Shangri-La's Mactan Resort: A Day and Night of Leisure and Family Fun (May 17 - 18, 2008)

May 17, 2008

Escaping the routine of work and the pressure of daily life often calls for a retreat to serene and idyllic destinations. Cebu, renowned as a prime vacation spot for both local residents and international tourists, offers a rich option for relaxation and adventure. On May 17, 2008, our family had the privilege of visiting one of these coveted spots: Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa. 

Maica and Maila at Shangrila 2004 visit

The anticipation had been building for weeks. When I finally broke the news to my children about our upcoming stay at Shangri-La, their excitement was palpable. Memories of our previous visit, four years earlier when Maica was five and Maila was three, still lingered fondly in their minds.

Unlike my children, I hadn't always been eager to join company outings or vacations in recent years. I found solace in the comforts of home, enjoying movies, singing karaoke, or simply tinkering on the computer. On this particular morning, I found myself surprisingly calm about our upcoming adventure at a five-star resort, while my children buzzed around, frantically gathering their swimsuits and essentials.

After a leisurely morning, which included a light-hearted joke about cancelling our plan, much to their dismay, we eventually got ourselves ready. Following a brief stop at Gaisano Mall in Mactan to pick up snacks and essentials, we headed towards Shangri-La's Mactan Resort.

The drive was pleasant, with clear skies above us despite a storm brewing up north. As we approached the resort's entrance, we unexpectedly bumped into my officemates, who were running errands before heading back to the city. It was a nostalgic reminder of how things used to be, rushing between work and personal life.

Upon arrival, the tranquility of the resort enveloped us. The staff warmly greeted us as we made our way towards the main entrance, setting everything for a memorable stay. Even though Mikaela, our youngest, couldn't join us, we ensured she was well taken care of at my parents' house.

Our day at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort was filled with relaxation, good food, and quality family time, a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As the sun began to set over the tranquil waters of Mactan, we savored every moment, grateful for the opportunity to create new memories in such a breathtaking setting.

Checking into Shangri-La's Mactan Resort was effortless; everything had been pre-arranged. The friendly staff handed us our room key and escorted us to our accommodation. My children were immediately enchanted by the elegance of our room. "It's so nice, Papa, it's like a house," exclaimed Lala, marveling at every detail. They eagerly explored the room while I settled our belongings.

Our balcony is overlooking the sea, with the towering Hilton Hotel visible in the distance. As my kids relaxed with cable TV, I took photos of us against the backdrop of the expansive view, framed by a transparent sliding partition.

Later in the evening, I left the kids in the room to scout out our dining options. In the lobby, I unexpectedly ran into a former colleague, still attending the summer outing. We joined his group for dinner, where I struggled to appreciate the unfamiliar dishes served. After I opted for mango juice for my drinks, I excused myself to return to my hungry children.

Back in the room, I found Maica and Lala eagerly awaiting dinner. Despite my delay, they were relieved to hear they could finally eat. While they enjoyed their meal, I lounged on the sofa, flipping through TV channels. The children playfully hopped between the beds, their laughter filling the room. I found myself unexpectedly engrossed in a horror movie on HBO, despite not fully understanding its plot twists.

As the air conditioning cooled the room, a sense of tranquility settled. Seeing Maica and Lala peacefully asleep beside each other, I realized how much I missed my wife, who called twice from Dubai. Her absence was felt keenly during what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation.

Reflecting on the day, I reminded myself to lighten up and enjoy the moment. Yet, the void left by my wife's absence lingered. Despite the beautiful surroundings and my children's joy, I couldn't steer clear of the feeling that something was missing.

As I relaxed in our room at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort, my cellphone rang for the third time, but this call was from my boss, not from my wife. She kindly offered more food, including my favorite, chocolate cake, and directed me to their room to collect it. In her room, I found the rest of the gang in which a close colleague of mine assisted to carry the food to our room.  Despite their invitation to join them for drinks that night, I declined, preferring to stay with my children.

The spread included bread and butter, a dish resembling chicken creole, and, of course, the coveted chocolate cake, although my stomach was already full. I placed everything on the table and returned to watching television, eventually dozing off.

I woke up hours later, disoriented, thinking it was almost morning. It was only dawn, around 3 am. I encouraged my children to eat, but realizing the hour, I suggested they go back to sleep. Maica likened our room's serenity to a vacation in Bohol, away from the early morning cacophony of Canduman's bustling streets and noisy motorcycles. Maila, still facing the television, turned around and soon both were back asleep.

May 18, 2008

I woke to the cool room with sunlight streaming through the balcony. It was finally morning. Maica was still asleep, while Maila was up and currently in the bathroom. I called Maila over to pose with Maica for a photo once she woke. Afterward, I suggested we head to The Tides (a costly restaurant) for an early breakfast, aiming to start our day with an early swim.

Lala taking her breakfast at The Tides

By 6:15 am, the buffet at The Tides was ready with a variety of dishes. I tried some items from the Japanese section, only to find they were raw. My kids stuck with familiar foods like bacon, ham, sausages, and pancakes. I declined coffee due to heartburn concerns when offered by the waiter. Soon after, a couple of my officemates, joined us briefly for breakfast.

After finishing a mango, we returned to our room to prepare for the highlight of our vacation: swimming at the pool and beach. With swimsuits and camera in tow, Maica eagerly pressed the elevator button while I realized I'd forgotten my glasses. Back upstairs, a courteous staff member greeted us.

Once back downstairs, I led the way to the children's pool where Maica and Maila applied sunscreen and joyfully splashed into the water. My officemates couple, equipped with a digital camera, helped to capture moments since I only had my cellphone. Despite the cloudy morning, we managed to avoid rain as we explored the beachfront and snapped photos.

Although the kids were wary of the waves and a particularly large jellyfish (which I suspected wasn't real), we made the most of our beach visit. After a brief swim where I encountered surprisingly large fish, we returned to the safety of the children's pool.

Later, as the sun intensified around noon, I convinced the kids to pack up and return to our room. Reluctant to leave, they eventually agreed. We showered and relaxed in the room until check-out time at noon, enjoying some TV and snacks.

At check-out, I was surprised to find phone charges on our room. It's Maica's phone calls.

Anyway, after settling the bill, we went straight to our car for home. But on our way home, we made a stop at my parents' residence to pick up Mikaela. She was still asleep, so waited a while until she woke up.

Just as we arrived home, safe, my kids told me they already missed Shangri-La. I reassured them we could return someday, not ruling out the possibility.