From only two women in the 12-member top management team of Novotel Manila Araneta City years ago, the number now stands at seven – a testament to the hotel’s commitment to providing equal opportunities to female employees.
Steering the team is Maria Manlulu-Garcia, who holds the distinction of being the first-ever Filipina general manager of an international Accor hotel brand in the country.
“This is a big accomplishment. We are opening doors to Filipino women in the hospitality industry,” said Manlulu-Garcia, who also leads ibis Styles Manila Araneta City.
The youngest in the team, Chef de Cuisine Athena Tuble, is thankful for her colleagues who paved the way for women like her working in a traditionally male-dominated environment.
“My profession is hard and competitive. Us women have to fight a little more to have a spot in this industry. But we can lift things in the kitchen, too,” Tuble said.
According to Kristine Alba, the hotel’s Director of Talent and Culture, having women leaders add a “personal touch” to the service of Novotel’s “heartists” – a portmanteau of heart and artist that was adopted as the language and culture of all AccorHotels employees worldwide.
“There is an openness and connection within the team that is reflected in the way we serve our customers, too,” she said.
Therese Galindo, Novotel’s Director of Guest Experience, said they have logged a high number of customers who have praised female employees in their hotel stay experience reviews.
“I think women in general pay attention to the little things,” she said, noting that in the hospitality industry, the little things truly matter.
May Malagamba, the Director of Food and Beverage, said the positive outcome of having an inclusive policy was felt even among the hotel’s employees.
“We now have more engagement among our employees and less turnover. We value our staff’s recommendations. They see they have a voice and a stake in our brand,” she said.
For Malagamba, being a leader does not necessarily make a woman “hard.”
“I think it also empowers our male colleagues. They realize softness does not necessarily make you weak, that it’s okay to be in touch with your softer side,” she added.
Manlulu-Garcia acknowledged that sometimes, in an effort to be at par with their male counterparts, female employees have to work doubly hard.
“But a work-life balance is very important, so we promote that as a matter of policy. I personally tell my colleagues to rest and decompress whenever possible,” she said.
According to Marife Tolentino, the hotel’s Director of Finance, the policy has allowed her to almost never miss an event of her kids at school, even as there are critical, non-negotiable days at work.
“We have each other’s backs. Even as all of us have strong personalities at work, we know where we stand and how to do our job well while still maintaining balance in our personal lives,” Tolentino said.
Novotel’s Director of Sales, Michee Crudo, added: “We have had our share of sacrifices. We have juggled different roles and worn different hats. We have been through all these because as women, we are passionate about what we do and eager to give value to the company we work for.”
For Manlulu-Garcia, the goal is to ensure female leaders and employees get their respective seats at the proverbial table without having to curry favors from male leaders or act like they are one of the boys just to belong.
She said having women in top management positions is not a token form of feminism but a truly inclusive policy.
“Gender equality is a strong pillar of our brand,” she said.
“We don’t want to be treated special just because we are women. Just give us equal opportunities.”