The Longest Operating Resort at Mactan Turns 37

CEBU, Philippines —  On July 20 this year, Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel celebrated its Anniversary and Client Appreciation Night in recognition of a partnership that has flourished for 37 years. 

To Marita Alvarez-Arambulo, Costabella general manager, the occasion communicated 37 years of long-standing hospitality experience and reliability. It reflected 37 years of dedication to constantly improve and come up with “wow” moments and facilities for guests.  She added that Costabella’s recent anniversary celebrations were symbolized with a gift of Alabaster, made of Gypsum which is soft and Calcite which is tough. 

Alabaster aptly represents Costabella’ s culture of genuine caring service and durability, being the longest operating resort at Mactan.

With a Costabella Team whose heart is genuinely committed, and under the strong leadership of Marita Arambulo duly guided by the Board, nothing seems impossible for Costabella in facing the challenges and advancement of the tourism industry.

Local Style and a Classy Touch

When it comes to fashion, inspiration is everywhere, and up-and-coming brand NinoBasilio draws its own from both the old and the new. Finding its niche in handmade bags, NinoBasilio weaves effortless chic out of classic textures and modern tastes. Its style relies on the traditional art of weaving, but gives it a fresh, “edgy” twist – successfully turning it into a must-have piece for anyone’s wardrobe.

NinoBasilio found its roots in 2014, when Basil Cabaral’s mother was given a native bag made in Negros. What started as a simple gift sparked Cabaral’s creative eye; he recalls that while the bag was nice, he felt it was still lacking “something.” Inspired, Cabaral traveled to Sacada, in Negros, to collaborate with local weavers and seamstresses and bring his own creative direction to life. Since then, NinoBasilio has been producing beautiful bags handcrafted from pandan, and stylized with a modern flair. Featuring pops of color such as plum and teal, among others, the designs are made with younger fashionistas in mind.

NinoBasilio’s first pop-up store in Cebu has opened at Robinsons Galleria Cebu, where Pinoy products are proudly celebrated and showcased. The pop-up store holds until December this year.

Mactan’s “Lechon Festival”

Cebaunos and visitors to Cebu can savor Cebu’s diverse lechon varieties in this year’s “Lechon Festival” – a 12-day event that brings the crunchy, savory and succulent tangs of the country’s most popular roasted pig dish to the fore.

Hosted by Megaworld’s The Mactan Newtown in partnership with the Lapu-Lapu City government, the festival highlights the staple dish of the country’s fiestas and other celebrations by way of lechon-making demonstrations, sampling sessions, lechon-pairing sessions, promotions and more.

Taking place at Mactan Newtown’s “Mactan Alfresco” from August 1 to 12, eight of Cebu’s top lechon makers are offering their versions of the dish throughout the special event.

The scheduled activities and highlights include a “Grand Lechon Parade,” street dancing and grand fireworks display on August 3, traditional Pinoy game challenges from August 3 to 5, cultural performances on August 4 and 5 and August 11 and 12, and more.

The festival’s highlights have a “1521” promotion, wherein lechon can be purchased at significantly discounted prices per kilo every 3:21 in the afternoon. The promotion’s name takes from the year 1521, the year when the Philippines was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan.

Brought by the Spaniards to the Philippines, lechon holds a distinction in being one of the country’s readily-recognizable dishes.

Once described by world-renowned American chef Anthony Bourdain as “the best roasted pig dish in the world,” Megaworld’s “Lechon Festival,” which is now on its second year, is not only a celebration of the country’s cultural heritage, but also serves as a platform where everyone gets to savor the reasons why lechon is held in high regard. (YRST)