Successful Lives in existence; a seminar featuring Hospitality Professionals and Entrepreneurs
In line of Department of hospitality management’s goal of honing and producing competent graduates, a seminar was made entitled “Leading the way one step at a time (A seminar featuring hospitality Professionals and entrepreneurs)”. This event was attended by Hospitality management students from USC, USJ-R AND USPF. The program was held at CAFA Theatre in USC Technological center last September 20, 2013, 8am – 12pm. The seminar was formally opened by the DHM Asst. Chair, Mr. Demetrio S. Anticuando through his opening Remarks. The seminar showcased personalities who made and is still making a name in the Hospitality Management industry. These personalities are the speakers itself that talked about their lives together with the challenges they encountered and they are encountering in fulfilling their dreams.
The first speaker is an HR Director of Viceroy Hotel located in Maldives. She is Ms. Meniane Toledo. On her first words, she shared her experiences when she worked in Cebu Plaza Hotel – That even though she graduated in honors, her first task was to make coffee as a Finance Secretary. Though it was very upsetting for her, she never had a doubt in pursuing what she wanted in life; to be successful. Being at the bottom at first is a must for it teaches us how to build ourselves for others. She also spoke about that getting to where she is right now is not easy. That in everything that we do, we have to consider our skills and be confident about it. She did put a stress about confidence and guts for the Filipinos are true enough competent in the Hospitality management field but doesn’t have enough guts to pursue it. During her stay in foreign countries, she encountered a lot of Bosses who said that “How would the Hospitality Management Industry look like without the Filipinos?” In addition, she brought up the idea of Filipinos being naturally attached to the said industry for our values are already honed in our very own culture; Accommodating, Loving, cheerful, friendly and caring. At the last portion of her talk, she also highlighted the value of Attitude that it brings the person to the top regardless of Educational Background and capacities.
The second speaker was a Suma Cum laude student in Mass Communication from the University of Vancouver in Canada, currently managing Chatime and Choi City and now an operation manager of the largest towel and fabric manufacturing company in the Philippines; Mr. Jay Tan. At the first part of his talk he emphasized to the Hospitality Management students that they should choose their partners in Life carefully for it affects their career. He sufficed the thought by explaining to the crowd that for example, when an employee was promoted and was assigned to another place, the partner might not allow his/her partner to go. For that the dreams and goals of a person might be forsaken just because of that. The crowd agreed for what Jay Tan said. As the interactive talk went through, he brought up important key Points in attaining success; Standout, Sacrifice, Don’t be too sensitive, Know what you want, know the trends, Listen to your teachers, be brave to accept opportunities, Find a job that would give good trainings and never stop learning. These are the things that Tan said very essential in putting up your success in life.
The third speaker is an alumnus of USC in the Program of Industrial Engineering. He is also the Founder and owner of Coffee Dream, Mr. Glenn Anthony Soco. The lessons he instilled in the minds of the Hospitality Management students that the path to entrepreneurship are be observant, be cool, be creative, define your lifestyle, focus , be bold and confident, find positive energy, experience is the best teacher, never stop learning, don’t be afraid to fail. Glenn Soco also inculcated that to be a good entrepreneur; you have to have a passion because it’s what drives you, Have inspiration and live the dream.
The students didn’t go empty minded. In fact they were filled with much learnings.
“I was really inspired to work hard, and strive to be the best in everything that i do. I also learned that being a hotelier, isn’t all about beauty and skills, but also the attitude.’
-Kaiser Daric de Dios (BS HRM-AQF2)
“I’ve learned that attitude is really important”
-Aira mendoza (BS HRM – AQF2)
