Brunch at Café De France, Timex, Mactan Marina Mall
What a long story title, 'no? But, do you know those places? Read on!
Too many more things to talk about (kay mga turaban), but I needed to be at Mactan Airport by noon. So we agreed to meet for brunch at Mactan Marina Mall [sa Timex].
Where's that? Sa Timex nga!
That location is actually just a road intersection island, but it's big - about 4,000sqm says my engineer-friend rom Pusok. There is even a building - with that clock-tower.
Timex, as you would probably know, was the 'first international brand locatee' to the original Mactan Export Processing Zone (now MEPZ1) - its gate is a few feet away.
They have a big facility at MEPZ1 composed of several buildings, and it is said that majority (about 80%) of all Timex watches in the whole world are produced in there.
Mactan Marina Mall collaborated with Timex to have the clock tower erected in that prominent spot that is now a landmark (a reference point) for travelers/commuters.
Trivia: that clock tower purportedly has a clock sound (electronic, hindi big giant bells of yesteryears) that plays every hour. But I haven't heard that yet. Hoping I will, soon!
I remember, this mall started in early 1990s. It's not that big, but there's a Savemore Market inside, which is a convenient last-minute shopping place for many travelers.
Outside the mall is also the terminal of the tiny yellow jeeps (multicabs gud) that go to the airport. An option for airline/airport staff, and passengers in the know, like me!
Oh, those yellow multicabs also originate or terminate at this mall to/from southern areas of Lapu-lapu - like the city hall, mercado (palengke) or Virgen De Regla church.
Yet still, it's also a usual stop of multicabs plying routes to/from Cebu and Mandaue cities to the Lapu-lapu Shrine and the many resorts at Punta Engaño, Maribago, etc.
What I and many people like about the mall, is mainly because it's a combination of high/low end shops and restaurants. Sample? Naa DVD! Duna pud yosi by the stick!
I even have a rare find - one stall has machine embroiders for t-shirts, towels, caps, etc., all of fine quality. Where else do you find such shops? At SM or Ayala ra. Mahal!
The restaurants, eateries and stalls are a better send-off or meet-and-greet point for passengers with a lot of entourages heheh, since MCIA doesn't have enough space.
What we like about this place foremost is: it is not crowded. Lagi konti lang ang tao (huwag sana magsara), but with lots of choices, from light snacks to heavy full meals!
You may have conversations, even serious business discussions, in calm & comfort without noisy diners or fastfood staff driving you or your business partners insane!
Not to mention cheaper quality food, unlike upstairs (Golden Cowrie)!
There are others more in this mall like Zubuchon, Harbour City, Mang Inasal, Orange Brutus, La Tegola (to be Shakeys soon, daw), Japanese and Korean Restaurants, etc.
But we particularly like Café De France for its 'morning feel', conducive for business discussions with coffee (or Coke) and whatever breakfasty fare you may want to eat!
Trivia: Did you know Café De France started as Deli France? Yes, that franchise was brought to the Philippines by Jollibee Foods Corp. in the mid-1990s, ending in 2010.
When contract with Delifrance Asia ended, JFC had to rename it, kaya ayan Café De France na, but the real official registered name is CaféFrance - reason why many (at the malls) are now named CaféFrance. This one is probably still awaiting re-naming!
What I'm not (yet) sure about is: binenta na daw ni Jollibee yan, to others!
Anyway, it still feels and tastes DeliFrance to many of us. Di ba?!
And anyway too, Mactan's Marina Mall with that Timex clock tower is a worthy stop.
Too many more things to talk about (kay mga turaban), but I needed to be at Mactan Airport by noon. So we agreed to meet for brunch at Mactan Marina Mall [sa Timex].
Where's that? Sa Timex nga!
Timex
Many people from other places who frequently go to Cebu by air, have been used to calling that corner of Airport Road and MLQ Hi-way in Pusok, Lapu-lapu City as Timex, because of the clock tower, where the four big clocks sport the brand Timex Indiglo!That location is actually just a road intersection island, but it's big - about 4,000sqm says my engineer-friend rom Pusok. There is even a building - with that clock-tower.
Timex, as you would probably know, was the 'first international brand locatee' to the original Mactan Export Processing Zone (now MEPZ1) - its gate is a few feet away.
They have a big facility at MEPZ1 composed of several buildings, and it is said that majority (about 80%) of all Timex watches in the whole world are produced in there.
Mactan Marina Mall collaborated with Timex to have the clock tower erected in that prominent spot that is now a landmark (a reference point) for travelers/commuters.
Trivia: that clock tower purportedly has a clock sound (electronic, hindi big giant bells of yesteryears) that plays every hour. But I haven't heard that yet. Hoping I will, soon!
Mactan Marina Mall
This mall is the pioneer of such commercial space in the area. Others just followed, and more establishments are sprouting in the area. Commercial area na ang Pusok!I remember, this mall started in early 1990s. It's not that big, but there's a Savemore Market inside, which is a convenient last-minute shopping place for many travelers.
Outside the mall is also the terminal of the tiny yellow jeeps (multicabs gud) that go to the airport. An option for airline/airport staff, and passengers in the know, like me!
Oh, those yellow multicabs also originate or terminate at this mall to/from southern areas of Lapu-lapu - like the city hall, mercado (palengke) or Virgen De Regla church.
Yet still, it's also a usual stop of multicabs plying routes to/from Cebu and Mandaue cities to the Lapu-lapu Shrine and the many resorts at Punta Engaño, Maribago, etc.
What I and many people like about the mall, is mainly because it's a combination of high/low end shops and restaurants. Sample? Naa DVD! Duna pud yosi by the stick!
I even have a rare find - one stall has machine embroiders for t-shirts, towels, caps, etc., all of fine quality. Where else do you find such shops? At SM or Ayala ra. Mahal!
The restaurants, eateries and stalls are a better send-off or meet-and-greet point for passengers with a lot of entourages heheh, since MCIA doesn't have enough space.
Café De France
There's a Starbucks, Golden Cowrie, Chowking, Siam, etc., and there's Café De France.
You may have conversations, even serious business discussions, in calm & comfort without noisy diners or fastfood staff driving you or your business partners insane!
Not to mention cheaper quality food, unlike upstairs (Golden Cowrie)!
There are others more in this mall like Zubuchon, Harbour City, Mang Inasal, Orange Brutus, La Tegola (to be Shakeys soon, daw), Japanese and Korean Restaurants, etc.
But we particularly like Café De France for its 'morning feel', conducive for business discussions with coffee (or Coke) and whatever breakfasty fare you may want to eat!
Trivia: Did you know Café De France started as Deli France? Yes, that franchise was brought to the Philippines by Jollibee Foods Corp. in the mid-1990s, ending in 2010.
When contract with Delifrance Asia ended, JFC had to rename it, kaya ayan Café De France na, but the real official registered name is CaféFrance - reason why many (at the malls) are now named CaféFrance. This one is probably still awaiting re-naming!
What I'm not (yet) sure about is: binenta na daw ni Jollibee yan, to others!
Anyway, it still feels and tastes DeliFrance to many of us. Di ba?!
And anyway too, Mactan's Marina Mall with that Timex clock tower is a worthy stop.
#CentralVisayas #TravelPhilippines #mactancebu
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