Amuma. Even the sound of it carries a lilting, soothing grace, as the syllables tickle your gently pursed lips. It is the Visayan word for pampering; but not just any kind of pampering—it is the nurturing that a mother lavishes upon her child, it is the graciousness with which a cordial host welcomes an esteemed guest to one’s home.

Amuma is the cornerstone of the vibrant Visayan welcome, and it is the heart of the Bluewater Maribago’s brand of service. Since its opening in July 1989, the resort has been a haven of Filipino-style pampering and wellbeing, in its sunniest, serenest expressions. 

Setting the Bar for All Things Amuma

Sprawled across six hectares of lush, seaside property in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Bluewater Maribago is a renowned brand when it comes to beach resorts in the south of the Philippines. The 4-star establishment is the flagship property of the wholly Filipino-owned Bluewater Group, and it’s easy to see why it has become a household name in Cebu and beyond. From its soothing ambiance and pristine stretch of beach, to its exciting culinary offerings and Amuma hospitality, Bluewater Maribago has set the mark, for over three decades.

“Bluewater Maribago has long been a byword in Cebu. Our guests are never disappointed … they all long for the time that they can come back and be able to experience our restaurants, our facilities, our spa … our ‘Amuma.’ The heart of any brand, any resort, is the experience; it is what you promise them. And our guests know that when they come, they will experience that Bluewater Amuma, that pampering,” shares Ms. Margie Munsayac, VP for Sales and Marketing of the Bluewater Group.

“People know that when you go to a Bluewater property, you know you will be well-taken care of. You will have the best of the best. It may be a 4-star brand, but you will be given 5-star quality service, and even 5-star quality amenities and facilities,” she adds.

A Blissful, Much-Needed Escape From It All

Now, perhaps more than ever, the search for sanctuary has become all the more fervent. In the midst of troubled times, Bluewater Maribago provides a happy escape from it all.
Stately, old-growth balete trees and quaint Modern Filipino cottages dot the grounds, exuding an air of serenity that calms even the most frazzled of nerves. Sea breezes gently blow through shrubbery and greenery, invigorating the senses. A quick stroll from the flourishing gardens takes you to a gleaming private beach overlooking the azure tropical waters of the Cebu Strait. Sincere greetings from the resort’s attentive team heighten the feeling of contentment and calm. Moreover, the lockdown break has done the resort’s natural assets a world of good.

“Our resorts have really healed, with fewer people coming in. Our beachfronts started becoming very clean with our constant coastal cleanups, and no waste coming in from the other parts of the ocean. Now, the waters are so beautiful! They’re back to the bluest colors of blue. Our greeneries are really green and have grown so much. When people do come to the resort, they see everything back to verdant green and bluer than blue. To be able to sit by the pool or the beachfront and just laze away…it’s good enough for them; they don’t look for any other activities,” Munsayac points out.

Life is good, at Bluewater Maribago, no matter the challenges that rage in the outside world.

With medical-grade cleanliness and stringent safety measures in place, Bluewater Maribago is a truly relaxing and worry-free destination.

Bravely Heading Into the New Normal

The Bluewater Group has been quick to respond to the changing demands of the industry, given the COVID-19 outbreak. In its commitment to keep guests safe, the brand has come up with BlueCARES, an initiative started at the onset of the pandemic. “A month after the quarantine began in 2020, our CEO and owner, Julie Vergara, sat us down and discussed that we had to prepare ourselves for the health and safety protocols, because that’s the number one issue these days. People must feel safe and confident about visiting your property,” Munsayac stresses.

The team’s efforts resulted in a program that is compliant with stringent safety protocols founded on the advice of medical experts, public health conditions, governmental regulatory actions, and the guidelines of the nation’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). It is a 5-pronged initiative that CARES: Collaborate with community, Always Amuma, Raise awareness, Enhanced safety measures, Safeguards.

Guests to any Bluewater property can expect medical-grade cleaning and disinfecting processes (thanks to the group’s partnership with Mactan’s ARCHospitals), high-grade gear (such as UV disinfectants, staff PPEs, protective barriers, and the like), and an extensively-trained team, complete with a Hygiene Manager to help enforce safety protocols.

Given the current times, operations have understandably scaled down. But, Bluewater Maribago has maintained a steady stream of guests, thanks, in part, to its Loyalty Members Program which has attracted the local market of tourists. Additionally, rates are lower than they’ve ever been, to help stimulate the tourism industry. As Munsayac shares, “people prefer looking at the 4- and 5-star resorts because all our rates are really so affordable; these are rates that you would never see, pre-COVID. Why go to a city hotel when you can go to a beach resort?” 

All the Comforts of Home—And Then Some

Of course, Bluewater’s Amuma extends to its amenities and facilities. After all, what’s a home without the comforts that come with it? Expect that each of the resort’s 199 guestrooms is as well-appointed as it is comfortable and spacious. Thatched-roofs and wooden interiors lend a traditional, homey Filipino vibe to modernized concrete cottages, most of which have their own little verandas, up front.

As for home-cooked meals, fret not. Dining is always a gustatory pleasure at Bluewater Maribago. You’re in for a feast, whether it’s delectable Filipino comfort food and intercontinental favorites at Allegro, deliciously-themed modified buffets (with international food highlights, quarterly), mouthwatering Italian cuisine at Delfino, or, on weekends, the freshest of seafood and oysters at The Cove.

Meals are enjoyed al fresco, to appease your appetite and put your mind at ease. Also, don’t forget to sample the award-winning ube ensaymada and ube pandesal, as well as the resort bakery’s array of scrumptious cookies, while at the resort. Or, order them online through ShopBlue, a virtual platform for the Bluewater lifestyle.
If it is an intimate private function you are after, Bluewater Maribago has evolved to meet this market. “We have invested into converting The Cove restaurant into an outdoor banquet space. It’s open air; you have a beautiful view of the ocean, the sky. Banquet events are still very popular with us, but they are now more intimate in size. And, our stylists really provide the best setup for you,” Munsayac says.

As for rest and recreation, with its lagoon-shaped pools, outdoor Amuma Spa services, and secluded beach, there is no shortage of leisure-time at the resort. Although if you really need to squeeze in some work-time, don’t worry, because Wi-Fi connection is strong throughout the property. 

Bluewater Maribago combines traditional Visayan hospitality and delectable cuisine in a comforting tropical island setting.

Ready, set, Amuma!

A trip to Bluewater Maribago is, indeed, an exhilarating treat for the senses; a welcome respite from the cares of life, in the midst of crisis. So, if you’re ready for a break, Bluewater Maribago is eager to show you what pampering is all about. “We’re ready. Our destinations are ready, our hotels are ready. We just have to be mindful of protocols,” Munsayac enthuses.

Come for the blue waters. Stay for the Amuma.