Following its successful hosting of the ASEAN Travel Exchange, Lapu-Lapu City’s newest icon is set to welcome the region’s most distinguished leaders for the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit this May

 

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. formally inaugurated property giant Megaworld’s Mactan Expo, the company’s iconic two-level standalone convention center with a beach within its 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

 

The inauguration coincides historically with the 505th anniversary of the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines, bridging a storied past with a vision for a globally competitive and progressive future. The landmark event, also graced by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, marks a significant milestone in the journey of The Mactan Newtown and Lapu-Lapu City to become a premier global destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE).

 

“The Mactan Expo serves as an important platform for Cebu and for the Philippines, opening new opportunities for tourism, business, and investment in our country. It is a strong example of how the government and the private sector can work together—from start to finish—to deliver something meaningful and successful,” says Kevin L. Tan, President and CEO of Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI), the parent company of Megaworld.

 

Located just across Mercure Mactan Cebu and Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown—two premier developments from Megaworld Hotels & Resorts—Mactan Expo features a high-ceiling pillarless convention hall that can accommodate close to 3,000 people for a theatre-type set-up. This hall, which comes with its own expansive foyer and pre-function areas, can also be divided into three smaller halls. Other amenities include meeting rooms, foyers, VIP lounges, showroom, and a veranda that opens to the Mactan Newtown Beach and the rest of the island’s pristine beachside landscape.

 

“In many ways, Mactan Expo will become a lasting legacy for our country—a place where the Philippines can host major international gatherings for many years to come. And right beside Mactan Expo, we are also developing the Mactan World Museum, which will celebrate Cebu’s rich heritage and its important role in shaping our nation’s story. Together, these developments further strengthen Cebu’s role as a gateway for tourism and business in the Philippines,” adds Tan.

 

Beyond its imposing structure, Mactan Expo stands as a fitting tribute to the Filipino identity, representing a space where the country’s artistic heritage is translated into a modern setting.

 

To bring this vision to life, Megaworld collaborated with some of the country’s top designers and skilled Cebuano artists to integrate indigenous textures, natural finishes, and layered materials that evoke the character of Cebu’s beautiful landscapes, craftsmanship, and festive spirit. Even the very walls of the convention center carry their own character as it prominently features embedded shells from Cebu’s most beautiful shores.

 

Following its recent hosting of the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), Mactan Expo will be the official venue of the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit this May. The summit will be attended by the heads of state of ASEAN member countries, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and the Philippines.