Courtyard has made its roots in the Philippines through Iloilo. Why do you think Iloilo has been the choice of the Marriott group for establishing its Courtyard presence in the Philippines? Why not your hometown of Cebu, or the capital Manila, or the President’s home city of Davao?
The establishment of the Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo is a thrust to complement the vision of the 72 hectare development of the Iloilo Business Park (IBP) which aims to promote Iloilo City with a modern Central Business District. The development also supports the City’s long term goal of fortifying it’s MICE industry and preparedness. Given the location of the Iloilo Convention Center at the IBP, the presence of an Internationally branded hotel like the Courtyard Iloilo allows the City to host international conferences given more upscale options for accommodations.

Marriott is a global name when it comes to world-class hospitality services, and it bears with it several brands. What differentiates the Courtyard experience from the experience a traveler can get from other Marriott hotels?
The Courtyard is a select brand of the Marriott International portfolio that caters to the fast paced lives of business travelers. Courtyard is driven by a mantra that “Passion moves us forward”. It’s goal is to support our guests to achieve their goals by being continuously firing up their passion and inspiration. As a brand, Courtyard has evolved through the years pushing the boundaries of design and service in the upscale category.

Courtyard has earned for it a vibe of being the traveling businessman’s smart choice of where to stay and unwind in between travels. What do you think are the other kinds of travelers Courtyard can perfectly accommodate, particularly its Iloilo iteration?
While the Courtyard as a brand invites business travelers on the go, specific to the Iloilo market, the Courtyard Iloilo has been home to local residents who want to indulge themselves on weekend staycations with their loved ones and families. We have also hosted a good number of Marriott Bonvoy members who have families within the region as well as members who travel for business purposes in the area. Not to mention the convention attendees for MICE that are held at the Iloilo Convention Center that hold majority of the compression of the city.

Personally, if you were to go for a staycation in Courtyard, what would be your favorite things to do? What amenities will you be looking forward to enjoy, and what services will you be making sure you’ll avail of?
On a personal wish list, a carefree sleep at the Courtyard Iloilo would be luxury for me. We never miss getting a feedback of how great our beds are and how comfortable their sleep would be every time they stay with us. An eight to ten hour of straight sleep would be amazing. Lounging at the Concierge Club at the 15th floor watching the sunset would be an experience.

Let’s get a bit more personal. How long have you been in the hospitality sector and how did you end up being with the Marriott group?
I have recently turned 6 years in the hospitality industry in the month of July and the years have not been short of challenges yet full of wonderful learning experiences that has built the character that I have today. I served almost a decade doing Sales and Marketing positions with Globe Telecom. An opportunity opened its door for me to join the Cebu City Marriott Hotel in 2013 as the Director of Sales and Marketing fastforward to May 2017 I landed on my first GM job at the Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo as its pre-opening General Manager.

Has it always been your dream to be in this highly dynamic and competitive industry? What do you love about it the most, and what do you consider to be its toughest challenges?
I did not find myself zeroing in to a certain industry, my fate took me to where God and destiny led myself to. I was certain of one thing though, that my family has been my strong inspiration to not just to work hard but to toil and bear anything, knowing that I have the innocent eyes of my loved ones looking at me to give me motivation to give my best as well as taking the same inspiration from me as they make their own life stories.

I have never looked at my work the same way until I became a general manager when I realized that the responsibility does not end in keeping the business afloat and creating memorable experiences for our guests through service excellence. The nobler part of the position is having the opportunity to help in molding the future of associates that work for the hotel by inspiring them that there are greater things that they can potentially achieve if they work hard for their dreams. Making them dream and doing everything for their loved ones. Taking inspiration in what they can provide and have in the future when they put their hearts into what they are doing. Marriott International has opened opportunities to many of us and I can’t wait for our associates to make wonderful journeys with the brand given the many hotel openings in the Philippines in the next couple of years.

We can only imagine the number of destinations you have already been to, as your work surely entails a lot of travel. Can you name to us your most recent favorite local destination, and why?

Recently visiting Guimaras Island has been a great eye opener for me of how beautiful the island is and I highly recommend our guests to make trip a for a day to explore it. It has so much to offer, the beaches and the culinary experience not to mention its sweet mangoes when it is on season.

How about those from other parts of the globe? What countries would you consider to be your most enjoyable trips recently, and why?
The past years, my travel have mostly been for trainings and conferences. The places that I loved the most are Japan for its ultimately fresh food. Last year in China when I spoke for the Women in Leadership Conference and experienced how humbling it is to bear yourself and share one’s journey in life. My recent travel to Israel with my sisters. It was not only traversing through a spiritual journey with two of the most important people of my life, but it was taking a path to self-acceptance, awareness of my limitations and acknowledgement of God’s faithfulness in my life.

Have you tried staying as a private guest in a Marriott hotel abroad? What hotel was this and what was your experience like? What did you enjoy about it the most?
We always stay in a Marriott property for all our business travels. I do not have a favorite in mind but the one thing common and you are sure to get every single time you step in a Marriott property is the signature warmth of the service that the associates afford its guests. Wherever you are its much like coming home to one familiar Marriott property.

Lastly, Marriott group is taking much pride in having you as the first Filipino to have earned such a high position within the group. How does it feel to bear this distinction, and what do you think your fellow Filipinos should do to also reach the heights you have attained?
I have always looked at the position as a blessing. An unexpected one. I look at it more a a responsibility that I gladly take on more than a distinction. In many hotel organizations across many countries, there is always a hardworking Filipina that passionately supports the success of the property. I, together with Anna Vergara of Sheraton Manila as well as Dottie Wurgler of the soon to open Sheraton Mactan have been blessed having been chosen as Filipinas to be at the helm of these properties in the Philippines. We acknowledge the amazing support of our cluster general manager, Bruce Winton, and owning companies like Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. who share the vision of supporting local talents to take the lead. Marriott International through the years has opened doors for many of us, the one thing I can share to my fellow Filipino leaders is that recognizing individual contributions in a team is key to moving forward. No leader can rally the team to success without believing and supporting the other key players in a team. Equipping them, motivating them and acknowledging their contributions will make growth sustainable not just for individual careers but for the company as a whole.