Marriott International Expands Cebu Presence With Opening of Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The hotel brings the beauty of simplicity to the island's business and leisure travelers, with modern rooms, an exclusive all-day restaurant, seamless airport connectivity, and warm Filipino hospitality.

Beyond the checklists and tourist spots, a good Cebu stay comes down to one thing: a place that just works. Travelers,whether flying in for meetings or taking a well-earned break, can look forward to Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan—a new hotel built around simplicity, comfort, and the kind of alaga Cebu is known for.

Strategically situated at the Mahi Center, Mactan Economic Zone 1, Barangay Ibo, the hotel is at the heart of Cebu’s most dynamic economic district. With Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Mactan Export Processing Zone just two to three minutes away, guests can skip the long transfers and get straight to work or rest. Downstairs, the newly opened Mahi Mall adds daily convenience, no matter if it’s a quick coffee, a meal, or last-minute errands.

Backed by Marriott International’s trusted standards and delivered with Cebuano care, the hotel blends global reliability with a unique local sense of welcome. "We are pleased to Introduce Fairfield by Marriott to Mactan, an island destination that perfectly balances business dynamism with natural paradise," said Duke Nam, Regional Vice President for Korea, Vietnam & Philippines, Marriott International. "This debut reinforces our confidence in Mactan as a key gateway in the Visayas and our commitment to expanding our portfolio in high-demand destinations across the Philippines. The hotel will be part of our award-winning Marriott Bonvoy travel program, offering members more opportunities to discover the beauty and hospitality of the islands."

Guests can expect a service that honors their necessities, all built on Fairfield’s principles of comfort and simplicity, infused with genuine Filipino warmth. The hotel features 196 well-appointed rooms—Standard Twin, Standard Queen, and Deluxe Queen—designed for both rest and productivity. Warm tones and clean, contemporary finishes set the mood, while practical comforts like high-speed Wi-Fi, ergonomic workspaces, and plush beds make it easy to wind down after meeting clients in the city or chasing the waves. But of course, everyone needs a wellness reboot, too, which is why the 24/7 fitness center is the place to be with fresh gym equipment.

Cap off or begin the day with gastronomic spreads at DAVOS, a relaxed all-day dining restaurant exclusive to the Mactan property. It serves a range of coastal flavors, from fresh local seafood to well-loved global dishes. The name is inspired by the Cebuano word dabos, which means abundant, a nod to the island’s rich fishing heritage. But for a quick hankering fix for the busy bees or with early flights, The Market, Fairfield by Marriott’s signature 24/7 grab-and-go concept, is there with plenty of bites from sandwiches to salads, pastries, beverages, and local favorites.

Apart from these amenities, Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan also makes a great venue for corporate events, personal parties, or everything in between. It has a 250sqm event area that can be divided into three smaller spaces or combined for larger gatherings, supported by modern audiovisual technology and a dedicated team to execute memorable get-togethers.

"We are thrilled to introduce Fairfield by Marriott to Mactan, where guests can experience our signature hospitality and the beauty of simplicity," said Dottie Würgler, Multi-Property General Manager of Sheraton Cebu Mactan & Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan. "Mactan is an island that blends business dynamism with natural beauty, and we've created a space that gives guests the room to move at their own pace—whether they're here to work, explore, or simply rest. From our comfortable rooms to DAVOS restaurant, celebrating local flavors, every detail is designed to make each stay effortlessly enjoyable."

Simplicity is not about the absence of things, but the presence of what truly matters, and it’s all here at Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan. No matter if you’re on a business trip or a vacation, everyone’s guaranteed an uncomplicated rest as it opens doors on December 19, 2025. Clean, uncluttered, and organized, furnished with essentials that make travel delightful.

For bookings and more information, visit Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan.

About Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands and 10,000 global destinations, offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable locations around the world. The award-winning travel program and marketplace give members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Fairfield by Marriott

Fairfield by Marriott was founded on the principles of trusted service and warm, friendly hospitality inspired by its unique heritage as the namesake of the Marriott family retreat, the Fairfield Farm. Its contemporary, uplifting design provides an effortless experience for guests to maintain their routines while on the road. Evoking the feelings of calming simplicity, Fairfield offers thoughtfully designed guestrooms and suites that provide separate quality living, working, and sleeping areas. With over 1,360 properties in 20 countries and territories, Fairfield is now the largest brand in the Marriott International portfolio and is proud to participate in MarriottvBonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members anvextraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits, including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. For more information or reservations, visit Fairfield.marriott.com.

The Air-Conditioned Theft: How Malls Became the New Monuments of Corruption

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Stop the excuses. Let’s bury the tired clichés that “this is just how Filipinos are” or that “we simply love malls.” The grotesque imbalance between the towering glass cathedrals of retail and the tragic absence of parks, libraries, and public sports grounds in the Philippines is no accident. It is not a cultural quirk.

It is a symptom of a predatory system—one that is far more comfortable with profit than public welfare, and far more skilled at backroom negotiations than providing for the common good.

The Privatization of Rest

In a functioning society, the ability of a citizen to rest is considered essential infrastructure. A healthy government invests in parks where the child, the elderly, the destitute, and the wealthy can coexist. In these spaces, breathing is free. Sitting is a right. Socializing is unconditional. There is no receipt required for your existence.

But in a decaying system, leisure is privatized. The message from the state is clear: If you want to sit down, enter a mall. If you want to escape the sweltering heat, you must spend. If you want to feel "safe," you must be a customer. By surrendering public spaces to private developers, the government has effectively sold our right to the city. We have traded our town squares for food courts, and our dignity for "sale" alerts.

Corruption as an Architectural Process

This is where corruption evolves. It is no longer just a brown envelope passed under a table; it is the very process by which our cities are built.

The Public Park: It offers no kickbacks. There is no "rezoning windfall" for a politician’s pocket. It doesn't fund a campaign. There is no corporate-sponsored ribbon cutting with a multinational logo in the background.

The Mega-Mall: It offers everything.

Every mall begins with a signature. A rezoning of "underutilized" public land. Fast-tracked permits that bypass scrutiny. Environmental and traffic clearances that are deemed "manageable" with a nod and a wink. Violations that are marked "to be corrected later" but never are. On paper, it is legal. In reality, it is negotiable. And in a nation where oversight is a suggestion, "negotiable" is rarely free.

The Rhetoric of Deception

Observe the pattern of the language used to rob us. When a piece of land is reserved for public use, it is labeled "unproductive." The moment a developer eye-balls it, it becomes a "prime commercial opportunity." When the people ask for a park, the government cries "no budget." But when a mall is proposed, it is hailed as a "job generator." Let us translate that: There is no money to be made from a park by those in power. A park serves the people; a mall serves the shareholders and the officials who greenlit the project.

The Illusion of the Public Square

Let’s stop pretending that a mall is a public space. It is not. It is private property where your presence is tolerated only under strict conditions:

You must be quiet.

You must be presentable.

You must, preferably, have the intent to consume.

In the mall, protest is forbidden. Sleeping is a violation. Being "too poor" is a reason for removal. The "freedom" offered within these air-conditioned walls is conditional and guarded by private security. That is not leisure. That is social control dressed as convenience.

The Invisible Scandal

Perhaps the most tragic part of this tragedy is that we have grown used to it.

When there are no sidewalks, we say, "It’s okay, there’s a mall." * When there is no park for our children, we say, "At least there’s air-conditioning." * When the government fails to provide, we say, "Thank God for the private sector."

This is how corruption becomes invisible. It doesn’t need to be a loud scandal when the entire urban landscape is designed to replace the obligations of the state with the businesses of the elite. We have been conditioned to accept a life where every moment of joy must be purchased.

The Stolen Right to Exist

Malls, in isolation, are not the enemy. The enemy is a system that repeatedly chooses the mall over public life. A society that cannot imagine joy, rest, or dignity without spending money is a society that has already been captured.

Corruption does more than steal taxes. It steals space. It steals our right to rest and our right to exist in our own country without paying a toll. It is a quiet, deep-seated scandal—one that cools us with air-conditioning while it slowly suffocates our sense of community.

With record budget allocation, DepEd expands School-Based Feeding Program to reach more learners

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

MAKATI CITY, 8 January 2026 -- Backed by a record budget allocation of Php1.015-trillion for basic education, the Department of Education (DepEd) will significantly expand the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) in 2026, targeting around 4.6 million learners nationwide as part of the government’s push to address malnutrition and improve school participation. 

With the strong support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Congress, the Department has secured Php25.7 billion for the expanded SBFP, allowing wider coverage across early grades and nutritionally at-risk learners in higher levels.  

Under the expanded program, DepEd will provide nutritious meals to about 1.52 million kindergarten learners and 1.79 million Grade 1 learners for 200 feeding days. An additional 1.18 million learners in Grades 2 to 6 who are classified as wasted or severely wasted will also receive meals for the same duration.  

“Malinaw po sa datos na hindi makakapag-aral nang maayos ang bata kung gutom siya. Kaya pinalalawak natin ang School-Based Feeding Program para mas maraming mag-aaral ang mabigyan ng sapat na nutrisyon, lalo na sa mga unang baitang at sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said. “Higit sa pagbibigay ng pagkain, layunin ng programa na matulungan ang mga bata na manatili sa paaralan at maging handa sa pagkatuto araw-araw,”

For the first time, the program will also cover around 140,000 nutritionally at-risk, disadvantaged, and vulnerable learners beyond grade 6 including pregnant learners enrolled in public schools, who will receive nutritional support for 180 feeding days.

This component of the program will be implemented in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), integrating maternal and child health support.

The expanded coverage reflects the government’s renewed focus on improving learning readiness by addressing hunger and malnutrition, which continue to affect school attendance, participation, and overall academic performance, particularly among learners from disadvantaged communities.

To improve program targeting and implementation, the Department will roll out the System for Intelligent Growth and Learner Anthropometry (SIGLA), an Artificial Intelligence-enabled platform designed to streamline the collection and validation of learners’ health and nutrition data.  

Local government units may serve as implementing partners through memoranda of agreement, with DepEd encouraging on-the-ground collaboration in program delivery. In providing meals and other learner needs, the Department said preference and priority will be given to locally produced food and refreshments, or Philippine-made products, in line with the Tatak Pinoy Act (Republic Act No. 11981), supporting local producers while ensuring fresh and culturally appropriate food for learners.

Meanwhile, milk feeding under the program will be handled by the National Dairy Authority and the Philippine Carabao Center, supporting both learner nutrition and the local dairy industry.

DepEd said the expanded School-Based Feeding Program underscores the administration’s commitment to making schools not only centers of learning, but also safe and supportive spaces where learners’ basic needs are addressed.