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.