Maribago's new dolphins

CEBU, Philippines - Legend has it that Lapu-Lapu, the country’s first hero famed for killing the legendary Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, befriended seven dolphins whom he saved when they were still calves trapped in shallow waters near a mangrove forest.

These dolphins, as the legend goes, were the secret defenders of the island. And when the Spanish fleet decided to conquer Mactan through force, these dolphins were the first line of defense, attacking the invaders, exhausting them until they no longer had the energy to wage a successful battle with the islanders.

Legend, as it may be, the seven dolphins have been immortalized in one of the island’s premiere Cebuano resort, the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort and Spa, as the property’s iconic symbol, welcoming guests with their fluid motion as they appear to surface from the water to do their leaps.

This is exactly the reason why, when the resort took the dolphins down, visiting the place would feel like something was amiss. But that was just a temporary setback as late March, Maribago Bluewater unveiled their new set of dolphins, sculpted in mix metal by renowned artist Daniel dela Cruz.

Julie Alegrado-Vergara, president of the resort said that the new dolphins, which welcomes visitors to the exciting resort, symbolizes the experience that the resort’s guests would expect – fresh, artful, and playful.

More than that, however, it also strengthened the resort’s commitment to the arts, reinforcing the Bluewater Gallery which is home to the best artists in the region, having boasted of hosting big names like Boy Kiamko, Jet Florendo, national artist Napoleon Abueva, and Romulo Galicano.

Together with the dolphins, the resort also revealed the many innovations that they have implemented, reinforcing the resort’s growing popularity.

First of these innovations is the renovations made for their deluxe accommodations with the floating beds as the pièce de résistance - making it more spacious and contemporary.

Next to this would be the Allegro Restaurant and Bar that has been refreshed to take in more natural light and leave its patrons relaxed while enjoying the island’s most “progressive Filipino menu.”

Just beside the restaurant is the reinvented Allegro Pool, transformed to become more versatile for themed functions and parties. It has been transformed into an infinity pool accented by waterfalls that are contemporary in design, making it even more elegant and stylish. Who would have thought that swimming in a pool can be sexy?

The resort’s Italian Restaurant, the Molto Italiano, was also reinvented, with a wood-fired brick oven as its centerpiece. The oven lends to the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread, and the versatility that it has placed in the making of its pizza has made it the place to be when it comes to artisan pizza and country-style pasta.

To lower the temperature of the excitement, Maribago Bluewater also introduced its own line of ice cream, the Bluewater Scoops. Made from the freshest tropical seasonal fruits in the market, this homemade ice cream boasts of flavors like lychee and guyabano.

Lastly, in keeping with the valiant spirit of the resort’s icon, it has joined the fight to preserve and protect the precious environment surrounding the resort through the Blue Goes Green Campaign. The campaign is simple, yet honest. It starts by implementing a policy of reuse and recycle and also in partnering with a local non-government organization, OceanCare, in protecting the beautiful waters surrounding the island.

With these seven innovations of Maribago Bluewater, surely, a visit to the resort becomes a very enriching experience.