Liloan, Cebu’s newest trending destination

ONE of the component municipalities under Cebu’s fifth district, Liloan, is fast becoming the next boom town of the south, at the brink of developing into a city. In fact, it has consistently achieved numerous awards in the past four years, which justifies the cityhood — among them, the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit, the Most Resilient and Most Competitive Municipality Award from the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Top Philippine Model Municipality Award from The Manila Times in 2019.

While it is not top of mind when it comes to visiting regions like Mandaue, Lapulapu and Cebu City, many worthwhile destinations tourists must consider are waiting there Liloan takes pride in Titay’s — “The Queen of Cebuano Delicacies”— known for making the best rosquillos in town and Papa Kit’s Marina and Fishing Lagoon — one of the best nature adventure parks in the province, among many other go-to places.

Liloan’s stakeholders are likewise excited to be regarded as a city given the rise of the brand new One Tectona Hotel by Duros Land Properties Inc. Located in Barangay Yati, which is just 14 km away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, One Tectona Hotel had a soft launch late February. It was graced by Liloan Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco and Department of Tourism Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathan on behalf of former Liloan Mayor and now Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

Situated within the Woodland Resort communities, the four-star 14-storey hotel is currently considered the tallest structure ever built in the area, with a breathtaking view of Magellan Bay, Metro Cebu skyline, and Liloan highlands.

“The vision of Duros, under the leadership of Chairman Lito and President Fe Barino, is to shape vibrant communities in the future. The hotel is the first of the seven towers planned to be built in this area,” Adrian Gallares, Duros Group managing director, shared in an interview with the Manila press.

Named after the Tectona Philippinensis, the scientific name of the teak tree endemic to the country that Liloan locals call “yati,” One Tectona Hotel takes pride in its 102 rooms — a combination deluxe rooms, one-bedroom suites and an executive three-bedroom suite – providing ample space, plenty of privacy, and all the modern conveniences.

With outdoor and indoor amenities like an infinity pool, outdoor gym, spa in the woods, alfresco dining of Teak Modern Cuisine, events center, sports bar, coffee shops, function halls and a golf academy, hotel guests will always have their fill of leisure and entertainment.

For golfers, playing privileges at the exceptional 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course are available five kilometers away at Liloan Golf.

“This is the newest and the most accessible golf course from Tectona. What’s unique is it’s privately owned, but anyone can play there,” enthused Gallares.

Looking forward to the resurgence of Japanese and Korean tourists, he is confident the numbers will also include golf groups booking at the hotel.

For tourists eager to visit Liloan and One Tectona Hotel, Cebu Pacific flies 13 times daily from Manila to Cebu. Besides these, the airline operates direct flights to Cebu from 21 other domestic destinations, such as Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao, General Santos, and Iloilo, among others, and two international destinations. Cebu Pacific is set to restore 100 percent of its pre-Covid network and capacity this month.