Araneta Hotels Inc. proudly announces a new era of empowered leadership as 10 out of 15 executive committee roles across Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City are now held by women. This milestone reflects the strength of the organization’s internal talent, with these leaders rising through dedication, expertise, and consistent performance. Their presence in key positions highlights the company’s commitment to recognizing capability and cultivating an environment where individuals advance based on merit, passion, and proven excellence. This achievement also supports the organization’s ongoing efforts to promote equitable opportunities and inclusive growth, aligning with Accor’s global mission to foster a workplace where diverse leadership can thrive.

Accor has deeply embedded DEI into its corporate culture, recognizing that diversity and inclusion are essential in creating meaningful human connections and driving innovation across its global network. The group’s commitment is centered on fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and supported, regardless of background, orientation, or identity. This includes ensuring equal opportunities for personal and professional development, strengthening awareness on inclusive practices, and building environments where teams thrive through shared respect and collaboration. According to Accor’s culture of inclusion framework, embracing diversity strengthens organizational performance and fuels creativity by bringing together varied perspectives and lived experiences. This approach enhances the guest experience and empowers employees to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

Unified leadership built on diversity, strength, and heart

The leadership culture at Araneta Hotels Inc. reflects the strength that comes from men and women working together and contributing their unique perspectives. Together, they create a balanced team that blends care with strategy and consistency with creativity. This harmony allows the organization to approach challenges with a wider perspective and deliver guest experiences shaped by both compassion and excellence. It is this complementing partnership that continues to strengthen the culture of Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City, fostering unity, resilience, and shared purpose across both hotels.

Women leading with purpose

At the center of this evolution is Cluster General Manager Maria Manlulu-Garcia, who oversees both hotels with a leadership philosophy rooted in purpose, empathy, and operational discipline. She is supported by two strong female leaders who play pivotal roles in shaping each property’s direction and guest experience.

At Novotel Manila Araneta City, Hotel Manager Joy De Mesa drives commercial performance and elevates service quality through her extensive background in operations and sales. Her leadership emphasizes consistency, guest connection, and the continual strengthening of operational excellence.

At ibis Styles Manila Araneta City, Resident Manager Felicia Aye Chan Mon brings global brand expertise and a creative, guest centered mindset. Her energetic approach fosters a service culture that is dynamic, expressive, and true to the ibis Styles personality, ensuring memorable and meaningful experiences for every guest.

Women rising through the ranks

Araneta Hotels Inc. proudly highlights the inspiring journeys of the women who rose through the organization and now hold key executive roles. Their achievements reflect the company’s dedication to nurturing internal talent and providing equal opportunities for long-term professional growth. Marife Tolentino began as Accounting Manager in 2015 and now serves as Cluster Director of Finance, where she plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the financial health of both properties. She oversees strategic financial planning, drives fiscal discipline, strengthens internal controls, and ensures that financial operations align with the organization’s growth objectives. Her leadership has been instrumental in maintaining operational efficiency, supporting commercial performance, and guiding both hotels through evolving market demands.

Kristine Alba, who joined Novotel Manila in February 2018 as Talent and Culture Manager, now serves as Cluster Director of People and Culture for both hotels. She leads initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, foster talent development, and build a workplace anchored in empathy, inclusivity, and meaningful connection. Her people first approach has been vital in nurturing a motivated, high performing workforce.

Therese Galindo, who started as Guest Relations Manager in 2015, now heads Guest Experience, Sustainability, and Safety for both hotels. She has played a key role in elevating service standards and championing sustainability efforts, including leading the successful achievement of Green Key certification for both Novotel and ibis Styles Manila. This accomplishment reinforces the hotels’ commitment to environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, and sustainable tourism.

Emerging leaders include Janelle Crisostomo, who began her Novotel journey in 2023 as Rooms Division Manager and now serves as Director of Rooms. She attributes her growth to mastering the complexities of guest operations and leading with adaptability. Under her leadership, Novotel Manila achieved a significant milestone as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, with its Presidential Suite named the Philippines’ Leading Hotel Suite 2025 at the World Travel Awards. This recognition reflects her dedication to elevating product standards, refining guest touchpoints, and strengthening the overall rooms experience. “The rooms division is the heart of hotel operations, and thriving here means embracing challenges as opportunities to innovate,” she says. “Leadership is about consistency, understanding your people, and elevating the guest experience through collective effort.”

May Malagamba, who joined Novotel Manila in 2018 as Director of Events Management and now leads Food & Beverage, highlights the importance of passion and persistence. Under her leadership, the F&B division has earned multiple distinctions, including Novotel Manila Araneta City being named Best F&B Performer at the Accor Asia Awards 2023 and winning Accor’s Best Breakfast Satisfaction 2024. “Food and beverage is fast paced and ever evolving. You cannot succeed here without heart,” she says. “Events taught me precision, creativity, and the value of anticipating needs. I carried these lessons with me when I transitioned to Director of F&B, and I continue to grow by adapting and learning every day.”

Kim Escaler also exemplifies dedication and upward progression. She began her career as Reservations Supervisor in 2015 and now serves as Cluster Director of Revenue Management, overseeing strategy and commercial performance for both hotels. Her analytical mindset and strong commercial insight support revenue initiatives that balance guest value with business sustainability.

At ibis Styles Manila, Izza Mojica leads as Director of Rooms after beginning her career as Duty Manager at Novotel in 2017. She credits resilience and a service driven mindset for her development. “Frontline operations shape you,” she says. “You learn to stay calm in pressure filled situations and find solutions with a smile. These challenges prepared me to lead and to understand both guest behavior and team dynamics.”

The growing prominence of women in leadership roles reflects an important shift in the hospitality industry, where emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, and a people focused approach have become essential qualities for long-term success. Araneta Hotels Inc. believes that empowering women at all levels strengthens the organization by fostering innovation, enhancing team culture, and encouraging inclusive decision making. These leaders serve as powerful role models, demonstrating that leadership opportunities are attainable with determination, capability, and the right support system.

With these women at the forefront of hotel operations, Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City continue to set the standard for progressive hospitality in the Philippines. Their collective leadership signals a new chapter defined by purpose-driven management, cultural transformation, and a commitment to uplifting both people and communities. Araneta Hotels Inc. remains dedicated to championing diversity, nurturing talent, and celebrating the profound impact women bring to the hospitality landscape.

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A decade since it first graced Philippine shores, the inaugural Novotel property of Accor in the country stands as a luminous emblem of the group’s celebrated legacy of excellence. Synonymous with global hospitality at its finest, Novotel has long been defined by its refined service philosophy, its award-winning pedigree, and its ability to craft contemporary spaces that speak to the sensibilities of today’s discerning traveler.

From the moment Novotel Manila Araneta City opened its doors in 2015, it reshaped the hospitality landscape of the City of Firsts. As Araneta City’s pioneering hotel, it emerged swiftly as a design-driven, service-forward landmark—ushering in a new era of cosmopolitan comfort for business and leisure guests alike. A decade on, the property remains a vibrant cornerstone of Accor’s flourishing presence in the Philippines, a living chronicle of the brand’s continuous pursuit of innovation and cultural connection.

This year, Novotel Manila Araneta City celebrates its 10th anniversary—a momentous milestone that pays homage to its storied beginnings, its dynamic present, and the luminous chapters yet to unfold. Since welcoming its first guests from around the globe, the hotel has cultivated a reputation for warmth, style, and impeccable hospitality.

On November 17, 2025, the property marked its decade of distinction with a spectacular Blue-and-Gold Anniversary Gala at the Monet Grand Ballroom. The evening was a glittering celebration—elegant, spirited, and unmistakably Novotel—reflecting both the brand’s refined sophistication and its steadfast vision for continued growth in the years ahead.

Setting the tone for the night was a showcase of world-class talent, beginning with a striking opening number that unveiled the celebration’s key visual, an artistic homage to Novotel Manila’s decade-long story. Followed by a 10-minute video story telling showcased through “My Novotel Story” marking a decade in the City of Firsts, Novotel Manila Araneta City celebrates a story that began with a bold vision.

What started as blueprints and construction plans soon rose into an architectural landmark, shaped by visionary leaders and brought to life by the hotel’s devoted Heartists. For 10 years, these dedicated individuals have been the soul of the property, welcoming guests with warmth, creating meaningful connections, and filling every corner with memories that define its spirit. Through shared triumphs, challenges, and countless moments of camaraderie, Novotel Manila has become more than a hotel—it is a home built on passion and people. As it steps into its next chapter, the brand looks ahead with the same commitment that fueled its beginnings, celebrating a decade of stories and embracing the many more yet to unfold.

“They say the best stories are those shared with the people who matter—and tonight, surrounded by individuals who have walked this journey with us, we could not imagine a more fitting moment to look back. From our humble beginnings to our rise as a vibrant landmark in the heart of Araneta City, we have grown, learned, and cherished every chapter along the way. As the first Novotel in the Philippines, this hotel is more than a structure; it is a home built on passion, resilience, and the countless memories we have created with all of you,” said Maria-Manlulu Garcia, the first Filipina Area General Manager of Accor Philippines for the PME brands and Cluster General Manager of Novotel and ibis Styles Manila Araneta City.

The celebration also paid tribute to another segment of the night, to the Heartists whose exceptional dedication has helped shape Novotel Manila Araneta City into a leading force in the hospitality industry—nurturing homegrown talent that now shines on both local and international stages. Adding to the evening’s splendor, the Araneta Hotels Inc. (AHI) Chorale, fresh from their victory at the Accor Choir Games 2024, set the tone with their award-winning performance, filling the ballroom with a stirring harmony befitting the milestone segment.

The 10th anniversary celebration of Novotel Manila Araneta City beautifully traced the distinguished journey of Araneta Hotels Inc. in the Philippines, showcasing the brand’s profound integration into and enduring impact on the country’s hospitality landscape. Guests, impeccably dressed in their contemporary gala finest, were ushered into an evening of artistic splendor. A captivating 13-piece live orchestra serenaded diners throughout the night, while an array of exquisite culinary creations—masterfully curated by the award-winning brigade under Director of Culinary Massimiliano Pauletto—set the stage for a truly memorable fête.

The evening also cast a well-deserved spotlight on the visionaries who have steered the hotel toward its decade of success. Xavier Cappelut, Accor’s Vice President of Operations for Vietnam, the Maldives, and the Philippines, together with Rowell Recinto, Board Director and Senior Management Consultant of the Araneta Group, delivered heartfelt tributes to the many individuals whose dedication and talent shaped Novotel Manila’s first 10 years. Their messages resonated with pride in the milestones already achieved—and with an unmistakable excitement for the chapters yet to unfold.

A special tribute was likewise dedicated to a pioneering figure whose forward-thinking leadership has long propelled progress at the heart of Araneta City. Through his bold vision, the Philippines welcomed its very first Novotel—a defining milestone that elevated the nation’s hospitality landscape and set new standards for contemporary urban lodging. That visionary is none other than Jorge L. Araneta, Chairman, CEO, and President of the Araneta Group, whose legacy continues to inspire the city’s evolution.

In a heartfelt tribute to the partnerships that defined its first decade, Novotel Manila Araneta City honored the key stakeholders who have played an instrumental role in the hotel’s remarkable journey. The presentation of the “Forever Novotel” Plaque of Appreciation to members of the AHI Board stood as one of the evening’s most meaningful highlights, a gesture recognizing their steadfast support and shared commitment to elevating global hospitality.

The hotel also celebrated its most loyal guests, alongside valued partners from the Quezon City government and local tourism offices, whose collaboration has anchored Novotel Manila at the center of the city’s vibrant growth. Further underscoring the strength of its network, the hotel paid homage to its top-performing corporate allies, including its leading Online Travel Agency partners, as well as its Top 15 Corporate Accounts. Together, these partners represent a decade of trust, collaboration, and shared aspirations—foundations that will continue to guide Novotel Manila Araneta City into its next chapter.

The anniversary event also placed the hotel’s successful four-month raffle campaign, “Drive, Dine & Dream,” firmly in the spotlight, culminating in the official announcement of its grand winners. The Grand Prize, a brand-new Dongfeng Aeolus Mage Crossover SUV, was awarded onstage by Deputy CEO Brennan Nathan Lim, underscoring the scale and impact of the campaign. 

Other major prizes were also revealed, including an overnight stay at Novotel Manila’s World Travel Awards Best Suite in the country, the Presidential Suite, Accor Plus Gold Status, and curated travel experiences across select Novotel destinations in Asia further highlighting the hotel’s commitment to elevating guest experiences through memorable rewards.

“But one thing that was very evident, very clear to me that there were a lot of things that needed to come together and there were a lot of people who needed to work together. We were able to prove that a premium hotel has a place in Araneta City,” shared by Recinto.

As the evening drew to a close, one truth lingered in the air like the final note of a well-loved symphony: Novotel Manila Araneta City has not merely marked 10 years—it has mastered them. What began as an audacious vision of Jorge L. Araneta in the City of Firsts has evolved into a beacon of contemporary hospitality, shaped by visionary leaders, loyal partners, and the unwavering heart of its people.

A decade on, the hotel stands not only as an architectural landmark but as a living narrative of passion, artistry, and community. And as the lights dimmed in the Monet Grand Ballroom, a renewed promise illuminated the path ahead: to continue crafting moments that matter, to elevate the guest experience with boldness and heart, and to remain a place where stories unfold and memories endure. “Timeless at Ten, Novotel Manila” steps confidently into its next chapter—forever inspired, forever evolving, and forever Novotel.

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