Cebu bids Shangri-La Mactan GM farewell

The much-admired and much-loved amiable gentleman of gentlemen Ben Bousnina, general manager of Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort, Cebu’s ultimate paradise venue, recently bade his farewell to Cebuanos at a well-attended reception before embarking on his new assignment in Singapore where he will head the Sentosa Shangri-La Hotel.

At this heart-warming occasion his successor Desmond Hatton was introduced to the Cebuano community.

We learned from Neil Rumbaoa, the property’s popular, hard-working communications director, that Hatton, born in County Wexford, Ireland, brings with him 24 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry.

In 1978, Hatton began his practical training at Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny. The next 14 years saw him working in Switzerland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, holding various positions ranging from sous chef to executive chef, from assistant food and beverage manager to rooms division and resident manager.

Having worked his way through the ranks, he joined the prestigious Shangri-La chain in 1994. Before long he was appointed general manager of Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, till his transfer to Cebu.

Welcoming Hatton to the island were Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Lapu-lapu Mayor Arturo Radaza, and Tourism department director Dawnie Roa, who presented a Citation of Merit to Bousnina and a symbolic Management Key to Hatton.

Swiss Honorary Consul Markus Stern, French Honorary Consul Richard Forteau and Spanish Honorary Consul Jaime Picornell represented the diplomatic corps.

Also present were members of the GM Circle, an organization of hotel managers that Bousnina founded and organized. They include Christiane Wasfy of Cebu Marriott Hotel, Marita Arambulo of Costabella Tropical Beach Resort, Randy Baron of Cebu Plaza Hotel, Efren Belarmino of Plantation Bay and Michael Jordan of Alegre Beach Resort.

Present from the travel industry were Cris Lebumfacil of Philippine Airlines, Pia Bouffard of Malaysian Airlines and Connie Cimafranca of Cathay Pacific.

To Ben Bousnina, our warmest good wishes for a fruitful assignment ahead and to Desmond Hatton, the warmest of welcomes to Cebu. Mabuhay!