Although I may be familiar with Cebu City and what it has to offer for travellers, I admit that I am a total stranger when it comes to Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island. Funny since it is the first place one visits arriving by plane to Cebu and the last place one visits when leaving.
There are, of course, the many luxury beach resorts that dot the island, but I did not get a feel of the urban vibe of Mactan until just recently when my friend, Myrna, who so happens to live on Mactan, picked me up for some drinks and catching up. After enjoying drinks and a fabulous seaside sunset, we decided to head out to the new heart of Lapu-Lapu City, The Mactan Newtown.
The Mactan Newtown is Megaworld’s 30-hectare integrated urban township and cyberpark with a beach in Mactan Island. This P30-billion investment is poised to be the biggest business and tourism hub in Central Visayas that imbibes the phenomenal LIVE-WORK-PLAY-LEARN concept pioneered by the company.
With ten luxury condos in the pipeline and modern office towers, Mactan Newtown gives Lapu-Lapu City a new and energetic central business district. As a visitor however, Mactan Newtown is a vibrant place to experience the Cebu vibe without spending too much time stuck in Cebu’s legendary traffic.
Food trip at The Mactan Alfresco
Conveniently located near the main entrance of the township, The Mactan Alfresco is the newest dining hub in Mactan that offers a myriad of delectable food finds, which are unique to the island.
Patterned after Singapore’s hawker centers, The Mactan Alfresco also gives diners a whole new way of experiencing at the world-famous Cebu lechon with its very own Lechon Pit with live roastings every Wednesday and from Friday to Sunday, 3PM onwards.
Foodies will whet their appetite as they witness firsthand the preparation of the famous Cebu Lechon from seasoning to roasting until being chopped and served in plates. Cebu Lechon was known as “the world’s best pig” by Time Magazine in its Best of Asia 2009 issue. There are also other purveyors who offer Cebuano cuisine as well as fresh seafood such as shrimps, oysters, and crabs cooked to perfection.
And talk about a unique dining experience, aside from dining at one of Mactan Alfresco’s tables, one can also choose to eat inside one of the jeepneys that come with dining tables scattered around the area.
Take selfies at famous landmarks
There are a lot of places perfect for selfies at The Mactan Newtown. The famous dolphin fountain, which exudes a dramatic water feature and garden landscape, is one best location to snap a photo. Another place is the beach area, which it has a nice background of Magellan Bay and the Hilutungan Channel.
Other places that you can have selfies are the historic Mactan and Lapu-Lapu Shrines located nearby, which will also soon to be rehabilitated featuring courtyards and arcaded walkways, ornately framed doors and windows as well as cupolas and towers including a life-sized Spanish Galleon Victoria—a replica of the first vessel used by Ferdinand Magellan.
Life at the beach
Bringing the Live, Work, Play and Learn lifestyle to Cebu for the first time, Megaworld is making its township development more exciting by giving a new element – the beach.
The 11.5-hectare beachfront property area of The Mactan Newtown is now open to the public and can let you enjoy water activities such as Stand Up Paddling, Jet Skis, Banana Boat and more, or relax with family and friends while appreciating the white sand shores and unparalleled views of the Hilutungan Channel and Magellan Bay.
Open from 7AM to 7PM, you can already have a fun day under the sun for only Php 150 on weekdays and Php 199 on weekends.
More in the future
Adding more excitement into The Mactan Newtown and changing the commercial scene of the whole of the island is the Plaza Magellan, a Megaworld Lifestyle Mall that will soon rise in front of the historic Mactan Shrine.
Considerate of the island’s monumental heritage, the three-level retail and commercial hub will be inspired by rich Spanish architecture, featuring courtyards and arcaded walkways, ornately framed doors and windows as well as cupolas and towers. Recall the island’s history back in the 1500s as a life-sized Spanish Galleon Victoria—a replica of the first vessel that circumnavigated the globe used by Magellan and his men—will highlight the mall’s structure.
Plaza Magellan will also feature a museum which will be dedicated to the life and expeditions of Magellan. Megaworld is also poised to rehabilitate the Mactan and Lapu-Lapu shrines to boost the tourism industry in the island. I can’t wait!
