A thoughtful gift of love

After a solemn blessing, the gleaming wooden doors of the brand new iSuites, sprinkled with holy water, were finally opened to the delight of its young and beautiful CEO Mikaela  “Mika” Singson Mendoza. All her loved ones came to witness and give full support to her dream venture of a chic, cozy Japanese-inspired boutique hotel at 36 Imperial St., a few steps away from the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

In the company of my gregarious Assumption batchmates, I enjoyed a tour of Mika’s 33-room, five-story boutique hotel, which offers daily, weekly, monthly affordable rates. There are 12 different types of rooms from single to the largest loft type that can accommodate up to eight guests. With complimentary breakfast, free WiFi access, free parking, hot and cold showers, 24-hour security, air-conditioning, HD cable TV and some rooms that come with kitchenette, dining and living rooms, what more could we ask for? Squealing in delight, we ran around in high heels while choosing our favorite suites.

I couldn’t help but ask Mika, 22, how this venture started. Mika related that she grew up watching her grandmother Leila Singson run her apartment business, while her mother Sheila Singson helped by collecting rent. It follows that when Sheila had the opportunity, she, too, built her own apartments and that’s where iSuites started.

Originally, Mika said, the Imperial Street property was meant to be an apartment building. But when Sheila was diagnosed with cancer, all her plans changed. She had what she described as a throbbing anxiety of leaving her two beloved daughters behind. She wanted to direct and lead them straight to their passions. Since Mika was taking up Hotel Administration, the idea came up and iSuites was born.

Mika very clearly remembered how her mom, in between her chemotherapy sessions, would travel all the way to Vigan to support her younger sister Gabs, 18, who was campaigning to become president of Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK), and back to Quezon City to oversee the construction of the hotel. Gabs won the PPSK and eventually became a provincial board member of Ilocos Sur.

“I could not understand where her strength was coming from, I guess that’s how deep our mother’s love for us is,” said Mika.

Grateful Gabs added, “Mommy always manages to be behind me and my staff in all our projects. We love the challenge and pressure that she gives. Everyone seems to be on his or her toes when she is present. She allows me to think of projects that I like and helps me in implementing them. She usually arrives two to three days before an event during which time we are all in panic mode. I love it when she is around.”

***

Against the cool cream walls and sleek interiors of iSuites, Mika was a picture of elegant grace and poise in her black chiffon cocktail dress. As she took center stage to thank the loving crowd composed of family and friends, immense gratitude simply overflowed from her heart.

“What makes it so grand is that you are all here. Allow me to start by thanking my lola and lolo — Mamang Evelyn Singson and Papang Chavit Singson — our family’s pillars of strength who are always there to love and support us,” said Mika. (Sheila’s late father Titong and Chavit are brothers.)

Being a proud Ilocana, she thanked her Singson relatives who were all present and who all inspired her to pursue her dreams.

Mika, who attended Enderun Colleges (BS-IHM Hotel Administration), revealed that iSuites would not have been a reality if not for the collaboration of four precious ladies whom she wished to pay tribute to with deep appreciation.

First was Menchu Itchon, her mother’s childhood friend. “She stood as supply officer, purchaser and bookkeeper. She also painstakingly helped us hire employees, finalize room rates and even stood as foreman to ensure construction was running smoothly.”

Second was Isabel de Vera Hillerstam, her mother’s classmate. “She helped us conceptualize the whole hotel including the restaurant. She is a brilliant designer and a true friend of our family. Her constant humor kept our spirits high even when things seemed impossible.”

Third was Katrina Tolentino, her mother’s batchmate and travel buddy. “She stood as our guide and driving force when we were doing iSuites. She is also the one behind the hotel’s Tatami restaurant. Now she is kept busy shuttling between Irori (a great Japanese restaurant she co-owns with friends in Lipa, Batangas) and Tatami in Cubao.”

“Last, but certainly not the least, is my mother, Sheila Singson. According to her, she is very blessed to have these true friends who never left her side,” Mika said. “I will never be able to thank my mom enough.”

***

That moment gave me the opportunity to know Sheila and her family better. It was heartwarming how Sheila raised her two daughters Mika and Gabs to become such fine young, dynamic ladies with solid family values and impeccable manners. According to Mika, their mother taught them to be humble. “Mom would always say, ‘Hindi lang kayo ang tao sa mundo’.”

 â€œLife always has its ups and downs,” was Sheila’s constant reminder to her daughters. On top of that, she taught them to always stick together and to take care of each other.

That night, it was made clear to me the meaning and the essence of iSuites. Sheila’s loving spirit and the love of the people who continue to support her in the times she needs it the most turned this project into a healing adventure for her. Clearly, iSuites isn’t just a boutique hotel like any other, but a very thoughtful gift of love from a devoted mother to her beloved daughter.

(Love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com.)