Megaworld, the pioneering township developer, is constructing the impressive P1.2-billion Mactan World Museum within The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
This modern museum is a tribute to the island’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance. Curated by Dannie Alvarez, president of the Alliance of Greater Manila Museums, Inc. (AGMMI), the museum will showcase an extensive collection of historic artifacts, highlighting centuries of friendship between the Philippines and Spain.
Located along Newtown Boulevard, just opposite Megaworld’s 8 Newtown Boulevard residential condominium, the Mactan World Museum will narrate pivotal events such as the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Mactan, his encounter with Lapu-Lapu, and the legacy of the Manila Galleon trade. With five main exhibit galleries on the second floor, visitors will explore various aspects of this shared history through artifacts, replica mementos, and interactive displays.
In addition to the exhibit galleries, the museum will feature two performance halls—a Flamenco Studio and a Multimedia Room—where visitors can enjoy traditional Spanish dance performances and immersive historical presentations. Graham M. Coates, head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, emphasizes the museum’s role in fostering community engagement and appreciation for heritage.
Surrounding the museum, three life-size monuments of Lapu-Lapu, King Philip II, and Ferdinand Magellan will stand as iconic symbols of the intertwined histories of the Philippines and Spain. Moreover, the museum will offer activities rooted in Filipino-Spanish traditions, including seasonal bazaars, guitar-making workshops, and a Filipino-themed photo studio.
Scheduled to open within the next three years, the Mactan World Museum adds to the vibrant offerings of The Mactan Newtown, alongside residential and commercial developments, hotels, schools, and dining options. As Megaworld’s fourth museum project, it joins the ranks of the Chinatown Museum in Lucky Chinatown, and the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) and the Brandy Museum in Iloilo Business Park, enriching communities with cultural exploration and appreciation.
