There’s so much room for the future at the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone (CFEZ) in Central Luzon. 

Geographically, what we remember roughly as the former US military base has the size—at 320.6 square kilometers—and the shape of a megalopolis, stretching from portions of the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga all the way to portions of the towns of Capas and Bamban in Tarlac.

In its make, it already is in the league of the world’s major capitals. Officially divided into the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), it is comprised of CFZ, Clark Global City, New Clark City, and the Clark International Airport, all nestled among the Arayat and Zambales mountain ranges.

The economic potential is immense, and the infrastructure is ready for dramatic expansion, with many roads wider than EDSA as a lesson learned from overurbanization, yet still lined with greenery, including trees endemic to the area like Apalit, Mabalacat, narra, molave, yakal, tara tara, kamagong, and lipote.

South Korean businessman Dae Sik Han was among the first to respond when the Philippine government, recognizing the potential of CFEZ that needed to be unlocked, called for investments and developments.

In 2006, he opened Widus Hotel and Casino to the public with his eye on making upscale leisure, gaming, and entertainment options available in Clark. 

Even then, his sights were set on attracting the world, tourists and foreigners, not just locals and Filipinos. As it turned out, Widus was just a starting point, a small step toward what his spokesperson calls “his continuing vision to provide truly distinctive lifestyle experiences as well as to be part of the burgeoning growth not only of Central Luzon but of the Philippines as well.”

In 2021 rose the Hann Resorts, the evolved version of Widus, at CFZ. It is the base of Hann Casino Resort, which features a grand mass gaming area of 130,000 square meters with 147 tables and 868 slot machines, and two VIP Clubs for local and foreign members.

The first fully integrated resort development north of Metro Manila, Hann Resorts now houses, over a sprawl of 13 hectares at the very heart of Clark, a higher version of Dae Sik Han’s vision of world-class gaming, live entertainment, dining, and hospitality, with the very first five-star hotel in Central Luzon, Clark Marriott, and the first Swissotel in the Philippines, within it. 

Just between these two hotels, plus Widus, there are over 600 room keys to Clark’s many pleasures and treasures, including top-rated restaurants, spa and wellness centers, state-of-the-art facilities, and unparalleled services. Plus, there are a total of 15 food and beverage outlets worthy of Pampanga’s designation as the culinary capital of the Philippines. 

Within Hann Resorts is a world of cuisines under one roof, from Korean to Japanese and Chinese, from American to Italian, with dishes either true to original sources or enhanced to suit the Filipino and international palate. Choose from a variety of concept restaurants that includes Smoki Moto, Ristorante di Verona, Wu Xing, Spice, Goji Kitchen+Bar, Markt, as well as hotel bars and cafés, such as Bar 20, Swisstropic Pool Bar, The Atrium, The Lounge by Clark Marriott, Pool Bar by Clark Marriott, Urban Coffee, After Six Lounge, and Oma’s Dessert Bar. A retail strip is in the works within the Hann Resorts and, on top of a covetable selection of brands, apparel, accessories, and other things, there will be more specialty restaurants and cafés.

“Hann Resorts aims not only to preserve Pampanga’s reputation as an epicurean destination,” says Patti Javier, Hann Resorts assistant vice president for corporate marketing. “It also aims to further enhance it with our remarkable selection of offerings nowhere else seen in the region.” 

But all these are only the tip of the iceberg of a vision that is Dae Sik Han’s. At New Clark City, just 10 minutes by car from the Clark International Airport, Hann Resorts subsidiary Hann Development Corporation is masterplanning Hann Reserve, a mixed-use development spread across 450 hectares of prime property. 

A first of its kind in the Philippines, the masterplan is estimated to cost $3 billion phased strategically for development until 2030, promising to change the real estate and gaming landscape in the country. It will feature ultra-luxury villa residences and condominium towers surrounded by a mix of lifestyle commercial centers, casino, international school, hospital, and a 10-hectare public park curated to keep nature as well as life in it as lush as it is designed to be. The park, along with everything else in this built environment, will be a showcase of sustainability and eco-tourism embedded in Hann Resort’s core vision, celebrating the local culture, heritage, and community, apart from Clark’s natural treasures. This Eden-on-the-rise will also feature international luxury hotel brands Banyan Tree and Angsana Resort, Sofitel and Emblems by Accor, and The Luxury Collection and Westin by Marriott International.

The golf resort concept in the works already is a gamechanger, as it will be comprised of three 18-hole championship golf courses designed by such reputable names in the international golf scene as Nicklaus Design, KJ Choi, and Sir Nick Faldo. These designer golf courses, integrated with exclusive residential dwellings and vibrant commercial spaces, will follow the lay of the land, traversing mountains, valleys, and rivers, to provide exquisite experience for the golfers and other guests.

With all the new roads leading to and from Clark, the future is fast on its way. If nothing else derails the plan to launch a high-speed rail system to Pampanga and Tarlac, in part to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the future may be only a few minutes away from you and me and the rest of the world. 

Meanwhile, Dae Sik Han is conjuring up even bigger, grander things. www.hannresorts.com