By Cesar Cruz Jr.
The hospitality of Filipinos is second to none in the world. We love our guests like family. We love them like we love ourselves. Foreigners cannot get enough of this heartfelt, distinct Filipino trademark.
A recent visit to Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort in Mactan has exposed this writer and opened his eyes to the culture of hospitality that permeates the holiday spot.
At Bluewater, the staff refer to their brand of caring as Amuma- a Visayan word that takes on positive shades of meaning. It could refer to being compassionate, nurturing, and tending. Often, Amuma is likened to a mother’s care for her child.
From the moment our Experience team stepped onto the popular tourist destination, we experienced Amuma without end.
After a refreshing round of lemongrass-calamansi juice in the lobby, we were brought via golf cart to our rooms. Our jaws dropped when we were led to the most coveted place to stay – a Royal Bungalow. A pleasant surprise in the spacious bathroom came in the form of a clawfoot tub. Another notable feature of the bathroom was the translucent ceiling in the shower area, evoking an outdoor feel.
After settling our things in the room, it was time for lunch at the Allegro restaurant of the resort, which had a good reputation for serving tasty meals. Here, Caryl, Corporate Copywriter of Bluewater Maribago, welcomed us with a blue-green island necklace to make us feel at home. Among the delectable items in the buffet, the well-made kimchi, in particular, stood out for me. This one has apple, pear, and pineapple mixed in it.
A sign of the ‘Clean Plate Challenge’ exists on every table to remind customers to take only what they can consume as to avoid food wastage.
A tour of the property soon followed. Remarkable was the balete tree on the property, which came from the roots of the balete tree in the Basilica of Santo Nino, Cebu.
As night fell, it was time for a soothing massage at Amuma Spa. One gets to choose the kind of oil to be used and even the music to be played. In my case, it was ylang-ylang oil and sounds of nature. The full-body massage was so relaxing that I found myself drifting in and out of consciousness. The experience was a subtle reminder to take a breather in the fast-paced world we live in.
Dinner was at Delfino’s as we ordered its trademark pizza and pasta dishes. Watching the band play catchy pop hits, we got to witness dining staff singing and dancing to the music, and also jammers strutting their stuff with amazing confidence. Likewise, politely asking for a little bowl of Balbaqua from the dinner buffet went a long way as a server came back with my requested food item.
During breakfast, the dining staff were like the Secret Service with their discreet earpieces as they coordinated the number of guests coming in with fellow staff. A staff, remembering our preference for indoor seats, led us to the airconditioned room. They even bring your drink of choice to your table. A popular option here is iced black coffee, especially among Korean tourists.
Lunch was at The Cove Live Seafood Restaurant which faces the Mactan channel. Chef Jay Intong expertly prepared a sumptuous meal more than anyone could ask for – lobster, crab, oyster, ceviche, and clam soup, served with a side of dried anchovies fried rice! The Cove strikes me as the perfect place to celebrate a milestone in life.
It was just a short overnight stay for us, but it left us with many stories of our interaction with the staff. We witnessed how they lived out Amuma- in keeping themselves presentable to guests, in coordinating with each other to assist their clients, in living out the U.N.’s sustainability goals, and in carrying out various social programs that benefit the community- and doing it all with a sincere smile.
At Bluewater Maribago, Amuma is not just a brand of hospitality. It is a philosophy. It is a lifestyle.
No wonder they are always fully booked.
Comentários