Novotel Manila Araneta City appoints seasoned hoteliers
ONE exciting news in the hospitality industry is the appointment of Maria Manlulu-Garcia as the very first female general manager (GM) for international brand Accor in the country and the appointment of Darwin Labayandoy as resident manager in Novotel Manila Araneta City at the City of Firsts.
Prior to her appointment as the hotel’s GM, Manlulu-Garcia goes back as early as 1992 in the hotel industry. She began her career as a front office agent and eventually rose from the ranks, subsequently becoming rooms director of the Ramada hotel, Portland, Oregon, USA in 1995. She was part of the preopening team of three hotels in downtown Portland, Oregon, USA, namely Hotel Lucia, Paramount Hotel — both under West Coast
Hotels — and Intercontinental Hotel, prior to her going back in the Philippines.
With 25 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry under his belt, seasoned hotelier Labayandoy’s contribution to the field cannot be ignored. Prior to joining Novotel Manila Araneta City, Darwin held key positions at Dusit Hotel Nikko and Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Rooms division operations being his expertise, he is a passionate individual known to be “result-oriented,” who is dedicated and a key driver of customer satisfaction.
The entire community of Novotel Manila Heartists is excited for this new leadership tandem as Manlulu-Garcia and Labayandoy bring in a refreshing combination of management styles to the scene.