Manila Bulletin
Environment and Sustainability
Filipino hospitality shines through sustainable, people-centered leadership
Environment and Sustainability
Filipino hospitality shines through sustainable, people-centered leadership
Filipino hospitality shines through sustainable, people-centered leadership
Published Dec 1, 2025 10:35 am
All of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts properties are recognized by DOT as Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments with six properties equipped with Halal-certified kitchens.
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) continues to make remarkable strides in the Philippine hospitality industry as it takes home accolades from two of the country’s most prestigious award-giving bodies — the 11th Virtus Awards and the 28th Mabuhay Awards. These recognitions highlight not only MHR’s creativity and talent pool, but also its unwavering commitment to purpose-driven leadership, inclusivity, and Filipino hospitality.
“These recognitions are a humbling reminder of what truly drives Megaworld Hotels & Resorts—our people. Their love for their work and their passion continues to elevate our service and our culture. Therefore, behind every marketing campaign and every milestone is a team that pours genuine heart, creativity, and purpose into their craft. And when love becomes part of one’s purpose, it radiates authentically — guests feel it, colleagues feel it, and the entire organization grows because of it,” Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.
Virtus Awards Chair Ms Rose Libongco, HSMA’s President Loleth So, Director for Public Relations Cielo Reboredo, Director of Programs Jennylyn Santillan and Virtus juror Mr. Jos Ortega joined the MHR executives Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director, Art Boncato, Group General Manager, Claire Bernabe, Head of Sales and Strategic Partnership, and Cluster General Managers Avinash Menon and Sonny Alvaro.
Purpose Driving Progress: Muslim initiative wins Marketing Campaign of the Year
At the 11th Virtus Awards held in Paranaque on October 16 with the theme “Paths and Bridges: Leading the Way and Building Continuity,” MHR’s “100% Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment” marketing campaign was hailed as the Marketing Campaign of the Year, besting 12 other hotel groups nationwide, making it a second consecutive win for the group after “Ang Sampaguita” received the same award last year.
The judges described the campaign as “authentic, inclusive, and commercially impactful — a purpose-driven innovation that addressed an untapped market with meaningful results.” They further commended MHR for demonstrating leadership with sincerity, cultural respect, and a strong sense of national purpose while achieving tangible business outcomes.
This pioneering initiative positioned MHR as the Philippines’ first Muslim-Friendly Hotel Chain, with all of its properties recognized by the Department of Tourism as Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments. It also gained international acclaim at the Halal In Travel Awards in Singapore last June, where MHR was applauded for elevating the country’s readiness to welcome Muslim travelers.
Moreover, MHR was awarded the Philippine Tourism Excellence Award last September for its efforts in promoting Muslim inclusivity and the Filipinization of hospitality through its signature brand of service - the Sampaguita.
The awards night also showcased the strength of MHR’s talent pool, with 13 associates from various properties emerging as national finalists in the categories of Outstanding Sales and Marketing Associate, Manager, and Leader.
(From left) Avinash Menon, Cluster General Manager for Visayas of MHR, Rowena Samonte, General Manager of Twin Lakes Hotel, Divine delos Reyes, Head of People Management and Development of MHR, Hanna Kristina Tiongson, PMD Manager of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, Maria Bianca Villanueva, Accounts Payable Associate of Twin Lakes Hotel, Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of MHR, Art Boncato, Jr. Group General Manager of MHR, and Josef Chiongbian, General Manager of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.
Honoring the Heart of Hospitality: MHR Shines at the 28th Mabuhay Awards
MHR also took home two major awards at the 28th Mabuhay Awards, widely regarded as the “Oscars of Philippine Hospitality,” held on November 14. The event coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Association of Human Resources Managers (AHRM) and carried the theme “Galing ng Pilipino, Ginto ng Buong Mundo,” honoring the world-class service of Filipino hospitality professionals.
Maria Bianca Villanueva, Accounts Payable Associate of Twin Lakes Hotel, earned the Heart of the House Award in recognition of her dedication and excellence in back-of-house operations. Meanwhile, Hanna Kristina Tiongson, People Management & Development Manager of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, was named HR Leader of the Year, marking another back-to-back victory for MHR following Trixie Tan’s win in 2024. MHR sent a strong lineup of 30 nominees for the Mabuhay Awards.
Their triumphs reflect the company’s Circle of Happiness philosophy — a culture anchored on love for God, self, family, work, and country. This framework continues to guide MHR’s people toward finding joy and meaning in their daily work, where passion for service meets purpose and authenticity.
Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown celebrating the Great Place To Work certification of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts for third consecutive year.
This culture of care and empowerment is strengthened by MHR’s Great Place To Work® certification, which it has proudly achieved for three consecutive years. With 90% of employees affirming that MHR is a great place to work and an 87% Trust Index Score reflecting strong confidence in its leadership, the company continues to nurture an environment where innovation, inclusion, and excellence thrive.
MHR’s triumphs in both Virtus and Mabuhay Awards cements its standing as a trailblazer in Philippine hospitality — one that bridges commercial success with cultural empathy, and strategy with heart.