As this year’s observance of Women’s Month honors the leadership and contributions of Filipino women as champions of governance, peace, security, and economic development in the country, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR) has its share of admiration for the roster of its women leaders within its organization.

Being the country’s largest homegrown hotel management company, with 15 properties, nine brands, and nearly 9,000 room keys nationwide, operates in a business built on human touch that only works when the people behind it reflect the many lives, cultures, identities, ambitions, and journeys of the guests they serve.

Within MHR, about 51 percent of executive leadership roles are held by women, including its top decision-making role, managing director.

Across its regular associates, 42 percent are women, strengthening an ecosystem where representation is not a headline but a daily reality.

Reinforcing this culture, 92 percent of employees shared in the 2025 Great Place to Work survey that they feel fairly treated regardless of gender.

For managing director Cleofe Albiso, empowerment is about momentum, not spotlight, as at MHR, diversity is not a side initiative but an operational reality.

“Empowerment isn’t about putting one group above another. It’s about building systems where everyone moves forward. When women rise, when the LGBTQIA+ community feels seen, when persons with disabilities are supported, the whole organization becomes stronger,” she said

“Our Circle of Happiness reminds us that joy fuels performance. When people feel valued, they serve with heart. And when we grow together, we build something bigger than hotels. We build a Philippines that the world can trust to lead,” she added.

It is within this forward motion that Leading Ladies Living Legacies takes shape, celebrating women who are stepping into new executive roles and shaping the next chapter of Philippine hospitality.

Patria Puyat-Palanca, Group Director of Business Development

After decades of hospitality leadership across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Indochina, including becoming the first Asian and Filipina General Manager in Dubai, Pat Puyat made a deliberate decision to come home and invest her global expertise into Philippine growth.

Now leading business development for MHR’s expanding network of 15 properties, she focuses on disciplined expansion, long-term asset value, and strategic partnerships that strengthen the country’s hospitality footprint.

Her work reinforces a powerful message. Filipino leaders are not only capable of managing global brands. They can elevate and strategically grow them.

“The woman of today isn’t just asking for space. She’s building ecosystems. For me, returning to the Philippines was about proving that Filipino leadership belongs at the helm of international brands. We are not only known for taking care of guests. We know how to steward global brands, run complex operations, and position businesses for sustained growth. Through MHR, I want the world to recognize that Philippine hospitality is not only heartfelt. It is strategic, disciplined, and globally competitive,” she said

Joy Alonte, General Manager, Belmont Hotel Iloilo

Joy Alonte’s leadership is defined by operational clarity and belief in people. With over two decades of experience across internationally branded hotels, she has built high-performing teams and delivered consistent commercial success while nurturing strong workplace cultures.

She now steps into her new role as General Manager of Belmont Hotel Iloilo, located at the heart of Iloilo Business Park in the celebrated City of Love. One of three MHR-operated properties within the township, the hotel has 399 rooms, making it the largest hotel in terms of inventory in Iloilo City, the heart of Western Visayas.

Managing a property of this scale demands mastery in revenue optimization, inventory strategy, and people leadership, expertise Joy brings with confidence and steadiness.

“I stand on the belief of mentors who saw my potential long before I fully recognized it myself. Leadership means creating environments where people feel safe to contribute ideas, respectfully challenge norms, and grow into roles they may not have imagined. One of my biggest responsibilities is bridging generational differences and breaking down stereotypes that divide the workforce.”

Since 2019, 74 female associates within MHR have been promoted into managerial and executive roles, representing 19 percent of the total regular female employee base. Joy’s appointment reflects an organization where opportunity expands alongside growth.

Emelyn Rosales, General Manager, Savoy Hotel Boracay

With nearly three decades of hospitality leadership across local and international markets, Emelyn Rosales brings depth, composure, and operational discipline to every role she assumes. Her experience spans full hotel operations, financial stewardship, and commercial strategy, always grounded in strong team culture.

She now leads Savoy Hotel Boracay, one of three properties within Boracay Newcoast, located on the island’s eastern side within a 150-hectare master-planned township. With its own front beach and powdery white sand, the property sits inside a secure and inclusive enclave designed for global travelers.

Boracay demands agility. It requires balancing dynamic occupancy cycles, diverse guest segments, and a young, creative workforce. Emelyn ensures that performance and people development move in sync.

“We are leading one of the youngest, most dynamic, and creative generations the industry has ever seen. The question is not whether they are ready. It’s whether we are ready to give them space. If we want them to believe in the future of Philippine hospitality, we must invite them into decision-making, innovation, and new ways of thinking. The future belongs to those who feel they are part of building it.”

Gwendolyn Lanceta dela Cruz, General Manager, Mercure Mactan Cebu

With over three decades of leadership experience across Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, the Maldives, and Hong Kong, Gwendolyn Lanceta Dela Cruz has built her career in some of the region’s most demanding hospitality environments. She has held senior executive roles spanning room leadership, resident management, and corporate-level oversight, working closely with top executives while managing large hotel operations.

Her exposure to global business leaders, international delegations, high-net-worth leisure travelers, and large-scale convention groups has sharpened her ability to lead with cultural intelligence and strategic foresight.

She now leads Mercure Mactan Cebu, formerly Belmont Hotel Mactan, MHR’s first property to transition into an international brand venture. Located within the 30-hectare Mactan Newtown township and directly across the Mactan Expo, the 550-room hotel plays a pivotal role in Mactan Cebu’s growing MICE and leisure market.

“Resilience carried us through uncertainty, but reinvention keeps us relevant. The transition from Belmont to Mercure proves that our work ethic and craftsmanship deserve a global audience. As women leaders, we build for longevity. We create markets that are healthy and sustainable, where teams grow stronger, partners succeed, and success is shared across the entire ecosystem.”