Peninsula Manila staff members take the stage

AS THE head of the in-house creative team, Anna Fay Rosal (foreground) is responsible for all the ornamental touches within the hotel, including the gardens, and creating the atmosphere of classic elegance in every corner of the hotel. She and her team are also responsible for the seasonal transformation of The Peninsula Manila, one of the high points of which is Christmas, when they install the 45-foot-high Christmas tree and dress the hotel in thousands of twinkling lights. Helping her touch up The Lobby’s tropical blooms are Miren Cagalcal and Amiel Dolom.

Sonja F. Vodusek, general manager of The Peninsula Manila, likens the landmark hotel to a graceful swan calmly swimming in placid waters, but with webbed feet furiously paddling underneath the surface.

Like the serene swan, Vodusek says, the 35-year-old hotel presents to its discriminating guests a portrait of calm and serenity that belies the current of hyperactivity that goes on behind the scenes 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

From the delivery of thousands of kilos of fresh produce to the meticulous polishing of the silver, inventory of expensive china, and steaming of table linens, the hotel’s dedicated employees do them all.

As Vodusek says, the 830-strong hotel staff members are the sturdy legs that have supported The Peninsula Manila since it opened in 1976.

Thus the hotel’s management thought it was just right to pay tribute to the hotel staff members who take care of the smallest details that make The Peninsula Manila a name to reckon with in the local hotel industry through a special photo exhibit that will run from September 21 to October 31.

The 35 black-and-white portraits taken by Sara Black of hotel staff as they go about their daily routine will be strategically located throughout the hotel to give guests a better idea and appreciation of what it really takes to keep the hotel at the top of its game.

“With this exhibit, we are celebrating our staff who are continually striving for service excellence. After all, while good business is ensuring a seamless guest experience, I also believe that good business is supporting the staff that run the business,” Vodusek says.