It was a little after seven in the morning and we had just arrived in Cebu after the hour-long flight from Manila, and our tour guide had just announced our imminent arrival at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa.
We could have been more exuberant with our response. We weren’t.
Then we were greeted by the staff.
Their welcoming smiles and heartfelt warmth were such a treat that the fatigue, the weariness, the irritability (perhaps just mine!) melted away.
We would be in Cebu for two nights, and for yours truly, it was here that the fun began.
The Philippines, a Southeast Asian nation made up of more than 7,000 islands, boasts of “the bluest of waters, the whitest of sands, oceans seething with life”, to quote promotional material from the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).
Yes, the beach may be never more than two hours away, but there is much more to the Philippines than the beaches.
For those into shopping, Manila boasts some of the world’s biggest shopping malls, including Ayala Center in Makati and High Street in Fort Bonifacio.
History buffs would find plenty to indulge in, from the centuries-old Spanish city Intramuros (where the history of Manila as a capital city began) to Rizal Park (the site of the execution of the national hero Dr Jose P Rizal; the Rizal Monument is located here) and the American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio (the final resting place of more than 17,000 US personnel killed during World War II, as well as the war dead from the Philippines and allied nations).
Our group of 13, mainly representatives from the travel industry in Doha, were part of a familiarisation trip to Manila and Cebu in May.
The five-day trip was organised by Philippine Airlines (PAL), the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, World Avenues, and the Shangri-La Global Sales Office based in Dubai, with the objective of promoting the country in the Gulf region. 
PAL began operating the non-stop Doha-Manila service on March 26, 2017, with four flights weekly — on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays — utilising the 414-seater Airbus A330 with economy and premium economy seats.
For those who would prefer travelling more comfortably, the bi-class A330, with full flatbed beds on business class, will be utilised from July 16.
Wi-Fi access is available during the flight, and passengers can use their mobile devices to tap into the inflight entertainment network via the myPAL Player app.
Our itinerary was mainly packed with tours to hotels and resorts. From the historic Hotel Manila (the oldest in the country, built in 1909) along Manila Bay – highlights included the penthouse that served as the residence of General Douglas MacArthur when he was the Military Adviser of the Philippine Commonwealth from 1935 to 1941, and the expansive (and expensive!) Presidential Suite — to the new Shangri-La at the Fort located at the heart of the city, we were shepherded through a wide array of well-appointed deluxe rooms and beautiful surroundings.
And from Cebu’s Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort to the mesmerising Crimson Resort & Spa, we were endlessly wowed by the amazing vistas and fabulous facilities.
Interspersed between the inspections in Manila were visits that included a stopover at the Manila American Cemetery and a drive around the Bonifacio Global City.
Due to the tight scheduling, the Manila portion of our trip was a rush. Nevertheless, some of us managed to explore the area after hours around the Shangri-La Makati, where we were put up for the first two nights.
Then in Cebu, after the warm welcome from Shangri-La Mactan team, we went for breakfast at their Tides restaurant, which serves an extensive international buffet.
Good food all around here, with enough variety that one would not be eating the same fare over a fair number of days.
However, I was particularly drawn to the omelette station, due to the tantalising fillings that could be incorporated into the omelettes.
Happily, we had the afternoon to ourselves before heading out for hotel inspections.
So I went to the beach (like many of the better hotels in Cebu, the Shangri-La has its own beach and marine sanctuary).
Here one could walk out into the sea and enjoy feeding the fish, sit back on one of the many beach deckchairs, or take part in any of the available beachfront activities.
I declined to try snorkelling or swimming in the waters, preferring instead to stand among the schools of fish by the beach, followed by time-out in the shade.
To my pleasant surprise, the strong Wi-Fi signal extends beyond the beach, so out came the smartphone.
Then, while other members of the group went on their inspection tour, I made my way to the Shangri-La’s Chi spa, taking the scenic route, which gave me the opportunity to take in the ambience of the resort. It is hard not to be impressed by how the resort manages to combine the high standards of the brand’s signature hotels with the feel of a tropical island.
At the spa I went for a session of hilot, a traditional Filipino therapy that reminds me of Chinese deep tissue massage, with the added element of using strips of hot banana leaves.
It was a fascinating experience; that my therapist was chatty was a bonus. I emerged refreshed, a little more knowledgeable, and more than a little late for dinner with my travel mates at the resort’s Cowrie Cove restaurant for a fine dining experience.
Our last day in Cebu would be one packed with activities.
Breakfast was at again at Tides, and yes, I made more than a few trips for omelettes.
Following that our group boarded a boat for island hopping. There was a stopover for some swimming in the sea before making for Nalusuan island.
Then it was off to lunch at the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort.
Next was a visit to the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa (while we were there, there was a film shoot for Banana Sundae, a Filipino TV show) before we headed to Crimson Mactan (really lovely facilities) for a tour and dinner.
As we waited the next morning at Cebu airport for our flight to Manila, to be followed by a nine-hour flight back to Doha, I had time to collate my thoughts.
The Philippines is a nation with beautiful beaches, plenty of entertainment options, and enough history and culture to meet the needs of most tourists.
However, what sets the Philippines apart, at least for me, is the people. I have never felt so sincerely welcomed, so at ease.
One thing our guide in Manila, Lorna, remarked while we were on a city tour: Filipinos like to repeat syllables. Hence we have words like halo-halo (shaved ice dessert), gabi-gabi (nightly), and habal-habal (motorcyle taxis).
I’m beginning to think that this extends to their welcoming nature as well, from the moment we stepped into the PAL aircraft at the beginning of our journey, to the hotel staff who handed me extra bottles of drinking water as I was on my way out (“Very hot today, sir!”), and the man on the street helping with directions in halting English.
The people certainly make it more fun in the Philippines.