"It started out as a beach house and it was a very small property. We had a small house at the center and a very small swimming pool which my dad used to call a ‘handkerchief type’ of swimming pool because you can’t really swim, you just have to stand," fondly recalls Maribago Bluewater owner and managing director Julie Alegrado-Vergara.

From a family of furniture makers, Vergara grew up in a household-turned-factory during daytime. The beach house was a weekend family hideaway until the village people started selling adjacent properties to them and family friends began borrowing the place for various occasions. The resort started with 32 rooms that latter turned to 78 – to a mushrooming 150 that it is now.

Today, Maribago Bluewater is a magnificent facility set in five hectares of immaculately groomed and beautifully landscaped grounds. It is located just 15 minutes away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and a short 30-minute drive away from city life.

A recipient of the prestigious Kalakbay "Resort of the Year" award in 1993, the Resort Condominiums International, Inc. (RCI) "Resort of International Distinction" in 1995 and the RCI "Gold Crown Award" in 1996 until 2002, Maribago Bluewater is a perfect seaside haven for refreshing one’s body and soul.

LIVING EASY

Maribago Bluewater goes the distance in giving ultimate comforts found only in the familiar serenity of homes. Guests will find it even in the simplest of things, from the warm smiles of their staff to the cheerful welcome basket of fruits found inside their rooms. For accommodations, visitors have the choice of eight royal bungalows and 145 luxurious, native-styled deluxe rooms. The well-appointed royal bungalows are located at the beachfront, each with a bedroom, a separate sala (living room), and veranda (balcony).

Under the slow spell of the luminous skies, guests are invited to savor the gastronomic fare of the island from three different diners: Alegrado Restaurant, a tropic-style restaurant that offers international and local cuisine; Sunset Cove, a fresh seafood restaurant by the sea; and Pier 7, a casual seaside bar. Each meal is a unique event prepared by esteemed chefs and from the freshest of ingredients.

The resort is also surrounded by various opportunities to explore and have fun. They have a complete aqua sports facilities to meet every visitor’s requirements for a total tropical experience, including jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing and snorkeling and island hopping. Or, visitors can revel in a 110-meter clean, white sand, surrounded by golden coconut palms and umbrella huts, lined with cushioned beach beds for total relaxation. Lagoon-shaped pools set amongst lush tropical vegetation, murmuring brooks and cascading waterfalls are also an option.

FAMILY RESORT

As one would expect from an award-winning resort, Maribago Bluewater has everything covered – from adults to kids, that is!

The resort provides the perfect setting for families to bond together. Whether young or young-at-heart, there are activities throughout the resort that can enhance that bonding experience. Children can join the resort’s Dolpo Kid’s Club and be engaged in a variety of learning activities games.

"I really wanted this to be a family resort and so there has to be activities for the kids. We decided to have a kid’s club, and to make it even more appealing, we came up with a children’s book entitled ‘Dolpo: The Story of a Dophin’," relates Vergara.

"There’s this legend that goes saying that Lapu Lapu, a long time ago, befriended seven dolphins. These dolphins got stuck in some mangroves and he saved them. Since there were seven, we named the youngest and the most playful of them all Dolpo."

She continues, "The book tells about the closeness between Dolpo and Lapu-Lapu. I’m very proud of this book because it also has a Visayan version and I think it’s the first of its kind. I want Cebuanos to be proud of what they have. It’s not often you see books written like this."

Working in close collaboration with Vergara were Brad Geiser and Leo Lastimosa for the Cebuano translations while Dominic Agsaway did the illustrations. Production of the book was supervised by Adarna House, Inc. and was published and distributed by Rex Book Store.

TOTAL PAMPERING AT AMUMA

At Maribago Bluewater, options are countless – and as 2007 ushers in, visitors can watch our for the newly renovated Amuma Spa Wing set to open within the year.

"It is always nice to come to a resort where you can truly unwind from just relaxation to going beyond that. This one is a complete spa with 50 suites, where the bathroom is just as big as the bedroom. It’s non-smoking and no kids allowed because we want complete relaxation," Vergara reveals.

According to Vergara, Amuma Spa Wing will include a Sauna and Jacuzzi, a water pool, a Taichi Yoga pavilion. It will also have a spa building that will house a gym, salon, healthy restaurant, and treatment rooms. "It’s a totally different resort and experience when you go there because the focus is mainly on pampering our guests."

Looking back Vergara recalls, "The resort started up as a club until tourism started picking up and there was a demand for more rooms in Mactan. Richard Gordon who was then the Tourism Secretary had a great idea of focusing on local tourism. That’s where interest from the locals actually started picking up. Many began to realize that they shouldn’t be a stranger in their own country."

This writer is certainly one less stranger after having seen and tasted the warmth, charm and hospitality of Maribago Bluewater.