The award was presented to VP Operations and General Manager Alfred Reyes Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Carlo Rivera in an awarding gala ceremony held last September 3, 2024 at City of Dreams Manila.
Held at the City of Dreams Manila, the award was handed over to VP-Operations and General Manager Alfred Reyes and Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Carlo Rivera last September 3, 2024 at City of Dreams Manila.
This accolade, being the first of many this year, reaffirms bai Hotel Cebu’s steadfast commitment to providing world-class Filipino hospitality. “I would like to thank our guests for continuously supporting and for patronizing bai Hotel Cebu,” GM Alfred Reyes said. “This win is also yours as your loyalty inspires us to deliver the exceptional service bai Hotel Cebu is known for,” he continued.
bai Hotel Cebu’s department heads celebrating its accolade as PH’s Leading Business Hotel.
Operating since 2018 with 668 rooms, 8 restaurants, and over 13 function halls, bai Hotel Cebu has established its presence in the industry having just been awarded as Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Tourism Standard Awards – ASEAN MICE Venue (Meeting Room Category).
We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to the country’s Department of Tourism headed by Secretary Hon. Christina Garcia Frasco for being recognized as Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign award for its “Love the Philippines” campaign and as Transformation Leadership in Tourism Governance.
Based in London and established in 1993, the World Travel Awards is dubbed the Oscars of the travel industry that acknowledges, rewards, and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. It is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
]]>Waterfront Hotels & Casinos’ flagship property in Cebu is proud to announce its 25th-year anniversary on July 25, 2023. Over the past quarter-century, the hotel has been home to local and international tourists traveling to Cebu City for business or leisure.
Since 1998, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has been recognized for maintaining its commitment to providing both patrons and guests with remarkable and notable services to create memorable experiences. From the hotel’s world-class amenities, luxurious accommodations, to exceptional dining experiences, and exciting offers, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino continues to be the venue of choice for special events, large conventions, concerts for local and international artists, trade exhibits, a relaxing staycation, and much more.
2013 – Top Producing Hotel by Room Nights from Expedia
2016 – Tin Gow as the Grand Slam Winner for Best Chinese Restaurant from SunStar’s Best of Cebu
Exemplary for its ability to provide for large groups and conventions, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has warmly welcomed nationwide governing positions and well acknowledged communities for events throughout the years such as the Governors’ Workshop on Social Welfare and Development: Partnership for Devolution in 1999, the 25th Annual Convention of the Philippine Neurological Association in 2003, the United Architects of the Philippine’s 16th National Conference in 2004, the Annual General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in 2007, the Sangguniang Kabataan National Congress in 2008, and Liga ng mga Barangay events are set to take place in the property this year .
Being one of the city’s well visited venues for getaways, special occasions, grand events, and an appreciative dining experience, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino to name a few has been recognized for major and key awards on the following years:
- – 2012: Gold Circle Award from Agoda
- – 2013: Top Producing Hotel by Room Nights from Expedia
- – 2014: Most Engaged Hotel Partner from Expedia
- – 2015: Powering Global Travel Award from the Global Tourism Awards
- – 2016: Tin Gow as the Grand Slam Winner for Best Chinese Restaurant from
SunStar’s Best of Cebu
- – 2017: Chinese Preferred Hotel from Ctrip
- – 2018: Venue Standard Award from MICE
- – 2019: Top Taxpayers Award from the Cebu City Government
- – 2020: Grand Slam Winner for Best Events Venue from SunStar’s Best of Cebu
- – 2021: Traveler’s Choice from Tripadvisor
2020 – Grand Slam Winner for Best Events Venue from SunStar’s Best of Cebu
From Cebu’s humble beginnings, it’s safe to say that Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino was there in the midst of the city’s development into one of the Philippines’ most progressive areas. Since the beginning, the property and its peers have always prioritized the citizens’ convenience by strategically placing themselves at the center of it all. Right across the hotel, what used to be Cebu’s very first airport is now a well-known destination for business development and commercial establishments, commonly referred to as the I.T. Park. Although the area has drastically changed over the years, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino managed to adapt and develop just as the Queen City of the South developed.
CSR – Bureau of Fire Protection
Waterfront Cebu does not only provide a place to stay but is an avenue that evokes feelings and creates significant memories to be cherished for a lifetime. One memory that’s worth remembering was when Regine & Martin Nieverra had their concert at the Pacific Grand Ballroom in 2003. Not to mention, 2005 SEA Games held their Dancesport event at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino followed by the prestigious Mr. and Miss Cebu in 2008.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino is not only an essential part of the hospitality industry. The property continues to play its role as a vital force when it comes to giving back and uplifting the community. The premier hotel has contributed significant developments to the city’s growth, economy, and even tourism, but the property did not stop there. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities were also organized for Cebu’s social welfare as well as for the preservation of the environment with the aid of local NGOs and barangays.
Through the years here are some sustainable and transformative activities that the peers at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino have participated in:
- – 2013: Lapu-Lapu Tourism Council Coastal Clean-Up
- – 2019: Refurbishment Initiatives at Barangay Kang-atis Elementary School
- – 2020: Waterfront Cares for Brgy. Suba (Part II)
- – 2020: Weekly Round-Up – Frontliners of Brgy. Lahug
- – 2021: Waterfront Bakuna Center
- – 2021: Waterfront Care Packages
- – 2022: Packages of Love to Barangay Looc
- – 2022: Christmas Party for the Children at Barangay Pardo
- – 2023: Tree Planting at Barangay Pung-ol
- – 2023: Tree Planting at the Nug-as Forest Reserve
As Waterfront continues to blossom in the hospitality industry, its service with a warm smile is a Filipino value that guests would always come back to. In the effort to embody and maintain excellent guest satisfaction, the property’s department heads boast high training to its peers that remain visible in every guest interaction.
Keeping its grounds strong, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino would like to acknowledge the 25 years of support from the local government of the city as well as from the province in Cebu. Celebrating 25 years of Commitment to Service will only continue and progress for the years to come as the property and its management is looking forward to 25 years and beyond of excellent service wearing the ‘Waterfront’ smile.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino would also like to thank their sponsors for this year’s 25th Anniversary celebration: Global Star Motors Corp., Cebu New Life Press, Premium Sole, Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., DC Fresh Flower Shop & Supply, Kettle & Shaker, and The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
For more information, please visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterfrontCebuCity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterfrontcebu
by Ryan Daniel R. Dablo
You breathe a sigh of contentment as you sip frozen margarita, looking out onto the city skyline and a sprawling vista of the Ayala Center Cebu terraces and Cebu Business Park. This is the life, you say. You take your pick from charcuterie and a smattering of dishes, savoring your meal just as the sunset casts a halo over the buildings beyond. Moments like these are what await you at the Seda Ayala Center Cebu. Why not treat yourself to such a prize?
Fresh and reinvigorated, Seda Ayala Center Cebu opens its doors after the hiatus of recent years and, as ever, it is hellbent to impress. One of its main draws is the exclusive Club Lounge at the penthouse floor. This lofty perch is open to all who avail of Seda Ayala Center Cebu’s VIP/Club Rooms and Suites, welcoming them to a chic dining place serving breakfast, afternoon tea, and cocktails. The buffet caters to varied tastes with its continental cuisine and keeps patrons on their toes with a rotating menu. Add your choice of beverage to the ensemble and you’re set for a day and evening of satisfaction. As a clincher, you can gaze down on a bustling cityscape rendered silent by the height. The view is pretty relaxing, to say nothing of the equally entrancing food on offer.
With a prime uptown location, you’re never far from adventure and other exploits. Sally forth into Cebu’s urban jungle and come home rested and refreshed. With Seda Ayala Center Cebu on top of things and their Club Lounge that offers comfort and enjoyment, you’ll be free to savor every bit of the moment.
Their best-seller cocktail drink, the Frozen Margarita.
]]>
by Allain Dumon Fonte
The history of trade dates back to the oldest civilization. People had to cross seas or travel far and wide to get their needs in exchange for anything valuable. The ancient ways of conducting business led to the development of new cultures and new societies, as merchants settled in foreign lands and discovered new places to expand their enterprises. However, in the now, businessmen neither need to travel far and wide, nor cross seas; with just a scroll and click, a business transaction is signed, sealed, and delivered. Doing business at the comfort of one’s home, office, bedroom, or even on the favorite couch, is brought about by the advancement of mobile apps.
So, how do mobile apps shape the way businesses perform? First, on the list is the improved, more accurate, and faster means of communication. Before, we needed to send mails or electronic mails to communicate agreements and to pass back and forth contracts. This means that communication takes time, and for the message to get crossed. Moreover, there are high risks of losing the message along the way. However, with mobile apps, it is easier and faster to communicate with your clients and business partners. Best Business apps have got special features where sellers and buyers can chat or call each other. Some apps even allow business owners to meet with their office staff online and discuss or plan strategies to market and enhance operations. Hence, the comfort of working remotely.
Entrepreneur and stylographer, Dexter Alazas, works as a fashion designer, manages a modelling and talent agency, and curates events for Cebu’s major brands. Alazas is very grateful to modern technologies. With a mobile app that is especially programmed for his business, he can easily communicate with clients and remotely meet with staff. At any time, clients can leave her a message, and these messages are sent to his mobile phone and email address. With this, no messages can be left unread; even if he is in Boracay for a holiday.
Entrepreneur and stylographer, Dexter Alazas
The second benefit is the agile mobile technology. Mobile apps are easy to update, and programmers are working constantly to find ways that their mobile apps become as user-friendly as possible. Mobile apps are also consistently reviewed with their functionality, speed, and comfort. The consistent reviews allow programmers to continuously improve their apps. For example, with the Gcash app, Alazas is able to compensate his staff or talents directly to their banks or gcash accounts. Alazas’ clients also find it faster to pay him through the Gcash app. Plus, the Lalamove app is a big help to Alazas and his clients because it saves them the time to travel to and from the shop. With the Lalamove app, Alazas can have his clients’ orders delivered straight to their homes.
Third benefit is mobile sales and mobile marketing. Mobile apps can include features like emails, calendars, campaign management solutions, and they are even linked to social media platforms. This allows the business owners to have a wider reach of customers as their businesses can be advertised online. These apps also allow businesses to reach out and maintain a pool of interested clients by taking advantage of online search engines. When someone searches on the Pinterest app about bridal dresses, photos of Alazas’ bridal collection appear. This helps Alazas connect with potential clients.
After interviewing 50 entrepreneurs in Cebu, these are their most loved and most used mobile apps that help them make their business operations much smoother, especially during the pandemic.
1. Gcash – this mobile app even supersedes the comfort of online banking. Anyone can easily transfer and receive cash at any time of the day. Transactions are fast and instant. Unlike banks, anyone can cash in and cash out from 24 hours Gcash service centers like 7/11 and mini stop shops. The only thing that our entrepreneurs do not like about this app are the transaction fees. Rating this app with 4.5 stars out of 5
2. Grab – is a delivery app that ties up mostly with restaurants. Many of our food entrepreneurs confessed that their sales have increased significantly with the help of the Grab app. During the strict lockdowns where most establishments are closed, it was the Grab app that keep their businesses running because people ordered food through the app. The only hiccup is on the delay of the delivery of goods. Many of our food entrepreneurs receive complaints of delayed services. Our entrepreneurs rate this app 4 out of stars.
3. Lalamove – is another delivery mobile app which is mostly used by businessmen to have their items delivered to their customers because it has fast services and accurate maps. Because of the strict quarantine protocols during the pandemic, many businesses have gone online and used the Lalamove app to help deliver the orders of their clients. Entrepreneurs gave this app a perfect rating of 5 stars.
Although, mobile apps can have a few glitches like weak internet connection or when mobile apps run slow. Yet, when you weigh the benefits over the possible troubles, mobile apps surely make doing business a pleasure.
]]>
In these times of pandemic, hysteria and panic have taken over the world and nonchalance is a word not to be manifested for today. Worry and fear are enveloping around Cebu with enough evidence of the actions taken by the public – the hoarding of necessities and goods.
Cebu – both the city and the province – is working towards making the island a safe haven from the pandemic caused by the Novel Coronavirus. Entry points of both ports – aerial and naval – are now closed. Curfew hours are being implemented to secure that no one is outside during the hours indicated. Business and academic sectors shifted their modes to work-from-home and online classes. Medical professionals have been on the frontlines battling against the proliferation of COVID-19.
It is quite eerie to look at the main streets of the Queen City of the South having few crowds to none. The hustle and bustle of the metropolis has gone into an empty space. The actions taken by the government and the Republic of the Philippines are for better or for worse; it is only for the good of the public.
Cebu has been under the state of community quarantine and certain measures were implemented to ensure the public’s safety and well-being. However, there are still myths making rounds in social media and the public in general about the ways to avoid COVID-19. These myths are not supported by scientific evidence. The scattering of fake news worsens the situation instead.
Here are some myths about the Novel Coronavirus:
1. Hot and cold weather
Contrary to popular belief, the COVID-19 virus will never die when exposed to hot or cold weather. This type of coronavirus can be transmitted in all areas regardless of the weather.
2. Drinking water
It is necessary to hydrate ourselves and to moisturize the throats but there is no scientific evidence that consuming volumes of water can flush out the virus.
3. Antibiotics
Clear enough from the name of the medicine, antibiotic never kills the virus but bacteria instead. It is not advisable to take antibiotics to prevent COVID-19.
4. Eating banana
There is a video circulating in social media about the banana fruit that miraculously kills the COVID-19 virus. However, if one should be keen enough to examine the video, it is a hoax. To date, there are no approved treatments for the virus. Eating a banana and other fruits can boost the immune system instead but not kill the COVID-19 virus.
Practicing proper hygiene such as regular hand washing with soap and water remains to be an effective way of preventing infection since soap dissolves the structure of the virus. The public should not be very complacent enough to rely on hand washing alone. Maintaining social distance, staying at home, having proper coughing or sneezing etiquette, and putting oneself in self-quarantine if one traveled from outside Cebu or the country are some of the best ways to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
]]>Cebu City has etched an indelible mark in the country and of the world for a lot of reasons. For more than five centuries, Cebu has been a center of culture and a model of resiliency. “Sinibuayng Hingpit” was the former name of the city during the pre-colonial times which means “to trade”; already inherent to the name that Cebu was a center of commerce. Also, Cebu had a very big role in Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation of the world which still has been argued that had not been Ferdinand Magellan got killed on the island of Mactan, the victorious fleet would not have happened that will push back the age of discovery for a couple of hundred years. Metro Cebu on the other hand, is the second-largest population in the country.
“Celebrate Cebu” is a tourism brand launched by the Cebu City Government as a declaration of pride, expression of delight, or even a sign of exasperation. One of the most celebrated and largest festivals in the world Sinulog attracts about two million people – enough reason why there are 101 ways to celebrate Cebu. The Mactan Cebu International Airport is already one of the most internationally awarded travel hubs in the region surpassing Changi Airport of Singapore. A lot of infrastructure projects are about to be realized as well that there will even have the first Skidmore Owings and Merill (SOM) in the Visayas. With nearly 20 sister cities’ agreement in place, Cebu has the most twin towns of any Philippine city and five of which are already within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Cebu will further expand its reputation as the city is bidding itself to be enlisted in the UNESCO Creative City. UNESCO Creative City’s bid is a natural progression from the momentum sparked by Cebu Design Week and has already jumpstarted many new projects and collaborations even before the designation was attained. In recent years, the Cebu design community has been eclipsed by the boom in tourism, construction, and BPO-IT when in fact, the design is heavily embedded in these sectors. In 2018, CDW was launched to connect, create, and cultivate the numerous creative disciplines. To accelerate the action planning for the UNESCO bid, CDW talked to a lot of key stakeholders. The Creative Cebu bid team comprises a variety of individuals from the LGU, the Regional and the National government agencies, business support organizations, professionals, associations, academe, creative hubs, and design practitioners.
United Nations defines the creative industries along the lines of heritage, arts, media, and functional creations. The main bid components are divided into three parts: (1) inventory mapping because there is no such design-related maps in Cebu, (2) statistics, and (3) atlas. Due to the definition is so wide, it is very difficult to quantify hence, facing the biggest challenge: how to quantify the effect of creative economies in Cebu?
Four months is all it took to come up with the numbers. CDW theorized that seven percent of the total Cebuano economy is based on the creative industries and is even undervalued and a very conservative number. By October 31 of last year, a surprise shocked everyone from the team as Cebu has gotten the distinction of being a UNESCO Creative City. There are seven categories in the Creative Cities Network: crafts and folklore, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, music, and design. The design category is considered as the hardest to achieve because it is most challenging to quantify. The short term benefits of becoming a creative city are: (1) it is the great rallying point for the community to just get around, (2) it inspires the next generation designers, (3) it drives incremental tourism investments, and (4) it reasserts Cebu’s branding as the leading design destination. The longer terms are: (1) it ignites unprecedented collaborations with local, regional, national, and international partners, (2) it relies big-ticket items that force multipliers for the economy and the community, (3) it cements Cebu’s global reputation, and (4) it solidifies the importance of design in Cebu’s inclusive and sustainable development that is inlined with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.
It is also imperative to change the common mindset of design as being purely aesthetic. Design is a creative solution to solve everyday problems hence, answering why design is important. Furthermore, it is important because the advancements of technology right now are changing so much, demographics are shifting, and consumer preferences are changing at a very fast pace. The competition is crazy for cities must level up to be able to compete with this global economy. There is a need to engage design practitioners at any level for an inclusive and sustainable city.
UNESCO has very strict guidelines when it comes to co-branding with its temple. Therefore, the team tweaks the Cebu’s branding that will be symmetrical with the temple and used the Pantone’s color of the year, Classic Blue, to signify when the bid has been done. The logo is based on the shape of Cebu City which is not very familiar with because people are more familiar with the island.
These are some several highlights that CDW is working on:
1. Museum of Design (MuDe)
Coming this September MuDe is not just any typical museum people know about. Aside from being a converging point or a showcase repository, it is an enabling point for creatives. There will also be a physical and virtual showcase, learning and working hub, and an inspiring venue and collaborative market space. MuDe will be at the Skypark of SM Seaside because of its big outdoor component.
2. Urban Acupuncture
Urban Acupuncture is an initiative that develops small projects or small pockets of beauty and scaling them all around the city to be able to achieve critical mass. Its first target will in Downtown Cebu and hopes to collaborate with Cebu City Tourism Commission while the Department of Tourism has expressed interest. TIEZA will be funding the project of revitalizing the Downtown with place markers starting from Fort San Pedro, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Parian, and Colon. Moreover, Malacañang sa Sugbo will be launched as a national museum by the year 2021.
3. Community-based initiative
Bringing all of the creative initiatives to the grassroots so it will not be perceived as elitist but rather a community-based. This is to transform the core of the city into something relevant and exciting by piloting to three communities along with three universities of Cebu: the University of San Carlos for Talamban, University of the Philippines – Cebu for Lahug, and Southwestern University PHINMA for Urgello. The reason why these universities are chosen because they are also in the process of completely changing their campuses by breaking the walls after they patterned it to the campus of Georgetown University in DC.
There will also be the utilization of community centers because they are very underutilized and placing the first design studio for kids that is hopefully be implemented by September.
People of Cebu are in high hopes of having Creative Cebu’s bid to UNESCO as the Creative City of Design come into fruition and none of these creative initiatives are made possible had it not been because of the private sector head for the Creative Cebu Grid, Butch Carungay.
]]>In fast-moving economies, the businesses thrive stronger and quicker. Yet, this situation has also caused the rise and fall of many establishments, and forced businesses to innovate in order to survive; just as how Charles Darwin theorized, “this is the survival of the fittest”. Nowadays, the fittest business establishment is the one that can give in to the demands of consumers that continuously change. Brought about by the marriage of cultures and technology, the needs of consumers can change at a 360-degree-angle at any time. When the consumers’ needs change, so does the demands. Hence, businesses need to learn how to bow where the wind blows.
The International Workplace Group (IWG) understands clearly the dynamics of the economy, the society, and even politics; and, has made it its mission to address the needs of the businesses, so in the end, they can also provide the needs of their clients. IWG does this by giving people and businesses access to commercial real estate solutions through unrivalled choice of workspaces from its operating companies: Regus, Spaces, HQ, and Signature by Regus; each designed to serve the unique needs of businesses of every size. With a membership contribution of only six thousand pesos (PhP6,000.00), a business can have access to shared-workspaces anywhere in the globe where they can hold meetings, discuss transactions, or simply focus on work. With a track-record for more than 30 years, IWG has seen the potential of shared work-spaces in the Visayas and in Mindanao.
With its vision to provide the best workspaces in the region, IWG partnered with Apple One Properties, Inc. (API), Cebu’s leading name in property development and real estate sales. API has always kept its portfolio diverse and relevant by recognizing the growing demand for flexible workspaces and mixed-used developments in the premier business districts in the Visayas.
In December 2018, API signed a franchise partnership agreement with IWG for eight centers in six cities in the Visayas in five years. This is the first in Southeast Asia. The signing ceremony was held at the Diamond Hotel and Suites, and was attended by Matthew James Kenly, head of partnership growth for IWG Asia Pacific; Rowena B. Natividad, head of partnership growth for IWG Philippines; Lars Wittig, country manager for IWG Philippines | Thailand | Vietnam | Cambodia | South Korea; Ray Manigsaca, CEO and president of API; and, Venus Manigsaca, chairman of API.
The six cities identified are Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, and Bacolod City. Kenly strongly believes that the partnership will strengthen the economy in the region because it will generate more jobs inside and outside the centers. Kenly further discusses that the centers in the premier business districts will also improve productivity and will provide more opportunities for the locals. API’s Rey Manigsaca is very excited on the partnership because the service-office-market is a very big market that has not yet been tapped, and with IWG’s partnership Manigsaca believes that they can bring to the region the world-class facilities and benefits of flexible working spaces.
Lars Wittig discusses that the reason why the Visayas has the greatest potential in the country is because of its ever-advancing economy; and, as the capital region gets too congested, the businesses are moving to central Philippines. Plus, the access to central Philippines is much easier with its state-of-the-art international ports and airports, making the logistics much easier in the area. Wittig also expresses appreciation to the policies and the government administration in the locality because it is very supportive to the businesses.
The six centers of API and IWG will join IWG’s global network consisting of 3,400 centers across 120 countries. In the Philippines, IWG has 28 centers in ten cities across Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao. With the upcoming six centers in the Visayas, API and IWG will surely make the region as Southeast Asia’s newest business hub and trade center. This is truly an exciting way to start the year, exciting for our economy, and exciting for the people in the Visayas.
]]>
Named as one of the best islands in Asia—as part of Cebu—just recently, Mactan Island is a getaway paradise in and out itself. With people flocking from all over the world to get a glimpse of the island’s pristine white sand beaches and glimmering blue seas, it’s no wonder that it’s become not just a premier tourist destination in the Philippines, but a prime residential area as well. As one of the major tourist islands of Cebu, Mactan boasts of some of the best diving, island hopping, sailing and cultural activities in the country.
It’s for these reasons that real estate giant, Megaworld Corporation, decided to set foot on the shores of the historic resort city. For the last 30 years, Megaworld Corporation has built communities across major cities in the Philippines—and the 30-hectare property in Mactan, called The Mactan Newtown, is the first major township development outside Metro Manila.
Since opening in 2016, The Mactan Newtown has brought in a lot of opportunities that encompass its “live-work-play-learn” concept; the township is steadily growing, and its residential buildings, office spaces, 24-hour grocery, food spots, beach, and even school, are evidence of the company’s efforts to create a thriving, holistic community.
The idea of coming home—whether for a short visit or as permanent residence—to a place where everything you need is within reach is an appealing one. Here’s why each day is a tasteful living experience at The Mactan Newtown:
It’s a foodie’s paradise
There’s no denying that Cebu is a culinary melting pot—aside from years of trading relations and colonial influence, there’s also the island’s magnetic pull of tourists (whether local or foreign) that drives demand, especially for delicious, authentic fare. To ensure a complete gastronomic experience, The Mactan Alfresco houses a variety of food spots that are worth trying.
Patterned after Singapore’s famed hawker centers, The Mactan Alfresco is a covered dining strip that is designed to showcase the best authentic Cebuano cooking and cuisine—it isn’t hard to embark on a food trail here, as the space has everything from snacks, main courses, desserts, and drinks.
Whet your appetite with short orders, sink your teeth into the day’s freshest catch, breathe in the signature smokiness of charcoal-grilled meat, and cap off your meal with sips of refreshing, fruity drinks.
Of course, no trip to Cebu will be complete without sinking teeth to its culinary pride: lechon. At Mactan Alfresco, diners can enjoy ‘the world’s best pig’ (as the late Anthony Bourdain puts it) in the most delectable and crispest of ways with its ‘Lechon Pit’. And, here’s a pro-tip: if you’re looking to enjoy Cebu lechon, make sure to drop by The Mactan Alfresco during August, as they hold the annual Lechon Festival that showcases the island’s most mouthwatering roasted pig!
The beach is (quite literally) just a stone’s throw away
Mactan Island’s charm lies in its clear blue waters and sandy white shores, so of course, it is only natural that The Mactan Newtown has its own beach. Aptly called The Mactan Newtown Beach, it’s a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city without having to leave the island.
Accessibility aside, the beachfront is dotted with colourful cottages and lounge chairs perfect for relaxation, or a quick snap for a social media post.
You get to come home to paradise
No township project by Megaworld Corporation is complete without a residential aspect. Currently, at The Mactan Newtown stands 8 Newtown Boulevard, One Manchester Place and One Pacific Residence.
There’s also the soon-to-rise La Victoria Global Residences, which is heavily inspired by Spanish architecture. More important than its overall aesthetic, though, is how La Victoria Global Residences highlights the historical significance of Ferdinand Magellan’s ‘Galleon Victoria’, the first ship to have circumnavigated the globe back in 1521.
Each residence offers a wide variety of amenities and facilities, from spacious receiving areas or lobbies to wide hallways, to manicured lawns and refreshing pools, well-equipped gyms and leisure centers, down to the thoughtfully-planned livability in each unit.
Whichever residential development one chooses to have as their domicile, it’s guaranteed to be a space meant for one to enjoy coming home to at the end of the day.
For travellers who’d like a taste of what it’s like living in Mactan, the up-and-coming Savoy Hotel Mactan—one of Megaworld Corporation’s homegrown hotel brands—is set to open this November, with 547 guestrooms and suites, so stay tuned for that.
The hustle isn’t a hassle
Now that we’ve touched upon the “play” and “live” aspects of the township, let’s move on the the “work” and “learn” parts—The Mactan Newtown further cements these concepts with the establishment of its high-end office towers and school.
The township is home to a couple of office buildings which house international business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, which comes as no surprise, seeing as the Philippines is one of the best and biggest BPO service providers worldwide—in fact, in Cebu alone, the BPO industry registered a 19% hiring growth in the first half of 2019.
For parents who seek to provide quality education for their children, the township has The Newtown School of Excellence, supervised by the Lasallian Schools Supervision Services Association Inc. (LASSSAI).
There’s no need to go far to grab your essentials
With such a large market to cater to, it’s a given that the township has an array of shops and services to provide for their needs. There’s a convenience store, a grocery, and a pharmacy, which are readily accessible throughout the day and up until late at night.
Soon, the township will get to enjoy the P1.5B Mactan Newtown Beach Walk. Set to be built on a shoreline cliff, the mall will be highlighted by a man-made lagoon, boutique hotel, garden chapel, beach walk, and rows of retail shops & restaurants including four cinemas.
True to its commitment to sustainability, this project will use solar roof panels, and will utilize an open layout scheme for passive cooling and natural lighting in most of the development’s common areas.
Over the past few years, The Mactan Newtown has changed the landscape of Mactan Island. With so much more developments in store, one can only wonder how it will be like. Glimpses of the Mactan Newtown lifestyle should be enough…for now.
]]>
If the changing skyline isn‘t enough of a progress indicator, then perhaps the influx of tourists—foreign and local—is a better measure. Naturally, to accommodate these tourists, the need for hotels rose. Depending on preference, one may choose a beach resort for a relaxing escapade or a city hotel for business trip. Whichever the case, a wide range of options are available.
Adding to this roster of recommended accommodations is the recently-opened 4-star business hotel with its 151 guest rooms: Mezzo Hotel in Cebu City. Standing in a prime location that’s a short walk away from enjoying what the city has to offer, Mezzo Hotel allows access to Cebu’s business district, premier shopping centers, and main tourist attractions. This means that guests get to experience a little bit—and more—of everything in the city.
Pronounced as /met.tso/, the hotel’s name is derived from an Italian word, which means “balance”, “middle”, or “center”. True to its namesake, Mezzo Hotel is a center between two big cities—Mandaue City and Cebu City—and two major malls. A huge advantage, especially for guests who need to move around often.
Upon entering the hotel, these lights in the lobby immediately catch your attention
“Mezzo Hotel features a minimalist concept, allowing extra space to unfold and relax,” says Joan Osabel-Caparoso, their hotel manager. “Complemented with modern amenities and facilities, Mezzo is your partner in providing upscale service, both for business and leisure.”
Aside from its 151 guest rooms, Mezzo Hotel also has 35 serviced units for guests who want to enjoy a seamless stay. Other amenities include a Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 1000 guests, a business center that can accommodate up to 15 people, a meeting room that can accommodate up to 50 people, Café Mezzo, Piscine (the pool bar), a swimming pool, a fitness gym, a convenience store and a clinic.
Mezzo Hotel’s manager, Joan Osabel-Caparoso
“Apart from being near the shopping and business district, guests feel at home when they make it Mezzo, especially due to our service enhancement directives of a more personalized service,” Joan adds.
She further shares that guests who book directly on their website, through walk-ins, by phone-ins or through email, can get early and/or late checkout perks depending on availability and a one-time turndown service.
What makes the hotel a more charming accommodation, though is in the details. While Joan describes their aesthetic as “straight-forward, clean and minimalist” at best, what adds depth are the hotel’s lighting fixtures, which immediately draw attention. In every space of the hotel, there’s bound to be a source of light that doubles as an art piece, of sorts.
“Our concept is more of a minimalist approach with elements of clean lines and curves which was assisted by Polaris Anne Tiro, our Interior Designer,” Joan adds.
Joan, who has been in the hospitality industry for ten years now, is on her second year with Mezzo Hotel. Her favourite part of the property—which they are looking to develop soon—is a vacant space on the 4th floor which grants a view of the sky above. Joan divulges that it could soon be developed into a mini-garden or lounge for in-house guests.
The hotels function room on the third floor
There’s a lot of thought put into the hotel’s design, and it’s interesting to note that their very own Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Henry T. Tan, was very hands on during construction until turnover.
“Every nook and cranny of its design marries functionality,” Joan shares. “We made sure that there’s no dead investment in the whole of the building—that whatever we put in are very useful to guests and associates alike.”
A closer look at the chandelier in the hotels lobby lounge
For the rest of this year, Joan, together with their President, Shannen Keisha L. Tan, plan to continue to work towards their thrust, so they can be ready for full systematization come 2020.
“As we’re serious on our Vision to the choice of our guests and associates, we will make sure to continue what we already do best and be consistent to the commitment to deliver consistent top-notch service to all our guests and stakeholders,” she says.
To enjoy dibs of discounts like special room rates and a 30% discount on all ala carte food items, use the code ‘mezzoXzee’. For more information on Mezzo Hotel, visit their website at http://mezzohotel.com, call them at (032) 231 0777, or you may check out their Facebook and Instagram.
]]>
During the celebration, the executives of ArthaLand and the developers of the project each made a promise of how they can save the Earth through little things that they can do, may it be in their personal lives or in their daily schedules at work. ArthaLand campaigns of an eco-friendly lifestyle not just among the Cebuanos, but to everyone in the country through multiple projects with sustainable developments. “We don’t just talk about it, we do it,” says Jaime Gonzales, ArthaLand’s president. “When we decided to dedicate ourselves to developing sustainable properties, obviously we were thinking of how the market would receive it but it was also a commitment of the major shareholders to attend to the concern for the environment. We asked ourselves, if not now, when?” he adds.
The Cebu Exchange Project is one of the many projects by ArthaLand that takes pride in being a green high-rise building with sustainable facilities that was made up from the green leadership initiative or greenspiration as they call it. These eco-friendly facilities not only feature sustainability, it also promotes improving the productivity and the well-being of its tenants, as well as nurturing the community and the culture of Cebuanos. “That defines our philosophy. It’s not just about making money. We want to take care of the environment. We want to leave a legacy behind,” says Jaime.
“Real estate is the perfect industry for legacy. Saving the planet, creating bespoke developments that allow our clients to have a better lifestyle and work environment, and leaving something behind that will inspire our countrymen and future generations,” says Christopher Narciso, Arthaland’s executive vice president for business deployment. Cebu Exchange is expected to reach completion by 2021. By then, the project will be the biggest green office development in the Philippines that allows maximized operational efficiency for businesses but with lower day-to-day costs that provides healthier, more comfortable and more productive work environment for its tenants. Specifically, Cebu Exchange is built for investors who are leasing internationally and prioritizes resource efficiency, as well as the well-being of their employees. Ultimately, ArthaLand envisions Cebu Exchange to house a productive ecosystem of office technologies and amenities, mixed with various retail stores for a balances work-leisure environment for the tenants.
Cebu Exchange has been pre-certified for the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program and is now on track for the BERDE (Buildings for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) program. “We are the only developer in the country today to register all our projects with both the U.S. Green Building Council and the Philippine Green Building Council,” says Leo Po, ArthaLand’s executive vice president. “Precisely because not only are we looking locally, we are also looking globally and we are bringing a world-class standard building to this wonderful city of ours,” he adds.
]]>