MANILA, Philippines – It never failed. Whenever I found myself in a van full of siblings and in-laws, nephews and nieces, led by the matriarch on our way to catch the efficient super ferry or the big slow boat bound for the hacienda in Leyte – and mind you, this happened various times – several members of the family would inevitably wonder aloud about that totally empty framework of a building with over 20 floors, lording it over a wide open space in the center of the bustling seaport of Cebu.
The mystery behind the towering structure was enhanced by loose talk and nasty gossip, coupled with unbelievable tales and urban legends. Even my Mom, who was then 91 years old, would let out a sigh and ask if she would ever see what is to finally become of the huge monstrosity.
Then one fine day, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., the hospitality arm of the gigantic SM Group of Companies, and the Carlson Rezidor Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, almost magically transformed what once was an enigmatic shell into something imposing – the Radisson Blu Cebu Hotel. The much-awaited development finally opened its doors to the public, warmly received by Cebuanos, guests from surrounding islands and from the capital city and its neighbors, and the love affair goes on and on, more intense with each passing day.
And it has been five years since.
As a Cebuano who has continuously lived away from the city of my birth most of my life and yet still considers Cebu as my one true home, I thought the hotel deserved a long-standing weekend stay.
Daily showcasing the nothing-like-it buffet, the Feria Restaurant was where I had lunch – and it was a big WOW.
Together with a generous spread of salads, cheeses, breads, each meticulously arranged station – more than just pleasing to the eyes, and soon to find out, revealing delightful distinct flavors to the taste buds – was highlighted by award-winning chefs, proudly focusing on their respective specialties of Chinese, Filipino, Indian (the chef was coaxed out of semi-retirement, and his dishes are as authentic as you can get), Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine.
I settled for a degustation lunch – as I tried a little of almost everything the place had to offer. Just a bit of a warning: save some room for dessert. The bread pudding – undoubtedly the best in town – is a must-try. And remember, instead of the usual vanilla sauce, top it with creamy vanilla ice cream. A sure winner!
Upon the gracious invitation of the energetic and full-of-ideas general manager Nishan Silva, tea time found me at the Dilmah t-Bar, a family-owned tea business named after the owner’s two sons – Dilhan and Malik – recognized worldwide for their dedicated commitment to making authentic traditional tea.
What greeted us as we entered the Dilmah t-Bar, the first to open in Asia, took me by surprise – tin cans upon tin cans of high-quality tea, sourced from tea-growing nations such as Sri Lanka, China, Japan and South Africa, hand-picked and packaged with care, lined the interior of the cozy and intimate spot by the lobby.
The cups of teas came one by one in perfect cadence.
After enjoying the different blends, my top choice was Ceylon Silver Tips, hands down. I found out that the steaming cup I was cradling is so scarce, that each container is numbered and tracked à la the most expensive wines.
Have I mentioned the bites that came with it? Delectable finger sandwiches, melt-in-your-mouth scones complete with jams and clotted cream, warm oven-fresh cakes, as we lazed the afternoon away enjoying the best teas in the world.
Long after the sun kissed the horizon, signaling nightfall, I prepared to go to the Urban Table, a specialty bistro situated beside the property’s cerulean pool.
The chophouse is renowned all over the island and beyond for its Certified American Black Angus Beef. However, due to temporary medical restrictions, I opted for a hearty yet healthy meal of locally produced goat cheese for the appetizer and an obra maestra of a duck platter as my main course – both of which, I have to stress, were exquisitely divine.
With the gentle breeze coming in from the nearby sea, made more dramatic by the chilly November night – perfectly adorned by a shy moon and a galaxy of shining stars directly overhead – the Urban Table is definitely a welcome oasis in the midst of a bustling metro.
To cap off the busy yet eye-opener of a day, I decided to reward myself with a visit to the Spa Esc, a holistic hideaway focused on the health and overall well-being of its customers. I settled for a Reboot Essential Aromatherapy Calming Massage, wherein essential oils wafted throughout the whole room, and relieved my nerves, melting away all the seemingly-present aches and pains. Totally relaxed, I happily zombied my way back to my room.
No matter how late I slept the night before, I’m still an early riser – have been all my life, at times even way before the sun rises. I must confess that when I travel, I have a self-imposed daily challenge of being the very first guest at the breakfast room. This usually happens.
As a concession to earlier travelers, I noticed a stand with hot piping coffee and tea, complete with granola bars, biscuits and jams of different kinds and even a variety of fruits, all as breakfast-to-go for those who do not have the time for a leisurely morning meal.
The breakfast was as impressive as their lunch and dinner offerings. The spread may well be the only meal you need for the day – sizzling grilled chorizos, juicy beef tapas, crunchy crispy bacon and the favorite crispy danggit filled almost everyone’s plate, together with crunchy spinach-filled tomato, perfectly baked hash browns, sun-dried tomato fritata, grilled mushrooms and onion jam, and eggs cooked just the way you want it. And let’s not forget the Sikwati, a rich cocoa drink native to the island.
Being at home, I took precious time to visit my siblings for endearingly long chats, whispered a prayer before my folks’ final resting place and did a quick pilgrimage to the image of the Sto. Niño before I rushed back to the hotel for the lighting of the Christmas Tree – a 45-foot tall enchanting blue holiday tree – and the fifth anniversary gala dinner hosted by Elizabeth Sy, Andre de Jong and Nishan Silva.
The amiable GM took the stage and traced the hotel’s history since its opening, the half-a-million room nights it has accummulated, the two and a half million guests served at their restaurants and hosting 50 out of 84 APEC meetings held in Cebu. He further touched on developed creative concepts such as rediscovered Feria, Kids at the Blu, Weddings at the Blu and even the opening of the iconic Dilmah t-Bar.
He proudly shared his strong support of corporate social responsibility, which includes Operation Smile, adoption of an elementary school and the rehabilitation and repair of a day care center, planting 8,000 mangrove trees and working closely with local farmers to grow organic vegetables, and the list went on and on.
While savoring my cup of coffee and bittersweet chocolate sphere with Dilmah Earl Grey chocolate mousse, strawberry rocks and Dilmah lychee with rose and almond jelly with a chocolate hammer to crack open the sphere, I reflected on what GM Silva shared on the hotel’s corporate social activities as a way of giving back to the local communities which supported them through the years.
In this season of giving, it warms my heart to see establishments, led by generous people who care, giving back and helping out, making differences and changing lives. It was then that I realized the magical feeling that has engulfed me ever since I stepped into the hotel lobby wasn’t just because of the lights – it was because of Christmas, in the pure, unadulterated sense of the word.