Grand Westside Manila Bay is extending its commitment to sustainability and community engagement beyond its hotel grounds through a Sampaguita planting activity at Tambo Elementary School in Parañaque. Together with teachers, parents, and students, hotel associates planted 45 Sampaguita plants, helping create greener surroundings while celebrating the Philippines’ national flower.
Led by General Manager Joe Xavier Fijardo, the initiative brought the hotel team and the school community together in a shared effort to promote environmental awareness and preserve an important symbol of Filipino heritage.
“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 activity forms part of Grand Westside Manila Bay’s support for Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ (MGHR) MEGreen sustainability programme and its broader advocacy to preserve and promote the Sampaguita, a flower closely associated with Filipino culture and hospitality.
Growing A Culture Of Care
At the heart of the 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 highlights the importance of associate involvement in community initiatives. Beyond their daily responsibilities, hotel team members are encouraged to take part in volunteer activities and internally organized fundraising efforts that support various 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 conducted Sampaguita planting activities in partnership with schools and community organizations. These efforts aim to raise awareness of the national flower’s cultural significance while promoting environmental responsibility. Through MEGreen, the group also supports sustainability initiatives and collects Sampaguita seedlings for future planting activities.
The partnership with Tambo Elementary School provides an opportunity to share these values with younger generations. By participating in the activity, students are encouraged to appreciate nature and develop 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 symbolize the growing relationship between the hotel and its neighbouring community, as well as a shared responsibility to preserve Filipino heritage for future generations.
Through initiatives like 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.
About Grand Westside Manila Bay
Located in Westside City, Parañaque, Grand Westside Manila Bay is part of Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts, the Philippines’ largest homegrown hotel operator. With 1,528 rooms, the hotel offers contemporary accommodation, dining, leisure, and meeting facilities in Manila’s Entertainment City district. It is committed to delivering memorable guest experiences while supporting sustainability and meaningful community initiatives.
