AppleOne Group unveils Lapu-Lapu development

CEBU, Philippines — AppleOne Group has entered the mixed-use development space, underscoring its confidence in the long-term growth trajectory of Lapu-Lapu City, as it formally unveiled Mahi Center—an integrated business and lifestyle complex on Mactan Island.

The Cebu-based developer’s expansion beyond its core residential, hospitality and healthcare portfolio marks a strategic shift toward capturing demand for integrated urban destinations linked to tourism and business activity around the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Located in Barangay Ibo, Mahi Center combines a three-level lifestyle mall, a five-storey office tower and the 196-room Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan—the first Marriott-branded city hotel on the island.

The project also signals AppleOne’s entry into retail, anchored by Metro Retail Stores Group’s Metro Supermarket alongside a mix of local and international food and beverage operators.

The development reflects AppleOne’s view that Mactan is transitioning into a self-sustaining economic hub, supported by sustained visitor inflows and improving infrastructure connectivity. The curated tenant mix is designed to position the complex both as a community hub and a transit-oriented destination for travelers passing through one of the country’s busiest gateways.

AppleOne Group Chief Executive Officer Ray Go Manigsaca said the project aligns with the company’s long-term conviction in Cebu’s emergence as a regional growth center. By integrating retail, office and hospitality components, the development is structured to capture multiple demand streams, including business process outsourcing, corporate leasing and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE)-related travel.

 Mactan’s proximity to resort corridors and its expanding commercial footprint have drawn increasing investor interest, with developers seeking to replicate mixed-use formats that have gained traction in Metro Manila and across Southeast Asia.

AppleOne’s entry places it alongside larger competitors while leveraging its established presence in Cebu.

Beyond commercial returns, the company expects the project to generate employment across retail, hospitality and property management, while strengthening local supply chains.

 The office component is being positioned as a strategic address for companies seeking to establish a foothold in Mactan’s growing business district.

The formal launch follows a soft opening in December 2025 and comes as Cebu continues to benefit from resilient tourism demand and rising domestic consumption, reinforcing its appeal as both an investment destination and a gateway to the central Philippines.

In remarks during the formal launch, Manigsaca said Mahi Center was conceived as a response to evolving market needs, aiming to create an accessible and dynamic environment where business, lifestyle and community converge.