Another Filipino Expat in Athens Hotel Industry

Another Filipino Expat in Athens Hotel Industry
By: Yoko Ramos-Vingno

A year after my arrival in Athens, hubby and I found ourselves invited to a reception hosted by Athens’ Classical King George Palace – the hotel right in the center of the city famous for its Greek style antique rooms and neo –classical moldings. It is right there amongst Athens’ majestic edifices as the Greek Parliament building, nearby Acropolis and the Constitution Square.
I suppose King George has become even more famous after Madonna stayed at the King George’s Royal Penthouse Suite during her concert in Athens in 2008. The Royal Penthouse Suite is a 350 square meter suite representing the whole 9th floor. It has a private terrace and private pool, Jacuzzi and a breathtaking view of the Parthenon and the cost is a whopping 10,000 Euros per day.
Little did we know that the reception was actually being held at the Royal Penthouse Suite! And adding to that surprise was the discovery that a young Filipina actually worked there. It was revealed to us at the fabulous penthouse suite by King George’s gorgeous and amiable Public Relations manager Maria Strati.
The affair was on a winter night sometime in December that we caught a good view of the Parthenon from the magnificent and royalty suite of the Royal Penthouse – we went back inside the luxurious suite because it was getting really chilly and continued our tete-a-tete. We were informed that the young Filipina lady was not on duty when we inquired again about her. The former hotel manager (the new manager is a dashing young man with an exceptional resume, Mr Panagiotis Almyratis) told us that the hotel employs staff of different nationalities to better serve and understand their guests.
After about six months, I met the young Filipina lady from King George when she went to the embassy with her sister to renew the latter’s passport. I got a chance to interview her.
Mary Ann dela Vega was only 26 at the time of the interview. I told her to tell me what it is like moving here in Athens. Mary Ann began with her story; she spent half of her junior year in Greece and went to Hellenic High where she enjoyed her teen life with her new found friends.
Although she had a hard time at first adjusting to the language and culture of the country, she was able to cope up with the way of life and credits her friends and teachers whom she said helped a lot that she breezed through the Greek life and was able to finish high school in 2002.
Thereafter, she enrolled at the Business College of Athens and took up Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management. Time passed by so quickly but Mary Ann’s hard work paid off – she graduated in 2007 with a distinct grade of A.
With fresh credentials safely tucked in her pocket, Mary Ann went off to visit her mother in Trikala (a city north west of Athens). Her mother is a long time Filipino resident in Greece. While vacationing in her mother’s place, she applied for a job at Chatziagaki Hotel, Pertouli. It was not hard to land a job in the hotel because Mary Ann was immediately hired as a receptionist at the front desk. She was happy – as all first timers were – but after a few months, she found her work easy. Mary Ann said she was looking for a job where in she could apply what she learned in school. The front desk job was good as a training ground for the next level.
Since Mary Ann had already grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle of Athens’ city life, she went back to the city and started handing out her resume to several four star hotels. Mary Ann was called for several interviews but the position offered to her was still at the front desk. This led to Mary Ann trying her luck with the big five star hotels – her last stop was King George. After an hour, Mary Ann was called back to King George for an initial interview and an on the spot test. She passed the two but she still has to be interviewed by the General Manager. She was hired as Banquet Coordinator.
A year after her entry at King George in 2008, Mary Ann has been moved to another post – more challenging work. She has been designated as Banquet Executive for three other hotels of the Daskalandonaki Group (which also owns and manages King George). The three hotels are – the Classical Acropol, 2Fashion House Hotel and the Baby Grand Hotel.
Mary Ann likes being challenged and given higher responsibilities. She is constantly learning and loving her work. She expressed happiness to having been given the opportunity to show her capability – especially in this country where Filipinos are mostly known for working in the house. Being single, Mary Ann earns relatively high pay with the usual hotel perks – ie spa discounts, unlimited use of her cellular phone, bonuses and paid vacations.
In 2009, Mary Ann was made Yield/Revenue Executive by the company. She enjoys the trust and confidence of her superiors in the hotel. This is another huge responsibility but the remuneration is the least of her concern – at the moment.
Mary Ann lives in a flat she used to share with her sister Anne Michelle until the latter decided to move to the States. Anne Michelle works as a receptionist while studying to be a flight attendant. Since they have a small family, Mary Ann said she and her sister can afford some luxury in life. She enrolled to pursue a masteral degree in Marketing at the Business College of Athens (a scholarship she had to let go) but decided to concentrate more on her new responsibilities as Yield Executive.
Mary Ann is the youngest child of Rodel and Imelda dela Vega. Her mother Imelda still lives in Trikala while her father is in Baguio City, Philippines. Mr dela Vega is a government employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Baguio. Mary Ann is planning to spend her paid vacation to go to Baguio and surprise her father. They have not seen each other since she left the Philippines in 1999.
But for now, Mary Ann has all her focus and energy at work.