People

Diamond Suites & Residences’ General Manager Kathy Angala is the Jack of All Trades

For practically half of her life, Katherine Angala has been working in the hotel industry. With twenty three years of experience under her belt, being a hotelier has taught her a lot about dealing with guests, helping her develop strong problem-solving skills, and honing her ability to manage conflict.

It isn’t a surprise, then, that she’s the general manager of Diamond Suites and Residences. In fact, Katherine—Kathy, as she prefers to be called—has been with the hotel for three years and a half now.

“And forever to go,” Kathy adds. “The best is yet to come.”

As part of the roster of recommended hotels in the city, Diamond Suites and Residences is one of the few establishments that have a female general manager. The shift in leadership is interesting, especially since we get to see what these women bring to the table.

On Kathy’s part, she’s keen to utilize her passion for excellent customer service in providing the best possible experience for their hotel guests.

“They call me jack of all trades,” she shares over a sumptuous lunch at the hotel. We had just finished taking her portraits in the lobby. The meal starts off with a creamy, decadent bowl of pumpkin soup, drizzled with olive oil. “I make decisions on a lot of things, from technical and engineering stuff, to financial and hotel operations.”

Dressed in a beige linen dress, which she laughingly shares was quickly altered by hand to better fit her frame, Kathy is a bright ball of energy, sharing stories and her experience over the years. One thing she loves talking about though, is food. In fact, she works closely with the hotel’s executive chef, Wally Feltavero, to create a menu that will appeal to even the most discerning of guests.

After an appetizing starter, the mains come pouring out of the kitchen and onto our table. There’s the crowd-favourite ginataang monggo soup, topped with slices of lechon kawali and itlog maalat; breaded bone-in pork chops; vongole pasta; and buffalo chicken wings with a blue cheese dip. We cap off the meal with their specialty desserts: slices of the (sinful!) cheesecake and tiramisu.

On a daily basis, Kathy is usually found doing administrative work, but she emphasizes, “The most likeable part of my job is making creative business and marketing strategies for the hotel.”

She shares that she doesn’t often get any downtime, which prompts me to ask her what she does in between breaks, to which she replies, “I don’t normally do breaks, because I like working during them. No disturbance, and [I get] peace and quiet.”

“I can’t say it’s downtime, but I do go out of my office every now and then for ten minutes, visit some departments to make friendly chats, and engage and bon with the staff, talking about anything under the sun,” she expounds. “It’s about as original as talking about the weather, but you’re also the only people in the world who get the hilarious—and frustrating—ins and outs of working at your company.”

With how amiable Kathy is, it’s no wonder that her relationship with the rest of the staff is harmonious. Her knowledge about a vast number of topics make it so that she never runs out of anything to talk about, and she easily relates to people because of it.

Like many women in society, Kathy has several roles to fulfill. Aside from the role of general manager of Diamond Suites and Residences, Kathy is also a mother to three children; two girls, 22-year-old Patricia and 8-year-old Gabrielle and one boy, 19-year-old Enzo.

A very supportive mother, she ensures to give the best opportunities for her children, such as letting them choose their career paths by themselves—with one daughter in medicine school, and her son in flying school), and supporting them with their love for football.

“Lately, I spend time listening to my 8-year-old daughter reading a children’s novel, Diary of the Wimpy Kid,” Kathy says. “It’s a great way to bond.”

On her days off, she can usually be found at home, decluttering. It reduces her anxiety, and gives her peace and fulfilment. Sometimes, she goes shopping with her children, or on a roadtrip to the beach.

“We love to explore when it comes to food, so we dine out at restaurants. If I like the menu, I try to make it at home, because I love to cook and explore.” She adds.

According to Kathy, there are many things that she needs to have on her at all times, especially in her bag. ATM cards, health insurance cards, and cash are a must onhand.

“A shopping bag—my environmentalist daughter would hate me if I don’t have it,” she goes on, “Basic essentials like tissues, hand sanitizer, zinc oxide—which is very useful especially if you have kids, it’s a first-aid for cuts, burns and insect bites—mouthwash, which I can’t live without; lip balm, cologne, over-the-counter medicines, and a sewing kit.”

What else is in store for Kathy? Upcoming projects, like hotel renovations, expansion and the pre-opening initiatives of AppleOne Inc.’s local hotel chains in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.

To know more about Diamond Suites and Residences, you may check out their Facebook page, or visit their official website at http://www.diamondsuitescebu.com.

Related Topics:AppleOne Inc.Diamond Suites and Residences Featured Katherine Angala Kathy Angala

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Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.

Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong

Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof

Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez

Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar

Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung

PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago

Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan

Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas

Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado

It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.

Design

Filipino graphic designer makes history, joins Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde among genre’s greats

PJ Ong of Inodoro, an internationally renowned graphic designer, is the first Filipino whose work will be part of the permanent collection of Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde

CEBU CITY — In a groundbreaking achievement, Cebu-based graphic designer and art director PJ Ong of Inodoro Design Studio, is set to become the first Filipino artist permanently exhibited at Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g) in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Cebu-based graphic designer and art director of Inodoro Design Studio, PJ Ong

Ong’s recognition at MA-g places him among over 250 avant-garde artists, including iconic figures like Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, signifying a profound milestone in museum history.

“Avant-garde,” is a term that refers to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

“I am extremely honored and humbled. It is a remarkable milestone in my creative journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prominent platform. The acknowledgment, especially considering Switzerland’s exacting standards in art and design, is truly fulfilling,” said Ong.

Part of a stellar contemporary collection

Under the museum’s Contemporary Collection, Ong will join global contemporary agencies such as M/M Paris (collaborator of Icelandic singer-songwriter and composer, Björk), WORK Pte Ltd (brainchild of the “Godfather of Singapore Graphic Design,” Theseus Chan), Bedow (Stockholm), BVD Stockholm AB (Stockholm), Socio Design (London) and Milkxhake (Hong Kong), among others.

Ong’s music packaging design for the Filipino harsh noise duo, White Widow, will be featured in the museum. The band’s album “The God Uterus Dissolves” — released under Melt Records — features an unconventional cassette tape packaging incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, elevating it into a unique and bespoke collector’s item.

The museum’s selection process for its Contemporary Collection involved three categories: Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration. Swiss-Canadian Fritz Gottschalk, a prominent figure in contemporary graphic design, led the Graphic Design category.

“This is profoundly validating for me as a graphic designer. Being part of a museum’s permanent contemporary collection is a lasting testament to my capabilities as an artist,” said Ong.

‘Poetry you can touch’

The graphic designer from Cebu City further defined the album as a “deliberate departure from the ordinary,” stating that it was a testament to the artist’s and band’s dedication to pushing boundaries and offering the audience a unique and immersive experience.

“Careful consideration was given to every detail, including choosing a premium supplier for the cassette tape. Opting for a screen-printed cassette, where design elements were applied directly to the surface, gave it a contemporary and visually striking result, helping us reinforce the design narrative,” said Ong.

“From the cohesive placement of elements to using symbols instead of track titles on the spine and customizing fonts, every aspect was carefully thought out. Rather than opting for the conventional wire mesh treatment on print, I took a bold step by incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, adding a unique and sensory dimension to the album — almost like poetry you can touch.”

Profound honor

Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio under Ong’s leadership has garnered global acclaim for its bold design philosophy, spanning music, fashion, architecture, culture and technology. In becoming the first Filipino whose work will be on display at the MA-g, Ong stated that it is “particularly humbling.”

“Traditionally, these privileges are given to individuals who have amassed decades of experience, attained mastery in their craft, or even as a posthumous acknowledgment. To be among those selected is a profound and unexpected honor,” he said.

“Museums typically focus on visual artists, and for a graphic designer, especially within the realm of commercial work, recognition can be more elusive. I appreciate the challenges of this less conventional route and I am committed to proving the significance of graphic design in the broader artistic landscape.”

Art enthusiasts can anticipate viewing Ong’s work with “The God Uterus Dissolves” at MA-g, scheduled to open to the general public in 2025.

***

About The Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g)

The Museum of Avant-garde compiles an original body of work from private collections, providing a unique perspective on the cultural and artistic significance of avant-garde movements. These movements, synonymous with transformative ideologies and daring experimentations, played a pivotal role in challenging political and societal conventions. For more information, visit www.ma-g.org.

About Inodoro

Inodoro is the creative moniker of graphic designer and art director PJ Ong, a prominent figure in the Philippine design scene. Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio, based in Cebu, Philippines, has garnered international recognition for its bold and distinctive design, with a focus on thought-driven imagery and iconic visual language. The studio specializes in identities, custom typography, graphic design and art direction. For more information, visit www.inodoro-design.com.

People

Ladies Who Support Ladies

Women’s Circle is an organization composed of Cebuano ladies who are successful entrepreneurs and top executives. They recently held a fellowship event at the Sheraton Mactan Resort, with special guests from the Women’s Business Council Philippines. Chairperson, Rosemarie Rafael and Council Secretary Cynthia Mamon both flew in from Manila to discuss alliances between the Cebu and Manila groups.

Loot bag from Jo Malone, Sheraton, R&M Chocomanga, gift card from Maayo Clinic, sarong from Ferimar.

The half day event was organized by Perl Jacalan, Gina Atienza and Eva Gullas. Sheraton Resort through its GM Dottie Wugler Cronin supported the event as it is aligned with the hotel’s women initiatives. The successful event was made more fun with generous give-aways, notably Jo Malone perfumes, Sheraton bags, R&M Chocomanga and sarongs from Ferimar.