Recognizing New Women leaders in Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

Twin Lakes Hotel, located at Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Laurel Bantangas

A woman is the best candidate for the job! Filipinos will always, if not the majority, associate the word "care" with all women, particularly mothers, who have tirelessly given everything they could to mold leaders and contributing individuals beginning within our collective "home." In fact, times have changed, and now, more empowered women are taking on leadership roles in their chosen fields.

 

Belmont Hotel Boracay, located at the Newcoast Drive, Boracay Newcoast, Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, the largest hospitality management chain in the Philippines with six brands, twelve properties, and 4,500 room keys nationwide, is celebrating three smart, hardworking women who have overcome numerous obstacles with different mindsets and are now taking on new leadership roles within the company.

Keep going and learn to stand tall

Rowena Samonte, General Manager of Twin Lakes Hotel

Rowena Samonte, General Manager of Twin Lakes Hotel

Make sure to say hello to GM Samonte the next time you visit the Twin Lakes Hotel, one of the most popular hilltop resorts in the south of Luzon near Tagaytay. Owen, as she is affectionately known to many, rose from her position as Director of Sales and Marketing at the property to her current position as the first lady general manager of a 122-room hotel in the center of Megaworld's 1,200-hectare Twin Lakes estate. She discusses that despite the title, as the world continues to change.

“I am positive that change will come naturally. In the future. I would like to be defined and seen as a leader alone, and not a woman leader. Keep going despite the times when the world fails to be kind. We must learn to stand tall and take care of ourselves. there is no point in beating yourself up over things that you cannot change. Ultimately, fall in love with the process, not the goal. Don’t be afraid to be too much and enjoy as you watch everything fall into place.” ~Owen Samonte, Director of Sales and Marketing

As society comes to better terms with inclusivity, she sees it as a privilege and a responsibility to part-take in the effort of eliminating prejudiced biases with gender and preference as a primary basis.

The first-time general manager has surely done much with almost three decades of humble service in the industry under her belt. She has expanded her craft from operations to sales until reaching an executive leadership rank. During her early days, she remembers starting her career as an outlet cashier moving her way up to Assistant Director of Events and Management in Edsa Shangri-La in Manila. She also dabbled with other international brands like Mandarin Oriental, Intercontinental Hotel and other local brands like B Hotel in Quezon City and Robinsons Hotels and Resorts before joining the largest homegrown hotel chain in the Philippines, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts starting the year 2020 until the present.

When asked about the best advice she can give to the younger generation about becoming a better version of themselves.

For the month of March, in honor of Women’s Month, imagine quiet moments with the cold gentle breeze over “Afternoon High Tea”. Enjoy this best in the property’s high ceiling European Style lobby or al fresco, overseeing the hotel’s vineyard and mesmerizing view of Taal lake. Make the month of March  memorable for you and the family, for dining and room bookings visit www.twinlakeshotel.com.ph or email reservations@twinlakeshotel.com.ph

Believe in the good in everyone

Maia Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay

Maia Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay

Sweet and loving. Promoted from resort manager to now the general manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay in just a span of a year, Maia Israel, has always been well loved for her nurturing approach to leadership.

“Mentorship is a tool I personally have benefited from the most and is my privilege and responsibility to pass it forward. You bet, and quite a lot! But if there’s one observed universal fact across cultures that ties us all in, is that you will never go wrong when you believe in the good in everyone. You can never tell how your day is going to end. You take things like how the shores welcome the waves of the sea. You can never control it, but you can always make the most out of it. What more from life can you ask for?” ~Maia Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay

 

Remembering the days when she started her career in the hospitality industry way back as part of the reservations team in Shangri-la Mactan in the 90’s up to her stint in Maldives, Indonesia, Fiji, and Cambodia with brands like Marriott International and Banyan Tree and everything else in between, she admits having been blessed with leaders who took the ways of the heart to motivate outcome and positives results.

 

Were there tough days? With most of her experience growing in the revenue, rooms operations and F&B of numerous beach resorts all over the world. 

 

As one of the two MHR properties in Boracay Newcoast, one being Savoy Hotel Boracay, she appreciates how unique one is from the other. She said Belmont takes a straightforward and tranquil approach as opposed to the usual parties the island is generally known for. The hotel is most fitting for small to large family reunions, people vacationing with a hint of business, and senescent guests who prefer peace and quiet while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea of Boracay. With 442 rooms, 2 F&B outlets, a pool, spa, and a dedicated beach front perfect to greet the golden sunrise.

 

Get treated to a night or two and plan those private dinners by the beach with Belmont Hotel Boracay. Email www.reserve@belmontboracay.com.ph or visit www.belmonthotelboracay.com for room reservations and other arrangements for a comfortable stay.

Believe in the good in everyone

Maia Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay

Claire del Rosario Bernabe, Director of Customer Experience and New Ventures of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

It’s all about the experience. Exactly 30 years in the hospitality industry with local and international experience. Waving the flagship of the largest homegrown hospitality management brand.

“More than the destination, picturesque scenery, and complete facilities is really the collection of memorable moments that builds connections and spark joy. A memorable authentic Filipino customer experience is constantly evolving and adequately adapts to the needs of the customer. We Filipinos are known to be hospitable and are a happy people. We are enablers, and we do so with warmth and a smile that doesn’t need to be taught or practiced. It is important to aim to constantly improve the overall experience of each investor or customer has with the brand. MHR has a transformational leader in the person of its very own Managing Director, Ms. Cleofe Albiso, who empowers key executives. MHR’s structural pillars are in place and steps are being taken to further improve and strengthen the organization to support further growth. Have the chance to greet another day with a smile, be able to make a difference in the lives of others as much as you inspire them to bring the good forward. We welcome and recognize our new leaders with so much pride and joy knowing that there’s so much instore for everyone who believes in what a homegrown brand like us can do.” ~Claire Bernabe, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ newest addition to the brand management team

 

Nothing is ever perfect. No brand will ever have it all but there is always opportunity for its enablers to learn and discover. With her new role as Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ (MHR) Director of Customer Experience and New Ventures, she is excited about the projects in the pipeline.

 

Luckily with MHR, Bernabe celebrates that the organization is anchored on faith, its investors, and its people. As someone who hails from celebrated brands. In her line of experience, Bernabe has served leadership roles with brands like Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Century International Hotels, Marco Polo Davao, Novotel Garden Plaza Saigon, Movenpick Saigon, Discovery Shores and so much more. 

 

Looking into the future, Cleofe Albiso, top executive of Megaworld hotels and Resorts announces that “opportunities are endless with the organization”. Albiso believes in equal opportunities for everyone as long as we stay humble and work hard for it. This year alone, MHR is poised to open the largest hotel in the Philippines which is the Grand Westside Hotel with more than 1,500 rooms strategically located at the Entertainment City in Paranaque. With this, Albiso and her team aims find the right fit for the job for the roles they have available.  

  

To all the women and allies joining in the cause to elevate other women and campaign for inclusivity, trust that you are all welcome across all properties of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. Get a 20% discount for your next stay whenever you go to Boracay, Cebu, Iloilo, Metro Manila, or near Tagaytay.

Stay in Belmont Hotel Manila or Savoy Hotel Manila within Newport City in Pasay across NAIA terminal 3, Kingsford Hotel Manila located in the Entertainment City of Paranaque, Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Twin Lakes Hotel near Tagaytay, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Iloilo Business Park of Iloilo City, Belmont Hotel Boracay or Savoy Hotel Boracay located at the Newcoast Boracay or even in Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown in Cebu or in the newly opened Belmont Hotel Mactan Newtown. Learn more about it and visit www.megaworldhotels.com to plan your next hotel getaway. Travel more! For further information, visit the website, email salesinquiry@megaworldhotels.com or visit Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ official facebook page.