LausGroup affiliates, exec honored in San Fernando 'Star' Awards 2022

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Three affiliates run by the Laus Group of Companies and an executive from the countryside conglomerate were conferred citations by the City Government of San Fernando Arts, Culture, and Tourism Council during grand rites of the annual Tourism Star Awards at the Heroes Hall Mini Convention Center on September 28, 2022.

City Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan told SunStar Pampanga that the Star Awards, now on its fifth year and part of the celebration of Tourism Week, recognizes the contributions of Department of Tourism accredited establishments like hotels, resorts, Mabuhay accommodations, tour operators and travel and tour agencies, agri-tourism farms and sites, restaurants, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibition (MICE) facilities, tourism recreation centers, tour guides as well individuals and entities boosting tourism and safety before, during and the post-pandemic period moving towards the "new normal."

Aside from that, tourism stakeholders are feted for promoting San Fernando’s rich history, culture, and tradition, and in strengthening the local economy with their products, services, advocacies, and initiatives.

Compliant to initiatives, standards and safety measures

The LausGroup Event Centre (LGEC) at the heart of the LausGroup Complex along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in the capital city, was cited for its compliance and standards as well as safety standards fitting of a MICE enterprise.

Inaugurated on June 8, 2016, the LGEC was a brainchild of LausGroup founder Levy P. Laus, who responded to calls of a venue for conferences, meetings, graduation rites, international gabs as well as concerts and intimate gatherings in a hub complete with world class facilities and amenities in a 2,000 seated capacity for utmost convenience and safety.

The LausGroup Event Centre has since hosted the 25th Commemoration Anniversary of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption, Pampanga elected officials’ oath taking ceremonies, and many other internationally rated concerts including Engelbert Humperdink, the North Luzon Area Business Conference hosted by the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and sessions with business leaders that centered on well-acclaimed speakers including Francis Kong and Josiah Go, among others that has made the LGEC of choice for many great events across Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

Tourism hero

In September 28, Microtel Wyndham Pampanga operated by the LausGroup was cited by City Government of San Fernando, through its City Tourism Office, as one of its "tourism heroes" that exemplified excellence and dedication in driving the city’s tourism industry forward amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Microtel Wyndham Pampanga, located at the LausGroup Complex along Jose Abad Santos Avenue, is operated as a partnership with Wyndham Hotels and Laus Group of Companies.

Said Microtel Wyndham Pampanga Resident Manager Donna Ravina then: "Our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s winners and thank you for the high-quality service and commitment that you continue to provide for the city’s economic progress and well-being," Pangilinan told the tourism heroes like Microtel Wyndham Pampanga, which served as a quarantine facility in support of local government efforts in addressing coronavirus crisis needs.

"We are very grateful you appreciated our efforts and commitment to serve our fellow kababayans and of course, the city of San Fernando. We are very fortunate to have your support especially during this time of the pandemic," she said.

"I would like to share this award with my Microtel Wyndham Pampanga team. This recognition will not be possible without them. Their efforts and sacrifices are truly commendable. They have served our guests with grateful hearts despite the high risk of Covid-19 and being away from their families. Many things change and will continue to change in the hospitality industry. As we try to survive we learn a lot as an individual and as a team. Despite the challenges we are thankful for the learning and the partners we met -- our guests, people from Owwa, Office of Governor Dennis Pineda for the Balik Pinas, Balik Pampanga program, and the Bureau of Quarantine. And of course, to the Microtel and LausGroup family, thank you very much for the never ending support,” she added.

New GLF prexy

LausGroup honcho Frank De Jesus, who has since supported the auto conglomerate with Founder Levy P. Laus, takes on the helm of the Giant Lantern Festival, Inc. from businessman and socio-civic leader Alfrito "Bong Mah" to continue programs and projects for Fernandino lantern makers.

Ever visible as a member of the GLF Board, De Jesus has handled sensitive matters on the "Ligligan Parul" particularly its finances, ensuring everything is well spent for Fernandinos in the grandiose festival that this year will see it displayed on a hybrid, in-person tilt ands and exhibition at a mall here on December 17.

"I took over the helm of the GLF Foundation, Inc. in January of this year and we promise to continue on the tradition of helping our lantern makers showcase their craft plus bringing in more investments and livelihood for them.

Last week, mayor Vilma Caluag upped the ante for giant lantern makers in cooperation with the GFL Foundation, increasing the subsidy from P150,000 to P300,000 per participating

barangay and theg and the grand prize to P300,000, aside from the bragging rights and revolving trophy.

For its dedicated focus on San Fernando tourism efforts, CLTV36 also received a citation as a media partner.