Swim, frolic in Mactan, Mandaue

Thousands of people flocked to Lapu-Lapu City’s beaches including Mandaue City’s coastal areas to celebrate Easter Sunday.

Upscale beach resorts  like Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa in barangay Punta Engaño were fully booked.

“We are filled to capacity, that’s 407 rooms occupied.” said Cassandra Cuevas, Shangri-La Mactan’s communications officer.

Eric Monsanto, communications officer of Maribago Blue Water Resort, said domestic and foreign tourists including walk-ins or day tour guests who flocked to their place to spend the holiday.

Many city residents in  mainland Cebu also favor  Mactan beaches during the Holy Week if they can’t go farther out of town to swim, hire a banca for island hopping, scuba diving and other recreational activities.

Simplicio Gilig Jr., diveshop and boating services operator,  said many  tourists booked in advance.

In Mandaue City, families who can’t afford a pricey resort  went to    “Pajara”, the  public park beneath the Marcelo Fernan Bridge   to hold  picnics and swim in  the Mactan Channel despite the strong current and muddy waters.

“It’s nice to spend Easter here because of the  cool sea breeze,” said Benigna Jugan, a 65-year-old resident of Alang-Alang, Mandaue City.

Most of the park goers come from neighborhods in Mandaue City.  Policemen  were kept busy on patrols to  prevent  any drinking session from getting rowdy.  /Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza