MEGAWORLD Hotels and Resorts, the Philippines’ largest hospitality management chain, celebrates three smart-working ladies in their organization who’ve managed to rise above challenges through different mindsets and rightfully taking a seat at the table as they take on new leadership positions in the organization.
Rowena Samonte, Twin Lakes Hotel general manager
Say hello to GM Samonte. Owen, as she is dearly called by many, stepped up from being the property’s director of sales and marketing to now being the first lady general manager of a 122-room hotel at the center of a 1,200-hectare Twin Lakes estate of Megaworld.
Contrary to the title, she shares that as the world continues to evolve, “I am positive that change will come naturally.” In the future, she said, “I would like to be defined and seen as a leader alone and not a woman leader.”
As society comes to better terms with inclusivity, she sees it as a privilege and a responsibility to partake 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.
When asked about the best advice she can give to the younger generation about becoming a better version of themselves, she said: “Keep going despite the times when the world fails to be kind. We must learn to stand tall and take care of ourselves.” She also emphasized that “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.”
Maia Israel, Belmont Hotel Boracay general manager
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. She believes that “mentorship is a tool I personally have benefited from the most and is my privilege and responsibility to pass it forward.”
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 ’90s up to her stint in Maldives, Indonesia, Fiji and Cambodia, she admits having been blessed with leaders who took the ways of the heart to motivate outcome and positives results.
Were there tough days? She quipped: “You bet, and quite a lot! But if there’s one observed universal fact across cultures that ties us all in, it is that you will never go wrong when you believe in the good in everyone.”
With most of her experience growing in the revenue, rooms operations and F&B of numerous beach resorts all over the world, she said “you can never tell how your day is going to end.”
As a certified island girl, she said “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”.
Claire del Rosario Bernabe, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts director of customer experience and new ventures
“More than the destination, picturesque scenery, and complete facilities is really the collection of memorable moments that builds connections and spark joy,” shared Claire Bernabe, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ newest addition to the brand management team.
Exactly 30 years in the hospitality industry with local and international experience, Bernabe admitted that “a memorable authentic Filipino customer experience is constantly evolving and adequately adapts to the needs of the customer.” Waving the flagship of the largest homegrown hospitality management brand, she confidently attested that “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.”
With her new role, she is excited about the projects in the pipeline. The only rule of thumb she sees is “It is important to aim to constantly improve the overall experience each investor or customer has with the brand.”
Bernabe celebrates that the organization is anchored on faith, its investors and its people.
When asked if there’s one thing all women should look forward to each day, she said “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.” (PR)