C'est beau, Cebu!
Quite re-cently, Mary Ann and I took the Supercat from Tagbilaran, Bohol to Cebu City. She was initially apprehensive about taking such a high-speed ferry, especially as there still had been the tail-end of a typhoon the previous day. Fortunately, just before boarding the catamaran, the rain had stopped and out came the sun. That being her first time to ride a local ferry, Mary Ann was impressed to see the catamaran was very clean, comfortable and modern; she declared its interiors were comparable to that of the ferries of the Hong Kong-Macau route. For P500 one reaches Cebu in 90 minutes, and for P200 more, you get to sit on wider leather seats at the upper deck. We had a smooth ride all the way, enjoying the calm deep blue waters of the Bohol Strait, except for the noise from the flat-screen TV that was showing some silly movie. Maybe they should look into providing headsets instead.
As the Supercat was approaching the docking berth in Cebu, one couldn’t help but feel the excitement and romance of travel, speeding off to some remote island somewhere in the Pacific — or was it just the thought of biting into the now world-famous Cebu lechon that worked me up? It beats landing in an ordinary airport anytime.
Being promptly met by the hotel car service, we got to our destination Marco Polo Plaza in less than half an hour. Driving uphill, my initial excitement returned as we reached the hotel — it felt like finally arriving at some secret hideaway after passing through the hustle and bustle of the city jungle. And, as expected at a five-star hotel — the only one in Cebu City, in fact — the lobby looked grand and bustling with activity because of the Christmas season. It was beautifully decked out with a giant Christmas tree in the center and brightly lit around the lobby. There seem to be so many events lined up in the hotel for the weekend of our stay: a Beaujolais night, a fundraising Christmas tree lighting and caroling for cancer-stricken children; a bazaar at the mezzanine, three restaurants to try — so much that Mary Ann wondered if we could even have precious time left for the spa, as I had promised her.
Our first lunch was a buffet at the Café Marco. For P860 net, one can have a feast of an extensive buffet matched with a cordial and pleasant service. There were five kinds of terrines alone on the cold cuts section, and a refreshingly light raspberry vinaigrette dressing which was very nice on crisp romaine with croutons. My darleng feasted on her favorite — anchovies — which are not a common sight on buffet spreads. There was the usual Japanese section, freshly made dim sum and an assortment of Chinese barbecue roast meats, including duck and lap chong (Chinese sausage). But to my chagrin, having arrived rather late for lunch, all the crisp skin of my fave and much-anticipated Cebu’s suckling pig in the carving section had all but vanished. Not to be outdone, I had the soggy skin and fatty part of the poor sucking pig fried which we devoured with spicy vinegar. What makes this buffet extraordinary to me is its open kitchen with chefs eager to cook dishes as requested. They have a can do/will do/never say no attitude, which is everything one would expect in a five-star hotel.
As if to compensate for the letdown of no-crisp lechon skin, there was fortunately an ongoing French cuisine festival, prepared by the hotel’s executive French Canadian chef Luke Gagnon. On that day, I was overjoyed to see two of my “other” fave dishes — the classic duck à la orange and sea eel in green sauce. Mary Ann had seconds of the seafood bouillabaisse. And naturallment, we followed with a selection of cheese with the thick chunks from the humongous, irresistible Parmegiano Reggiano wheel. And when in Cebu, one must not skip the mangos, which Café Marco highlights in their popular mango crepes.
For those who are not buffet fans, dining alfresco by the pool at El Viento will be another option. Serving Italian favorites and original pizzas from a wood-fired brick oven, we tried its signature Pizza Marco and wine one evening.
Majestically situated 600 feet above sea level along the prestigious Nivel Hills district, the 24-story Marco Polo Plaza is considered a landmark in Cebu City. It’s an urban resort and business hotel that offers a panoramic view of the city, the Mactan Channel and the neighboring islands, with land surrounded by 7.5 hectares of lush greenery. What better way to enjoy this view than by riding the scenic elevator. For a moment, one actually forgets he is actually in the middle of a city. Riding the scenic elevator, a romantic evening is set once you reach Blu Bar and Grill at the roof deck. Its specialties are grilled meats and wines. But what we remembered more than the food was the superb service we received from its maître d’ — if only all Filipinos in the service industry would learn from her, we could easily become the tourism capital of the world.
One enchanted evening was the celebration of Soiree Beaujolais. Johnny Litton and Cory Quirino hosted the event, and the ever-vivacious Vernie Varga serenaded the sell-out guests of more than 400. Free-flowing Beaujolais and tequila were passed around that evening, while five musicians and dancers from France led the guests to some serious dancing.
I had to punish myself daily with 20 laps at the pool while Mary Ann spends at least two hours in the gym to burn all the calories from the food and wine. And true to my word, we had our quiet time at the spa couple’s room and I must say the masseuses were very good.
Looking back now, Marco Polo Plaza is not just all about wining and dining and the good life but one big hotel with a five- star heart. GM Hans Hauri with businessman Clayton Tugonon and wife Joji put up a Christmas village train at the lobby to raise funds for Cebu ’s cancer-stricken children. On the weekend we were there, the money they raised was pushing close to a million pesos already. It was so touching when the children went to the lobby that some guests/donors were teary-eyed. The world certainly needs more people like them who know how to enjoy and share. We left Cebu not only with heavy stomachs, but with hearts filled with the generosity of the Cebuanos.
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Come up and celebrate Festive Season 2009 at Cebu City ’s only five-star hotel at the Marco Polo Plaza. For inquiries and reservations please call (032) 253 1111 or e-mail mpplaza@marcopolohotels.com
