Lifestyle

Celebrate Halloween in the Tropics at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Exciting activities are in store for the family this Halloween season.

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu invites guests to plan a Halloween escapade with an array of exciting activities, a special trick or treat event and magic show to entertain the whole family for that fun-filled vacation.

Families can enjoy a getaway with the Halloween in the Tropics package with rates starting at Php 14,500 and includes two (2) Heroes, Unite! Trick or Treat event tickets on October 30, 2022, unlimited access to Adventure Zone, breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children below 6 years old, Php 1,000 net dining credits per night, two (2) complimentary resort activities and free use of snorkel set. Shangri-La Circle members will get a complimentary DIY Halloween cake, for that extra special celebration.

For those looking for fun trick or treat activities, guests are invited to come in their best outfits straight from a comic book and take part in Shangri-La Mactan’s Heroes, Unite! Trick or Treat event on October 30, 2022, 3 pm. Enjoy Halloween activities, from a festive dinner buffet party to a mind-blowing magic show. Tickets are priced at Php1,500 net per child and includes access to trick or treat even with magic show and, dinner buffet and Php 1,000 net per adult which includes dinner buffet.

A scary-good family activity awaits with the Do-It-Yourself Monster Cake available this October 21 – November 2, so kids and parents can bond over sugary delights and create their own themed cake to celebrate the holiday that everyone loves.

Diners are invited to indulge in comic-themed sliders for a fun Halloween meal with family. Comic Monster Sliders are available at Buko Bar or Breeze Bar this October 28 – November 2, 2022.

Super parents deserve a thoughtful gift of a well-deserved spa day was Chi, The Spa offers Powerful Healing with a complimentary Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask, Healing After Sun Treatment or Natural Muscle Relief Balm for those who book any 60-min treatment from October 1, 2022 – November 15, 2022

To learn more about Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu’s Halloween activities, please visit bit.ly/ComicsInTheTropicsE-Brochure

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu offers 13 hectares of lush greenery, landscaped gardens and a 350-meter white-sand beach providing a mix of luxury relaxation and wellness, lively entertainment, and exciting recreational activities including child-friendly facilities. Guests can savour beach-side luxe within its spacious 530 guest rooms and suites, along with enticing wining and dining options.

For more information or to get the latest update from Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, please follow Shangri-La Mactan on Facebook and Instagram or visit https://www.shangri-la.com/cebu.

About Shangri-La:

Shangri-La, an iconic flagship brand of the Shangri-La Group, puts heartfelt service at the core of its distinctive Asian hospitality experience. Through imaginative and nature-inspired design, delightful culinary and cultural experiences, and its authentic and thoughtful service, the brand enables guests to realise their own moments of Shangri-La.

Today, the brand experience is brought to life in over 80 deluxe hotels and resorts at destinations around the world, including Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sultanate of Oman, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

A transformation of the award-winning Golden Circle loyalty programme, Shangri-La Circle was officially launched in April 2022 as an aspirational travel lifestyle platform that connects all of Shangri-La’s brands, hotels and restaurants. As curators of the good life, Shangri-La Circle guides guests to discover their personal Shangri-La and offers a selection of travel and lifestyle offerings, captivating rewards, and unparalleled access to the best Asian hospitality. To enrol or learn more, visit Shangri-La Circle. For more information, please visit Shangri-La.com.

Up Next

Celebrate a Wickedly Fun Halloween at Seda Ayala Center Cebu!

Don't Miss

The Suites at Gorordo: Setting our Sights on Singapore-Inspired Living

Lifestyle

Stephen Aznar’s Mactan Getaway–Modern Tropical Living with a Cool Moroccan Vibe

By Jing Ramos | Photography by Doro Barandino

When Stephen Aznar finally decided to build a house in Mactan he quipped “I craved for a living space that was not just expansive but also a luxurious one.” Stephen chose Mactan because it was the closest escapade away from the bustling urban life of Cebu City. It also offered the peace and tranquility he was searching for.He pursued this dream of moving to the island and build a house that would have the atmosphere of a riad in a medina in Marrakech, a de-luxe one with a lap pool and a jacuzzi bordered by pocket gardens.

Dramatic details as key points were purposely in place in designing this room to exude elements of luxury and sophistication.

Grande abat-jour and a bouquet of heliconias and lillies greet guests for a luncheon party

Jardin Majorelle was a huge inspiration for Stephen being a fan of Yves St Laurent and partner Pierre Berge’ who saved and restored the gardens in the middle of Marrakech that was originally created by Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle. Stephen admits that “At one point, I was seriously thinking of painting the house in a vivid Majorelle blue, alas my location wasn’t ideal being in a tropical zone with harsh sunlight, the blue would have been too garish in the Mactan light.”

Though embracing subdued palettes, this living room evokes a well-curated maximalist style that’s not only personal, but are both bold and beautiful.

The structure of the building became the biggest challenge because of the contractors Stephen hired and it took over 2 years to complete the building project.The main house sits on a 664 square meter lot and has a floor area of about 200 square meters.

Moroccan lamps and a dining set in teak wood comes in hand in setting the mood of this room, but it’s really the view that defines this dining sanctuary.

This master’s bedroom was intentionally framed with a high ceiling for added room space that allows sufficient airflow and adequate natural light to come play.

Once the construction plan was completed, the owner sighed with relief and felt a deep satisfaction in having countered the obstacles of a real estate development. More importantly Stephen was candid enough to admit that the quality of his life has vastly improved since because once that dream was realised he felt happier.He adds “I slept with a smile each night knowing that my dreams had come true.”

Design

Bulgari’s Serpenti Collection: A Timeless Homage to the Year of the Snake

By Emmanuel Hamoy

Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti Collection is a testament to the maison’s ability to weave cultural symbolism and fine craftsmanship into jewelry and timepieces. Since its debut in the 1940s, the collection has embodied the elegance, mystique, and power of the serpent—a motif deeply rooted in mythology, art, and culture. In 2025, Bulgari’s Serpenti designs found renewed significance as the Chinese zodiac ushered in the Year of the Snake.

In Chinese astrology, the snake is revered as a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and transformation. Those born under the Year of the Snake are believed to possess a refined, enigmatic aura and an innate ability to adapt to life’s challenges. Bulgari’s Serpenti collection perfectly mirrors these qualities, blending the serpent’s sensual curves with bold design elements. Each piece—from coiling bracelets to striking necklaces and watches—captures the serpent’s duality as a figure of grace and strength.

The synergy between Bulgari’s craftsmanship and the symbolism of the snake was celebrated in 2013 with special edition Serpenti pieces. The designs showcased the maison’s expertise in combining colorful gemstones, intricate scales, and coiling shapes, echoing the serpent’s fluid movement and timeless allure. These creations paid tribute not only to the Chinese zodiac but also to Bulgari’s Italian heritage, renowned for its bold use of color and innovative designs.

Today, the Serpenti Collection remains an enduring icon of luxury and transformation. Its connection to the Year of the Snake enhances its allure for those who resonate with the snake’s symbolism, making it a coveted collection for connoisseurs and collectors alike. Through the Serpenti, Bulgari continues to celebrate the universal power of the serpent—a creature that transcends time, culture, and borders.

Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.