Grand Westside Manila Bay Nurtures Filipino Heritage Among Young Learners at Tambo Elementary School

Hotel associates join the school community in planting 45 Sampaguita plants as part of Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ sustainability and community advocacy.

Grand Westside Manila Bay extended its sustainability and community involvement efforts beyond its hotel through a Sampaguita planting initiative at Tambo Elementary School. Hotel associates teamed up with teachers, parents, and students to plant 45 Sampaguita seedlings, helping promote a greener environment.

Spearheaded by General Manager Joe Xavier Fijardo, the initiative united the hotel team and the school community in nurturing greener spaces while honoring the Sampaguita as the Philippines’ national flower.

“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 initiative forms part of Grand Westside Manila Bay’s support for Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ (MGHR) MEGreen sustainability programme and its wider advocacy to preserve and promote the Sampaguita, a flower deeply associated with Filipino culture and hospitality.

At the heart of this 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 reflects the importance of associate involvement. Beyond their daily responsibilities, hotel team members are encouraged to participate in volunteer activities and internally organised fundraising initiatives that support community 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 undertaken Sampaguita planting activities in partnership with schools and community organisations, helping raise awareness of the national flower’s cultural significance while encouraging environmental responsibility. The group’s MEGreen programme supports these efforts through sustainability initiatives and the collection of Sampaguita seedlings for future planting activities.

The partnership with Tambo Elementary School offers an opportunity to share these values with younger generations. By taking part in the planting, students are encouraged to develop an appreciation for nature and 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 grow at Tambo Elementary School, they symbolize more than just an effort to promote sustainability. They reflect the growing bond between the hotel and its neighboring community, as well as their shared commitment to preserving Filipino culture and heritage for generations to come.

Through initiatives like this, Grand Westside Manila Bay continues to embody Megaworld Global Hotels & Resorts’ Circle of Happiness philosophy, showcasing the spirit of Filipino hospitality by reaching out and making a difference beyond the hotel’s walls.