Quezon City’s famed Araneta City remains true to its branding as the “City of Firsts” – a legacy started by the Araneta clan patriarch, Don J. Amado, and the influential women who have left an impressive mark in their respective fields and have given even more prominence to the Araneta name. There is Judy Araneta-Roxas who is known for her political and philanthropic activities; Stella Marquez-Araneta who is passionate in promoting Filipina beauties around the world; and Margarita Araneta Fores whose love for food and local products has touched many lives.
Following the footprints of these iconic ladies is a new set of female leaders who are changing the landscape of business with their industry experience and dedication for work.
ENTERTAINMENT: Irene Jose
An accountant by profession, Jose first joined the Araneta Group as its Vice President for Finance in 2013. A year later, she was tapped to become the first Chief Operations Officer of Uniprom Inc., the unit that oversees Smart Araneta Coliseum, New Frontier Theater, the Gateway and Ali Mall Cineplex, Snaxx, TicketNet, and Binibining Pilipinas.
Under her management, the Big Dome was able to reacquire hosting rights for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the PULP Live World production after being away for four years. It was also during her time when Wish 107.5 made Smart Araneta Coliseum home for its annual Wish Music Awards since 2016, and famous K-Pop acts frequented the country with shows at the Big Dome and New Frontier Theater.
"It is fulfilling to see how our business unit plays a key role in bringing foot traffic to the Araneta Group, with the slate of shows that we are able to bring in despite stiff competition," she said.
“Women make great leaders because we take the time to listen instead of reacting right away. We appreciate people and their viewpoints. We also wear many hats, often balancing career and domestic life, taking care of our aging parents, among other things.”
FOOD RETAIL: Chacha Juinio
Famous brands Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Dairy Queen made their way in the Philippines through Araneta Group's PPI Holdings, the exclusive franchisee of these world-famous companies. And on top of all these is Juinio, who has been the COO of PPI Holdings since 2018.
Among the most challenging issues that she faced as COO is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has greatly affected the food industry.
"Together with my PPI Team, we managed the 3 brands through the difficulties of the pandemic and achieved positive net income for Pizza Hut in 2020 despite sales being significantly lower than what it used to be," she said.
"The most significant barrier I faced is bias. Early on in my career, the general consensus on women managers is we would give up our job as soon as we had children, or worst, we become unreliable when we have kids. (But) a woman leader brings both strength and compassion into the equation. Women can be tough when called for, and can be soft when needed."
HOSPITALITY: Maria Manlulu-Garcia
Her hospitality journey started in the United States where, throughout her 28 years of experience, she opened four international hotels, rebranded three hotels and bagged the prestigious "Mabuhay Awards" from the Association of Human Resources Manager in the Hospitality Industry for Managerial Position in 2008.
Garcia is part of the pre-opening team of Novotel Manila Araneta City in 2015 as Executive Assistant Manager. She was promoted to Resident Manager in January 2016, Hotel Manager in 2019 and General Manager in December last year, holding the distinction of being the first ever Filipina General Manager of an international Accor hotel brand in the Philippines.
"More companies and management need to have the awareness to fully understand what diversity and inclusion are all about. It is no longer about women but about embracing all genders. No one wants to have a special treatment: we all just want to have the same and equal opportunity,” she said.
“Great leaders find the balance between business foresight, performance, and character. As women leaders, we have a future vision, perseverance, empathy, passion, and the advantage of graceful powers to lead with the heart and an iron fist that work in any industry.”
OFFICE AND RETAIL LEASING: Lorna Fabian
Having been with the Araneta Group for more than two decades now, Fabian is in charge of overseeing the leasing of Araneta City retail, office, and advertising spaces.
"I was given the right opportunities to prove myself in leasing, where rewards are based on results and merits than gender,” she said.
Competition in retail and office spaces is tough in the metro, but Araneta City, with over 600,000 sq.m. of leasable space, managed to thrive under her leadership.
"Our team has managed to lease more than 95 percent of these spaces, offering premier retail and office spaces and amenities to international retailers and BPOs and corporate partners. We are now at par, if not better, with other big developers in Metro Manila, and are still growing with new retail and office developments within the City under construction in spite of this pandemic," she said.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND CSR: Diane Romero
Romero first joined the business development of Araneta Group right after college graduation in 2004.
"I came at just the right time. Araneta City was at the onset of executing its redevelopment plans. Gateway Mall just opened. Being part of Business Development allowed me to be immersed in every major development Araneta has here now, from ground up,” she said.
Her experience in doing outreach volunteer work earned the trust of top management to assign the corporate foundation under her care. The company's social responsibility arm, the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), flourished under her leadership as Executive Director since 2008.
“Being a part of a privately-owned organization which is exponentially growing, Araneta provided me with a lot of room and flexibility for career growth and advancement. At the same time, working with the Foundation provided me a bigger platform to reach more in need and contribute to the development of various communities,” she said.
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS: Marjorie Go
The youngest in the Araneta Group management, Go was named Assistant Vice President in 2019 following her successful stint in ACI Inc's marketing team since 2010.
She led the company's rebranding from “Araneta Center” to “Araneta City” which she described as a major milestone.
"Just like any other leaders, the constant need to balance continuously reinventing yourself and inspiring and training people under our wing is challenging. I remind myself to have a growth mindset, to embrace challenges and accept criticisms, and to focus on learning," she said.