Sofitel was my second home and playground
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Sofitel was my second home, and I embraced the role of the gracious hostess—quite literally.
I began my career living in the hotel as one of only two management trainees when it was still a Westin. The following year, I became a pioneer in the rebranding to Sofitel.
Living in the hotel felt like a fairy tale—I woke up to sunrises with clear blue skies, surrounded by palm trees by the poolside, making every day feel like a holiday rather than work. After all, Sofitel Philippine Plaza was the only luxury city resort in Manila—a dream come true, as I had visited it as a child when it was still simply Philippine Plaza.
The grandeur of the hotel always took my breath away, from the welcoming lobby to the stunning views of the Manila Bay sunset. The building itself, a heritage masterpiece by National Artist Leandro Locsin, inspired by the Hatshepsut temple in Luxor, Egypt, sparked my imagination. This inspiration led me to Luxor to witness its architectural marvel firsthand.
Full circle
Starting my career at Westin and later leaving it as Sofitel was a full-circle moment for me. I returned in 2012 as PR director, bringing with me a wealth of international experience from my stints in competitive and cosmopolitan Dubai.
My biggest mission was reopening the iconic Spiral buffet, and it felt like coming home when I reunited with old colleagues.
No two days were ever the same. From breakfast with the then France Ambassador Gérard Chesnel to lunch with Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa and dinner with host Luis Manzano—each day was an adventure.
Hosting more than 2,000 guests, welcoming heads of state and global celebrities, and managing three events in one day was the norm. My glam team and designers like Ivar Aseron, Albert Andrada, Ryan Madamba, Enan Almando and Happy Andrada ensured I was always prepared.
Organizing events like Oktoberfest, Soirée Beaujolais, French events and the NordCham Crayfish Party was exciting. Drawing from my experiences in Denmark and Finland, studies in Germany and travels to France, I reinvented the storytelling for each event, collaborating with chambers of commerce, embassies, media outlets and companies.
My journey with Spiral was particularly memorable. For the first Spiral, the auditions and training felt like a beauty contest, with receptionists causing a sensation and being sought after by international hotels. Meeting Ed Castrillo, the artist behind the Spiral sculpture, was a highlight.
For the second Spiral, interviewing the Japanese designers from Design Studio Spin and understanding their inspiration to integrate the natural environment and the stunning sunset was invaluable. The 21 dining ateliers were groundbreaking, and I used my international experience to craft creative concepts to keep Spiral top of mind.
Unforgettable
Working with talented chefs, artisans, designers, media, photographers, models, celebrities, luxury brands, events and fashion stylists, and hair and makeup artists brought Spiral to life.
Organizing fashion shows with designers like Pia Gladys Perey, Mark Bumgarner, Albert Andrada, Patis Tesoro and Ryan Madamba, and directed by Robby Carmona, who transformed the Spiral staircase into a catwalk, was unforgettable.
Collaborating with the food and beverage team and chefs for food festivals, flying in chefs and cheese masters from France and partnering with winemakers were equally thrilling.
Each event was memorable, thanks to the unwavering support of management and the team, turning visionary ideas into reality.
These experiences introduced me to incredible people—wonderful colleagues, chefs, celebrities, media professionals and marketing experts who have profoundly impacted my life.
It is incredibly hard to say goodbye to an establishment that holds so much meaning, not just for me but also for everyone who celebrated special moments at the hotel. Watching the team on their last day through videos, all I could say was, “Bravo!” They stood strong, delivering service from the heart.
Reliving all those wonderful memories and seeing the pictures brought tears to my eyes. I can only hope that the hotel will one day reopen with the same grandeur and excitement it has always embodied.
By Yasmine Hidalgo-Giovannoli
