JPARK Island Resort and Waterpark Mactan, Cebu has come a long way since it first opened in 2009.
Then Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, the resort was run under the leadership of Park Yong Jun until 2011 when Phil. BXT Corp. (PBXT) president and chairman Justin Uy stepped in and partnered with him. It was rebranded to its current name in 2014 to underscore its waterpark component. In 2015, Uy announced that Phil. BXT Corp. had taken complete ownership of Jpark, making it a wholly Filipino-owned resort.
Uy shared: “When we took over, we made sure to make it a complete family destination. It’s an interactive waterpark that entertains and educates not only kids but adults as well. We’ve built more facilities to ensure that guests do not have to leave the resort.”
Jpark has grown from a eight-hectare property in 2009 to the 17-hectare premier waterpark that it is today. One of its milestones was when it hosted the Miss Universe 2017 swimsuit presentation. With 568 rooms spread across six buildings, nine diverse dining outlets, six themed pools and slides and a private beach with a 300-meter shoreline, the country’s only five-star waterpark resort does not intend to rest on its laurels. In fact, it’s gearing up for bigger, more exciting things ahead.
Set to open in the last quarter of 2019 are its roof-deck fine dining restaurant called Ocean 11 which will come with stunning panoramic vistas of Mactan and the Hilutungan Channel; another pool bar; and a new building to house 252 more rooms, bringing the total to 820 and making Jpark the biggest in Eastern and Central Visayas in terms of room inventory. “From 2015 to 2030, we’ve envisioned to build at least 250 rooms every year,” said Uy.
The new Pororo Park and the renovations done to its 1000-seating capacity Triton Ballroom were finished just in time for its anniversary celebration today. Another innovative feature is the Wave Rider, an amphibious boat that’s viable on both land and water, is recommended for guests who wish to explore other islands. This is a first in Cebu and Jpark has two units.
Jpark’s Panglao expansion is also well underway. Slated for completion in 2022, the P12 billion property will be thrice as big as Jpark Mactan, with twice as many rides, five buidings and 1,400 rooms including 80 family, pool and ocean villas. It will also feature the longest pool bar on the island and a whole stretch of beach. Jpark aims to open the first 400 rooms in December 2020, with the waterpark already operational. As Jpark always has its guests’ comfort and convenience in mind, the Panglao waterpark resort is located just seven minutes from the Bohol International Airport.
Uy also identified other key tourist destinations in the country as homes for Jpark’s upcoming projects which include hotels and resorts with or without waterparks. “As much as possible, wherever there’s a good area that’s safe for families, we’ll explore them,” he added. (Cassandra C. Poculan)
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