Mactan Island stands out as a key and highly recognized island within Cebu province, divided between Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova. Lapu-Lapu City manages a significant portion of the island, while Cordova oversees a smaller area on its southern side.

Valencia will build vertical residences and recreational spaces that offer the accoutrements of a dynamic metropolis while paying homage to heritage.

Situated a short distance from the main island, the accessibility to and from Mactan has been dramatically enhanced by recent upgrades to Cebu road infrastructure. The island is linked to Mandaue City, Cebu, through the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. Additionally, introducing the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cordova aims to further connect the island with the southern regions of Metro Cebu, facilitating the growth of master planned communities.

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) aims to connect Mactan with the southern regions of Metro Cebu, facilitating the growth of property developments  like Valencia.

Mactan has steadily made strides toward economic progress in recent years, proving itself a key player in boosting the local economy of Cebu, particularly in the tourism, manufacturing, and real estate sectors. 

Tourism: A Magnet for Visitors

Mactan has long been a paradise for beach enthusiasts who take pride in some of the country's highly-regarded resorts and the recent renovations of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has bolstered Mactan’s efforts to enhance its capacity to attract more visitors.

Mactan now operates the second busiest airport in the Philippines, following Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila and serving as a critical gateway to prime vacation destinations in the Queen City of the South. With the return of international travelers and domestic tourists, businesses throughout Cebu are experiencing revitalization, including resorts, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and various shopping and dining establishments.

Manufacturing and Employment: A Growing Industrial Force

Industrialization has significantly transformed the Philippines' metropolitan areas, and Mactan, as part of Metro Cebu, is no exception. Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ), an initiative of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, is a major economic force in the region. Ranking as one of the largest ecozones in the Philippines and second only to the Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ), MEZ hosts a diverse range of operations from tourism and medical tourism to warehousing and manufacturing. Mactan Economic Zone encompasses two economic zones and has attracted PHP 51.5 billion in investments over the past 26 years. 

In addition to the Mactan Economic Zone, Mactan is home to General Milling Corporation (GMC), a national leader in consumer food product processing and production. Its operations generate thousands of jobs for locals and enhance Cebu's position within the national manufacturing landscape.

Nestled in close proximity to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), Valencia emerges as the nearest growth metropolis to Cebu City.

Real Estate: A Premium Investment Opportunity

While Mactan Island is relatively small at about 65 square kilometers, it ranks as one of the most densely populated islands in the Philippines, with a rising population of half a million. Its appeal lies in its opportunities for tourism and commerce, making real estate a highly desirable asset.

Over the years, Mactan has undergone significant transformation, evolving from a landscape dotted with residential neighborhoods to exquisite communities offering interconnected living spaces. This shift has positioned Mactan as an ideal location to raise a family in Cebu, attracting real estate investors to develop commercial and residential developments, including strip malls and shopping centers.

Valencia is a five-hectare multi-tower development in Lapu-Lapu City, radiating a vibrant ambiance reminiscent of the lively hues seen in and around the Queen City of the South.

Developers quickly recognize the opportunities presented by real estate properties in Mactan. Capitalizing on this potential, Vista Land, through its collection of master planned developments called Vista Estates, has strategically positioned itself in alignment with the dynamic growth of the island. Tailoring its offerings to suit those cognizant of Mactan's role in the economic landscape of Cebu, Vista Estates provides properties at the nucleus of economic activities, fostering an environment where residents can thrive and improve the quality of their lifestyle.

Valencia: Never Miss Out on Life!

Valencia by Vista Estates, the five-hectare multi-tower development situated in prime Lapu-Lapu City real estate, radiates a vibrant ambiance reminiscent of the lively hues seen in around the Queen City of the South. It is poised to progressively transform the cityscape of Mactan by combining the charm of the island with the pulse of the city. 

Taking its cue from Spanish Modernista architecture, the towers of Valencia will be marked with a stylish diversity of historically derived touches.

Taking its cue from Spanish Modernista architecture, Catalonia's version of the English Arts and Crafts movement, the towers of Valencia will be marked with a stylish diversity of historically derived touches. The predominance of curves, rich decoration, detail, organic motifs, and a prevalence of asymmetry characterizes the design. Catalan sensibilities meld perfectly with the Cebuano lifestyle in Valencia. 

Nestled in close proximity to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), Valencia emerges as the nearest growth metropolis to Cebu City. Here, the boundaries between urban comfort and leisure are seamlessly interlinked, providing residents with diverse residential choices tailored to various lifestyles and aspirations. The development caters to residents' needs and enriches their lifestyles with amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness center, jogging path, and a dedicated children's play area.

Valencia will create a vibrant environment festooned by landscapes integrating work and play. It will build vertical residences and recreational spaces that offer the accoutrements of a dynamic metropolis while paying homage to heritage.

In addition to these resident-focused facilities, the estate features a commercial complex housing retail shops, restaurants, and cafes, creating a dynamic environment that complements the residential offerings. This unique blend of residential options and retail conveniences positions Valencia as a well-rounded district, promising a distinctive quality of life for residents and visitors alike. 

An Investment into a Better Way of Living

Vista Land is investing into these master-planned developments, making good on its promise to its homebuyers and investors to continue creating superior offerings, and, more importantly, deliver excellent long-term investment growth.

To know more about Vista Land  developments in Cebu, visit www.vistaestates.vistaland.com.ph and follow @VistaLandAndLifescapesOfficial for news and offerings.

Solane, the country’s most trusted LPG provider, once again brought its vibrant energy to the recently concluded Sinulog Festival. As a long-time supporter of the festivities, Solane showcased a dazzling float that captivated the crowds lining the parade route.

Solane Sinulog 2025 Festival Float

The Solane float, a testament to the brand's commitment to safety and innovation, featured a captivating design that celebrated the spirit of Sinulog. It highlighted the importance of responsible LPG use while showcasing the brand's vibrant blue colors and cheerful imagery, true to its 2025 mission of “painting the country blue”, which means Solane reaching out to the people to promote safe and responsible use of LPG. 

The float served as a reminder to the public about the importance of safety precautions when using LPG, emphasizing the need for regular safety checks and responsible handling practices.

SOLANE IN SINULOG. Employees aboard the Solane float dazzles the crowd with exciting beat music while parading in the streets of Cebu.

This year's Sinulog Festival in Cebu City drew over four million revelers, according to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. This estimate included those inside and outside the Cebu City Sports Center, where the Ritual Dance Showdown was held, as well as those who watched the Grand Parade which spanned six kilometers.

Isla Group Corporation Public Affairs Officer Dennis Palomar (right) and team during an afternoon presscon with Cebu bloggers Cebu City

Beyond the vibrant spectacle, Solane actively promoted safe and reliable LPG access for restaurant owners and food stall operators throughout the Sinulog festivities. Dennis Palomar, Public Affairs Officer, Isla Group Corporation, met with media and bloggers to communicate Solane’s message of giving its customers, peace of mind.

"Sinulog is a time for celebration, and we at Solane want to ensure that everyone enjoys the festivities safely and responsibly. We all know that during the revelry, there will be a lot of cooking and food preparation. Our commitment to safe and responsible use of LPG allows Cebuanos to celebrate the festivities without the worries” said Palomar.

For more than a decade, Solane has been a consistent supporter of Sinulog Festival. 

About Isla LPG Corporation

Isla LPG Corporation is a leading LPG supplier in the Philippines, providing LPG for household and industrial use. The company's flagship brand, Solane, is one of the most recognizable brands in the country. Isla LPG has a nationwide network of distributors and retail stores and operates strategically located LPG refilling plants.

About Solane

Solane LPG is a trusted brand that has been providing safe and reliable LPG to Filipino households for over 70 years. With its extensive network of distributors and retail outlets, Solane LPG ensures that its customers always have access to the LPG they need. Solane LPG is committed to providing its customers with peace of mind, knowing that they can always count on Solane for their LPG needs.

Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2 sets a new standard of durability while delivering superior mobile display clarity on Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will feature Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2, the industry's first scratch-resistant, anti-reflective glass ceramic cover material for mobile devices. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra devices showcase this revolutionary innovation on their front displays, marking an impressive milestone in mobile display technology. 

Gorilla Armor 2 is a landmark achievement in glass ceramic technology, combining superior toughness with excellent clarity on a smartphone display. 

Samsung's choice to incorporate Gorilla Armor 2 into its Galaxy S25 Ultra devices underscore the enduring collaboration between Samsung and Corning and the two companies’ shared commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

“The Galaxy S25 Ultra represents significant progress toward providing our users with the most resilient mobile experience yet,” said Kwangjin Bae, EVP and Head of the Mechanical R&D Team of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our partnership with Corning continues to push boundaries in display performance, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide.”

Compared to first-generation Corning® Gorilla® Armor, Gorilla Armor 2 offers enhanced durability - devices equipped with Gorilla Armor 2 are even better able to withstand the rough and unpredictable nature of daily life. Specifically, when dropped on rough, challenging surfaces, Gorilla Armor 2 is engineered to better resist damage, such as breakage, more effectively than ever before.

Gorilla Armor 2’s anti-reflective properties dramatically reduce surface reflections in both indoor and outdoor ambient settings. These properties can enhance the display contrast ratio, delivering an exceptional user experience in various lighting conditions.

In Corning lab tests, Gorilla Armor 2 survived drops of up to 2.2 meters on a surface replicating concrete. Alternative glass ceramic materials failed when dropped from one meter. Additionally, Gorilla Armor 2 maintained its exceptional scratch resistance, demonstrating over four times more scratch resistance than competitive lithium-aluminosilicate cover glasses with an anti-reflective coating.  

"Samsung and Corning have a long history of collaborating to provide consumers with the most advanced and innovative technologies," said David Velasquez, Vice President and General Manager, Corning® Gorilla® Glass. "With Gorilla Armor 2, we offer consumers an unparalleled user experience with the first durable, optically advanced glass ceramic cover material ever used on a Galaxy mobile device."

To know more about the Galaxy S25 series, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s25-ultra/.  

Get a free storage upgrade worth PHP 9,000 when you pre-order today at https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s25-ultra/buy/.  

About Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. 

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning's capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping its customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning's markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences.

Weaving the Past into the Future

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, is encouraging every Juan to discover more of the country’s cultural heritage as it unveiled its latest initiative to promote Philippine tourism –- the QR Flight Codes --- patterned after the traditional weaves of various local communities. 

The QR Flight Codes, made in partnership with Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute, underscores CEB’s commitment to enhancing domestic tourism while shining a light on the artistry and cultural heritage of Filipino weaving communities. 

"Cebu Pacific takes pride in honoring the rich tapestry of our nation’s cultural heritage. Using our business as a platform for inclusive and sustainable growth, we celebrate the artistry of our local weaving communities, ensuring their timeless traditions are preserved and their stories are appreciated by every Filipino,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer.

The QR Flight Codes highlights five unique weaving styles from different parts of the country -- the intricate and nature-inspired markings of Ilocos Norte’s Binakol, the elegantly-colored stripes of Occidental Mindoro’s Ramit, the bright hues and iconic plaid design of Iloilo’s Hablon, the bold and colorful checkered patterns of Antique’s Patadyong, and the striking geometric patterns and vivid colors of Zamboanga’s Yakan.

Scanning these QR Flight Codes, placed strategically on billboards along major thoroughfares and airports across the country and in select magazines, will allow travelers to learn more about these traditional weaves and discover more attractions in the destinations where they originate. 

CEB collaborated with local weaving communities across the country to ensure that the history and significance of these fabrics are preserved in making the QR Flight Codes. These include the Paoay Weavers of Ilocos Norte supported by Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU); the Hanunuo Mangyan of Occidental Mindoro supported by the Awati Ti Kape Community Development Program; the Baraclayan Weavers Association of Iloilo; the Patnongon Multipurpose Cooperative and Bagtason Loom Weavers Association of Antique; and the Yakan by Oriental Weaves of Zamboanga supported by MMSU.

"Every weave is a community’s cultural fingerprint with a story to tell, just as every destination has a unique offering and experience. We encourage every Juan to scan the QR Flight Codes to explore more of the Philippines and learn about our rich culture and heritage," Iyog said.

To entice travelers to learn more about these weaves while exploring the Philippines, CEB has launched an exclusive seat sale until January 15, 2025 allowing travelers to book flights to all domestic destinations for as low as PHP 199 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. The travel period for this seat sale runs from January 4 to June 30, 2025.

CEB operates in 35 domestic and 27 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.  

Book your flights now at bit.ly/CebuPacificSale.

As the Philippines reels from the aftermath of Typhoons Julian, Kristine, Leon, Marce, and Nica battering the country in rapid succession, Save the Children Philippines is ramping up efforts to protect children and communities through the launch of the #LahatDapatSafe campaign. These storms have left over 1 million children vulnerable to devastating impacts—displaced from their homes, separated from their schools, and exposed to the dangers of disease. 

In any disaster, children are the most vulnerable to risks like hunger, trauma, displacement, barriers to education, disease, and long-term developmental delays

“I am afraid to sleep because the wind is so strong. I worry about my family, and I don’t know where we will go next. The rain reminds me of that terrible night when we lost everything,” said 12-year-old Mica, a child affected by Typhoon Julian.

Vulnerable communities in the Philippines are heavily affected by the devastating impact of disasters such as typhoons.

Save the Children Philippines held a media launch for #LahatDapatSafe campaign with Ms. Annabelle McDonnell, Miss Charm International 2023 First Runner-up, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 First Runner-Up, and Save the Children Philippines Advocate; Ms. Faisah Ali, Save the Children Philippines Humanitarian Manager; Atty. Alberto Muyot, Save the Children Philippines CEO; Ferdinand L. Bondoy, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel, Partner and Co-Founder; and Ms. Naida Pasion, Save the Children Philippines Chief Business Development Officer. COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises partnered with Save the Children to intensify the appeal for support for this much needed initiative.

Children like Mica, along with countless others, face compounded risks of hunger, trauma, and long-term developmental delays. The devastating impact of these typhoons requires immediate, coordinated action. In response, Save the Children has launched the #LahatDapatSafe campaign to ensure that children are not only kept safe but also given the resources they need to recover and rebuild their futures. The campaign aims to provide food, hygiene kits, educational materials, and emotional support to thousands of children and their families in affected regions such as Camarines Sur, Batangas, and Calabarzon.

Save the Children Philippines provides emergency kits and other necessities to affected communities as they recover from the onslaught of typhoons.

Through the #LahatDapatSafe campaign, Save the Children has already mobilized urgent relief efforts with the help of key partners and donors. These include Lifestrong Marketing Inc., FWD, and others who are helping to ensure a swift and effective response. On the ground, The Miss Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide have been actively involved by packing essential relief items such as hygiene kits and household supplies, which will be distributed to affected families in the hardest-hit areas.

Save the Children is one of the first responders and last to leave during disasters, which manifests in their urgent action for affected children and communities.

“A child’s safety and well-being should never be at risk, especially during such a critical time. The #LahatDapatSafe campaign ensures that children who are affected by these disasters receive the immediate relief and long-term support they need to recover and thrive,”  said Atty. Alberto Muyot, CEO of Save the Children Philippines. “Through the help of our partners, we are committed to supporting these families and helping them rebuild their lives.”

Save the Children Philippines attends to the needs of the learners amidst calamities as they prepare educational kits in the aftermath of Typhoon Carina.

For more information about the #LahatDapatSafe campaign and how you can help make the holidays brighter for children and their families, visit  http://bit.ly/LahatDapatSafe.