Two trips to Cebu in the span of four days may make for a potentially taxing and tiring experience – but they happened to me last week, and were extremely satisfying for a variety of reasons. The first event was the inauguration of the Mactan Expo at Mactan Newtown, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; and then later that same week, I was back in Mactan, at the Crimson Resort, on the invitation of HSBC’s International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB), to give a short talk. The first occasion was a great on-ground view of where Philippine Tourism is going, and how the infrastructure support it urgently needs is happening; while the second visit was about HSBC honoring their Shining Star Elite account executives for their exemplary work during the second half of 2025 – their version of celebrating the in-house manpower that’s making a difference.

I had actually been witness to the Mactan Expo being used in late January, as I attended the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026; so it was nice to be present for this formal inauguration. It’s a convention center located in the Mactan Newtown township of Megaworld Corporation, that supports and elevates the Philippines’ Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector – thereby giving Cebu a prime venue for large-scale international conventions and events. It stands to be a boost to national Tourism, and is part of Megaworld’s commitment to contributing to nation-building, and to our national development.

Prior to January, I was invited in July 2025 for the openings of Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Gordon Ramsay Street Burger at Mactan Newtown – right across from the Mactan Expo. And back then, the Expo was just a mere shell of a structure, and I had my own reservations about whether it would be ready by January 2026. During the inauguration, Kevin Tan did mention the challenge that was thrust upon him and the Megaworld group in delivering the Expo on time for the ASEAN 2026 events; and he gave full credit to his team for making his promise and commitment to the President a reality.

I mention the Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, and one sidebar anecdote is that’s where Kevin took the President for a quick lunch before the ceremonies commenced. We randomly asked the President which were his favorites, as Harold Geronimo was taking Dax Lucas, Paolo dela Cruz, and myself there for a late lunch. Ever friendly and congenial, the President recommended the Scallop Popcorn starter, and the Fish & Lobster with Chips. They were indeed new menu items that hit the proverbial spot! I’m hoping that GR Fish & Chips will soon open here in Manila; as presently, it’s only found in Mactan Newtown.

This early, I hear that the Mactan Expo is enjoying great interest and there are several advanced bookings. It will be used for the ASEAN Heads of State functions come May, and open to the general public right after. Several design elements showcase impressive Cebuano creativity, and on top of the main Convention Hall, there are smaller well-appointed function rooms on the second floor. I loved how Cebu shells are embedded in the interior walls, and become conversation points when interested parties and visitors are shown the range of the facilities.

Three days after our media “day trip” for Mactan Expo, I was flying back to Cebu to join the HSBC IWPB group billeted at Crimson Mactan. Now on its 16th year of operation, I’ve been a regular visitor at Crimson Mactan, and look at it as a “home away from home,” enjoying their Aum Spa whenever I visit – I had the relaxing Hilot massage this time.

The HSBC IWPB weekend was both an awarding ceremony for their top sellers and account executives, and a team-building activity. I was brought on board to give a practical and motivational talk on how they could sustain and improve on their sales, and fine tune their interactions with clients, and prospects.

Given that the IWPB client demographic would be high net worth individuals, I created a customized presentation; and entitled the deck “The Hidden Language of Sales.” What I was hoping for was to give them something practical and useful - more than just inspirational. I wanted to list skills that could be acquired and honed with constant practice, and provide tips that could facilitate their finding new accounts. Pramoth Rajendran, HSBC IWPB Head for the Philippines, had earlier in the year set the target of doubling their client base this 2026 - and I presumed I was there to help them find the path to achieve that.

I want to thank Anya K. Cajucom for the trust. We spoke earlier in the week, and she was of great help in my understanding what role I would fill. I love the reception I got, and pray that I was of some help to the forty IWPB awardees and AE’s who attended. Arriving late from their Cebu City tour, I had to start the presentation while they were still having their lunch, competing with the Mango Cheesecake and fruits. Hope they were able to digest my words as well as they digested the wonderful lunch that the Crimson had prepared.