Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) has made this belief central to its business strategy, earning recognition as a Great Place To Work by embedding employee well-being, inclusivity, and purpose into its organizational DNA.

“Hospitality is demanding work, and we recognize that excellence cannot be sustained without a culture that genuinely cares for its people,” said Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts. “This recognition affirms what we have always believed—that when employees feel respected, included, and inspired by purpose, their passion naturally translates into meaningful guest experiences. Our culture is built on the Circle of Happiness and the Sampaguita brand of service, reminding us that caring for our people is at the very heart of caring for our guests.”

At MHR, passion is not a slogan—it is a strategic driver. The company’s people-first philosophy translates into strong engagement, leadership continuity, and service excellence across its growing portfolio.

The Circle of Happiness and the Sampaguita Brand of Service

At the core of MHR’s culture is its Circle of Happiness (COH) framework, a guiding philosophy that aligns personal fulfillment with professional excellence. Designed as a holistic approach to employee development, the COH is anchored on five pillars: Love for Self, Love for Work, Love for Family, Love for Country, and Love for God. Together, these values encourage associates to find meaning, balance, and pride in what they do.

This philosophy is expressed through MHR’s signature Sampaguita brand of service, a distinctly Filipino approach to hospitality rooted in sincerity, warmth, and national pride. Inspired by the Sampaguita flower, its five petals symbolize love, honor, dignity, healing, and the Philippine flag—principles that guide every guest interaction. More than a service standard, the Sampaguita brand serves as a cultural compass, shaping how employees connect with guests and with one another.

Building an Inclusive and Representative Workplace

From the Circle of Happiness flow concrete initiatives that translate values into measurable outcomes. Inclusivity stands out as a defining pillar—grounded in the belief that high-performing organizations thrive when opportunity is accessible to all.

A recent employee survey showed that 95% of MHR employees believe individuals are treated fairly regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Leadership diversity has also advanced significantly: from a management team once composed of 80% men, women now account for 51% of total decision-makers across the organization. Since 2019, 74 women across MHR’s 14 properties have been promoted to expanded leadership roles.

MHR also set an industry benchmark by becoming the first Philippine hotel chain to achieve 100% accreditation as a Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment from the Department of Tourism. This ensures both guests and employees are supported in practicing their faith with dignity, reinforcing MHR’s commitment to respect and inclusion.

By fostering an inclusive environment, MHR strengthens collaboration, unlocks diverse perspectives, and builds leadership teams that reflect the communities it serves.

Investing in Tomorrow Through the Next Gen Leadership Council

With expansion comes the need for leadership continuity. To address this strategically, MHR launched the Next Gen Leadership Council (NGLC)—a future-focused development program designed to prepare high-potential associates for senior roles.

From 70 applicants, 25 associates aged 23 to 34 were selected to undergo an intensive eight-month leadership journey. Representing multiple departments and properties, participants engage in curated learning sessions, cross-property exposure, and mentorship with senior leaders, gaining a macro-level understanding of hotel operations and corporate strategy.

The NGLC builds a robust internal talent pipeline, bridging leadership demand with values-aligned capability. More importantly, it ensures that future leaders are not only operationally competent, but deeply grounded in MHR’s culture and purpose.

A Culture Sustained by Purpose

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts continues to prove that even in a high-pressure, service-driven industry, long-term success is built on people. Through the Circle of Happiness, the Sampaguita brand of service, a strong commitment to inclusivity, and leadership programs like the NGLC, MHR demonstrates that passion—when nurtured with intention—becomes a powerful business advantage.

For MHR, caring for people is not just a good culture, but a sound strategy.

This leadership transition reflects the company’s strong culture of meritocracy, where women leaders have advanced through sustained performance, professional expertise, and long-term commitment to operational excellence. Their presence across critical leadership functions demonstrates Araneta Hotels Inc.’s commitment to recognizing capability while fostering an environment that values equity, growth, and opportunity.

The milestone also aligns with the global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda of Accor, which has embedded inclusion into its corporate culture by ensuring equal access to professional development, strengthening awareness of inclusive practices, and cultivating workplaces where individuals feel valued and empowered. Accor emphasizes that diverse leadership strengthens organizational performance by bringing together varied perspectives that drive innovation, enhance guest experience, and encourage employees to bring their authentic selves to work.

Unified Leadership Built on Diversity, Strength, and Heart

At the center of this leadership evolution is Cluster General Manager Maria Manlulu-Garcia, who oversees both properties with a leadership philosophy anchored in purpose, empathy, and operational discipline, ensuring that strategic execution remains aligned with people-centered values. Supporting her are two women leaders who shape the individual character and performance of each hotel: Joy De Mesa, Hotel Manager of Novotel Manila Araneta City, who drives commercial performance and service quality through her extensive background in operations and sales; and Felicia Aye Chan Mon, Resident Manager of ibis Styles Manila Araneta City, whose global brand expertise and creative, guest-centered mindset sustain a vibrant service culture consistent with the ibis Styles brand.

Women leadership at Araneta Hotels Inc. is further reinforced by executives who rose through the ranks and now lead key strategic functions. Marife Tolentino, who began as Accounting Manager in 2015, now serves as Cluster Director of Finance, where she safeguards financial stability through disciplined planning, strong internal controls, and alignment of fiscal strategy with long-term growth objectives. Kristine Alba, who joined in 2018 as Talent and Culture Manager, now leads as Cluster Director of People and Culture, strengthening employee engagement, talent development, and inclusive workplace practices that nurture a motivated and high-performing workforce.

Service excellence and sustainability are championed by Therese Galindo, who progressed from Guest Relations Manager to head Guest Experience, Sustainability, and Safety, playing a central role in elevating service standards while leading both hotels to achieve Green Key certification—affirming their commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable tourism.

The next generation of women leaders continues to shape hotel performance across operations, commercial strategy, and guest experience. Janelle Crisostomo, now Director of Rooms at Novotel Manila, advanced from Rooms Division Manager by mastering the complexities of guest operations, leading the hotel during its 10th anniversary year as its Presidential Suite was recognized as the Philippines’ Leading Hotel Suite 2025 at the World Travel Awards. May Malagamba, who transitioned from Director of Events Management to Director of Food and Beverage, has steered the division to regional recognition, including Novotel Manila Araneta City being named Best F&B Performer at the Accor Asia Awards 2023 and earning Best Breakfast Satisfaction in 2024.

Revenue and commercial performance are led by Kim Escaler, who rose from Reservations Supervisor to Cluster Director of Revenue Management, overseeing pricing strategy and revenue optimization across both properties, while Izza Mojica, who began her career as Duty Manager in 2017, now serves as Director of Rooms at ibis Styles Manila, bringing frontline operational experience, resilience, and a service-driven mindset to her leadership role.

The growing prominence of women in senior hospitality roles reflects a broader industry shift, where emotional intelligence, adaptability, and people-focused leadership are increasingly recognized as essential drivers of long-term success. At Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City, women leaders are not only shaping hotel operations but redefining leadership itself—demonstrating that when organizations invest in capability, inclusion, and opportunity, women rise and industries evolve.

Jun Justo, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts NCR+ Cluster General Manager and ERH General Manager, opened the evening by revisiting the hotel’s landmark role as Megaworld’s inaugural hotel in Eastwood City, a milestone that helped shape the company’s signature live-work-play townships across the country. An AVP presentation followed, honoring the dedication of ERH’s employees—known as Enrichers—whose warmth and service have helped build Richmonde’s distinct Filipino brand of hospitality.

The event was graced by guests including Megaworld Corporation President and CEO Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, Department of Tourism Undersecretary Maria Rica Bueno, Quezon City LEDIPO representative Jong Sumpiaco, and Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Managing Director Cleofe Albiso. In their messages, they emphasized ERH’s contributions to local tourism, community development, and Quezon City’s hospitality landscape, as well as its commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism through MHR’s Sampaguita Service.

A celebratory toast led by MHR Group General Manager Art Boncato formally marked the milestone, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the hotel’s Christmas tree and its handcrafted Sampaguita-inspired Capiz lantern, signaling the start of the holiday season.

Entertainment was provided by Harana, a group of professional singers and La Salle Kundirana alumni, whose performances of OPM classics and Christmas songs elevated the festive atmosphere.

Guests then proceeded to Eastwood Café+Bar for a curated six-course dinner prepared by MHR Corporate Chef Panky Lopez and ERH Executive Chef Peter Paluga. The menu featured elevated Filipino favorites such as Salmon Sinigang Steak and Caldereta Tiger Pie, showcasing the hotel’s creative approach to local cuisine.

As Eastwood Richmonde Hotel looks ahead, it reaffirms its commitment to purposeful, heartfelt, and culturally rooted hospitality, continuing its legacy as a proudly Filipino hotel that enriches each guest experience.