FaceCebu | Cebu Blog, Vlog and Content Creation: the mactan newtown

The Lechon Chef Wars showcased top talent, including food content creator Jujumao, renowned hotel chefs, and Cebu’s best lechonero, battling it out in a flavorful competition

Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu – The highly anticipated 2025 Cebu Lechon Festival officially opened on August 7 with a grand launch event that sets the stage for ten days of culinary celebration, cultural pride, and community spirit at The Mactan Newtown. Now on its biggest edition yet, the festival opened with an explosive mix of live entertainment, culinary spectacle, and the unmistakable aroma of slow-roasted lechon.

Cebu Lechon Festival Opens with Chef Wars at The Mactan Newtown

The opening ceremonies were led by DOT Region 7 Director Judy Dela Cruz Gabato, joined by Lapu-Lapu City Congressman Junard “Ahong” Chan; DTI Region 7 Officer Kyle Durano; Marilou Kiunisala, The Mactan Newtown General Manager; and culinary content creators Jujumao and Arion Marin. Together, they performed the ceremonial opening of the Cebu Lechon Festival, marking the start of the festivities with a guided tour to the roast pit, creative lechon displays, and the symbolic turnover of the roasting stick.

Headlining the opening day festivities was the much-awaited Chef Wars, a culinary face-off between powerhouse personalities in the food scene: the beloved food content creator and advocate for Filipino flavors Jujumao, Belmont Hotel’s Executive Chef Paolo Aviso, Savoy Hotel’s Chef de Partie Ian Luta. They were also joined by The Mactan Newtown partner restaurants chefs from Shikisai Japanese Restaurant, Chef Filemon Leguis; Bar Samurai and Geisha Lounge, Chef Therese Yap; and seasoned international chef of MSC cruise line Angel Villarin.

Each chef brought their own style, creativity, and deep love for local flavors to the exciting culinary face-off—a true showcase of Cebuano food at its finest.

Festival guests were treated to the start of daily live lechon roasting demonstrations, where expert roasters showcased the craftsmanship behind Cebu’s most iconic dish—golden, glistening, and crackling straight off the spit.

Attendees also enjoyed the grand launch of the Lechon Fair & Pairing Station at The Mactan Alfresco, a culinary playground where Cebu’s most iconic roasted pork from Carcar, Talisay, Liloan, and Cebu City met expertly crafted local drinks. Visitors got to sample and savor each of the city’s distinct take on lechon, discovering the rich flavors and traditions that make Cebu lechon a national treasure.

The festival offered something for everyone, including young creatives who took part in the Lechon for Little Artists zone. The first 200 children who brought in ₱1,500 worth of receipts from any establishment in The Mactan Newtown received a Paint My Lechon Kit, allowing them to decorate and personalize their own mini lechon masterpieces—thus turning the festival into an interactive celebration for all ages.

“The Cebu Lechon Festival reflects how The Mactan Newtown continues to grow as a cultural and culinary gateway—where food becomes a powerful medium for preserving heritage and shaping new culinary narratives. By turning time-honored traditions into immersive experiences, we celebrate Cebuano pride, elevate local talent, and create a destination where culture, community, and creativity come together through cuisine,” said Marilou Kiunisala, General Manager of The Mactan Newtown.

Experience the rest of the festival’s exciting events and activities, including the Cebu’s Best Lechonero competition and Culinary School Showdown on August 8, the student-led Sugbuanon Paksiw Wars on August 10, live music performances on August 10 and from August 15 to 17, and daily festivities at The Mactan Alfresco—featuring live lechon roasting, a lechon fair, pairing stations, art exhibits, and family-friendly activities running all the way through August 17.

The Cebu Lechon Festival at The Mactan Newtown runs from August 7–17, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience Cebu’s culture and cuisine like never before. For full schedules and updates, visit facebook.com/MactanNewtownMegaworld and facebook.com/TMN.OfficialTownshipPage.

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Mga suki sa lami’g pagkaon, naa koy chika nga makapagana gyud sa inyong tastebuds —Gordon Ramsay is coming to Cebu!! Naka-try ko sa Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill sa Newport World Resorts sa Manila, ug ambot lang—murag giluto ko'g balik sa kalipay. Ang concept sa resto? Classic British comfort food. Dili lang siya pa-bongga nga fine dining, pero feel-good, hearty meals nga gipadako ni Chef Gordon mismo. Lami kaayo, bai!

Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill in Cebu, The Mactan newtown Belmont Hotel

Mga Appetizer Pa Lang, Murag Main Dish Na!

Crispy Crab Cake and Caviar – sosyal pero crispy, fresh kaayo.
Aged Steak Tartare – for the adventurous palate, raw pero flavorful!
Classic Caesar Salad – dili lang ni ordinaryong Caesar, perfectly dressed!
Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips – crispy outside, flaky inside. Grabe ka legit British feels.

Ang Bida Gyud: Gordon's Signature Beef Wellington

Bai, kung wala pa ka kasuway ani, kinahanglan gyud nimo tilawan. Soft, juicy ang beef, naa sa flaky nga pastry—this is what you see sa iyang shows, unya sa atubangan na nimo. Di lang ni pagkaon, experience ni siya.

More Mains & Sides

Bar and Grill Burger – juicy, grilled to perfection.
Charcoal-Grilled Sweetcorn – smoky with just the right sweetness.
Spice Roasted Pumpkin – sweet and savory balance, perfect pang-side!

Dessert Time, Bai!

Caramelized Apple Tart Tatin – sweet, tangy, buttery. Sulit!
Sticky Toffee Pudding – super moist and heavenly. I swear, makaiyak sa kalami.

Coming Soon to Cebu: Mactan Newtown, Represent!

Maong kabalo mo sa pinakalingaw? Gordon Ramsay is coming to Cebu!

Sa end of June or early July 2025, duha ka bag-ong restos ang mu-open sa The Mactan Newtown:

Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips – Crispy, golden fish filets with thick-cut fries. British classic!
Street Burger by Gordon Ramsay – Angus beef burgers, mouthwatering sauces, ug sure ko, mabusog gyud ka.

First time pa ni sa tibuok Pilipinas nga mu-open ni nga mga branches, ug diri pa gyud sa Lapu-Lapu. Proud kaayo ko as a Cebuano!

If gusto mo og food trip nga lahi ra, one that’s world-class pero accessible, sugdi sa Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill sa Manila or pag-andam na para sa opening sa Mactan. Let’s show Gordon what real Cebuano foodies are made of. Ayaw ninyo ni palabi og pa-labay, bai!

Kitakits ta sa Mactan Newtown this mid-2025!

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Positano Mactan, A New Iconic Property in The Mactan Newtown is set to rise by the year 2028 in the skyline of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu! Property giant Megaworld is launching its sixth residential condominium project inside the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The 17-story Positano Mactan will offer 301 ‘smart home’ units in varying types with sizes ranging from Studio (up to 33 square meters), Executive Studio (41 square meters), One Bedroom (up to 51.5 square meters), Executive One Bedroom (up to 61 square meters), Two Bedroom (up to 78 square meters), and Three Bedroom (up to 141 square meters). The project will also offer other unit types that will be seen for the first time at The Mactan Newtown. These include One Bedroom Loft (up to 81.5 square meters), Two Bedroom Loft (136.5 square meters), Three Bedroom Bi-Level (up to 166 square meters), Three Bedroom Loft (189.5 square meters), and Three Bedroom Loft with Terrace (up to 264.5 square meters).

All units will have their own cooktop burners, with two-bedroom and three-bedroom units having their own built-in ovens. Split-type air-conditioning units will come standard in both the living and dining areas across all units.

Designed by acclaimed architectural and design firm Casas+Architects, Inc., the façade of Positano Mactan pays homage to the charming Italian resort town of Positano by mirroring an impression of the real place highlighted by earth tones, such as beige, warm white, and light yellow, and terracotta red.

“This residential project is inspired by the elegance and beauty of the picturesque Italian seaside destination of the Amalfi Coast that carries the same name. We continue to see an overwhelming demand for living spaces here at The Mactan Newtown, which is why we have chosen to offer this concept to further highlight the island vibe and the exciting lifestyle that residents have come to love in this master-planned township,” says Jennifer Palmares-Fong, first vice president for sales and marketing, Megaworld Visayas.

Rising near the historic Lapu-Lapu Shrine, Positano Mactan will feature two floors of retail area, whose design is inspired by the vibrant public markets of Positano.

Inside, future residents will be welcomed to a high-ceiling lobby adorned with Mediterranean tiles, decorative plates, and pots that reflect the vibrancy of Positano’s exceptional arts and crafts. Each unit at Positano Mactan will be equipped with a wireless smart home system and that residents can access and control remotely via a smartphone app. Units will also have smart home devices with WiFi routers, video intercom, and standby backup power for select areas in all units.

At the fifth level, future residents will enjoy a host of top-notch amenities, including an adult infinity pool, wet lounge, pool deck, children’s pool with water play, and cabanas. There’s also a reading nook, an outdoor fitness area, a children’s playground, daycare, a bi-level game room, a fitness gym equipped with lockers and male and female toilets and changing rooms, and a high-ceiling, pillar-less function room with outdoor spill-over area that can host up to 90 guests.

A pair of first-in-the-township amenities will also be featured at Positano Mactan. These include a loft-type private dining room equipped with a full working kitchen, dining and lounge furniture that can accommodate up to 18 people, and Terrazas (sky lounges) landscaped with flowering shrubs, vines, medium-sized trees, and mini statues where residents can relax and converge. The property will feature a total of eight (8) Terrazas located on the 14th and 16th floors, respectively.

From their very own units, residents can marvel at pristine views of Magellan Bay, the Hilutungan Channel, the township, the nearby islands, and the rest of The Mactan Newtown.

A variety of green and sustainability features will also be integrated into Positano Mactan. These include energy-generating outdoor fitness equipment, low flow rate fixtures to promote water conservation, occupancy sensors in hallways and parking floors that help conserve energy, LED lights, a rainwater harvesting system, and its own materials recovery facility.

Megaworld expects to generate around P2-billion in sales from Positano Mactan, which is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Currently, The Mactan Newtown hosts more than 2,000 residential condo units from nine existing towers and two soon-to-rise developments and nearly 81,000 square meters of gross leasable office spaces. The township also features two hotel properties from Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the country’s largest operator of homegrown hotel brands. These are the 18-storey Savoy Hotel Mactan and the 20-storey Belmont Hotel Mactan, which offer a combined 1,097 rooms in total.

There’s also the La Sallian-supervised Newtown School of Excellence, Inc. (NSEI) inside The Mactan Newtown. Soon, a convention center, a museum, and a two-level ‘beach mall’ will also rise in the township to offer more leisure and accommodation options for visiting travelers.

In 2019, The Mactan Newtown was hailed as the ‘Best Mixed-Use Development for Visayas and Mindanao’ at The Outlook Awards by Lamudi Philippines, underscoring the seamless coming together of residential, office, commercial, and retail components into a community that promotes a vibrant integrated lifestyle.

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(PRESS RELEASE) This is exciting news! Belmont Hotel Mactan is opening in the Fourth quarter of this year inside The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu! Pioneering township developer Megaworld is set to open its second homegrown hotel development inside its 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu by the fourth quarter of this year. This will be the 12th hotel property of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the country’s largest operator of homegrown hotel brands.

Belmont Hotel Mactan

The 20-storey Belmont Hotel Mactan will have 550 guestrooms and suites, composed of a mix of Twin Suites, Queen Suites, Junior Suites, Executive Suites, and Specially-abled Suites, with most units featuring an expansive view of the Hilutungan Channel. All rooms will be fully-equipped with essential amenities, in-room electronic safety box, wall-mounted TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar, and wireless Internet connection.

The new hotel will be located just beside Savoy Hotel Mactan along Newtown Boulevard, and only a few minutes’ walk from the Mactan Newtown Beach and the soon-to-rise Mactan Newtown Beach Walk Mall. It will also be about a five-minute walk away from the Mactan Alfresco, a hawker-type dining destination that hosts a variety of restaurants offering authentic Cebuano cuisine and other delicacies.

“Belmont Hotel Mactan will be our third Belmont Hotel property in the country. It is only about 15 minutes away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and will offer an unparalleled opportunity for families and travelers visiting Cebu either for business or leisure. From cafes, restaurants, grocery stores – everything is just a few steps from the hotel. Once opened, we will be the largest hotel operator in the whole of Cebu Province in terms of the number of hotel keys,” says Cleofe Albiso, managing director, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.

Guests of Belmont Hotel Mactan can enjoy all-day dining at Belmont Café. Located at the ground level, it offers a wide variety of Asian and Mediterranean dishes, including other local delicacies.

Also located at the lobby is the Zabana Bar, where guests can enjoy a selection of cocktails and refreshing beverages. Over on the third floor, meanwhile, is the Pool Bar, where guests can sample a variety of snacks and beverages as they lounge and take a refreshing plunge at the swimming pool.

Aside from the pool, Belmont Hotel Mactan features a wide array of amenities at the central amenity area located at the third floor. This includes a children’s pool, male and female shower and changing rooms with toilets, outdoor lounge with elevated deck, fitness center, and a viewing deck where guests can marvel at the beauty of the nearby sea and the rest of the township and Mactan Island.

Once it formally opens its doors, Belmont Hotel Mactan will offer an opening room rate priced at PhP3,800 net/night, inclusive of breakfast for two (2) and access to its facilities.

In 2019, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts opened the township’s first hotel property, the 547-room Savoy Hotel Mactan, which recently served as home to hundreds of athletes and partners that participated in the just concluded Megaworld IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines.

Last year, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts also opened the 529-room Kingsford Hotel Manila in Westside City, Parañaque, in the middle of the pandemic.

To date, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has already opened 11 hotel properties under six (6) homegrown brands with around 4,000 hotel keys: Richmonde Hotel (Ortigas, Eastwood City, and Iloilo); Belmont Hotels (Newport City and Boracay); Savoy Hotels (Newport City, Boracay, Cebu); Twin Lakes Hotel (Tagaytay); Hotel Lucky Chinatown (Binondo, Manila); and Kingsford Hotel (Parañaque City).

During the first half of 2022, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts posted 49% year-on-year growth in its hotel revenues amounting to Php1.1-billion.

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The property giant, Megaworld Corporation has finally opened its first Hotel development in Cebu, Savoy Hotel Mactan. Tagged as the biggest Hotel on the island of Mactan, Savoy Hotel Mactan aims to help tourism in Cebu specifically in Lapu-Lapu City. It is located inside The Mactan Newtown and has a total of 547 rooms from Junior Suite to Super Twin, Deluxe and Deluxe Premier.

WEBSITE: www.savoyhotelmactan.com.ph

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: @savoymactannewtown

Instagram: @savoyhotelmactan

Address: Newtown Blvd, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

EMAIL: reservations@savoyhotelmactan.com.ph

CONTACT NUMBER:

Manila (02) 720 1886

Cebu (032) 494 4000

The 18-storey Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown offers 547 guestrooms and suites, making it the biggest hotel in terms of number of rooms in Mactan Island and the second biggest in the entire Cebu. The hotel targets mostly business travelers and family vacationers because of its close accessibility to the beach and resorts around Mactan, as well as the new Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

“Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown is just 15 minutes away from the airport, which makes it a perfect choice for business travelers. Its location also allows one to experience the beach and the township at the same time, where restaurants, cafes, supermarket, spa, and other retail shops are just within easy reach,” says Raymundo Melendres, managing director, Megaworld Hotels.

Deluxe Premier Room

Deluxe Queen Room

Junior Suite Room

Superior Twin Room

The hotel offers superior and deluxe rooms, deluxe premier, and junior suites – all fully equipped with essential amenities, in-room electronic safety box, 43” LED TV, coffee and tea-making facilities, mini-bar, and wireless Internet connection.Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown’s interiors are designed by world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the same firm that designed Marina Bay Sands and Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, as well as Shangri-La Dubai and St. Regis Abu Dhabi in UAE.

The hotel also has a wide range of function and meeting rooms. It also has food and beverage (F&B) outlets, such as the Savoy Café for breakfast and all-day dining, Lobby Café for coffee and pastries, Zabana Bar at the lobby area that offers cocktails and drinks, Pool Bar at the third level, and the Patio, an outdoor dining area located at the second level.

Savoy Hotel Gym

The hotel’s amenities include a swimming pool, paved sunbathing lounge, fitness center,business center, and a flower garden. “Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown caters to smart travelers who appreciate the harmony between work and leisure, where they can discover and experience the hospitality of passionate Filipino hoteliers,” says Grace Bartolome, general manager, Savoy Hotel Mactan. Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown is operated by Megaworld Hotels and will offer
complimentary shuttle services to and from the Mactan Newtown Beach. Transport services will also be offered to guests traveling to and from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

As the hotel opens its doors, it will offer introductory rates of P3,288 to P5,888 per night, inclusive of buffet breakfast for two, depending on the room category. Megaworld has spent P1.7 billion to build the hotel, which is one of the many hotels that it plans to put up inside The Mactan Newtown. Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown is the third hotel under the Savoy Hotel brand, a homegrown hotel chain established by Megaworld. Other Savoy Hotels have already opened in Boracay Newcoast and in Newport City, Pasay City.

Pool Area

Zabana Bar

To date, Megaworld Hotels has already opened four (4) homegrown brands aside from Savoy—Richmonde Hotels, Belmont Hotels, Twin Lakes Hotel, and Hotel Lucky Chinatown—with around 3,200 hotel rooms. In the next five years, the company will also open new homegrown hotel brands in Parañaque, Bacolod, Iloilo, Boracay, and Laguna. Just last month, Megaworld also opened the P2.1 billion Belmont Hotel Boracay inside Boracay Newcoast, a 150-hectare tourism township being developed by its subsidiary, Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI).

Function Room

Lobby Area

During the first quarter this year, Megaworld’s hotel business became the fastest-growing segment of the quarter, soaring 56% to P574 million compared to last year’s P368 million.