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Why Mactan is the perfect choice for property investment

Mactan Island has been endowed with a unique island lifestyle that serves as a driving force to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country today.
Its rich history, picturesque landmarks, beautiful beaches, as well as the warm friendly-smiles of the people are buoyed by continuous world-class developments that made the island a booming place to live, work, play, and learn in Central Visayas.

Construction at the 28.8-hectare The Mactan Newtown is in full-swing. Expect the pulsating vibe of Live-Work-Play-Learn by the beach township lifestyle in Mactan.
Moreover, here are the following reasons why people choose Mactan Island as the perfect choice to settle or even invest in Cebu.
- Mactan Island is Cebu’s resort island with close proximity to the Mactan Cebu International Airport. As home of several first-class resorts and hotels, Mactan Island is a tourist-friendly destination that offers easy access to various historical spots in Cebu such as the famous Mactan Shrine and Lapu-Lapu Shrine. It is also surrounded by fine sand beaches and fresh mangroves, producing a rustic and sunny island ambiance.
- Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island is the country’s fastest growing, highly urbanized city today. Lapu-Lapu City is a very strategic location that boasts with different world-class developments. The city also offers picturesque beaches that surround the island. The Marcelo Fernan Bridge, a known landmark in Mactan, is also within reach providing ready access to top commercial hubs on the main island of Cebu. It is also for this reason that the fastest growing highly-urbanized city is where Megaworld, the country’s leading real estate developer, brings its pioneering LIVE-WORK-PLAY-LEARN lifestyle township formula to develop The Mactan Newtown, which is a 28.8-hectare township with a beach.
- Prices for residential condominiums are expected to jump due to massive development projects in the island. Now is the time to invest in Mactan. Urban development has led the growth of tourism, export-oriented manufacturing companies, and BPO offices in Cebu. This fueled the expected rise in the value of residential condominiums in the next three to five years by 15 to 20 percent. This growth reflects the fast-paced economic development that is happening in Lapu-Lapu City.
- No congestion; population density is way lower than Cebu and Mandaue cities. According to 2010 census of the National Statistic Office, Cebu has the highest population in Central Visayas region with 2,377,588. But among the three highly-urbanized cities, Lapu-Lapu City has less density compared to Cebu and Mandaue cities. Thus, Lapu-Lapu City is still the most admirable location to live in the province.
- Major developers like Megaworld are already poised to transform Mactan Island into Cebu’s next lifestyle and business hubs. Megaworld boosts the island’s transformation by introducing The Mactan Newtown as the country’s first township development by the beach. This 28.8-hectare township combines top-grade office sites, first-class commercial strips, upscale hotels and a reputable academic institution in one premier beach setting. The township also features a cyberpark, which is home to several office and business process and outsourcing (BPO) buildings. Soon to rise in the township are five hotels and an exclusive beach club, as well as sports and leisure facilities.
WHERE TO LIVE IN MACTAN

The Mactan Newtown is a 28.8-hectare mixed-use township development that has its own beach; The Mactan Newtown is the biggest central business district and tourism hub in Central Visayas.
Megaworld, the country’s leading real estate developer, brings a redefined living experience in Mactan Island through its latest residential condominium cluster that will soon rise inside the 28.8-hectare The Mactan Newtown in Lapu Lapu City.
One Manchester Place has a sophisticated vibe that characterizes the famous Megaworld stamp of modern living within an urban township masterpiece. It exudes living innovations modeled after the ‘LIVE-WORK-PLAY-LEARN’ lifestyle township concept pioneered by the company in the Philippines.
One Manchester Place is a three-tower condominium cluster which will have a direct access to a Plaza Magellan mall that will soon rise inside the township.

The Mactan Newtown’s One Manchester Place is a three-tower condominium cluster that has a direct access to a soon-to-rise Plaza Magellan mall
Within the newly acquired half-hectare area in Punta Engano road, Megaworld will be constructing a three-level lifestyle mall, which is poised to become a major landmark of The Mactan Newtown. The mall will have an iconic entrance plaza facing the famous Lapu-Lapu Shrine, the site where the historic Battle of Mactan between Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan happened on April 27, 1521.
Available units are executive studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom. Every unit will have a spectacular view of the historic Mactan Shrine, Magellan Bay, or the Hilutungan Channel.
Future residents will also have exclusive access to the second-level amenities floor which will have a 25-meter lap pool with sunbathing deck, in-water pool lounge and pool spa, children’s pool, pavilion, reflexology path, indoor spa, fitness and taichi area, state-of-the-art fitness gym, jogging path, dry zen garden, flower garden, children’s playground, reading nook, daycare center, business center, a function room, and ultra-modern game room.
The township will soon be home to the Newtown School of Excellence, a new school supervised by Lasallian Schools Supervision Office (LASSO).
The company is also building the Hawkers’ Gazebo, which will open this year. It is a covered food strip similar to the famous hawkers of Singapore. This will be strategically located near the main entrance of the township.
The Mactan Newtown is Megaworld’s first master planned mixed-use development in Central Visayas inspired by the company’s pioneering ‘LIVE-WORK-PLAY-LEARN’ concept. The company has been known for its successful township developments in Metro Manila such as Eastwood City, McKinley Hill, Forbes Town Center and Newport City. In the Visayas, the real estate giant is also building Region 6’s biggest business district, the P35-billion Iloilo Business Park located at the site of the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Megaworld Corporation’s sales office in Cebu also houses The Mactan Newtown showroom, where you can get more information about Megaworld’s exciting new development in Mactan.
THE MACTAN NEWTOWN
- (0999) 993-1990
- themactannewtown@megaworldcorp.com.
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Butch Carungay’s 50th in Neverland

By Emmanuel Hamoy
Cebu’s glitterati came out in full force for Butch Carungay’s 50th birthday bash at EdenClub. It was a fun-filled night overflowing with Pol Roger, trivia games whilst traipsing the light fantastic.

Butch Carungay and Janice Lin.

Gerry Laperal and Lotte Delima-Edwards

Romero Vergara and Oj Hofer

Mary Anne Aboitiz, Christine Pelaez, Tamsin Booth, Frances Siao and June Alegrado

Maris Holopainen and Carlo Cordaro

Janine Taylor and Mary Anne Aboitiz
Fashion
Lucky Colors of 2025: Harness the Energies of Emerald Green & Carmine Red for Success

by Oj Hofer
With the Year of the Wood Snake underway, understanding the significance of lucky colors can help align us with its energetic flow. Rooted in Chinese astrology and Feng Shui, the year’s fortifying shades—emerald green and carmine red—offer mindfulness and good intention attracting luck, and fostering personal growth.
Emerald green, associated with the Wood element, symbolizes renewal, clarity, and inner peace. In the year of the wood snake, its dynamic energies will empower and inspire you, fostering growth, renewal and wise transformations. The hue is ideal for moments of self-reflection, study, or creativity. Wearing or incorporating this shade into your space enhances balance and mental focus.
Carmine red, linked to the Fire element, embodies passion, confidence, and vitality. This year, which according to the Bazi Four Pillars Chart, has a lack of metal, earth and fire elements, it will bring balance and the propitious energies. It’s perfect for professional meetings, decision-making, and moments requiring assertiveness as a splash of red can energize and embolden you throughout the day.

Stella Macartney vegan Leather tote

Stefano Ricci silk tie with paisley print
To fully harness their benefits, use these colors in a contemporary, mobile context; through clothing, jewelry, bags and accessories. Alternate between these two potent tints based on your needs. For example, wear green for calmness and clarity when you are going into stressful and mind challenging meetings or appointments. Choose red when you are going into places or situations where you need courage and motivation such as fashion galas, elite socials, prestige affairs, VIP gatherings and so forth.

Saint Laurent crepe de chine mules
Optionally, you can also choose to wear these colors inconspicuously in small details, such as a garnet or jade bracelet, or a ruby or emerald pendant and earrings set. Men can wear a burgundy or forest green tie or pocket square, or casual polo shirts with poppies or with botanical prints, or jade and garnet jewelry. Doing so can subtly align your energy with the year’s vibrational flow.

Jan Leslie emerald bracelet

Daily Mood Cuff Links with red tiger’s eye tubes
The use of colors is more than just aesthetic choices or preferential picks. Colors can serve as energetic tools, reminding you of your good intentions and keeping you mindful of you daily motions. Effecting an optimistic mental state in the wearer, they can effectively shield you from negativity while fostering prosperity and emotional balance. Thoughtfully incorporating them into your wardrobe and surroundings ensures that you move through 2025 with confidence and the right intentions.
Embracing emerald green for tranquility and carmine red for strength are intentional, mindful choices that have the power to transform your energy and shape your path forward. May you have the best of luck in navigating through Year of the Snake with harmony, energy, and the power to attract good fortune.
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The Java Jive

by Janine Taylor
“Coffee is more than just a drink; it’s something happening. Not as hip, but like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup.” — Gertrude Stein, American novelist and poet
Coffee, that magic potion in a cup, is our morning savior and the fuel that helps us get through the day. Whether you’re a stickler for the classics and prefer an espresso or need to start your day with some café au lait or a cappuccino, and yes, we live in the tropics, so iced coffee is good too, we all need our caffeine fix!

The interiors of Eddie’s Log Cabin

Eddie Woolbright with the original waiters of Eddie’s Log Cabin
Growing up in Cebu decades ago, our earliest memories of coffee were the aroma wafting from the percolator at Eddie’s Log Cabin as soon as you opened the doors. You then stepped in for a cup of Joe and a slice of pie. For our parents’ generation, the ultimate sophistication was a cup of “brewed coffee” because, at home, it was freeze-dried instant coffee with powdered creamer and sugar. Folgers was the coffee of choice. Hyperacidity in a cup when you think about it!
Starbucks descended on our shores in December 1997, and our vocabulary suddenly expanded with venti, grande, and Frappuccino. People were willing to pay exorbitant amounts for a cup of coffee. But more than that, it was an experience. It was, all of a sudden, the place to be seen. It was trendy to have coffee at all hours of the day and not just for breakfast.
Cafes have now become the place to meet up with friends, a venue for meetings, and even a space to work from, and you don’t have to be a digital nomad. You can get caffeinated in air-conditioned comfort with WIFI and a snack.
“Seattle has unleashed this weird phenomenon called the coffee shop on the world. And the coffee shop, thanks to Starbucks, is the place where socially isolated, lonely, needy people gather together to ignore one another.”
— Mark Driscoll, American author
Armed with the adage that you can never have too much caffeine, we spent an afternoon visiting three great joints in the city.

The Spring creates the perfect escape for relaxation and comfort.

Matcha latte
The first stop was The Spring, with Scandinavian-inspired interiors and a super chill vibe. A hands-on young owner, Ange Delas Penas, knows her beans well. She was behind the counter, expertly brewing using filters I had never seen before, which she said she purchased in Taiwan. Her team of trained baristas can also whip up some tasty brews, from a cortado to a matcha latte, my latest addiction.

The inviting café interiors of Commonly Uncommon

Latte and espresso
Taking a different route to avoid a flash flood, we dashed out of the car into the warmth of Commonly Uncommon at Crossroads. Don’t let this non-descript, industrial vibe fool you; this java joint knows its craft. Commonly Uncommon uses single-origin beans and, like most cafes these days, also offers coffee alternatives. They are unpretentious and bent on giving the customers the specialty coffee they want, sans judgment. If you prefer oak milk or sugar or enjoy iced drinks, you get what you want. Hence, you will see diverse patronage, from those armed with laptops and headphones to office peeps grabbing a quick caffeine fix to ladies who have lunch and everyone in between.
Plus, they are the only café that thinks of customers battling hyperacidity by offering antacid sachets, which we availed before contemplating our orders.

Tightrope’s laid-back interiors, designed for comfort and creativity
Our caffeine-fueled afternoon’s final stop was Tightrope in the former Henry Hotel. Tightrope is the largest of the three we visited, with the same industrial vibe that is very common these days, and tattooed baristas. Large windows ensure that it is always bright, and this is where you will certainly run into someone you know.

A bold and aromatic espresso shot, ready to awaken the senses.
As this was our third stop, and yes, we were ready to run a marathon after, as we were so pumped, we decided to stick to the classics and have an espresso because you can always taste the quality of a coffee in an espresso. Tightrope has a delicious burnt Basque cheesecake that can be shared, so you can also share the calories. Winding up a well-spent rainy afternoon with great coffee and gossip, we liked all three coffee shops, but Uncommonly Common really stood out.
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