Silent force • Stephanie Chong

MANILA, Philippines - Stephanie Chong enters the room like a hush of serene air. She introduces herself to the crowd of busy names and faces without commanding attention. After brief chats, she once again finds her serenity and waits for her turn to be interviewed, dressed and dolled up. It is in these exercises of tranquil silence that make Stephanie Chong matter. She is important but she does not make anyone feel that she is. She probably has gotten that command of being supreme yet simple based on the years of experience as director for events of The Peninsula Manila. Her work probably allows her to be a leader who does not need the limelight. She is, after all, trained to be central to anyone she deals with without calling attention to herself.

Stephanie knows how to exercise her command responsibilities without acting as a commando, too. “It has been my practice to check all events and do the rounds in the hotel,” she mentions.

“Knowing the details allows me to have a direction,” she adds. The same kind of focus to fine points also helps her understand her clients when it comes to organizing events. Stephanie believes that she needs that eye for detail in order for her to take full advantage of catering revenues for events organization, banquet, facility and equipment rental at The Peninsula Manila.

“Along with the detailed work I need to do, I have developed patience and love for my job,” she explains. Her passion for what she is doing allows her to be one of the best in the industry. “I have learned to live and love the ups and downs of my work that is why I know and remember the nature and value of my profession,” she happily shares. In fact, she still feels motivated with every venture she does with the hotel and her clients. “I have been with the hotel for 13 years and, in all those years, I still feel excited when I organize hotel events and do client deals.”

Stephanie does not claim all the accolades in her name. Whatever excellent event is taking place in the hotel, she makes sure that her boss, partners and staff get a fair share of the luster. “I work with a lot of creative people who have all these valuable ideas,” she says. This sense of collaboration makes her not only a good manager but a team player as well. Her creativity allows her to be one distinguishing mark of excellence in her field. Her imagination is unmatched in her more than a decade service to the hotel.

Detailed and on-the-dot yet soft and hushed in execution, these make Stephanie Chong’s silence a force to reckon with.

Photography by SHAIRA LUNA • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. • Styling by RUDOLPH LEONOR • Makeup by SARI CAMPOS • Hairstyling by CHA VICUÑA • Teal gown by FRANCIS LIBIRAN • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Shot on location at the FAIRMONT PRESIDENTIAL SUITE