What was once a lonely isle off Cebu's east coast has been transformed into a vibrant integrated resort complex, the first in Visayas and Mindanao, ready to capture droves of tourists as borders reopen in the postpandemic world.

Now connected to the mainland via the South Road Properties reclamation site, the 9.7-hectare Kawit Island has been developed into the Nustar Resort and Casino estate, which aims to "elevate and redefine luxury in gaming, entertainment, leisure, dining and retail in Cebu and the entire southern Philippines." It is touted as the biggest lifestyle and entertainment destination outside Metro Manila.

Nustar, which opened last May, is the flagship project of Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc. (UHRI), a privately held unit of the Gokongwei Group which committed to invest into this project at least $300 million. "We're already putting in way over that," UHRI president and CEO Frederick Go says in an interview with Inquirer. "We will keep on expanding, opening new facilities."Once all its facilities are fully operational, Nustar is expected to create at least 5,000 new jobs, supporting local economic recovery after over two years of lockdowns.

The name Nustar is derived from North Star (Polaris), the brightest and most visible star in the sky, reflecting the goal to be the "new star" player in the industry. The sky deck of the property also points to the North Star.

"A lot of people love Cebu. It's a favorite tourist destination," Go says, noting that the Mactan Cebu International Airport is the country's second busiest gateway, with about 12 million annual passengers before the pandemic. "If you build a good product, they will come," says Go.

Cebu is also a special place for the Gokongwei Group. The late patriarch John Gokongwei Jr. grew up there during the Second World War. As he lost his father during the tough colonial years, he became the breadwinner, trading basic goods on a bicycle and aboard a small boat off the pier from age 13. He lived in Cebu until he was 22.

Destination estate

Nustar has a two-level casino with hundreds of gaming tables and thousands of electronic gaming machines spread across 21,000 square meters of gaming space. The first floor hosts the mass gaming area, while the VIP area, located on the second floor, will open before the year's end.Overall, analysts say the gaming industry in the Philippines still has room to grow. Incumbent players in Metro Manila have started to see a recovery in gaming revenues, despite the absence of tourists from Mainland China, which is implementing a stringent zero-COVID policy that prevents overseas travel.

In the case of Nustar, foot traffic is currently driven by Korean tourists as well as domestic travelers. But as borders reopen, Go looks forward to serving more tourists from the region and all over the world.

Nustar will have three hotels with a total of about 1,000 rooms, which will be managed by Robinsons Land Corp. The first to open is Fili, a homegrown five-star Filipino hotel that targets discerning travelers. Its 379 guest rooms and suites feature local contemporary decor and panoramic views of the sea or city skyline. The initial room offering stands at P7,500 per night but Go estimates that pricing will stabilize at around P10,000 per night.

Fili's interior design pays tribute to Cebu's rich marine life. The chandelier in its reception area is inspired by Moalboal's famous sardine run. The hanging lamps at its lobby lounge, on the other hand, take the form of jellyfish. Art pieces made by contemporary Filipino artists accentuate the lobby.

Six-star Nustar hotel, which has yet to open, will cater to the VIP and premium market. A third hotel will also rise, catering to a broader market.

A shopping center is, of course, also part of Nustar's master plan. It will have a four-floor retail center housing high-end brands and high-fashion boutiques, plush VIP cinemas, and a curated mix of global and regional dining concepts.

For foodies, Nustar offers southern Chinese and southeast Asian restaurant, Xin Tian Di; Il Primo, the first Italian steakhouse in Cebu; and Fina, a Filipino casual dining restaurant. But what Go raves most about is the newly-opened Mott 32, a Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant concept from Hong Kong.

"It's supposed to be the best restaurant in the Philippines, and the best restaurant in the Philippines is in Cebu, in Nustar," says Go.

Entertainment

Nustar will feature a convention center that can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. It will also have The Stage, a 1,700-seat "ultramodern" performing arts theater that will be a venue for exclusive productions, musicals and concerts.

After all, this property is envisioned to become the premier venue for showcasing global Filipino lifestyle and culture, and for hosting significant business conferences and social gatherings. It will have flexible exhibition halls, elegant ballrooms and a convention center, combining business and leisure in a single destination.

Nustar will also offer The Skydeck, an iconic viewing deck highlighting a 180-degree view of Mactan Island and Cebu City facing the newly-constructed Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway bridge. It will also feature Boardwalk, a 580-meter promenade where people can enjoy scenic strolls.

Likewise under construction is a leisure theme park with water features and entertainment center products and services. After all, it is envisioned to be a destination estate for the whole family.

"Nustar is a collaborative masterpiece of renowned international master development planners and interior designers. The overall theme is inspired by Cebu's storied past, and reflects an architectural marvel executed with refined artistry to evoke a world-class sense of style and sophistication," a company briefer says Go.The team includes HKS Architects, HBA Design Consultants, PIA Interior Co. Ltd., Studio JEFRE and ASYA Design.

Overall, Nustar will have 300,000 square meters of gross floor area, or the combined size of about 56 football fields, with the high-rise structures maximizing space as they pierce through Cebu's skyline.

Is there any plan to bring UHRI to public hands and offer a new gaming play to the stock market? There's none right now, says Go, but "maybe someday." INQ