Being the only international brand in Palawan, working in Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel could be highly demanding and entails varying levels of pressure among its employees. But according to one of its workers, the hotel prioritizes and gives more importance on balancing work and family among its workforce.
Hazel Grace Lamparero, the sales manager of BWP The Ivywall Hotel, is thankful for the opportunity of working in the hotel as it never failed to ensure that its employees have to go home when their duty is finished each day and to spend quality time with their families.
“Sobrang mabait ang management ng BWP, especially our General Manager Nam Keong Yeoh. He wanted us to balance our family and work. Ayaw nya na umuuwi kami ng late. So kami, hindi masyado na pressure sa trabaho,” she said.
Handling government and travel agencies is one of the main responsibilities of Hazel Grace and meeting a lot of people could be more fun for her, but sometimes would be challenging as there are demanding and not-so-friendly customers.
“Medyo mahirap sya kasi physically kailangan mong maging maganda sa paningin ng tao. Mentally, emotionally kailangan mong makisama sa iba’t-ibang klase ng tao. Iyong mga klase ng clients natin, iba- iba ang mga ugali,” she added.
She went on to say that she learned how to manage and deal with different people.
“Na-train ako sa BWP how to manage my anger and how to maintain my smile kahit inis na inis ka na. Sobrang saya ko kay BWP kasi I meet a lot of people na may pangalan, hoteliers, politicians, artists. So kumbaga, privilege talaga sya sa akin,” Hazel Grace said.
Being one of the pre-opening team members of the BWP, Hazel Grace is equipped with leadership skills and she is also busy with other activities being the assistant secretary of the Association of Accredited Tourist Accommodations in Puerto Princesa (AATAPP). She also confessed that she never dreamed of becoming a sales manager.
The biggest breakthrough for Hazel Grace was when she joined in Mrs. Palawan.
“At first kasi, sponsor lang talaga si BWP. During the first audition ng Mrs. Palawan, I saw a lot of my friends joining Mrs. Palawan. Sympre noong una, hesitant ako kasi may work ako. I asked my boss, ‘Is it okay, if I join the Mrs. Palawan?’ ‘Of course’, sabi nya! I feel so glad and happy na sa time na iyon sinusupurtahan ako ng boss ko, especially my family,” she explained.
“Being one of the finalists ng Mrs. Palawan, sobrang saya talaga. Parang hindi lang na fulfill ang pagiging career woman ko, but also being a mother. Nakikita mo kasi nag iimprove ka,” she said.
She added that the time she spent on preparations and the competition proper became bonding moments with her family.
“So I think, it helped me, my son and my husband na mag bond kami, especially noong time ng talent show. He is the one who encouraged me na, ‘mama we can dance’.”
Hazel Grace realized that it’s not only about spending time work and forgetting precious time with family.
“Na-realize ko din na hindi lang pala dapat work ng work. Of course nagtatrabaho tayo kasi gusto nating bigyan ng better future ang ating anak. But It’s not always about the money, but also the time na i-spend mo sa anak mo, sa family mo. Yung bonding with them. Precious kasi sya eh. Hindi sya ma papalitan kahit gaanong karaming pera.”
And for Hazel Grace, being with the Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel, balancing work and family will not be an issue.