FIRST OF SUMMER AT MACTAN NEWTOWN BEACH

Portofino got a facelift over the last year and is now known as Mactan Newtown Beach. Let's see if it's as good as we remember it...or even better!

Of course, the whole area has been revamped as part of the new community being built by Megaworld. It's supposed to be this work-play township that has everything you need. Like a beach just outside your office.

The area looks pretty much the same, but with better amenities.

Weekday rates are at Php 150. Weekends are at Php 200, but you can get a discount if you present a valid ID.

They also charge corkage on liquor and on mats (you can't just camp out on the sand, apparently).

Now that we got those fees out of the way, let's now go to the beach!

It was a perfect day to be out and about. The sky was clear, the sea was blue as can be and the waters were cool and clean. This is one thing you can't deny: the beaches of Mactan never disappoint. And I call this island my home!

Can I be any luckier?

The water just makes you want to jump right in!

And when we did, we were happy to find fish and coral thriving just around the area. Just when you've given up all hope in the "commercialization" of Cebu's beaches, you find this little ray of hope that maybe, things aren't that bad after all. :)

There's also more lifeguards in the area. If there was one thing that Megaworld improved, it was their bath and changing rooms. They were clean and very orderly. Great job!