Cebu City, known as the Queen City of the South, carries a flair for celebration, with gatherings from weddings to casual meetups marked by thoughtful details. Its festivals, especially the Sinulog, capture this vibrant spirit, filling the city with colors, music, and dance that honor deep-rooted traditions. Upscale events, lively parties, and a thriving food scene add to Cebu’s charm, making it a cultural and social centerpiece in the region.
A simple staycation on Oct. 25 in Cebu at the Fili Hotel at Nustar turned into a full-day food crawl, showcasing Cebuano hospitality. The experience culminated with a Christmas tree lighting that kicked off the holiday season with a blend of tradition and modern flair.
Nustar, a resort and casino in Cebu, combines upscale experiences with an island-centered lifestyle. Designed as a destination within a destination, Nustar combines high-end shopping, diverse dining, and gaming facilities, all with scenic sea views. Its three hotels—the Filipino-inspired Fili and the soon-to-open Nustar Hotel and Grand Summit—cater to travelers seeking both leisure and refinement.
The day began with breakfast at Fili Café, featuring Cebu’s staple lechon. Known for its crispy skin and rich flavor, the lechon offered a taste of Cebu’s culinary heritage, even as a breakfast item. The buffet also included bacon-wrapped lechon—a decadent addition not for the faint-hearted.
“Just last week, Fili Café was awarded ‘Best Buffet’ by Sunstar Best of Cebu 2023, which is a great start for our dining venues,” said Roel Constantino, general manager for hotels. “Our food offerings are extensive; we’ve brought in culinary experts from various backgrounds—Korean, Indian, and Chinese chefs—to bring authenticity to our restaurants.”
At Fina, located on level one, we tried lechon kawali, served with spiced vinegar instead of liver sauce, preferred by the Tagalogs. Also recommended were their sinigang, pancit guisado, balbacua, kare-kare, and another heart stopping dish — chicharong bulaklak.
Next, we explored The Mall at Nustar, a high-end shopping and dining destination featuring global luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dior, alongside local outlets. The four-level mall blends designer boutiques with accessible options, including Rustan’s Beauty Source and Univers.
Mall General Manager May Adolfo shared that bringing top-tier brands to Cebu was intentional. “It’s about positioning Cebu as a premier shopping destination,” she explained, noting Cebu’s direct international flights, which make it a gateway to the Visayas and beyond.
“Each floor offers a different experience,” May said. “The first level is more premium, with upscale brands and restaurants offering sea, city, and mountain views. The second level is casual dining. The third level is family-oriented, with a food hall, Timezone arcade, and soon, a kids’ play area. This setup caters to various markets within one space.”
The Mall’s dining scene is also a draw, with options like Good Luck Hot Pot, Barcino, and Abaca Baking Company, known for pastries like pan au chocolat and all-butter croissants. At Good Luck Hot Pot, we enjoyed a custom meal with a choice of broths and fresh ingredients, paired with a live Bian Lian, or “face-changing” performance, adding a cultural element to the dining experience.
At Il Primo, the mall’s Italian steakhouse, we tried Carpaccio di Manzo Angus, featuring thinly sliced Black Angus beef with truffle tapenade, arugula, and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. Another standout was the Australian beef cheek with asparagus risotto, Parmesan cream, carrot dust, and microgreens. The dessert was also good–– creamy mascarpone, Savoiardi biscuits, espresso coffee, and cocoa powder.
As evening approached, guests gathered in The Atrium for Nustar’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, part of its “Mystical Holiday Magic” series. This public celebration is rooted in community values, featuring symbolic stars representing love, hope, peace, and joy. Distinguished guests, including Katrina Mae de Jesus, AVP for business development; Roel Constantino, and Alan Teo, Nustar’s COO, led the ceremony.
Local leaders and young musicians from Sistema Pilipino, a nonprofit supporting youth in music, participated. Each “Star Bearer” was accompanied by a Sistema member as they placed stars on the tree. When the final star was set, the tree lit up, filling the Atrium with a warm glow.
“This year’s theme is ‘Magical, Mystical Christmas,’ with jewel tones and decorations that capture enchantment,” said Katrina. “Our 35-foot Christmas tree is decorated in gem colors to reflect the holiday spirit for both locals and tourists.”
An afterparty at Axis included a preview of Nustar’s holiday programming, a screening of the latest music video “Balay ni Mayang,” and live music. The event blended local tradition with holiday cheer, marking the start of an active season at the resort.
The daylong food crawl and holiday lighting showed how Cebu blends local culinary heritage with modern amenities. For visitors and locals, the mix of global flavors, luxury shopping, and community-centered events highlights Cebu’s holiday season.