Much has transpired in the previous year for the hospitality industry and there’s so much to look forward to as year 2021 unfolds and as the good old saying goes, ‘With each sunrise, we start anew’. One exciting news in the industry is the appointment of Ms. Maria Manlulu-Garcia as the very first female General Manager for international brand Accor in the country and the appointment of Mr. Darwin Labayandoy as Resident Manager, both filling up the said positions in Novotel Manila Araneta City at the City of Firsts.
Ms. Maria Manlulu-Garcia as General Manager
Maria Manlulu-Garcia, General Manager Novotel Manila Araneta City
Prior to her appointment as the hotel’s General Manager, Maria goes way back in the hotel industry as early as 1992. She began her career as a Front Office Agent and eventually rose from the ranks and subsequently became Rooms Director of the Ramada hotel, Portland, Oregon, USA in 1995. She was part of the pre-opening team of three (3) hotels in downtown Portland, Oregon, USA namely Hotel Lucia, Paramount Hotel both under West Coast Hotels and Intercontinental Hotel prior to her going back in the Philippines.
Ms. Garcia has been awarded as the Manager of the Year by the Philippine Association of HR Managers in the Hospitality Industry through the Mabuhay Awards in 2008 during her assignment with Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila, Philippines as Executive Assistant Manager of Rooms. Moving on, she became the General Manager of Pico De Loro Country Club and Pico Sands Hotel, Batangas, Philippines and re-joined Accor at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua, Indonesia prior to joining Novotel Manila Araneta City, Quezon City, Philippines as Executive Assistant Manager and eventually promoted to Resident Manager in 2016 and Hotel Manager in 2019.
Mr. Darwin Labayandoy as Resident Manager
Darwin Labayandoy, Resident Manager Novotel Manila Araneta City
With 25 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry under his belt, one cannot ignore this seasoned hotelier’s contribution to the field. Prior to joining Novotel Manila Araneta City, Darwin held key positions at Dusit Hotel Nikko and Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Rooms Division Operations being his expertise, Darwin is a passionate individual known to be “result-oriented” with a strong dedication and a key driver of customer satisfaction.
Mr. Labayandoy has undergone the Accor’s National Talent Program (NTP) and successfully finished the program in 2019 and has contributed significantly during the pre-opening phase of Novotel Manila and has been instrumental in its successful opening. He has provided unrelenting support, strategic direction in guest satisfaction that led to the successful delivery of the hotel’s objectives for the past years. Fast forward to this day, he has been appointed as Resident Manager of Novotel Manila Araneta City from being Director of Rooms.
The Power of Two
The entire community of Novotel Manila Heartists is excited for this new leadership tandem as Ms. Garcia and Mr. Labayandoy bring in a refreshing combination of management styles to the scene. With the Garcia-Labayandoy leadership, Novotel Manila’s Heartists, now more than ever, are ready to roll up their sleeves to bring the hotel to even much greater heights. Novotel Manila Araneta City will be breaking new ground for years to come.
ADVT