What made Charisse Chuidian cry at the closing of Mandarin?
MANILA, Philippines - Last Monday, Mandarin Oriental Manila communications director Charisse Chuidian called up and said: “It’s Paseo de Uno’s final day today, would you like to have lunch or dinner here?”
We quickly went to the Mandarin for lunch on our way to a heavy day at work, together with two other Mandarin loyalists, Susan Joven and Fe Rodriguez , with whom Charisse and I have shared memorable meals at the Mandarin.
It turned out to be a sentimental lunch, with us rewinding to the time we first met. I actually “met” Charisse when we were both fresh graduates (she from Maryknoll, and I, from UP) and were both featured in a magazine. “It was Sunburst Magazine,” she reminded me. So when we actually met in person a couple of years later, we felt like we already knew each other.
What I clearly knew about Charisse then was that her father, Ermin Garcia Sr., editor-publisher of the Sunday Punch in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, was shot dead in 1966 by a councilor in Lingayen who the paper was going to expose for ghost payroll-padding. To this day, her only brother Ermin Garcia Jr., runs the weekly community paper after taking over the reins as publisher-editor right after graduating from Ateneo.
Charisse was reared in such principles and a sense of duty to fellowmen and country. It is no wonder that she has become one of the most professional and well-loved hoteliers in Manila. She was so devoted to the industry, she spent the best years of her life working in two hotels she so loved — Century Park Sheraton and Mandarin Oriental Manila.
As she bid farewell to the Mandarin last Monday evening together with 385 employes, she brought with her fond memories, holding a Montblanc pen given to her by a former boss who said: “You may want to use this pen to write your memoirs.”
It is too early for Charisse to be writing her memoirs, for this highly-valued hotelier has been invited by the City of Dreams to be their VP for communications. Here are excerpts from our conversation:
You are teary-eyed. What memories of Mandarin make you cry the most?
In recent weeks, it’s the thought that I will no longer be working with my colleagues, in particular my small team of three very young talented individuals who joined me two to three years ago when they were practically out of school. I believe I have helped mould them, and am extremely proud of what each one has accomplished in her and his own right.
I get teary-eyed when my GMs express appreciation for the quality of my work.
Another recent situation happened last week, perhaps also because I, like many of us, have been putting our emotions in check for so long. Michael Gibb, the GM who convinced me to join Mandarin Oriental, Manila in 1992 said something very meaningful to me in private, on the night of the grand reunion of ex-Mandarin Oriental colleagues, saying that he knew at the time he interviewed me that I would be right for the hotel at and that he is now so proud to see what I have worked for towards helping build a name for the hotel. He then handed me a note and a splendid gift “with which to write my memoirs in the future.” Who wouldn’t cry? It was an emotional moment.
What is the best thing that a hotel career has taught you?
It would be a combination of: diligence and patience, that there is no limit to creativity, understanding each publication’s profile and thrust, to know what story to pitch, paying attention to details, and deriving satisfaction from having been of assistance to colleagues, customers, media, friends. Everyone.
What will you miss most?
The exemplary cuisine of our chefs, the hotel’s primary assets. Their creations were exquisite, blending flavors and ingredients so divinely, with presentations that have been carefully studied. Every dish that was served in Tivoli and Tin Hau underwent food-tasting. I’m honored to have worked with them. One would not miss their passion, talent and dedication. They were supportive, always, of our and media requests for food photography. My heart skips a beat to speak of this now in the past tense…
Let’s recall the most significant events held at Mandarin Oriental, Manila.
The annual Chinese New Year celebration which we staged since 1996. The annual midnight festivities had become a landmark event in the city. Great effort was exerted to make each year’s celebration outdo the year before.
We also went through a phase of cultural events with the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines where my GM then, Helmut Gaisberger, was a prime mover.
How about unforgettable moments with celebrities?
Andrea Bocelli was so down to earth. I found it rather amusing that he was thrilled about the wangwang police escorts accorded him on his way to Araneta Coliseum from the hotel. He put his head out of the Jaguar’s window to be able to hear the siren! It was also a magical moment for me, when he was humming a tune while seated next to me at a picnic hosted by Baby Arenas. I remember telling Chito Antonio how thrilled I was about it.
Claudia Schiffer was so lovely, almost ethereal. She was booked by Virgie Ramos for the opening of the Fashion Café. Then Naomi Campbell came, too.
Jackie Chan was as casual as can be, careful of his wholesome image, being a Unicef ambassador. He accommodated almost everyone’s request for a photo op.
You have worked under many hotel GMs. Do you remember them all?
Of course. At Century Park Sheraton, I had six — Guido Jonas, John Roseman, Peter Stevens, Helmut Gaisberger, Peter Grieder and Bobby Carpio. At the Mandarin, I worked under four GMs in all: Michael Gibb who hired me in 1992, Helmut Gaisberger — yes again, Mark Bradford, and Torsten van Dullemen.
* * *
Follow the author on Facebook and Instagram @milletmartinezmananquil. Email her at mananquilmillet@gmail.com.
