Traveling Again is not just a one-sided affair that benefits the traveler but also the entire community! True enough, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR) through its guests and associates, across its 4,000 room keys and 11 properties all over the Philippines have raised a sum of Php 400,000 benefiting more than a hundred families in terms of relief items plus the reconstruction of Ibo Elementary School in Mactan after the devastating effects of Typhoon Odette last December 2021.
Through its Rebuild Recover Visayas fundraising program launched during the entire month of January 2022, a portion of every guest’s stay automatically contributed to the project. Properties like Belmont Hotel Manila and Savoy Hotel Manila within Newport City in Pasay across NAIA terminal 3, Kingsford Hotel Manila located in the Entertainment City of Paranaque, Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Twin Lakes Hotel near Tagaytay, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Iloilo Business Park of Iloilo City, Belmont Hotel Boracay or Savoy Hotel Boracay located at the Newcoast Boracay and even in Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown in Cebu all became instrumental to this effort.
Other than the relief pack operations distributed in Mactan Cebu helping 127 families last January 25, 2022, MHR returns to the area on February 21 with even more assistance this time dedicated for Ibo Elementary School. Help came in the form of a new roof construction for three classrooms of the school. In addition, repainting of the rooms was also done to spruce up the building while a ceiling fan and a brand-new steel school signage was also installed to replace the dilapidated structure. Teachers also got a brand-new colored printer for production of school records and modules for the kids. During the turnover the School Principal, Ms. Verna Alipar, expressed her gratefulness to the company and its associates who willingly extended help in a time when repairs are crucial before the return of the students.
Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown’s General Manager, Josef Chiongbian recalls his very own experience at the onslaught of the typhoon taking in more than 160 displaced residents on top of more than 500 checked in guests on the night of what was said to be the strongest storm of the year. Chiongbian, with his team remembered handing out water, and warm meals, and towels to keep everyone dry and comfortable throughout the night until the next day. He further ads that “All that we could think of was to help and be there for the community the same way we would for our families who were also victims of the typhoon” he also realized that “in times like this we could only keep each other strong while we wait for more help”.
Managing Director of MHR and a local of Cebu City herself, shares a reminder that “Help, no matter how big or small as long as we’re willing to share will always make people happy”. She also left everyone with the message “We hope our students may also get inspired that when it’s your (their) turn to pay it forward may you also do the same for your community”.
For more information about Megaworld Hotels and Resorts and its properties, visit www.megaworldcorp.com/hotels or any of its hotels’ official Facebook pages and other social media platforms./PN
