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Capitarise-Cebu| Reseeing Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU, PHILIPPINES—I cannot write without facing a window, vain it may sound.

If not a window, then by open spaces—facing the seaโ€™s vastness for example. The air thick with salinity. The wind teasing the ears. Perhaps it is my way to conquer the wall that scares any writerโ€™s wit: the writerโ€™s block—that moment when I stare at the blinking | in a rather bright and immaculate white screen. When that occurs, indeed it is scary. How can I be a writer without writing?

How do I fight the wall?

A literal space is my weapon of choice in defeating the metaphorical wall.

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So I appreciate it a lot when I am invited to places abundant with open spaces, places that allow the mindโ€™s wings to spread and roam free and wild. Places like Capitarise-Cebu, a new AirBnb space in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. This place was my midweek sanctuary at the Mactan Newtown in a surprisingly sunny midweek last June.

When Menger, my financial agent and the marketing staff, ushered me into my studio apartment for the coming two nights, I knew right there and then I would love the place, I knew right there and then I would spend most of my hours either writing or reading, in bed, on the sofa, and in the dining area.

Before us was a floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooking Lapu-lapu City and the sea. To our right was a well-equipped kitchen, to our left was the dining table for two. Before the window was the living room and the queen-sized bed to its right. Some floors lower, the infinity pool teased the horizon. Admittedly, everything was a luxury for me. A much-welcome one.

Staying on the 18th floor is like assuming a birdโ€™s eye of a place my human eyes consumed endlessly. From my condominiumย window, the city looked, felt, and sounded different. It felt a lot lighter and quieter. Only the tiniest hums of a city undergoing some construction and the motorcyclesโ€™ angry engine could be heard occasionally from the window. From a safe distance, Lapu-lapu City is not my friendโ€™s cursed land, not a cursed city; rather it looks livable and green. At that very moment, it feels like a new town.



At four in the afternoon, when the light cast soft shadows and tones to the city below me, smoke would start to rise, from one corner of the city to another.

Somewhere down there, someone swept and gathered the fallen leaves and lit it to ward off the mosquitoes. And it was also said regular smoking of fruit-bearing trees could help in its abundant flowering. The thought brought a thin and nostalgic smile in my face. I could not remember anymore the last time I held a broom made from fifty coconut leaf sticks and swept the fallen tambis, sineguelas, or mango leaves and culminated the whole process with a healthy fire.


The scent of the burning leaves was rich and soothing to the nose, if my olfactory memory serves me right.

Except for leisurely walks to the nearby 7Eleven and Civet Cat Coffee Shop, I excelled at doing nothing. And surprisingly, I did not feel guilty. I feel guilty when I am not productive enough, not active enough.

I thanked the universe for reminding me that it is all right to be lazy, to let the mind relax, to put deadlines, worries, and anxieties away. Once in a while. Thank you, Capitarise.



QUICK INFORMATION

Internet Strength: Great! I streamed Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises
Power Plugs: A lot! The dining area, the living room, the kitchen, and the bed area have power plugs. It is important especially for creatives working online like me.
Food: You can order food ย a day before. Nearby is McDonalds, Civet Cat Coffee, and Seven Eleven
Appliances included: Water heater, electric stove, washing machine, refrigerator (huge)
Bathroom: Spacious enough. It has a tub! And an ultra-modern Japanese toilet!
Accessibility: It is very accessible from the airport. A short ride away. I live in Cebu City, and it only took me a jeepney ride and a van ride to reach this place.
Average rate/night: Php3000.00 You can book them through AirBnb.

QUICK GUIDE

1. Initially, I planned to bring Katorse, my foldable bicycle. Next to the high-rises dotting Newfound Mactan was the port to Olango Island: a sanctuary of migratory birds. The islandโ€™s road is well-maintained and navigable. So a bicycle as a date is an option next time. Plus, every May, Olango Island celebrates the most peculiar festival I have ever witnessed: Baliw-Baliw Festival.

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2. If you are staying long enough, squeeze a day of island hopping around Mactan: Pandanon Island, Nalusuan Island, Hilutungan Island, and Caohagan Island.

3. Come sunset, head to the old Mactan Bridge for an awesome view of the sunset.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Capitarise-Cebu
8New Town Boulevard, Mactan Newtown
Lapu-Lapu 6015
Website: http://www.capitariseproperty-ph.com
Contact Number: 0906 556 9801
Follow them on their Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/happylifewithcapitarise

Jona of Backpacking with a Book

Hi there, Iโ€™m Jona, originally from Cebu, Philippines, had live in Hanoi, Vietnam, and now currently based in Munich, Germany. This blog used to house thoughts on life and books, but eventually it morphed into a travel blog. For collaborations, projects, and other things, please email me at backpackingwithabook@gmail.com. For essays, creative nonfiction, and others, find me elsewhere.

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20 Comments

  1. That is such a lovely homey place to stay, yet to elegant and classy too. I would hate to leave the bed, looks so comfy ๐Ÿ™‚ Great tips in your post.

  2. Vaisakhi says:

    Infinity pools as it is are so pretty and when they are at some height they just seem magical. The whole place looks so cozy, homely and cute! Loved your article ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Sona Sethi says:

    Home stay and infinity pool! Thats just awesome. Ans thank you for your suggestions. Being in South East Asia, i will definitely put this in my wishlist.

  4. Tom says:

    I suppose most people, if invited to stay at a place where one can do nothing and not feel guilty, would indeed accept and enjoy it. Wide-open spaces, lots of open windows, and a distant 18th-floor view that makes a city new and different indeed should make one reflective.

  5. blair villanueva says:

    Thank you for this infor Dear! I’m actually looking for a place for my next Cebu trip, and I think I’ll consider this place. Looks homey and I like it!

  6. I would love the infinity pool so much! Very elegant but yet, seems really comfy. Thank you for this informative post ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Joanna says:

    It’s hard to believe that this is an airbnb, it looks so much like a classy hotel. I love the rooftop pools and the fact that you have such an amazing view from your bed. I love staying at high floors, the view is so much better always.

  8. Alberto C. says:

    Very nice place for a stay, I’d love to spend some relaxing time in that pool. I’ve actually always wanted to swim in one of these pools overlooking the city, the views look amazing! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Shane says:

    Wow this looks incredibly luxurious! Hard to believe it’s located in the phillipines. Glad you enjoy your stay!

  10. Ana Ojha says:

    This place is absolutely stunning, refreshing and surreal! I can sit for hours in front of that pool soaking myself in that ambiance!

  11. Janine Good says:

    How Lovely! The Philippines is a place I dream to go and hope to in the next couple of years, The pool here looks so nice I want to jump right in to get refreshed.

  12. EG III says:

    I must admit, the pictures that featured you made an already stunning accommodation look even more elegant. You have a very poetic way with words in your descriptions and thanks for reminding me that it’s okay to relax every now and then.

  13. Tae says:

    What a beautiful property and thorough review – you hit all the point I’m worried about during my travels! I also was suprised when I saw that this could be booked through Airbnb – who knew!?

  14. Indrani says:

    This is stuffed with luxury… how can one not fall in love with the place.
    Only problem I foresee is I will not be willing to leave the hotel for any sightseeing around it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. love the way you tell about this place. Itโ€™s amazing information the places with wonderful pics. Iโ€™ve never gone there before. Noted it!

  16. Anju says:

    The view from the 18th floor is so amazing, I can imagine how inspiring the city lights would be to sit and write! You have a very poetic way of writing, and looks like the trip was very enjoyable!

  17. Ami says:

    Gorgeous pool, comfortable beds and a homestay! Hey…what more can a traveler want. Sounds like a good option to stay in Cebu. Thanks for the same.

  18. This looks like an amazing place to stay with all the luxury and comforts. I would love to spend hours in the pool taking in the views and the wonderful ambiance of the surrounding.

  19. Sriparna says:

    All the Cebu posts I read, are calling me more towards it! Now I’m all loaded with various stay options ๐Ÿ™‚ Here’s another pretty one now!

  20. Anne-Sophie says:

    The swimming pool looks soooo nice! ! I would love to go there ๐Ÿ™‚
    Is this really an Airbnb? Looks really lovely.

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