Cebu bids farewell to Marriott GM

The Cebu Marriott Hotel, the island’s top businessman’s choice venue, hosted yet another fabulous cocktail reception at the Grand Ballroom to bid farewell to its dynamic general manager Karl Hudson and to welcome the hotel’s new big boss, top honcho Roy Abraham.

Over drinks and pleasant conversation, we learned that Abraham, an American of  Indian descent, a graduate of the University of Madras, India who also attended the Cornell School of Hotel Management in Food and Beverage,  brings with him a wealth of global experience from his 30 years with the ever-growing hospitality industry.

Well conversant in English and well versed in international cultures, customs and the cuisine of Asia,  he started his career in 1978 as management trainee at Marriott International Hotel in Kuwait. He eventually moved around Europe and America. Before long, Abraham was named resident manager of the Renaissance Makati City Hotel, Manila. He now takes over the helm from Hudson who has moved to manage a resort hotel in Sanya, China.

To welcome Abraham to Cebu were  City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, his wife Cebu’s first lady Margot, and Councilor Jack Jakosalem.

US Consular Agent John Domingo, Japanese Consul Shigekazu Sakunaga, Honorary Consul of Spain Jaime Picornell, Honorary Consul of Chile David Ugarte and Honorary Consul of Canada Robert Lee represented the diplomatic corps.

Also present were Hans and Bo Hauri of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel and Efren Belarmino of Plantation Bay Resort, both excellent choices for idyllic holidaymakers.

From the travel  industry were Eddie Kong and Connie Cimafranca of Cathay Pacific, Cris Lebumfacil of Philippine Airlines, Girlie Robles of Qatar Airways and Kum Kong of Silkair.

As expected the party  went on for hours way  past the  usual bedtime of most attendees. Yes, it was truly another fun-filled get-together.

We wish dear friend Karl Hudson the best of luck and to Roy Abraham, the warmest  of welcome to Cebu.