Scattered around the globe are remarkable islands offering stretches of fine, white sand, stunning vistas of deep blue waters teeming with colourful life underwater, and warm, glowing sunsets, but there’s nothing quite like Mactan Island.  

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.