The Freeman

Ng Khai Group opens Lakwatsa Restoloung­e

- By EHDA M. DAGOOC Staff Member

The Ng Khai Group ventured into the promising tourism sector in Cebu, through the introducti­on of the

“Lakwatsa Restoloung­e,” another night-out destinatio­n in Cebu

that focuses on providing regular cultural show.

“We already have the usual night out facilities here, what we need is a tourists’ night out facility that offers tourists something about Cebu, thus we decided to invest and open Lakwatsa,” said Melanie Ng chief finance officer of the Ng Khai Group.

Known for its leadership in the Informatio­n Technology, Ng Khai has taken advantage of the profitable and bright prospects in the tourism sector, and Lakwatsa Restoloung­e is the start of its tourism venture.

The group recently completed a five- story building called “Engy Tech Building” located at the Hernan Cortes street, in Banilad, Mandaue City.

The Lakwatsa Restoloung­e, which is at the fifth floor of the building, will serve as Cebu’s first cultural restoloung­e that specialize­s on modern cultural shows.

The facility is conceived as a venue for cultural shows and musical and theatrical production­s. Has a seating capacity of over 500, the restoloung­e is equipped with the latest stage lights sound system, Ng said in an interview.

Initially, Lakwatsa, which means “traveling” will showcase a new and original musical and dance fantasy called “Bayahe”, a musical and cultural show directed by Rudy Avilas, featuring 27 dancers and singers.

The “Bayahe” show is staged every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, while the rest of the days, Ng said Lakwatsa will accept bookings for exclusive functions.

Already, the company has made partnershi­p with the travel operators in Cebu, like the Cebu Associatio­n of Tour Operators ( CATO), the National Associatio­n of Independen­t Travel Agencies ( Naitas) to promote the place and make it part of their travel itinerary for visitors.

According to Ng, what Cebu is needing in order to make it a fully world-class destinatio­n is a wide option for night life entertainm­ent, what is more wholesome she said is to provide a cultural night life entertainm­ent choice, “something that is very local but with modern touch.”

Besides, this is something a whole family can enjoy, she added.

The “Bayahe” show is a show aimed at boosting tourism and to let locals and tourists understand and appreciate Cebu’s culture.

“We hope this will add to the tourism scene in Cebu,” Ng said.

Ng said aside from business side, the Group’s establishm­ent of the “Lakwatsa Restoloung­e” and the introducti­on of a unique entertainm­ent offer, is because of their (together with husband Wilson Ng) passion and advocacy for preserving Cebuano culture and love for music.

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