Thursday, January 15, 2009

After All These Years

Recently met up with ex-Shangrila Hotel colleagues for a much awaited, long overdue reunion. Thanks to Ogie M. for organizing this get-together all the way from Singapore before he came home to Manila for his vacation. This happy group of 40 (or thereabouts) came from various departments of the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati. Most started out even before the hotel opened its doors in July of 1992!


L-R : Lizanne Herrera-Tan, Peachy Olivares-Motus, Chelu Marques and myself

All from the Sales Department (Rooms)


The Front Office Group
This was where I spent my first 10 months before moving up to Sales
Our then mother hen and Front Office Manager, Mrs. E (Valerie Erana) is in the middle


From Room Sales again : Sharon Gerola-Fong, Vicky Gonzalez-Magsino, Charina Quizon-Mendoza, Trickie Colayco-Lopa and the organizer himself, Ogie Manuel all the way from Shang Sentosa


Sharon, Vicky, Chelu, Charina and Trickie


The entire Sales and Marketing Division trying to get organized for this photo
(under the direction of no less than Vicki Aldaba, former Communications/PR Head)


Such a fun fun fun night with "old" friends!
I spent close to 5 years in this beautiful property and had the best training and exposure (out of the country 4x a year, beat that!) ever. My memories of Shang are still so vivid to this day...the free meals in the employee cafeteria, 3 meals a week with clients at any of the hotel's outlets, FREE laundry (which I really really miss), sales trips to my assigned countries : HK, Malaysia and Singapore and staying in Shang hotels ONLY each time (sarap sarap!), those embarassing local Sales blitzes to clients, yearly production numbers @ the Christmas party (performing as half of the Aldeguer Sisters one time), our trusted Sales driver Nick G. who drove me mad most of the time with his F1 driving style, my seat-mate Chelu who I was constantly arguing with about all his basura crossing over to my work area, red lipstick, 2 1/2 inch heels (no less) and wearing stockings every single day for almost 5 years!!!

Thanks again, Ogie M. for bringing this group together
And thanks to Mon Eugenio (former F&B Manager) for his warm accommodation at his now famous restaurant, Myron's at Greenbelt 5

'Til next time!!!

2 comments:

  1. Hi, my name's Bryan. I'm a long time friend of Sharon Gerola.
    I've been trying to get in touch with her since forever. Would you mind letting her know that I'm still alive.
    Thanks,
    BRYAN CAMESA
    bmcamesa@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Bryan, thanks for your note. I believe Sharon is on Facebook. You might want to look her up there?

    ReplyDelete