Guided by the values of love, honor, dignity, and healing, the Spirit of Sampaguita, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ signature brand of service, was showcased during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, further strengthening the city’s position as a rising MICE destination in Southeast Asia.
The summit highlighted Filipino hospitality through seamless coordination, thoughtful service, and genuine warmth experienced by regional leaders and delegates. According to ASEAN National Organizing Council Director General for Operations Hellen B. De La Vega, the event’s success was driven by shared commitment, close coordination, and a collective spirit of service.
Through Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Mercure Mactan Cebu, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts played a key role in accommodations, culinary operations, and event coordination with the Mactan Expo. The summit followed Cebu’s successful hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, further proving the province’s readiness for international events.
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Managing Director and Cebu MICE Alliance President Cleofe Albiso said the summit demonstrated not only Cebu’s operational excellence but also the warmth and hospitality that define the Filipino spirit.
The Mactan Newtown served as a strategic hub, integrating accommodations, convention facilities, dining, transport access, and essential services within one connected township. This setup improved security, mobility, and coordination for delegates, organizers, and media partners.
The event also showcased Cebu’s greatest asset—its people. Hundreds of hospitality professionals worked behind the scenes to ensure the summit’s success, reinforcing the importance of human capital in hosting world-class events.
Both Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Mercure Mactan Cebu embodied the Sampaguita brand of service, welcoming delegates with curated local experiences, Cebuano culture, and signature hospitality. Their efforts, along with the Mactan Expo, earned Certified Sanitation Standards from the Department of Health ahead of the summit.
Mercure Mactan Cebu highlighted the “Feeling Local Everywhere” experience, while Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown created a multi-sensory journey featuring traditional Filipino welcomes, local delicacies, and Cebuano treats that honored both guests and country.
Through the collective efforts of government and industry partners, the 48th ASEAN Summit became a powerful showcase of Filipino hospitality and further solidified Cebu’s reputation as a leading MICE hub in Southeast Asia.