The Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa stands tall

One of the most interesting things about great buildings and great structures is the fact that they have great stories to tell. The Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark for one has an interesting tale. In 1560, King Frederik II acquired a country manor called Hillerodsholm from a naval hero Herluf Trolle and his wife Birgitte Goye and immediately named it Frederiksborg. When Frederik II died and his son Christian IV succeeded, Christian IV spent 20 years to build and beautify the castle which is a showcase of Dutch Renaissance art. Christian IV wanted to honor the memory of his father with the castle. But in 1859, fire destroyed most parts of the main building as well as its roof. The castle was rebuilt with the financial support of a great Dane, the brewer, J.C. Jacobsen of Carlsberg.

Another great building that is of interest to many and is considered (in a poll conducted in 1991) as the "best all time work of American Architecture" by the American Institute of Architects is Fallingwater, one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most widely acclaimed works. Fallingwater was designed in 1935 for the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann.

Located in Bear Run Pennsylvania, the key to the setting of the house is the waterfall over which the house is built. Wright placed the house over the falls and anchored it in a rock beside the falls. The house hovers serenely over the water. The house was built not without disagreements between the owner of the house and the architect. But Wright’s vision of creating a structure that promotes perfect harmony between man and nature prevailed. It was a brilliant design that unified the house, its surroundings, the waterfalls into a work of the divine.

In Cebu, the Hilton Resort and Spa stands tall as one of the best, if not the best hotel in the area. Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa was built through blood, sweat and tears by its owner Manny Osmeña. Building the hotel was part of the 3,000 most harrowing days of his life. No one believed in him. Because at the time he was building the property, world markets were in a recession, businesses were down and everything was at a stand still. But Manny was not one to back off. He went on and built his Hilton.

The Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa was conceived in 1996, with the initial idea that the air in Mactan Island was suitable to a life well-lived. And indeed, it is.

From the construction to the management contract, administration to design, amidst every economic, political and health crisis this country has seen since 10 years ago, the Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa prevailed and rose to its magnificence today.

The Hilton Property consists of three towers. One is the hotel tower that Hilton International is managing. The other two towers are residential ones which, put together has only 18 remaining unsold units.

With the death of his first wife, Grayn, Manny (who is now married to the beautiful Gina Ticse) had to commit to some major changes in his life. He considers the death of his first wife as the first big blow. Since then, his spiritual growth has been progressive and consistent. Manny has become closer to God, totally yielding himself to God’s divine powers. Manny says that despite the many problems that he faces, despite the scope of his responsibilities, he has not lost sleep even for a day!

At the grand opening of Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa in October last year, Manny said, "I learned a lesson of total dependence on God. As you all know, this project took longer than originally planned. When we started, it was the Asian crisis, not knowing it was just the beginning of a series of many world crises, many of them man has never seen or has not been told in history books. You think a mere mortal like me would know what to do? No, but I depended on God. And because of my faith in God, I persevered."

As chief honcho of Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa, Manny is a passionate foodie. He is a man whom you might call a Renaissance man. He loves good food, good music, good things. He loves to surround himself with beautiful things and beautiful people. Wine-tasting, and discovering food, exploring new places to eat, consume most of his time at home and in his travels.

The Food and Beverage at the hotel do not remain unseen by his meticulous eye, but clearly bears his stamp, his personality in quality, consistency and precision. At Manny O’s, a restaurant by the beach, the most expensive hamburger in the Philippines can be found. It is called Wagyu burger made from Wagyu beef.

Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa has 70 spa suites, 246 guest rooms, closed circuit cameras, ample security on all floors, among others. Topping it all off is the personalized first class service which makes Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa more than just a five-star resort hotel.

And most importantly, wafting in the air at the Cebu Hilton is Manny’s faith that his hotel is a gargantuan testament that in His infinite kindness, He doesn’t give up on anyone of us. Just like Manny’s 3,000 most difficult days, God did not just carry the cross for him, He even built for Manny a fabulous hotel.

God, You are just awesome!