A new convention center in Mactan is expected to host thousands of international delegates in the coming months after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally inaugurated the Mactan Expo inside the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township on Monday.
Property developer Megaworld built the two-level standalone convention center within its township in Lapu-Lapu City, positioning it as a new venue for large-scale meetings, conventions, and exhibitions in Cebu.
President Marcos led the inauguration ceremony, which First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos also attended.
The event coincided with the 505th anniversary of the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines.
Megaworld said the facility aims to support Cebu’s growing role as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) and help attract more tourism and investment.
“The Mactan Expo serves as an important platform for Cebu and for the Philippines, opening new opportunities for tourism, business, and investment in our country. It is a strong example of how the government and the private sector can work together—from start to finish—to deliver something meaningful and successful,” said Kevin L. Tan, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Global Group Inc., Megaworld’s parent company.
The convention center sits across Mercure Mactan Cebu and Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, both operated by Megaworld Hotels and Resorts.
Its main feature is a high-ceiling, pillarless convention hall that can accommodate nearly 3,000 people in a theater-style setup.
Organizers can divide the hall into three smaller spaces and use additional meeting rooms, foyers, VIP lounges, a showroom, and a veranda overlooking Mactan Newtown Beach.
Tan said the company is also developing the Mactan World Museum beside the convention center to highlight Cebu’s heritage and role in Philippine history.
“Mactan Expo will become a lasting legacy for our country—a place where the Philippines can host major international gatherings for many years to come,” Tan added.
Megaworld said the design of the convention center incorporates indigenous textures and natural finishes inspired by Cebu’s landscapes and craftsmanship.
The structure also features embedded shells sourced from Cebu’s shores as part of its interior design.
The facility recently hosted the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) and will serve as the venue for the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in May.
Heads of state from ASEAN member countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and the Philippines, are expected to attend.
