Living up to the ‘amuma’ promise

Enjoy “saang,” or spider shells at The Cove.

It was my first time to learn of the term “amuma.”

Apparently it is a Visayan term that means being very caring or nurturing, associated with a mother’s love for her children.

It’s an attribute that those in the hospitality business or service industry—whether a hotel, resort or restaurant—could and should use.

It is also one that Bluewater Maribago in Mactan, Cebu, has inculcated in its team.

They have, in fact, made it their signature.

So much so that now that Bluewater is foraying into hotel management, they bring this kind of unparalleled service with them.

This October, esteemed Cebuano businessman Steven Yu launched One Central Hotel in downtown Cebu, partnering with Bluewater Resorts for hospitality management.

While it is quite a distance from the malls (around 40 minutes from Ayala Center), Yu highlights that it is at the center of “Cebu’s historical district”. “We hope that the location will help arouse a traveler’s curiosity into the city as the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines,” he said. The hotel is notably near Magellan’s cross and the Basílica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebú.

The happy family of One Central Hotel CEO Steven Yu: (from left) Steven, Ninarose, Aimee, Sanny, Steven (in tuxedo), Pinky and Steven Patrick.

Interesting trivia: The land itself where the hotel is now situated used to be the location of Cebu’s Central Train Station, hence the hotel’s name One Central. This station, Yu shared, was instrumental in the early progress of Cebu’s trade and commerce.  Today, he hopes to revive the district by pioneering the building of a premier luxury hotel in downtown Cebu.

“I’m very sure that One Central will kick off development in this area,” said Julie Vergara of Bluewater. Vergara sees the hotel becoming the key base for business and conventions.

For foodies, the advantage is that it is walking distance from the markets. It is a 6-minute walk from Taboan Market.

Best of all, being a Bluewater partner, you can request for a car to take you to the Bluewater Maribago Resort—a 3 1/2 hour drive from the hotel—to get a taste of the beach, have an amuma massage and/or get a taste of native seafood prepared excellently at the resort’s The Cove, which is right on the beach.

Executive Chef Stephen Del-Amen knows native seafood like the back of his hand. He made me try “saang,” or spider shell, which is in an enclosed shell but the meat inside reminds one of squid. Chef Stephen explained that if you do not know how to cook it, the poor little thing hides way inside the shell and becomes very difficult to pull out. But he has mastered the art of cooking the saang so guests have an easy time pulling it out, ready to enjoy!

At Bluewater, you can also enjoy fresh crabs, tiny local oysters (not at all like oysters as we know it), native fish like “pugapo” (grouper), among other grilled delicacies. Chef Stephen has also mastered the art of making native sauces that certainly make every dish more delish! Seems he also practices amuma, cooking with TLC (tender loving care).

Congratulations to Steven Yu on the opening of One Central Hotel. The trip was short, given that Cebu, as it has the unique position of being both cosmopolitan and an island getaway, has so much to offer.

I think I will try to go back every month after this trip.

One Central Hotel. Corner Leon Kilat and Sanciangko Streets, Cebu City, Philippines. Call +63 32 888 8000. Visit onecentralhotel.com.