CHRISTMAS in the Philippines is celebrated as early as September. By the time the “ber” months roll in, so do the decorations, parties and the traditions.
Bluewater Resorts joins the holiday celebration, the Filipino way, with its parol lighting ceremony. More than that, it has come up with treats and promotions which guests can look forward to for moments of merriment.
Along with the parol lighting, it also launched its Balay Pasko (Christmas House), an annual tradition which began in 2010. This is a Filipino version of a gingerbread house with chockful of holiday specialties and sweet treats crafted by the resort’s culinary team headed by its pastry chef, John Marollano. This is available at Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort and Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort until Jan. 5, 2020.
“It’s an annual tradition for us. That’s our tribute to gift giving or pasalubong wherein whenever people go to a certain place, they’re supposed to bring something back for their loved ones at home. That’s the same concept whenever they visit Maribago,” said Bluewater Resorts corporate marcom manager Erik Monsanto.
Look forward to treats including cinnamon almond puff pastry, piña colada pop tarts; best-sellers such as chocolate-covered pork rinds called chocoron; double chocolate chip thin cookies; as well as Christmas favorites like Christmas ham and chicken galantina.
There’s also the holiday themed dinners, perfect for family and social gatherings. Look forward to a feast on Mondays with Kumbira; Kusina Latina on Tuesdays; Cebuano Street Fest on Wednesdays; Asya Kulinarya on Thursdays, featuring Asian fare; an abundance of seafood every Friday with Lapyahan; Barrio Fiesta on Saturdays which feature Bluewater Maribago executive chef Stephen del-Amen’s “Sugpusoy,” a dish made of Sugpo, Lapu-Lapu and Kasoy; and Steak Night on Sundays. The nightly themed dinners will run until Dec. 31.
“When we serve something from Bluewater, we want something that has a story,” shared chef del-Amen. Moving forward, it also aims to provide a variety of choices for its guests soon.
“We’re going to make sure that there are things in the menu for different people. That’s what we’re going to push for on the food side,” said Bluewater Maribago’s general manager Domiku Ugarte, adding that there will be something for everyone’s food preferences, including those who are vegetarian or pescatarian.
Another surprise in store for its guests is the addition of rooms as the Bluewater mid-rise project will top off on Nov. 30 at the new Olango Wing. It’s a six-storey building that has 65 rooms which will be offered to guests by the second quarter of next year. Along with the new wing is the plan to expand Dolpo Kids Club, promising a bigger play area and more activities for the kids, completing the experience at the family-oriented resort which is something it hopes to accomplish by the second quarter of 2020.