Vietnamese-inspired noodle soup that has become a Puerto Princesa specialty. Their Beef Stew Chao Long is a must-order, served with garlic baguette.
Puerto Princesa is known for fresh seafood, chao long, Filipino comfort food, cashew-based delicacies, and increasingly, restaurants highlighting local Palawan ingredients through contemporary Filipino cuisine.
Nilo Quizon is the General Manager of Amorita Resort & Spa Puerto Princesa. He was named one of the Best General Managers in the Philippines at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026 and is recognized for his people-first approach to hospitality and community partnerships.
