STAR Rotarian Michael Albaña: Aviation Industry’s Loss, Hospitality Industry’s Gain

Who would have thought that this esteemed gentleman in the hospitality industry dreamed of becoming a pilot when he was young? And he did try to pursue it by enrolling in an aviation school. But as fate might have it, STAR Rtn. Michael Albaña changed his route. In this interview, he shared his story—how he ended up working in the hospitality industry and how he realized he had a passion for the work.

And while the pandemic has had an impact on every industry in the world, the hospitality industry is among the worst hit. Yet, STAR Rtn. Michael keeps a positive outlook. A strong believer that “the hospitality industry is a key driver in promoting the Philippines as a world-class destination,” you can’t beat this man’s passion in what he does.

Read on and get to know more about STAR Rtn. Michael—the path he took to get to where he is today, his favorite kind of vacation, and his love for adventure and sports. He also shares inspiring insights to those who intend to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.

Rhea Vitto Tabora (RVT): Please share something about yourself that people around you might not readily know.

Michael Albaña (MA): I am an ordinary gentleman. Growing up in the quiet province of Iloilo, I developed a high level for excitement and adventure in drag racing during high school with a keen interest in aircrafts. I wanted to become a pilot, so, I first enrolled at the Airlink International Aviation School in Pasay City where I earned units in Civil Aviation. Unfortunately, in the early 1990s, only Philippine Airlines was the dominant employer in the industry, with carriers like Cebu Pacific, Grand Air and Air Philippines still on the drawing boards. There were very limited opportunities in the aviation industry then. Certain conditions compelled me to seek other avenues of future employment, which made me transfer to the University of the Philippines in Diliman, three years in the College of Engineering before moving to the prestigious Asian Institute of Tourism, where I completed a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management. It’s a route that has defined my character as a tourism professional and hotelier, which I am very proud of. This led me to work for world renowned companies such as Century International Hotels, Holiday Inn, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and now, with the Hilton Worldwide. I love adventure and sports, being a member of the U.P. Mountaineers and part of the U.P. Taekwondo Team during my university days. I’m an avid golfer, a PADI advance diver and now into classic aspirated circuit racing. As the saying goes: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

RVT: What is your personal mantra?

MA: “Begin with the end in mind.” Your objective is to reach the peak or to be No. 1 in the market. Don’t lose sight of that goal. In my industry, this holds true, because, at the end of the day, it’s all about establishing relationships with your clients. When you handle them, you have to become the sole solution to their problems. You must delight them each and every time.

RVT: Tell us about your career in the hospitality industry. What was the path you took to get to where you are today?

MA: I have spent over two decades in the hospitality industry that saw me master the intricacies of dealing with the pillars of the trade: corporate clients, government agencies, travel agents, airlines and event organizers, among others, and gaining their trust. My journey started with Century International Hotels, and thereafter, in various ascending sales and marketing roles, took me to Holiday Inn Manila (now the Manila Pavilion, which shuttered in March 2018 because of a major fire); The Westin Philippine Plaza (renamed Sofitel Philippine Plaza in 2007); Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa (where I spent two tours of duty); Traders Hotel Manila (renamed Hotel Jen in 2015); Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa; Edsa Shangri- La Manila and, in 2017, the Conrad Manila. Happy times.

But, my path was not the straight route to the hospitality industry, although everything I did was what may have led me here. I was always serious about getting somewhere in life. I worked as a student assistant at UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, and later applied to be a membership consultant, promoting the Bankard Mastercard for the former PCI Bank (which, as Equitable PCI Bank, was taken over by the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., or Metrobank, in 1995). At 18 and still in college, I was the youngest in a team whose average age was 35. But, destiny must have had it that veteran hotelier and former Waterfront Philippines President Patrick C. Gregorio, one of my college lecturers at the U.P. Asian Institute of Tourism, assigned me to head the solicitation committee of the first grand Asian Institute of Tourism Alumni Homecoming with great success. From there, I found my entry to the hospitality industry.

RVT: What do you enjoy most about working in the hospitality industry?

MA: Working in the hospitality industry gives me a great sense of pride. I am very passionate and a strong believer that the hospitality industry is a key driver in promoting the Philippines as a world-class destination. Tourism promotes the Filipino people’s culture, world-class talents and values while creating opportunities in the preservation and care of cultural heritage, which are the main factors that help to make a stable growth for the country’s economy. The very professional management and operations of the hospitality industry complement my personal background and discipline, while working with passionate and multitalented colleagues gives me a good sense of balance. Providing inspiring experiences to guests is a great job satisfaction that other industries may lack. These times of great challenges in the hospitality industry have given me an even deeper perspective— especially, at Conrad Manila—that we, in the hospitality industry, are frontliners too. We have been providing patriotic service to the country with our selfless labor, commitment and sacrifice.

RVT: If you could have dinner with a famous person, who would it be and why?

MA: If he were still around, it would have been a privilege to have dinner with best-selling author Franklin Covey and, in his presence, rave about his book, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” But, I wish I could have dinner with FIA (Federation d I’Automobile) Chairman and CEO Jean Todt, whom I missed when he was at the Conrad Manila in 2018 for the 16th Annual FIA Sports Conference. It would be a great pleasure to listen to his international motor sports career and learn from his great talent for calculation, strategy and organization for navigation. And I wish I could have the opportunity to sip espresso with Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Shultz. His book “Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time” is the best inspirational read about people empowerment in strengthening a brand built on values and passion.

RVT: What are your interests and hobbies? What do you do when you are not at work?

MA: I am lucky to have been able to combine my interests with the career I have pursued. With friends, colleagues and industry associates, I have continued to pursue my adventure and practice my sports, namely, mountaineering, golf, and occasionally now, scuba diving and circuit racing.

I also try to find time to ride my Vespa around in NCR+ government permitting. Work takes me to travel within the Philippines and overseas (pre-pandemic) which are great opportunities to study the various markets while relishing on the interesting sights, tradition and culture. We, in the hospitality industry, work 24/7.

RVT: What is your advice to someone who would like to pursue a career in the hospitality industry?

MA: I would encourage those who would like to pursue a career in the hospitality industry to go for the good values, insights, discipline, and creativity each one will develop for strong character-building. It may not be for everyone, because the industry’s very exacting service orientation may not suit everybody. But, it is an industry with a great culture for caring and inspiring people. It is a field where creativity and innovation thrive, which hone emotional intelligence. It is a career with a wealth of opportunities for personal growth and development, where the world of work tops in the list of happiest industries where you meet great people, and where one is well recognized and appreciated.

RVT: What is your favorite kind of vacation?

MA: I wish we would be able to enjoy our world that is safe and thriving as before. When travel is back to normal, like anybody else, my favorite kind of vacation is with my family and loved ones. Conrad Manila is part of Conrad Hotels & Resorts spanning in more than five continents with nearly 35 properties, so any opportunity to take a respite must be a dream luxury vacation at any of these great properties.

RVT: What inspired you to join Rotary Club of Manila?

MA: Rotary Club of Manila is a distinguished service organization within an international network whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. Being with like-minded individuals gives me a great sense of privilege, with whom I look forward to working with on programs and projects that I am equally an advocate of. I would like to thank my friend and colleague in the tourism industry, RCM President Bobby Joseph, for inviting me to be part of this organization.

RVT: When this pandemic is over, where will you travel and why?

MA: Philippine destinations will be my first leg of travel route when the health pandemic is over. It will be a great service to patronize our own places of interest and build confidence on other regional/ international travelers to come visit the Philippines.