Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), the operator of Okada Manila, announced a leadership transition on Thursday.
TRLEI president and chief operating officer Byron Yip is leaving after seven years with the company, but will continue to oversee daily operations and support the transition through September 2025, the company said in a statement.
Nobuki Sato, senior executive officer and chief financial officer of Universal Entertainment Corp. (UEC), will take over as president and chief operating officer on Sept. 15, 2025. Sato has been on the TRLEI board of directors since March 2023 and has more than 20 years of leadership experience in hospitality, finance, and strategic operations.
“Byron Yip’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing Okada Manila as a leading destination in the region,” said Tomohiro Okada, representative director and president of Universal Entertainment Corp.
Okada highlighted the resort’s six consecutive years as a Forbes 5-Star recipient, calling it the “largest Forbes 5-star Integrated Resort in the Philippines to receive this distinction,” and noted Yip’s role in “key expansion initiatives.”
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation for Byron’s contributions and are pleased that he will continue to support the organization to ensure a seamless transition,” Okada said.
“We are confident that Nobuki Sato’s proven expertise in operational and financial management will guide Okada Manila into its next phase of strategic growth and innovation,” said Okada.
The company described the transition as a reflection of its “ongoing commitment to operational excellence and long-term value creation.”
Okada Manila is a Forbes 5-star integrated resort spanning 30 hectares in Paranaque City. The resort features The Fountain, a large water choreography show, and the Philippines’ biggest gaming floor with a variety of table games and electronic gaming machines.
Okada Manila has 1,001 rooms and offers digital services, including the Okada Online Casino and the Okada Manila App.
