'No lay-offs': Seda Hotels get international award for 'workforce first' programs
MANILA, Philippines — Every industry has been affected heavily by the global pandemic that started last year. Be it small or big, business organizations suffered with negative impact on sales and revenues due to unpredictable lockdown regulations and strict safety protocols.
Seda Hotels are among those that have been bleeding financially during the pandemic. The challenges, however, did not stop the hotel group from still being true to its core as a proudly Filipino brand by promoting Filipino values like "malasakit."
That’s why it is truly an achievement when a company has succeeded in making sure that its employees have not been let go amid the crisis.
Hospitality business leaders at Seda Hotels have been successful and determined in fulfilling their obligation to all their stakeholders – owners, employees, guests, and even the community.
Malasakit: Seda's way of life
"Malasakit," the Filipino word for empathy and going the extra mile out of concern for others — is a unique Filipino trait that the Seda Hotels company has truly practiced especially in this current worldwide health crisis.
"Malasakit" is indeed shown as one of the principal values of Seda Hotels with its Malasakit Food Business Project.
"Malasakit" has been exhibited by the Seda management in its tireless efforts to stay open for business, provide job security, and to the best of its ability, minimize the impact on its workforce.
The management’s commitment to its employees led to the conception of the Malasakit Food Business Project, designed as an alternative livelihood program for employees who became financially challenged due to the pandemic.
The idea was for the hotel to produce packed meals sold to the employees “at cost." The employees then have re-sold the food for a profit at prices they decided on, to customers they sourced on their own.
Management offered a credit line worth P5,000 as initial capital for related expenses. In addition, it conducted training sessions on topics about running a business such as customer service, accounting, selling techniques, food safety, and even collateral design.
The Malasakit Food Business Project also helped employees, like kitchen staff who prepared the food orders, to keep earning their daily wage.
Results were inspiring. An employee, Amado, said: “Selling increased my confidence in terms of communication and helped me gain experience in marketing.”
Laura, a manager, has a different perspective — she donated her earnings to the employees.
Executives have also been generous in their support. They order for their consumption, for working lunches, as a simple treat, or a gesture of kindness to service staff and frontliners in their residential communities.
The Malasakit project made everyone more aware of other people’s needs and encouraged them to take the opportunity to reach out and help as much as they can.
The project has made Seda Hotels win the “Philippines Leading Hotel Group” award at the World Travel Awards, and “Employer of Choice” in HRD Awards Asia 2021 last October 2021.
Seda Hotels won as “Philippines’ Leading Hotel Group” for the eighth consecutive year in the World Travel Awards Asia, in addition to Seda Residences Makati bagging an independent trophy for “Philippines’ Leading Serviced Apartments.”
'Safe at Seda' health and safety program
Part of the Seda Brand Promise is providing an environment where guests feel safe and secure. Since Seda Hotels first opened in December 2012, it has tried to adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and safety, ensuring that necessary measures are in place to make guests and colleagues feel that they are well-taken care of, every step of the way.
In this spirit, Seda launched SafeAtSeda, an enhanced health and safety program that supplemented measures already in place and adhered to, based on guidelines issued by public health authorities and benchmarked with global industry standards. It was detailed, but practical and simple, to avoid further difficulties in an already challenging situation.
Holidays at Seda Hotel BGC
Seda Hotel BGC keeps on giving this Christmas season with its special holiday promos .
You can enjoy its Weekend Serviced Lunch Buffet at Misto every Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for only P1,299 net, with 50% off for children aged 5-12 years old this December. Enjoy hot and cold dishes, grilled meats and seafood, surprise meals for the day from international cuisines, and of course, delicious desserts!
"I know we are all used to getting our own food during buffet setting. But to ensure the safety of our guests, we have to assign staff to get food for you. You can still get and eat as much as and how many times and whatever food you want, but staff members will have to get them for you. We made sure all our staff members are vaccinated," Seda Hotels Group Director of Sales and Marketing Melissa Carlos said in an interview with Philstar.com.
Meanwhile, Seda Hotel BGC’s Urban Getaway Package from December 1 to 30 except 24th, 25th and 31st, allows you to enjoy home away from home, with its Executive Deluxe Room for only P6,500 net, and Executive Suite for only 9,P500 net.
Enjoy overnight stays, with the usage of pool and gym by appointment with the front desk. Children are welcome. Safety is ensured as the hotel follows the one person per 10 square meters rule as mandated by the Department of Tourism. The package is made flexible as guests are allowed to either enjoy a breakfast and lunch buffet, or in-room food service.
You can also avail of the VIP Rooms, for up to 15 persons, with the Holiday Package at consumable rates available, inclusive of the venue with three or four-course menus.
On December 24, spend your holidays at Seda Hotel BGC's Misto Restaurant with the Christmas Eve Serviced Dinner Buffet for only P2,500 net, with soft beverages being served from 6 to 10 p.m.
Continue your Christmas party at Seda Hotel BGC’s rooftop restaurant Straight Up, with its Christmas Eve Set Dinner consisting of 4-Course Menu with appetizer, soup, dessert and choice of Angus Beef Tenderloin, Herb-Crusted Salmon or Roasted Turkey for the main course for only Php 2,800 net, with one round of house wines and soft beverages, and “live” DJ from 6 p.m. onwards.
For Christmas Day, Seda Hotel BGC offers the Christmas Day Serviced Lunch Buffet at Misto for only Php 1,800 net, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bid goodbye to 2021 with Seda Hotel BGC’s New Year's Eve Serviced Dinner Buffet at Misto on December 31 for only P2,800 net, with unlimited soft beverages from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The hotel's rooftop restaurant Straight Up also offers New Year's Eve Set Dinner on December 31, with 4-course menu with appetizer, soup, dessert and choice of Poached Sea Bass, Argentinian Beef Tenderloin, or Australian Rack of Lamb for the main course for only Php 4,500 net per person, with soft beverages and “live” DJ from 6:00 PM onwards.
Start your 2022 right with New Year's Day Serviced Lunch Buffet at Misto for only P1,800 net, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Seda Hotel BGC also allows you to indulge in delicious sweets with its Holiday Goodies, like Classic Food Gift Box, which includes choice of rosemary chicken, US roast beef, honey glazed ham and crisp pork belly, or baked mahi mahi, with rice, sides and dessert.
Another offering from the Holiday Goodies is the Grazing Box, which features salami napoli, salami milano, rama ham, farmer's ham, boursin, parmesan and cheddar cheeses with pretzels, Breadsticks, Crackers, Walnuts, dried mangoes, cornichons and grapes.
Other holiday goodies displayed at Misto are Macarons, Gingerbread House, Fruit Cake, Cookies and Cavandish Bread. The Christmas goodies can also be bought online through foodtogo-bgc@sedahotels.com.
Make sure to present your vaccination cards to enjoy the buffet packages and amenities, or a negative RT-PCR tests before entering the hotel. For table reservations, go to https://sedabgcrestaurantreservations.questionpro.com/. Buffet packages at Misto are Inclusive of service charge and applicable taxes. For VIP Rooms reservations, call (0917) 865 63860.
