THE A-TEAM
KEEPING WATERFRONT ON TOP OF ITS GAME
A good hotel can have all the luxurious amenities and facilities, but a great hotel is more than just its infrastructure. What makes a truly great hotel is its people and their sincere passion to serve. And with Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino celebrating 20 splendid years, there’s no doubt that it definitely has the right people. Meet the passionate individuals behind the proudly Filipino and world-class hotel. ANDERS HALLDEN General manager
After jumping from city to city around Asia for 25 years as part of his culinary career, Hallden finally made Cebu his home since being named general manager for a little over a year now. “You have to please different cultures and personalities every single day. One day is never the same as the other. There’s always a challenge every day, and that’s what makes this job so exciting.” His vision for Waterfront: “We’ve been here since Cebu was just beginning to develop, and I’m sure we will still be here in the next 20 years.”
MA. FATIMA VILLAMOR Purchasing manager
Starting out as a purchasing officer, Villamor was with Waterfront since day one. Part of her job is acquiring the best quality products with the best prices and making sure the hotel maintains sustainability.
“It is exhausting but highly rewarding at the same time,” she says about the early mornings and late nights that come with the job.
SIEGRID DE VERA Financial controller
Straight out of college, De Vera had her first job at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino as a fixed asset. Although she resigned from the company years later, she made her way back in 2010 as a financial controller. De Vera is thankful to the company for giving her the opportunity to provide for her family. “The owners think of the employees and their welfare. There is a true sense of family within the company. The employees are valued and well taken care of, which is why people are so loyal to the company.”
FILA SOFIA UBALDE - D’LONSOD Conventions and events director
With a background in tourism, it was in events where she found her true calling. “In my field, it’s always something different for every event. You also get to meet different people. There’s always this excitement in every event and a new learning that comes with it.” Ubalde-D’Lonsod is honored to work for Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
“Being a proudly Filipino-owned hotel chain—that is certainly something to be proud of.”
REX YAP Rooms division director
Yap started as a desk agent and received one promotion after another until he was transferred to Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino as the front office manager for four years. He was then assigned back to Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino to take the position that he has now. “The best part of my job is working with the staff—leading, coaching and mentoring them. Together with my team, I make sure that we deliver what is needed.” Yap will be celebrating a decade with Waterfront this July.
GIOVANNI SIAS Corporate executive chef
The Italian native has been the hotel group’s corporate executive chef for almost three years now. “We want to bring new ideas here in Cebu and take the hotel to a whole new level.” The chef has a very matter-of-fact attitude: “I don’t take no for an answer. There is no such thing as “no.” Some things take time, but it is always worth a try.” With many dining outlets under his helm, he makes sure that nothing is served half-baked—literally and figuratively.
GENER LADA Safety and security manager
As the man in charge of safety and security, Lada’s job entails a lot of different and unique challenges. But he considers seeing the hotel safe and running smoothly as the most rewarding part of the job. With his maritime degree, the hotel industry was not part of the initial plan, but an opportunity presented itself in a Waterfront property in Davao and the rest is history. “You should always be willing and eager to learn.”
ARNEL APARIS Marketing communications manager
In his three years with the hotel, Aparis considers preparing for the big 20th year the greatest highlight of his career so far. Last year, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino showcased some great events such as Pink October, Sinulog with Islands Souvenirs and Weddings at The Waterfront, to name a few. “It’s about creating something creative and exciting. I’m very grateful to have such great bosses that support my ideas.” With Waterfront’s upgrading starting soon, Aparis is enthused. “This is an exciting era for Waterfront.”
OSCAR ALICAWAY Chief engineer
Alicaway started his career with the hotel in 2006 as a maintenance agent in Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino. He resigned in 2009 but returned in 2012, this time as chief engineer. In 2015, he was transferred to Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. He leads the engineering department and makes sure that energy in the hotel is used efficiently. “We make sure that the capacity required is equal to the capacity delivered.”
ANNABELLE SY SANICO Peers services manager
As one of the first employees of the hotel, Sanico likens the job to a relationship—being loyal and faithful to the company that gave her not just personal growth but also career advancement. Originally a nurse by profession, she took a risk and challenged herself when she applied for a job as a personnel officer at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in 1997, a year before the hotel opened. “The Waterfront ways, the service—it is instilled in all of us, which is why I am confident that Waterfront will always be here and remain a destination in Cebu.”
FLORAMIE ESPERANZA Assistant executive housekeeper
Esperanza joined the company in 2002 as food and beverage head trainer and was transferred to housekeeping four years later. “I always think of housekeeping as the unsung heroes of a hotel. Part of our job is making sure the standards of the hotel are maintained, and part of that is doing it with integrity and honesty.” Esparanza wears an executive HK pin with pride, meaning she is a Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Executive (CHHE), a testament of her dedication to her craft.
EDWIN ACUYAN Food and beverage director
According to Acuyan, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino has the potential to be the best property in the Visayas-Mindanao region and can even compete with properties in Manila and abroad. Acuyan, who is well traveled and multi-lingual, describes himself as a people person and considers meeting people on the daily as a fun part of the job. “I treat everyone like a VIP.” This year, he celebrates 25 years in the hotel industry.