By: Cleofe Albiso, managing director ,Megaworld Hotels and Resorts As the managing director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, the largest homegrown hospitality chain in the Philippines with 7,700 rooms in Metro Manila alone and 11 properties in its portfolio, Cleofe Albiso lives and breathes hospitality. As the top honcho of the group of hotels that include Belmont Manila, Savoy (Manila and Boracay), Twin Lakes Tagaytay, Kingsford, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Richmonde Ortigas and Iloilo and Eastwood, Cleofe’s job is to make traveling a pleasure for guests. So how does she still find pleasure in kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying something that’s considered work? When I get stressed from work, my favorite escape is.
.. I have my family and go-to best buddies that help bring me back to my core purpose.
Almost a decade ago, I got so stressed out and it was taking a toll on my health. I rush processed my visa and got on a plane to Oslo, Norway to get my much-needed hugs and crying session with our youngest sister. Our eldest, who was based in Ireland, flew in for a few days to be with us too and the times we had together was just precious.
The travel that was a search for respite turned out to be packed with big blessings. During that short trip, I got a call from our regional head from Marriott International saying I could take the General Manager qualifying examinations. Yes, I took a three-hour online exam in Oslo—the assessment that opened the first leadership post in hotel.