The Bluewater Maribago Resort and Hotel: Filipino Heartwarming Service is the Staying Power

By Marivir R. Montebon

New York – Other than keeping secret one’s recipes and formulas, the tradition of taking care of one’s own people is that which keeps any business shining and thriving.

Thirty-five-year-old Domiko Ugarte, scion of the prominent Alegrado family in Cebu, is not even sweet talking this. But he walks the talk - that his family’s employees are the ‘it’ in their expanding Bluewater Maribago Hotel and Resort in Mactan island.  “It’s really the employees that make the place. Our edge is Filipino service. We take pride in that,” Ugarte said in our conversation at the resort.

Dom Ugarte

Bluewater Maribago is nestled in the village of Buyong, was established by Ugarte’s maternal grandfather, Arcadio Alegrado as a family resort.  It officially opened to the public in July 1989. It is one of the island’s pioneering resorts and a top-favorite for locals and foreign guests. The wholly Filipino owned resort company has expanded to Bluewater Resorts in Sumilon and Panglao with Maribago as its flagship resort.

Over the years, high-rise resorts were mushrooming on Mactan island.  The Bluewater, however, maintained its tropical ambience of sprawling cottages and lush foliage of hardwood like balite and dakit.

The resort’s old trees provide fresh air and natural protection from fierce storms

During the pandemic in 2020, the Bluewater company offered early retirement to its workers just so they could have money to use during the slowing of its operations. The hotel resort never actually closed, Ugarte revealed, but they offered an early retirement package for their workers to survive.

When business was beginning to pick up towards 2021, Ugarte said that the company rehired those who came back for work.

Management also provided seedlings for its employees which they could use for home gardening, thereby ensuring a backyard food supply for their families. Additionally, the company had a food pantry and gave care packages to its workers.

Bluewater Maribago currently has 220 employees. Before the pandemic, there used to be over 300. Ugarte opined that their operations now are beginning to perk up – which was better than what he expected. Within this year, the Maribago resort will expand to 225 rooms.

Filipino warmth and attentiveness is the edge in a thriving local tourism industry

Bluewater Maribago Hotel & Resort maintains tropical ambience and Filipino warmth of service

Maribago beach - serene and clean

As a young General Manager-CEO, Ugarte said he has done a lot of “soaking in” with his mentors in the business. “I am a collaborative type of person. I have a democratic stance. All my managers are running the show. Not just me. I grew up with the resort. It’s 34 years old and I am 35. My heart is here.”

Other than being a triathlete, Ugarte holds a Business Management degree from the Enderun Colleges in Manila and Hotel Management courses at the Hotel School Cornell SC Johnson in New York and International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Some guests of the Bluewater Maribago wrote about their experiences.

Marisol, a guest in February 2023, wrote her feedback on the travel agency website: “Enjoyed our stay mostly because of their staff - all very warm and accommodating. No one can beat the Filipino hospitality. Resort was ok. Liked the pool more than the beach. The breakfast buffet had a good selection and so was the dinner buffet. We also enjoyed their Valentines special with the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra serenading guests while having dinner by the beach. So romantic!”

Esmeralda, also a recent guest wrote: “The bathrooms were leaking and need some tlc and update. For that alone, I would have given 2 or 3 rating. However, the staff are beyond phenomenal! From dining staff- Chirly, there was also Ner and the maintenance and room service Papsy! They are the type of people who make the stay unforgettable! Hands down, the very best in Cebu!” #

Take a look at our conversation in Conversations with MM on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg6b6Cr9Ql0