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Hotel SofitelGeneral Manager Goran Aleks and the Management Committee of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila chose the team building and facilitating expertise of Vic Alcuaz who will run 14 classes this October 2012. All 700 full-time staff of this leading luxury hotel by the bay area will undergo this one day workshop.

Last August Vic Alcuaz conducted his service excellence program entitled‘EXCELLENT! IT IS ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE! to some 200 staff of the soon to re-open Spiral Restaurant, Manila’s undisputed leader in hotel buffet service.

The Sofitel Philippine Plaza opened it’s doors in 1976 initially as a Westin hotel. The re-branding occurred in 2006 when the Philippine Plaza owners ended their 30 year relationship with the Westin and appointed Sofitel.

Sofitel Manila has 709 luxury rooms including the ‘Imperial Suite’, the biggest presidential suite in the country, among other luxury facilities including a spa.

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Traders Hotel ManilaThe Hong Kong based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts owns and manages 72 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands, one of which is the Traders Hotel Manila (THM). THM General Manager Gordon Aeria was appointed in 2010, and since then he led the total refurbishment of this 312-room hotel located across the Cultural Center of the Philippines. This hotel, previously Holiday Inn, opened in 1976 together with other international hotel chains, Mandarin, Peninsula, Westin, Regent, Sheraton and Ramada.

Traders Hotel Manila’s General Manager Gordon AeriaAmong the hotel’s transformations are the rooms of the Traders Club, redesigned discerningly to showcase a modern yet functional lifestyle, ideal for frequent travelers seeking an exclusive retreat with the comforts of their personal workspace. Minimalist and abstract touches characterize the understated sophistication of each room. Neutral tones are predominantly used for the backdrop to create a relaxing feel while hints of passion colors such as red, purple and burgundy for an upbeat mood. The entire room is equipped with every business traveler’s absolute necessities such as Wi-Fi, iLap, iPod dock and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), which enables guests to access messages, billing, order in-room dining and watch the latest movies. Another edge can be found within the cityscape at level 19. The Traders Club Lounge, now called the T Lounge, provides a picturesque 180-degrees view to the unique topography that can only be found in Manila, from the glistening city landscape, the Manila Bay sunset or the silhouette of Bataan Cross at Mt. Samat. I asked Aeria what makes Traders successful, despite the highly competitive hotel market in the Bay area.

IN THE MANILA BAY AREA, HOW IS TRADERS HOTEL MANILA FAIRING AGAINST ITS COMPETITORS AND WHY SHOULD YOU BE THE PREFERRED HOTEL?

Within the Bay area, we have a familiar and well established brand name that is synonymous with quality and good value within the local market. What is perhaps less known is that we have completed major renovations in all our rooms, upgraded our facilities and opened our new Japanese Restaurant, Kitsho!

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Philippine AirlinesPhilippine Airlines LogoMr. Ramon Ang, the new Chief Executive Officer of Philippine Airlines has appointed VIC ALCUAZ as exclusive headhunter for PAL’s aggressive marketing efforts that will include a ‘Master Chef Series 2013 -2015’. Respected and popular chefs representing different culinary specialties will lend their signature dishes for PAL flights to the USA, Canada, Australia, Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Among those recommended by Vic Alcuaz and approved by PAL to participate in this series are master chefs Billy King of Le Soufle; Chef See Chiong Yan, Cullinary Director of Enderun College and longtime chef of EDSA Shangri-La; Fernando Aracama, Filipino celebrity chef; Khun Suwanna Puangdee, Thai executive chef of the Dusit Thani Manila; and Masahiro Mizumoto, Japanese chef of Kitsho at the Traders Hotel Manila.

The chefs will be introduced to PAL’s corporate partners, friends and the media in a special launch at the Makati Shangri-La Manila this July.

For more information on Philippine Airlines please visit their website:

www.philippineairlines.com

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ITHC managers pose after finishing their Leadership Course in October 2010. Chairman Al-Tuwaijri is in the center, back row. Vic Alcuaz is to his left. Training partner Anabelle Ochoa is far right, first row.

ITHC Chairman and President Dr. Hamad Al-Tuwaijri has signed a training service agreement with VIC ALCUAZ  for an intensive four-day Leadership training to be participated by the key managers of ITHC this August 25-29, 2012. VIC ALCUAZ conducted top to bottom training programs for ITHC in October 2010.

This schedule was carefully planned to coincide with the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The leadership modules for ITHC include the following:

  • Inspiring Leadership
  • Leadership Qualities of Todays Hospitality Manager
  • A Well Balanced Leader
  • Positive Discipline
  • Building Your Team
  • Communication Skills
  • Managing your Stress

ITHC Head for Hotel Operations Mr. Ahmed Enjibar believes these modules will help their managers become more pro-active and in tune with the fast changing times in the hospitality industry.

ITHC has also invested in a very big way in the Philippines with their soon to open luxury property Huma Island Resort in Coron, Palawan (www.humaislandresort.com).

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Island Cove PhilippinesIsland Cove Managing Director Gilbert Remulla has requested VIC ALCUAZ to help them re-define their Vision, MIssion & Value Statements as well as conduct a top to bottom Cascading Program with a ‘Service Excellence’ component.

Arlyn Aliño the Cove’s Manager for Human Resources has scheduled the workshops to run starting July 10 until August 10, 2012. The first time the hotel underwent programs by VIC ALCUAZ was in 2010.

For more information about Island Cove, visit their website:

www.islandcovephil.com

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