Grand Westside Manila Bay recently brought its commitment to sustainability and community engagement beyond the hotel through a Sampaguita planting activity at Tambo Elementary School, where associates joined teachers, parents and students in planting 45 Sampaguita plants.
Led by General Manager Joe Xavier Fijardo, the activity brought together the hotel team and the school community in a shared effort to create greener surroundings while celebrating the Philippines’ national flower.
“It’s wonderful to see our team working alongside the students, teachers and parents. Through activities like this, we hope to encourage greater appreciation for our environment and Filipino heritage while building lasting relationships with our community,” said Fijardo.
The initiative forms part of Grand Westside Manila Bay’s support for Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ (MGHR) MEGreen sustainability programme and its wider advocacy to preserve and promote the Sampaguita, a flower deeply associated with Filipino culture and hospitality.
At the heart of this advocacy is MGHR’s Sampaguita Brand of Service, inspired by the values of love, honour, dignity and healing. These principles guide the group’s approach to hospitality and its commitment to making a positive difference in the communities surrounding its properties.
For Grand Westside Manila Bay, the planting activity also reflects the importance of associate involvement. Beyond their daily responsibilities, hotel team members are encouraged to participate in volunteer activities and internally organised fundraising initiatives that support community causes.
“What makes this special is seeing our associates come together and give their time to the community. We want to continue encouraging this spirit of volunteerism, where caring for others becomes a natural part of our everyday culture,” shared Rodolfo Bazar II, Area Director of PMD at Grand Westside Manila Bay.
Across its properties, Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts has undertaken Sampaguita planting activities in partnership with schools and community organisations, helping raise awareness of the national flower’s cultural significance while encouraging environmental responsibility. The group’s MEGreen programme supports these efforts through sustainability initiatives and the collection of Sampaguita seedlings for future planting activities.
The partnership with Tambo Elementary School offers an opportunity to share these values with younger generations. By taking part in the planting, students are encouraged to develop an appreciation for nature and a sense of responsibility for their surroundings.
The hotel is also exploring ways to sustain its environmental and community programmes through continued associate participation and fundraising efforts, reinforcing a culture of giving that extends beyond the workplace.
As the Sampaguita plants take root at Tambo Elementary School, they represent more than an environmental initiative. They are a reminder of the relationships being nurtured between the hotel and its neighbouring community, and the shared responsibility of preserving Filipino heritage for future generations.
Through initiatives such as this, Grand Westside Manila Bay continues to bring Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ Circle of Happiness philosophy to life, extending the warmth of Filipino hospitality beyond its doors.