The event coincided with the grand opening of Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan, a 196-room business hotel within the complex, positioned to cater to the growing influx of leisure and business travelers.
“For Mactan residents, professionals, and travelers passing through one of the Philippines’ busiest airports, today’s launch marks a significant moment for AppleOne Group’s growing portfolio and reinforces Cebu's emergence as a world-class destination for business, tourism, and modern living,” said Ray Go Manigsaca, president and chief executive officer of AppleOne Group, during the unveiling of Mahi Center.
Born from a vision to address evolving market demands, Mahi Center is positioned as a premier destination where corporate innovation, upscale living, and a vibrant community seamlessly converge.
Among those present at the grand launch were AppleOne Group chair Venus Manigsaca; Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King Chan; her husband, Lapu-Lapu Rep. Ahong Chan; and Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso O. Panga.
Homegrown
AppleOne is a Cebu-based business group with a growing footprint in real estate, hospitality, commercial, and healthcare sectors. With over 15 years of experience, it is known for building purposeful developments and forging iconic partnerships that elevate the Visayas and Mindanao on the global stage.
From award-winning properties like the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort to dynamic mixed-use developments like Mahi Center, and new ventures in healthcare through VisayasMed Hospital, AppleOne Group remains driven by its mission to uplift communities through innovation, integrity, and world-class execution.
Mahi Center is named after an old Visayan word for something rare—not just beautiful, but perfect in a way that feels effortless and true.
It is strategically located in Lapu-Lapu City, known for its rich history, culture, and world-class destinations, and is home to the second-largest airport in the Philippines, Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Integration
Manigsaca said the project aligns with the company’s confidence in Cebu’s emergence as a regional growth center.
By integrating retail, office, and hospitality components, he added, the development is structured to capture multiple demand streams, including business process outsourcing (BPO), corporate leasing, and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)-related travel.
He also noted that Mactan’s proximity to resort corridors and its expanding commercial footprint have drawn increasing investor interest, with developers seeking to replicate mixed-use formats that have gained traction in Metro Manila and across Southeast Asia.
AppleOne’s entry places it alongside larger competitors while leveraging its established presence in Cebu, he said.
Beyond commercial returns, the company expects the project to generate employment across retail, hospitality, and property management sectors while strengthening local supply chains.
The office component is being positioned as a strategic address for companies seeking to establish a foothold in Mactan’s growing business district.
Three-in-one
Aside from the business hotel, Mahi Center features a five-floor office tower designed for offices and BPOs, further driving business growth in Lapu-Lapu City. The office building has direct access to the shopping mall.
The three-level boutique lifestyle mall offers a well-curated retail experience featuring both local and international brands that cater to the diverse needs of the community.
Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan is a nine-floor business hotel operated by Marriott International, strategically located just three minutes from MCIA. It is also minutes away from the island's world-renowned diving sites, pristine beaches, and cultural landmarks that capture Mactan's unique charm.
Duke Nam, regional vice president for Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines at Marriott International, earlier said the opening of Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan reinforces their confidence in Mactan as a key gateway in the Visayas and their commitment to expanding their portfolio in high-demand destinations across the Philippines.
He said in a statement during the soft opening last December that the hotel is part of their award-winning Marriott Bonvoy travel program, offering members more opportunities to discover the beauty and hospitality of the islands while balancing business dynamism with a natural paradise. —-Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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