Megaworld Hotels & Resorts earns major wins in top PH hospitality awards

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Megaworld Hotels & Resorts secured major victories in two of the country’s most prominent hospitality award programs—the 11th Virtus Awards and the 28th Mabuhay Awards—affirming its commitment to purpose-driven leadership, inclusivity, and Filipino hospitality.

MHR managing director Cleofe Albiso said the recognitions reflect the company’s belief that its people remain at the core of its success and culture of service.

She said every milestone is backed by teams who “pour genuine heart, creativity, and purpose into their craft,” adding that passion becomes meaningful when it is rooted in purpose and felt by guests, colleagues, and the organization.

MHR’s “100% Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment” campaign won Marketing Campaign of the Year at the Virtus Awards held Oct. 16 in Parañaque, marking the hotel group’s second straight win following last year’s recognition for its “Ang Sampaguita” initiative.

Judges described the campaign as authentic, inclusive, and commercially impactful, noting that it addressed an untapped market while delivering meaningful business results.

They commended MHR for demonstrating culturally respectful leadership and a strong national purpose in elevating the country’s readiness to welcome Muslim travelers.

The initiative positioned MHR as the Philippines’ first Muslim-friendly hotel chain, with all its properties recognized by the Department of Tourism as Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments.

The program also received international recognition at the Halal in Travel Awards in Singapore in June and earned the Philippine Tourism Excellence Award in September for championing Muslim inclusivity and the Filipinization of hospitality.

The Virtus Awards also highlighted MHR’s talent pool, with 13 associates from various properties named national finalists in sales and marketing categories.

At the 28th Mabuhay Awards held Nov. 14, MHR earned two major honors in what is widely considered the “Oscars of Philippine Hospitality.”

The ceremony coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Association of Human Resources Managers and carried the theme “Galing ng Pilipino, Ginto ng Buong Mundo.”

Twin Lakes Hotel’s Maria Bianca Villanueva won the Heart of the House Award for her excellence in back-of-house operations, while Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown’s Hanna Kristina Tiongson was named HR Leader of the Year, marking a back-to-back victory for MHR after a win in 2024.

MHR fielded 30 nominees at this year’s Mabuhay Awards.

The company said the achievements reflect its Circle of Happiness philosophy, a culture built on love for God, self, family, work, and country, which guides associates in finding purpose and joy in their daily roles.

This culture is supported by MHR’s Great Place To Work certification, which it has earned for three consecutive years, with 90 percent of employees affirming it is a great place to work and an 87 percent Trust Index score reflecting strong confidence in its leadership.

MHR said its strong showing at both the Virtus and Mabuhay Awards underscores its growing influence in Philippine hospitality as it integrates commercial results with cultural empathy and people-centered values.