The Spirit of Sampaguita shines in the ASEAN Summit 2026

Cebu City- Guided by the values of love, honor, dignity, and healing, the Spirit of Sampaguita, Megaworld Hotels& Resorts’ signature brand of service, came to life at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, furtherelevating the city’s stature as a rising ASEAN MICE destination.

Cebu strengthened its place as a rising MICE hub in Southeast Asia as the Summit returned in 2026,
marked by a meaningful display of Filipino hospitality where thoughtful service, seamless coordination, and genuine warmth shaped the experience of regional leaders and delegates throughout the international gathering.

According to ASEAN National Organizing Council Director General for Operations Hellen B. De La
Vega, the successful hosting of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings was made possible
through “shared commitment, close coordination, and collective spirit of service.” Megaworld Hotels
& Resorts brought the spirit of Sampaguita into motion through Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and
Mercure Mactan Cebu, which played a key role in accommodations, culinary operations, and integrated service coordination between the hotels and the Mactan Expo within The MactanNewtown.
The summit followed the province’s hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 early this year, which
gathered tourism stakeholders and industry leaders across Southeast Asia.

“The ASEAN Tourism Forum earlier this year already demonstrated Cebu’s growing strength as a
MICE destination, but hosting the ASEAN Summit and ministerial-level meetings further affirmed
that Cebu is fully prepared for events of global significance. Through Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’
Sampaguita brand of service, we were able to showcase not only operational excellence, but also the genuine warmth and gracious hospitality that define the Filipino spirit,” Megaworld Hotels &
Resorts Managing Director and Cebu MICE Alliance President Cleofe Albiso said.

Many core activities and logistical operations took place in Lapu-Lapu City and the Mactan Newtown
served as a strategic hub for coordination and support. The township model demonstrated a clear
operational advantage by bringing together accommodations, convention facilities, dining establishments, transport access, and essential services within a single, connected environment. This
integration enabled smoother collaboration across multiple event requirements.

For international gatherings of this scale, such synergy minimizes logistical complexity and enhances
security, mobility, and coordination among delegates, organizers, and media partners.

The summit also highlighted one of Cebu’s strongest assets: its people. Long recognized for their
warmth and hospitality, Cebuanos demonstrated that world-class events are elevated not only by
venues and systems, but also through genuine human connection and attentive service.

Behind these operations were hundreds of hospitality professionals whose work remained largely
unseen but essential to execution, reinforcing the importance of human capital in delivering international-scale events.

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Mercure Mactan Cebu showcased the Sampaguita brand of
service in welcoming their guests. Both properties as well as Megaworld Corporation’s Mactan Expo
received the Certified Sanitation Standard from the Department of Health in preparation for the

ASEAN Summit and high-profile attendees.

“It was a distinct honor for us to host His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the
Philippine delegation during the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. To warmly welcome our
distinguished guests, our team curated local experiences that reflected the warmth and identity of
Cebuano hospitality – while championing the initiative of “Feeling Local Everywhere,” Gwendolyn
Dela Cruz, General Manager of Mercure Mactan Cebu, said.

“We were always guided by the ASEAN Philippines Summit 2026 theme, “Navigating Our Future
Together,” which strongly aligned with the Sampaguita brand of service and our shared values of
loving and honoring our country. Whether through eagerly welcoming delegates upon arrival,
showcasing Cebuano culture and cuisine, or ensuring every detail of their stay was thoughtfully
prepared, our goal was to create a guest journey that reflected genuine Filipin hospitality and
proudly represented our country on an international stage,” she added.

Meanwhile, the team of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown created a multi-sensory experience for their
guests that truly reflects the Sampaguita brand.

“During the ASEAN Summit, our team focused on the core value of honor. Hosting world leaders was
not just an operational responsibility but a privilege to present the best of  and the Philippines.

This vision came alive through a curated sensory journey. Upon arrival, delegates stepped into halls
filled with our signature Sampaguita scent, welcomed by our team dressed in traditional Filipiniana.

In their rooms, guests discovered an artisanal chocolate-coated kakanin collection. The local
showcase extended into the evening with premium Cebuano turndown treats, including otap, dried
mango chocolate, and rosquillos. More than just hosting a summit, we extended a heartfelt embrace
of authentic hospitality that truly honored Cebu, our nation, and our global guests,” JosefChongbian, General Manager of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, said.

Beyond its immediate impact, the 48th ASEAN Summit reinforces Cebu’s position as a fully established MICE hub in Southeast Asia. Through the collective efforts of government and industrypartners like Megaworld Hotels & Resorts with its Sampaguita brand of service, the summit became
a powerful showcase of Filipino hospitality on the global stage.