Ching Hai Reopens! Brian Connelly as New Vice President-Operations And General Manager For JPark Island Resort

On August 15, 2022, Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark Mactan Cebu’s opened the doors of its Chinese restaurant, Ching Hai. Its name literally translates to “Blue Ocean”, and was aptly chosen as the restaurant is located within the water park. “Ching” which means blue, represents the wood element in Chinese culture, depicting growth and optimism. “Hai” means ocean, its vastness, and endless possibility of teasing your palates from mild and fresh to well-seasoned and robust taste to bring out the natural flavors of the dish.

Ching Hai is open to serving classic Cantonese cuisine for lunch and dinner and seats up to 100 guests. It houses eight private rooms for exclusive family or corporate gatherings and intimate booths for small groups. Guests are welcomed with a fresh, warm cup of traditional loose-leaf jasmine tea the moment they sit down in the restaurant. Ching Hai is open daily, except Thursdays. They are open for lunch from 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm, and dinner from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. 

Ching Hai is one of the 10 restaurants under the helm of the resort’s new Vice President for Operations and General Manager, Brian Connelly. He has 40 years of restaurant experience across prominent properties in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the United States, which makes him the perfect role to lead the country’s 5-star family water park resort. 

Coz we missed them very much, here's a preview of their Chinese Dishes!!

Brian brings with him a wealth of experience in various leadership roles spanning almost 40 years with prominent hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific, Middle East and the United States, making him the ideal successor for the Philippine's only premier 5-star family water park resort. 

He will be responsible for Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark Mactan as well as oversee the construction and opening of Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark Panglao, in Bohol.

A Bachelor of Science graduate in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Oklahoma State University, he most recently held the position of General Manager for Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City. Earlier in his career, he held senior management roles around the globe with Hilton Asia Pacific and Middle East, Oakwood Asia Pacific, Fairmont Hotels Middle East and Intercontinental Hotels in Thailand and China respectively.

"With Brian's years of industry experience, fresh and positive outlook in the business, he will surely propel Jpark into the future. He is excited to continue the momentum and explosive growth that Jpark is experiencing." -- Justin Uy, Chairman & President

Brian is the President of the American Chamber of Commerce Visayas Chapter, Board Member for the Marco Polo Residences Condominium Association and Vice President of Resorts for the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Cebu, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the International Food & Wine Society, and is the founder of Sons of Bacchus. He enjoys teaching about wine, enjoys reading and works out regularly at the gym.