Cebu: A Michelin stop, a new arena and more

Cebu, despite its legendary traffic, is a province I enjoy visiting every single time. Perhaps it’s because it’s my mother’s hometown, where the spirit of my ancestors always makes me feel at home.

Two work events brought me to the province this month and I was pleasantly surprised to discover hidden gems, famed destinations and new experiences.

SM Seaside Cebu Arena

I earlier wrote about the launch of SM Prime’s new and massive SM Seaside Cebu Arena, the first world-class events venue of its kind outside Luzon.

The P7-billion arena is sleek, sophisticated and state-of-the-art. What I forgot to mention is that no less than SM Group insiders call it MOA Arena 2.0. In short, it’s a much improved arena.

I had the chance to chat with SM Prime executive committee chairman Hans Sy, SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, who were all beaming with pride during the launch.

In the era of Taylor Swift, BTS, SB19, BINI and more, the Sy Group is surely making the right bet by putting up another world-class concert venue.

Sheraton: Michelin Selected

And then there’s the sprawling Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, a Michelin-recognized destination located at Punta Engaño Road in Lapu-Lapu City, roughly 25 minutes from the airport.

What I saw and experienced at Sheraton during my visit last week made me really proud as a Filipino and as a Cebuana by heritage. It’s no wonder Sheraton landed in the Michelin Guide.

It’s not just the relaxing beachfront with its marine sanctuary, swimming pools, fitness center, a full-service spa and dining options that make a stay in the resort worthwhile. It’s the warmth of the people and the meaningful connections one makes.

It’s easy to feel at home in this slice of paradise with the stunning ocean views, the gastronomic adventures and the gentle sound of waves lulling you to sleep at night.

As I said, seeing all this made me proud because it really shows the beauty of our beloved country and the heart of the Filipino.

Sheraton Cebu Mactan, owned and developed by the AppleOne Group, is a testament to the fact that the Filipino can truly be at par with the best in the world.

According to the Michelin Guide, “Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort is the perfect base for exploring Cebu’s beaches and cultural sites.”

DIP Nikkei

Sheraton’s DIP Nikkei is likewise a Michelin Selected restaurant, recognized for its modern Nikkei cuisine, which, according to its Peruvian chef de cuisine Rodrigo Serrano Cabrera, is a fusion of traditional Japanese techniques and bold Peruvian ingredients.

DIP Nikkei is a gastronomic delight and truly deserves its Michelin recognition. I had a hearty lunch there and as a kinilaw lover, I particularly enjoyed the tuna tamarind ceviche Nikkei. The seafood Mariscos rice, a dish of tiger prawns and other seafood topped with bisque foam, is quite a feast. And so is everything else.

Sheraton Cebu was one of the host venues for the 48th ASEAN 2026 Summit. Heads of state and delegates received a warm welcome at the resort and enjoyed a sumptuous meal at DIP Nikkei.

It’s no wonder Sheraton has been recognized as a five-star accredited resort by the Department of Tourism.

We hope to see more destinations like this in the Philippines – truly world-class yet right here in our beloved country, offered by Filipinos, for Filipinos and for the rest of the world.

As I said, it’s worth the visit.

Cebu Safari and Adventure Park

The week before, Toyota Motor Philippines’ Road Trek 19 brought me to the northern part of Cebu for a driving activity that showcased Toyota’s upcoming lineup of vehicles and its multi-pathway strategy.

I didn’t expect a side trip to an adventure park but as with previous Road Treks, Toyota always likes to show off the Philippines’ hidden gems and what a wonderful discovery it was.

About an hour’s drive from Cebu City, the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is nestled atop the scenic hills of Carmen and serves as a sanctuary for 127 different species of animals and lush plants, too.

I enjoyed the African Savanna, said to be home to five animals: plains zebra, impala, greater kudu, blesbok and blue wildebeest.

The adventure park is the brainchild of Michel Lhuillier, founder of M. Lhuillier Group of Companies. Somewhere in the park, one will also get a glimpse of the gated Hacienda M. Lhuillier.

Our group from Manila was stunned – why didn’t we know we had something like this in the Philippines?

It’s truly a delight for people of all ages.

Kandaya Resort

Road Trek 19’s last stop was Kandaya Resort, a beautifully landscaped sprawling resort in Daanbantayan, Cebu.

Upon reaching Kandaya, I wondered who would go all the way there, three hours away from the airport. But I soon understood. Kandaya has its own charm, plus stunning and spacious pool villas fronting the beach.

It’s also the jump-off point for the world-famous Malapascua Island, a remote tiny island touted for its powdery white-sand shores and emerald-blue waters.

I didn’t get a chance to see Malapascua but I promised myself I would one day.

Cebu is always a good idea. Even its world-class Mactan-Cebu International Airport, now operated by the Aboitiz Group, is efficient and impressive.

Instead of planning a trip elsewhere in Asia, try Cebu. It’s well worth it, with far less hassle than flying abroad.

Now if only the local government could fix the horrendous traffic.

There really is so much to be proud of in the Philippines. I hope our new crop of tourism officials finally get it right this time.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]. Follow her on X 
@eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.