By Cleofe Uy Catuday
When this month of February strikes its first day, the topic and the feeling of love begins to gain more importance compared to all other months of the year. Doubly so, this year as the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year happens to be on the 10th of February. Thus, all reds have become even redder, and symbolism of love did not stop at commitment, passion and intimacy but also stretched to bounty, prosperity and abundance. Its celebration after celebration. Yet with one desired meaning and intent love for self, love for others and love for a great life.
In the hospitality industry where these seasons are one of the busiest. Second to the Christmas season, associates and employees tend to be onlookers of people celebrating this season. With a core goal of maximizing the high season, occupancy for restaurants is high and businesses on a better than usual flow. I always say to that it takes love for service to stay on in this industry. Whereby, you postpone most of your personal celebrations to serve other people during the season. It takes a lot of love for service to be able to do that. Especially for those who are in the operations department whereby service and work hours are even extended on these days.
How do you serve happily when you have to postpone your own? It will take an understanding support system and a great domestic patience to embrace the realities of the job you are in. A family that fully has your back in full understanding that your hardwork is equivalent to your love for them. That it is the need of the job, and it doesn’t mean that you care and love your own less.
The greater part of it is when you find it in your heart that serving others is an enabler to fulfill your own. When you find a deep sense of purpose in taking part in the celebrations and life milestones that others do when they host in their hotels, when they find happiness in the happiness of others and when the self-satisfaction is achieved when the goals of others are met with their hardwork and commitment to deliver customer service.
It’s an ecosystem that’s not for everyone. It’s for those who find joy in serving. It’s for the people who are born to serve. Those that are self-assured have enough patience and humility to carry this on. It’s an industry I personally did not expect to be a part of. But its and world that I have come to love. It’s the universe where I met the most selfless on individuals and leaders. Meeting them and taking part of this service industry made me respect them a lot. Indeed, it’s an industry that makes you dress up presentably. Even made up daily. But more than what meets the eye, it’s an industry of selfless people, of people who love to see people happy.
Today I take time to thank God for taking my path to the industry of hospitality. One I did not expect my life to be taken to but one that I will forever be grateful for. Cheers to the millions of Filipinos who are serving the hospitality and tourism industry all over the world. May we continue to find joy in giving joy. May we be protected when we meet challenging customers and stakeholders. May we always find inspiration in our love for service and may our faith keep us going no matter what season we serve.
